R ank & File
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 VOLUME XXXIII, NO. 5 $3.00
State Championship: Sevillano repeats! Los Angeles Open October 9-11, 2009 $10,000 Prize Fund (based on 200 players, 50% of each prize guaranteed) at the LAX Hilton 5711 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90045 Five Rounds — Swiss System Open 3-day schedule 40/2, SD/1; 2-day schedule rounds 1-2 G/60 1st: $1600 Entry Fees: 2nd-5th: $1000-$800-$400-$200 Open, Premier: $83 if received by 10-8, $95 at door. U2400: $300-200 Amateur:$67 if received by 10-8, $80 at door. U2200: $700-$500-$300 SCCF membership required of rated state residents ($18, jr. $10) Registration: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, 9-10 a.m. Saturday Premier Rounds: 3-day 7 p.m., 11-5:30, 10-4:30; 2-day 10:30-1:30 (Under 2000) Saturday (G/60), then merges $700-$500-$300-$100U Entries: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Place #1, Los Angeles, CA 90038 U1800: $400-$200-$150 HR: $109 single or double. (310) 410-4000. Use Group Code U1600: $400-$200-$150 LOS. Parking $8/day On-line entry, advance entry lists: Amateur www.westernchess.com (Under 1400/unr) $400-$200-$100 Also U1200: $100 Unrated: $100 October 11 (Unrated may win Unrated prize only in this section) MDC SCHOLASTICS. 5-SS, G/30. LAX Hilton, 5711 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Open to gr. 12-below. $25 Best Game prize, all sections eligible. October 11 MDC HEXES. 3-SS, G/90. LAX Hilton, 5711 W. Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045 . Six-player sections by rating.
2 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 AroundAround thethe NNationation
U.S. Open Returns points to players under 20 (as of January 1) who score wins (worth Prizes include $1,000 cash, a To The Southland ten points) or draws (five points) trophy, and free U.S. Open entry for against players rated at least 100 the winner. The top 20 and top in The U.S. Open, the granddaddy points above them. The intent is to each state also earn prizes. of national tournaments, last held encourage juniors to play in mixed At this writing, before Labor here in Los Angeles in 2003, will be tournaments and not just scholas- Day, there have been nine qualify- back in 2010, with Orange County tics, though some national scholas- ing tournaments in Southern Cali- getting its turn at bat. The Hyatt tic championships are included also. fornia, and some of our young play- Regency in Irvine, located in a Qualifying tournaments, which ers have traveled to others such as beautiful area with lots of restau- must be at least four rounds and the Supernationals, National Open, rants and offering a $99 room rate, have a slower control than G/60, World Open, and U.S. Open. Last will host the tournament, July 31 are indicated in tournament life an- year’s state winner, Ryan Polsky, – August 8. The Open is the only nouncements. leads again with 75 points from six national tournament that finds the tournaments. At 60 points and also hoi polloi rubbing shoulders with grandmasters (11 played this year) in one big section. There are typi- cally plenty of upsets too; in India- napolis this August GM John Fe- CCONTENTSOONTENTSNTENTS dorowicz suffered a 349-point upset in the final round, and this writer AROUND THE NATION ...... 3 AROUNDAROUND THETHE NATIONNATION ...... 3 yielded a first round draw to a 21ST ANNUAL U.S. AMATEUR TEAM youngster rated 586 points below... 22009009 SSTATETATE CCHAMPIONSHIPHAMPIONSHIP ...... 5 The Open is a true chess festi- WEST ...... 5 val, with daily side events, lectures, TTACTICSACTICS simuls, and workshops. The main WESTERN CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS ...... 10 BYBY IMIM ANKSANKS ...... event offers a choice of nine-, six-, T H 11 TACTICS and four-day schedules. Tourna- HHEREERE & THERETHERE ment directors should note that ser- by Tim Hanks ...... 12 vice on the staff affords an opportu- ClubClub news,news, locallocal tournaments,tournaments, nity for invaluable experience and HscholschEREolaasticstic &eeventsv eTntsHERE andand moremore ...... 1 5 credits toward advancement on the ladder! Further details on the Open CCLUB LClubUB DIRECTORYD news,IRECTO localRY ...... tournaments, 2020 will follow, but put in for those vaca- scholastic events ...... 15 tion days now! – Randy Hough THETHE LLONGONG VIEWSVIEWS BYBY OHNOHN ILLERYILLERY ...... S TATE J C HHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS ...... 192424
...... Southern USCFUGSAMESCF DDELEGATES’ FELROMEGA TREECENTS’ MEETINGMEE ETIVENTSNG ...... 21 24
Californians Lag In STATESTTHEAT EL CHAMPIONSHIPCIGHTERHAMP ISOIDENSH. I. .P . . . Q. . . UUALIFIERS. . .A . . L. . I. .F . .I .E . . R. . S...... 242 5
Junior Grand Prix UPCOMINGUUPPCOMINGCOMING EVENEVVENTSENTSTS ...... 262 6 In 2008 World Chess Live began sponsoring a Junior Grand Prix in CCHESSCHHESSESS QQUIZQUUIZIZ ...... 242 8 addition to the traditional Grand Prix. The junior category gives
3 RANKANK & FILEILE SEPTEMBEREPTEMBER-O-OCTOBERCTOBER 20092009 in the top hundred nationally are score with 5. The tournament was Michael Brown, Agata Bykovtsev, notable for the absence of Jerry Southern California Chess and John Yu (three) and Michael Hanken, who missed his first open Lau (two). By way of comparison, since 1972 because of health prob- Federation the national leader has 185 points lems. Vincent Huang also tied for President Elliot Landaw in 11 tournaments! One hopes that fifth in the Denker Tournament of Vice President Ron Rezendes the remaining qualifying events, High School State Champions and Secretary Chuck Ensey including the American Open, will earned his first Master rating. Treasurer John Hillery Executive Board get more contenders into the arena Randy Hough to fight for top spots. IM Enrico Sevillano (2569) Mike Nagaran Of course, it gets more difficult to – Corbin Yu (2179) Rick Aeria pull those upsets as one’s strength U. S. Open, Indianapolis 2009 Jim Bullock increases. But there’s plenty of B22 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Alapin Mick Bighamian Jerry Yee room for our young players to play Variation Anthony Ong in more mixed tournaments – and (Notes by Los Angeles Times Takashi Iwamoto for organizers to structure their chess columnist Jack Peters)
events so as to attract those JGP 1. e4 c5 2. c3 Rank & File point-seekers. – Randy Hough Alapin’s treatment of the Sicil- Editor John Hillery ian Defense. 835 N. Wilton Pl. # 2. … d6 3. d4 Nd7 Los Angeles CA 90038 US. Open: Playable, although 3. ... Nf6 4. [email protected] Six is the point Bd3 e5 is more common. 4. Nf3 Qc7 5. Bd3 Ngf6 6. 0-0 Publisher David Argall Six players tied for first in the e5 Contributing Editors 455-player 110th Annual U.S. After 6. ... e6 7. Qe2, Black must Jack Peters Open, held at the Indianapolis Mar- constantly beware of e4-e5. Tim Hanks riott East August 1-9. Scoring 7.5 7. Bg5 Be7 8. dxe5 dxe5 9. Al Pena out of 9 were GMs Alex Yermolin- Na3 0-0 10. Nc4 b6?! Contributors sky, Sergey Kudrin, Dmitry Gurev- Granting White an edge. With Chuck Ensey ich and Jesse Kraai, and IMs Alex 10. ... b5! 11. Ne3 c4 12. Bc2 Bb7 13. Randy Hough Anthony Ong Lenderman and Jacek Stopa. Since Nf5 Nc5, Black obtains adequate Chris Roberts Stopa is from Poland, the other five counterplay. players take all five U.S. Champion- 11. Ne3 Bb7 12. Nf5 Rae8 13. Subscriptions/Address Changes ship qualification spots. Congratu- Qe2 Kh8?! Randy Hough, Membership Secretary lations to the winners! This was the best moment for P.O. Box 205 Eugene Yanayt topped the 13. ... c4! 14. Bxc4 Bxe4. Monterey Park CA 9754 Southern California contingent 14. Rad1 (626) 282-742 with 6½ points, including a draw White’s active pieces are ready [email protected] with co-winner GM Alex Yermo- to pounce. Black’s attempt to unpin Rank & File — ISSN 8750-964 USPS linsky. Last year’s champion, IM by 14. ... Ng8? would lose to 15. Bb5! 738-230, published bimonthly by the Enrico Sevillano, finished with a Bc6 16. Bxe7 Nxe7 17. Nd6 Rd8 18. Southern California Chess Federation, 300 disappointing 6. Vincent Huang, Ng5, hitting f7. Ballista, La Puente CA 9744. Periodical Donald Danlag, Randy Hough, and 14. … c4? postage paid at Industry, CA. POST- Nathaniel Lagemann (who gained Continued on page 23 ... MASTER: Send changes of address to 38 points, notching one upset win SCCF, PO Box 205, Monterey Park CA and five upset draws) scored 5½, Photos: John Hillery 9754. Subscriptions: $8 adult, $0 junior. and Don Cotton also made a plus Copyright © SCCF 2009. One-time only publication rights have been obtained from signed contributors. All other rights are hereby assigned to the authors. The opinions Advertising Rates: Full page $80, half page $45, expressed are strictly those of the contribu- 1/4 page $25, 1/8 page $15, back cover (3/4 page) SCCF Online tors and do not necessarily reflect the views $80. (All rates are for camera-ready copy.) Flyer of the SCCF, its officers or members. insert $50 (advertiser must supply flyers). 50% The SCCF Web discount for tournaments requiring SCCF mem- bership. Display ads should be sent to the Editor, page is located at: flyers to the Publisher (addresses at right). Pay- ment should be sent with order to the Editor. SCCF www.scchess.com reserves the right to reject any advertising.
4 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 2009 sccf state championship
# Name Rtng Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Rd 4 Rd 5 Rd 6 Rd 7 Tot 1 IM Enrico Sevillano 2556 W3 W2 W5 W7 W6 D4 X8 6½ 2 Tianyi He 2210 W6 L1 W8 D3 W4 W5 X7 5½ 3 Alexandre Kretchetov 2403 L1 W8 D4 D2 W5 W7 W6 5 4 Tatev Abrahamyan 2315 W8 W7 D3 W6 L2 D1 L5 4 5 IM Jack Peters 2411 W7 L6 L1 W8 L3 L2 W4 3 6 Elliott Liu 2405 L2 W5 L7 L4 L1 X8 L3 2 7 Ali Morshedi 2318 L5 L4 W6 L1 X8 L3 F2 2 8 Robert I Reynolds 2210 L4 L3 L2 L5 F7 F6 F1 0
he 2009 SCCF State Championship, held August 15-23 at the 21. Bg5 [21. fxg7 Qxh4 22. TCentury City law offices of Cheong, Denove, Rowell & Ben- gxf8Q+ Kxf8 23. Bg5] 21. ... Bh8 nett, once again brought together Southern California’s top play- 22. Ng3 Nb6 23. Rad1 Rc4 24. f4 ers and a selection of promising challengers. Qc8 25. Bh6 Qc5+ 26. Kh1 Bxd5 27. Bxd5 Nxd5 28. Nxh5 Ne3 29. Qg5 Taking first place — for an un- Elliott Liu (2405) - Tianyi He Qc6+ 30. Kg1 Rxc2 31. Rf2 Rxf2 precedented fourth year in a row (2210) 32. Kxf2 Nxd1+ 33. Ke1 Qe4+ 34. — was top-rated IM Enrico Sevil- SCCF State Championship, Los Kxd1 Qf3+ 35. Kd2 Qxh5 0–1 lano, with a dominating 6½-½. But Angeles 2009 second place was a shock, as the B07 PIRC-ROBATSCH DEFENSE IM Enrico Sevillano (2556) - Alex- youngest (and lowest-rated!) player, 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. andre Kretchetov (2403) Tianyi He, finished with 5½-1½, Be3 Bg7 5. h3 c6 6. g4 Qa5 7. Bg2 0– SCCF State Championship, Los enough to win the tournament in 0 8. Nge2 Nbd7 9. Ng3 Nb6 10. 0–0 Angeles 2009 most years. Next came defending Nc4 11. Bc1 e5 12. d5 cxd5 13. exd5 A53 OLD INDIAN DEFENSE co-champion Alexandre Kretchetov b5 14. g5 Ne8 15. Nce4 Bb7 16. Qg4 1. e4 c6 2. c4 e5 3. Nf3 d6 4. d4 (who lost only to Sevillano) with 5-2, Rd8 17. Qh4 Rc8 18. Nf6+ Nxf6 19. Bg4 5. Be2 Nd7 6. 0–0 Ngf6 7. Nc3 and Tatev Abrahamyan (who start- gxf6 Qd8 20. Ne4 h5 Be7 8. Be3 0–0 9. h3 Bh5 10. Nd2 ed strong but lost a heartbreaker to XIIIIIIIIY Bg6 11. a3 Re8 12. b4 exd4 13. Bxd4 He in round 4) at 4-3. Bf8 14. Bd3 d5 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. Re1 John Hillery directed for the 9-+rwq-trk+0 a5 17. Bb5 axb4 18. axb4 Rxa1 19. SCCF. Special thanks are owed 9zpl+-+pvl-0 Qxa1 dxe4 20. Bxf6 Nxf6 21. Bxe8 to John Rowell, who provided the 9-+-zp-zPp+0 Qxd2 22. Bb5 h6 23. Rd1 Qg5 24. playing site, and to all who donated Rd8 Nh7 25. Re8 Qf6 26. Qc1 Qd6 to support this event. Unfortunate- 9+p+Pzp-+p0 27. Nxe4 Qxb4 28. Qc4 Qe1+ 29. ly, the cost of the Championship 9-+n+N+-wQ0 Kh2 Bxe4 30. Rxe4 Qxf2 31. Rf4 continues to exceed the SCCF’s re- 9+-+-+-+P0 sources, but with a vigorous fund- raising effort it should be possible 9PzPP+-zPL+0 to continue the tradition next year. 9tR-vL-+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy
5 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 33. ... Nb3 34. Rcb1 Rxc2+ 35. 9-+-+-vlk+0 9-+-+-+-+0 Be2 Nd4 36. Ke3 Nxe2 0–1 9+p+-+pzpn0 9+-+-mK-mk-0 Alexandre Kretchetov (2403) 9-+-+-+-zp0 9p+-+-sN-+0 - Robert Reynolds (2210) 9+L+-+-+-0 9+-+-sn-zpp0 SCCF State Championship, Los Angeles 2009 9-+Q+-tR-+0 9-+-+-zp-zP0 E20 NIMZO-INDIAN DEFENSE 9+-+-+-+P0 9+-+-+-+-0 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 9-+-+-wqPmK0 9-zPP+-+P+0 4. f3 c5 5. d5 0–0 6. e4 d6 7. Nge2 exd5 8. cxd5 Nbd7 9. Ng3 Re8 10. 9+-+-+-+-0 9+-+-+-+-0 Be2 Ne5 11. 0–0 Bd7 12. Qc2 c4 13. xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy Kh1 Rc8 14. f4 Nd3 15. Bxd3 cxd3 31. ... Bd6 32. Qxf7+ Kh8 33. 36. ... Kg6 37. hxg5 h4 38. Nd5 16. Qxd3 Ng4 17. h3 Qh4 18. Bd2 Qe8+ Nf8 34. Qxf8+ 1–0 Kxg5 39. Ke6 Nc4 40. b3 f3 41. gxf3 Nf6 19. Nge2 Bc5 20. Be1 Qh6 21. h3 42. f4+ Kg4 43. bxc4 h2 44. c5 Bf2 b5 22. Bxc5 Rxc5 23. e5 dxe5 Robert Reynolds (2210) - Tatev h1Q 45. c6 Qe4+ 46. Kd6 Qg6+ 47. 24. fxe5 Rc4 25. Qg3 Abrahamyan (2315) Kd7 Qf5+ 48. Kd6 Qf8+ 49. Kd7 XIIIIIIIIY SCCF State Championship, Los Qf5+ 50. Kd6 Kf3 51. c7 a5 52. Nb6 Angeles 2009 a4 53. Nxa4 Qxf4+ 54. Kc6 Qxa4+ 9-+-+r+k+0 A02 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Closed 55. Kb7 Qb5+ 56. Ka8 Qa6+ 57. 9zp-+l+pzpp0 Variation Kb8 Qb6+ 58. Kc8 Ke4 59. c4 Ke5 9-+-+-sn-wq0 1. f4 c5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. e4 60. c5 Qb3 61. Kd7 Qd5+ 62. Kc8 d6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. 0–0 Nh6 7. d3 0–0 Ke6 63. c6 Kd6 64. Kb8 Qb5+ 0–1 9+p+PzP-+-0 8. c3 f5 9. Na3 Nf7 10. Nc4 fxe4 11. 9-+r+-+-+0 dxe4 b5 12. Ne3 b4 13. c4 Bb7 14. Tianyi He (2210) - IM Enrico Sevil- 9+-sN-+-wQP0 Kh1 a5 15. Rb1 a4 16. h4 Nd4 17. lano (2556) Nxd4 cxd4 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. exd5 SCCF State Championship, Los 9PzP-+N+P+0 Qc8 20. h5 Qf5 21. Bd2 Nh6 22. Angeles 2009 9tR-+-+R+K0 Qe2 b3 23. axb3 axb3 24. Bf3 d3 25. C18 FRENCH DEFENSE, Winawer xiiiiiiiiy Qe6+ Qxe6 26. dxe6 Nf5 27. Rfe1 Variation Ra4 28. hxg6 Nxg3+ 29. Kg2 Nf5 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 25. ... Rg4 26. Qh2 Rh4 27. Ng1 30. gxh7+ Kxh7 31. Be4 Rxc4 32. c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Qg4 Ng4 28. Qg3 Nxe5 29. Rae1 f6 30. Bxf5+ Rxf5 33. Re3 Rd5 34. Kf3 cxd4 8. Qxg7 Rg8 9. Qxh7 Qc7 10. Ne4 Ng6 31. Nc5 Rxe1 32. Rxe1 Bf5 Rc2 0–1 Ne2 Nbc6 11. f4 dxc3 12. Qd3 Bd7 33. Qb8+ Nf8 34. Ne6 time 1–0 13. Rb1 0–0–0 14. Nxc3 Na5 15. Ali Morshedi (2318) - IM Jack Nb5 Bxb5 16. Rxb5 a6 17. Rb1 Nc4 IM Jack Peters (2411) - Elliott Liu Peters (2411) 18. g3 Qa5+ 19. Bd2 Nxd2 20. Qxd2 (2405) SCCF State Championship, Los Qxa3 21. Rb3 Qa1+ 22. Kf2 Nc6 23. SCCF State Championship, Los Angeles 2009 Rc3 Kb8 24. Bg2 Qb2 25. Rd1 Qb6+ Angeles 2009 B93 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Najdorf 26. Kf1 Rc8 27. Rb3 Qc5 28. Rdb1 E74 KING’S INDIAN DEFENSE, Variation Na5 29. R3b2 Rc7 30. Qf2 Qxf2+ Averbakh Variation 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. 31. Kxf2 Rgc8 32. Rc1 Rc3 33. Bf1 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f4 e5 7. Nf3 XIIIIIIIIY e4 d6 5. Be2 0–0 6. Bg5 c5 7. dxc5 Nc6 8. fxe5 dxe5 9. Qxd8+ Nxd8 10. Qa5 8. Bd2 Qxc5 9. Nf3 Bg4 10. Be3 Nxe5 Bb4 11. Bd2 0–0 12. 0–0–0 9-mkr+-+-+0 Qc8 11. Rc1 Nc6 12. 0–0 Bxf3 13. Bxc3 13. Bxc3 Nxe4 14. Bb4 Re8 9+p+-+p+-0 Bxf3 Ne5 14. b3 Nxf3+ 15. Qxf3 15. Bc4 Be6 16. Rhe1 Bxc4 17. Nxc4 9p+-+p+-+0 Qe6 16. Nb5 Qxe4 17. Qxe4 Nxe4 Nc6 18. Nb6 Rad8 19. Rxd8 Nxd8 18. Bxa7 Nc3 19. Nxc3 Rxa7 20. a4 20. Nc8 Re5 21. Nd6 Nc6 22. Rxe4 9sn-+pzP-+-0 Bxc3 21. Rxc3 Rc8 22. Rd3 Ra5 23. Rxe4 23. Nxe4 Nxb4 24. Nc5 b6 25. 9-+-+-zP-+0 Rfd1 Re5 24. Kf1 Rec5 25. Ke2 Kf8 Nd7 Nxa2+ 26. Kd2 Nb4 27. Nxb6 9+-tr-+-zP-0 26. Kd2 Ke8 27. Kc3 Kd7 28. Rd5 f5 28. Kc3 Nc6 29. Kc4 g5 30. Kc5 b6 29. R1d4 Ra8 30. Rf4 f5 31. Rd3 Ne5 31. Kd6 Nf7+ 32. Ke7 f4 33. 9-tRP+-mK-zP0 Re5 32. Rh4 Re2 33. Rd2 Rxd2 34. Nd7 Kg7 34. h3 h5 35. Nf6 Ne5 36. 9+-tR-+L+-0 Kxd2 h5 35. Rh3 e5 36. Rg3 Rg8 37. h4 xiiiiiiiiy Kc3 g5 38. Rh3 Rh8 39. Kb4 Kc6 40. Rd3 g4 41. Rd5 f4 42. Kc3 h4 43.
6 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 Rd3 h3 44. g3 fxg3 45. Rxg3 Rf8 46. c5 8. h3 Rb8 9. c3 b5 10. a3 Bb7 11. Rxg4 Rf3+ 47. Kb4 Rxf2 48. Rh4 Be3 a5 12. g4 c4 13. Ba7 Ra8 14. Rxh2 49. Kc3 Rh1 50. Kd3 h2 51. Bd4 cxd3 15. e5 Ne4 16. Qxd3 Ndc5 Ke2 Rb1 52. Rxh2 Rb2+ 0–1 17. Qd1 Ne6 18. Ne1 dxe5 19. fxe5 Bxe5 20. Nf3 Bxd4+ 21. Nxd4 Nxd4 22. cxd4 Qc7 23. Qe1 Ng5 24. Nc3 Tatev Abrahamyan (2315) - Ali Bxg2 25. Kxg2 Qb7+ 26. Kg3 b4 27. Morshedi (2318) Na4 bxa3 28. Rxa3 Rad8 29. Qxa5 SCCF State Championship, Los Ne4+ 30. Kh2 Rxd4 31. Qe5 Rd2+ Angeles 2009 32. Kg1 Qa7+ 0–1 C93 HUNGARIAN DEFENSE 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 5. 0–0 0–0 6. Re1 d6 7. IM Enrico Sevillano (2556) - IM c3 Na5 8. Bb5 a6 9. Ba4 b5 10. Bc2 Jack Peters (2411) Alexandre Kretchetov c5 11. Nbd2 Re8 12. Nf1 h6 13. h3 SCCF State Championship, Los cxd4 8. Nxd4 d6 9. Be2 Nc6 10. 0–0 Bf8 14. d4 cxd4 15. cxd4 exd4 16. Angeles 2009 Bd7 11. Qd2 Rc8 12. Rfd1 a6 13. Nxd4 Bb7 17. Ng3 Rc8 18. b3 d5 C02 FRENCH DEFENSE, Advance Rac1 Nxd4 14. exd4 g5 15. Bg3 Bf5 19. e5 Ne4 20. Nxe4 dxe4 21. Bxe4 Variation 16. h4 g4 17. Bf4 Kh7 18. b3 Nh5 19. Rxe5 22. Bh7+ Kxh7 23. Rxe5 Nc6 1. e4 c5 2. c3 e6 3. d4 d5 4. e5 Be3 Qd7 20. Nd5 Rce8 21. c5 Be4 24. Qc2+ g6 25. Nxc6 Rxc6 26. Qe2 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. a3 c4 7. Ra2 Na5 22. Bd3 f5 23. Bxe4 fxe4 24. cxd6 Bg7 27. Bb2 Bxe5 28. Qxe5 f6 29. 8. Bf4 Qb3 9. Qxb3 Nxb3 10. Nbd2 exd6 25. g3 Rf3 26. Nf4 Nxf4 27. Qe2 Qd5 30. Qe7+ Kg8 31. Qe8+ Nxd2 11. Nxd2 Bd7 12. a4 Rc8 13. Bxf4 Rf8 28. Be3 d5 29. Rc2 R8f7 Kh7 32. Qe7+ Kg8 33. Qe8+ Kh7 Be2 Ne7 14. 0–0 Nc6 15. g4 f6 16. 30. Rdc1 Qd6 31. Kg2 h5 32. Rc8 34. f3 Qe6 35. Re1 Qxe8 36. Rxe8 exf6 gxf6 17. Re1 Be7 18. Bg3 Kf7 Bh6 33. Bxh6 Bc8 37. Bxf6 g5 19. Bf3 Rhg8 20. Nf1 Bf8 21. Ne3 XIIIIIIIIY Ne7 22. Raa1 Rc6 23. a5 Rc8 24. XIIIIIIIIY Kh1 Re8 25. Ng2 Bc6 26. Re2 Ng6 9-+R+-+-+0 9-+l+R+-+0 27. Rae1 Bg7 28. h4 e5 29. Ne3 e4 9+-+-+-+k0 30. Bg2 Ne7 31. f3 f5 9+p+-+r+k0 9p+r+-vL-zp0 XIIIIIIIIY 9p+-wq-+-vL0 9+p+-+-zp-0 9-+-+r+r+0 9+-+p+-+p0 9-+-+-+-+0 9zpp+-snkvlp0 9-+-zPp+pzP0 9+P+-+P+P0 9-+l+-+-+0 9+P+-+rzP-0 9P+-+-+P+0 9zP-+p+p+-0 9P+-wQ-zPK+0 9+-+-+-mK-0 9-+pzPp+PzP0 9+-tR-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 9+-zP-sNPvL-0 xiiiiiiiiy 33. ... Rxf2+ 34. Qxf2 Rxf2+ 35. 38. Re7+ Kg6 39. Bd4 Be6 40. 9-zP-+R+L+0 Kxf2 Kxh6 36. Rh8+ Kg7 37. Rcc8 Rg7+ Kf5 41. Ra7 Bd5 42. Re7 Re6 9+-+-tR-+K0 Qf6+ 38. Ke3 Qf3+ 39. Kd2 Qf2+ 43. Rf7+ Kg6 44. Rd7 Bc6 45. Rg7+ xiiiiiiiiy 40. Kc3 Qe3+ 41. Kc2 Qd3+ 42. Kf5 46. Kf2 Rd6 47. g4+ Ke6 48. Kc1 Qxd4 43. Rhg8+ Kh7 44. Rg5 Rg6+ Kd5 49. Rxd6+ Kxd6 50. Bg7 32. fxe4 fxe4 33. Rf2+ Ke6 34. e3 45. Re8 Qa1+ 46. Kc2 Qxa2+ 47. h5 51. Bf6 hxg4 52. hxg4 Kc5 53. g5 Kd7 35. Bh3+ Kd8 36. Be6 h6 Kc1 Qa3+ 48. Kc2 d4 49. Ree5 e2 Bxg5 Kb4 54. Be7+ Kc3 55. b4 Bd5 37. Bxg8 Rxg8 38. Bf4 h5 39. Ref1 50. Rxh5+ Kg6 51. Rhg5+ ½–½ 56. a3 Kb3 57. f4 Kxa3 58. Ke3 Ka4 Bd7 40. Bd6 Ng6 41. Nxd5 Nxh4 42. 59. f5 a5 60. bxa5 Kxa5 61. Kf4 Kb6 Bc7+ Ke8 43. Rf4 Bc6 44. Rxe4+ Elliott Liu (2405) - Ali Morshedi 62. Kg5 Kc6 63. Kg6 Kd7 64. Bb4 Kd7 45. Rf7+ Kc8 46. Ne7+ Kxc7 (2318) Be4 65. Kg7 1–0 47. Nxc6+ Kxc6 48. Rxh4 1–0 SCCF State Championship, Los Angeles 2009 Robert Reynolds (2210) - Tianyi Alexandre Kretchetov (2403) - E99 KING’S INDIAN DEFENSE, He (2210) Tatev Abrahamyan (2315) Classical Variation SCCF State Championship, Los SCCF State Championship, Los 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Angeles 2009 Angeles 2009 Nc3 0–0 5. e4 d6 6. Be2 e5 7. 0–0 A02 BIRD’S OPENING E60 KING’S INDIAN DEFENSE Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. Ne1 Nd7 10. Nd3 1. f4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Bg5 Bg7 4. f5 11. Bd2 Nf6 12. f3 f4 13. c5 g5 14. Bg2 d6 5. 0–0 0–0 6. d3 Nbd7 7. e4 Nc3 h6 5. Bh4 0–0 6. Nf3 c5 7. e3 Rc1 Ne8 15. Nb5 a6 16. Na3 Ng6 17.
7 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 Nc4 Rf7 18. cxd6 Nxd6 19. Nc5 Nf8 7. Bb5 Nge7 8. Nxe4 Qd5 9. Qe2 f5 20. Qb3 Nb5 21. Bc3 Qe7 22. Nd3 10. Ng5 0–0 11. c3 Qxg2 12. Rf1 f4 Nd7 23. a4 Nxc3 24. Rxc3 Bf8 25. 13. Nf3 e5 14. Rg1 Qh3 15. d5 Nd8 Na5 b6 26. Nc6 Qf6 27. a5 b5 28. 16. Bc4 Nf7 17. Bxf4 Bg4 18. Rg3 Qc2 Rg7 29. b4 h5 30. h3 Bd6 31. Qh5 19. Bd2 Nf5 20. Rxg4 Qxg4 Nf2 Qh6 32. Nd8 Nf8 33. Rc1 Bxh3 21. 0–0–0 N5d6 22. Bd3 e4 23. Nd4 34. Nb7 g4 35. Nxd6 cxd6 36. Rc7 Ne5 24. f3 Nxd3+ 25. Qxd3 Qh3 26. XIIIIIIIIY Qe3 exf3 27. Ne6 Rae8 28. Rg1 g6 29. Qe5 Rf7 30. Be1 Qh6+ 31. Bd2 9r+-+-snk+0 XIIIIIIIIY 9+-tR-+-tr-0 9-+-+r+k+0 9p+-zp-+-wq0 IM Jack Peters 9zPp+Pzp-+p0 9zppzp-+r+p0 9-zP-+Pzpp+0 IM Jack Peters (2411) - Robert 9-+-snN+pwq0 Reynolds (2210) 9+-+PwQ-+-0 9+-+-+P+l0 SCCF State Championship, Los 9-+-+-+-+0 9-+Q+LsNP+0 Angeles 2009 9+-tR-+-mK-0 B31 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Rossolimo 9zP-zP-+p+-0 Variation 9-zP-vL-+-zP0 xiiiiiiiiy 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. 36. ... Bxg2 37. Rxg7+ Qxg7 38. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. 9+-mK-+-tR-0 fxg4 f3 39. Qc6 Ra7 40. Qc8 Rd7 Be3 b6 8. h3 0–0 9. Qd2 Ne8 10. xiiiiiiiiy 41. Qxa6 hxg4 42. Bxb5 g3 43. Rc8 Bh6 f6 11. 0–0–0 e5 12. g4 Qe7 13. 31. ... Qxd2+ 0–1 gxf2+ 44. Kxf2 Rf7 45. Bf1 Qg4 46. Rdg1 Nc7 14. Bxg7 Qxg7 15. h4 Ne6 Rc3 Qh4+ 47. Kg1 Rg7 0–1 16. Ne2 Kh8 17. Rh2 Bd7 18. Ne1 Tatev Abrahamyan (2315) - Elliott Qf7 19. Kb1 Rad8 20. Ng2 c4 21. Liu (2405) Tianyi He (2403) - Alexandre Qe3 cxd3 22. cxd3 Bc8 23. f4 Ba6 SCCF State Championship, Los Kretchetov (2210) 24. Rd1 Nc5 25. Ne1 Qe7 26. Rf2 Angeles 2009 SCCF State Championship, Los Rd6 27. Nc1 Rfd8 28. f5 gxf5 29. B01 CENTER COUNTER DEFENSE Angeles 2009 gxf5 Rd4 30. Rfd2 Qf7 31. Nf3 R4d7 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 B15 CARO-KANN DEFENSE 32. d4 exd4 33. Rxd4 Qe7 34. e5 Rd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Bd2 c6 7. h3 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 g6 4. d4 35. Rxd5 cxd5 36. Qd4 Ne4 Bh5 8. g4 Bg6 9. Bc4 Qc7 10. Qe2 Bg7 5. h3 Nh6 6. Bf4 f6 7. e5 Nf7 XIIIIIIIIY Nbd7 11. Ne5 e6 12. Bf4 Nxe5 13. 8. Qd2 fxe5 9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. Bxe5 Bxe5 Bd6 14. 0–0–0 0–0–0 15. f4 h5 Bxe5 11. dxe5 Qc7 12. f4 e6 13. Bd3 9-+-tr-+-mk0 16. Qf3 h4 17. Rhe1 a6 18. Bd3 Bxd3 Nd7 14. h4 Nc5 15. h5 g5 16. 0–0–0 9zp-+-wq-+p0 19. Rxd3 Bxe5 20. fxe5 Nd5 21. Ne4 Bd7 17. Rde1 gxf4 18. Qxf4 Nxd3+ 9lzp-+-zp-+0 Qa5 22. Red1 Rd7 23. a3 Qc7 24. c4 19. cxd3 0–0–0 20. Rhf1 c5 21. Qf7 Nb6 25. Nd6+ Kb8 26. Rb3 Ka7 d4 22. Nd1 Qa5 23. a3 Qa6 24. Rf3 9+-+pzPP+-0 XIIIIIIIIY Be8 25. Qe7 Bxh5 26. Rf6 Qxd3 27. 9-+-wQn+-zP0 Qxe6+ Kb8 28. Nf2 9+-+-+N+-0 9-+-+-+-tr0 XIIIIIIIIY 9PzP-+-+-+0 9mkpwqr+pzp-0 9-mk-tr-+-tr0 9+KsNR+-+-0 9psnpsNp+-+0 9zpp+-+-+p0 xiiiiiiiiy 9+-+-zP-+-0 9-+-+QtR-+0 9-+PzP-+Pzp0 37. Re1 Bb7 38. exf6 Qf7 39. Ng5 9zPR+-+Q+P0 9+-zp-zP-+l0 Qxf6 40. Qxf6+ Nxf6 1–0 9-+-zp-+-+0 9-zP-+-+-+0 9zP-+q+-+-0 Ali Morshedi (2318) - IM Enrico 9+-mKR+-+-0 Sevillano (2556) xiiiiiiiiy 9-zP-+-sNP+0 SCCF State Championship, Los 9+-mK-tR-+-0 Angeles 2009 27. c5 Nd5 28. Rxb7+ Qxb7 29. xiiiiiiiiy C15 FRENCH DEFENSE, Winawer Nxb7 Rxb7 30. Rf1 Rhb8 31. Rf2 Variation Rd7 32. g5 Rbd8 33. Qe4 Kb7 34. 28. ... Qe3+ 29. Rxe3 dxe3 30. 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qxh4 Ne3 35. Qg3 Nf5 36. Qb3+ Qh3 e2 31. Qh1 Rhe8 32. e6 ½–½ Nge2 dxe4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Nxc3 Nc6 Ka8 37. Qb6 Nxd4 38. Qxa6+ Ra7
8 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 c4 Nb6 11. Qc2 Bd7 12. 0–0 f5 13. Nc3 e4 14. Rfe1 Be7 15. Bxe7 Nxe7 16. Ng5 0–0 17. Bxd7 Qxd7 18. Rad1 Qc6 19. c5 Nbd5 20. Qb3 Rad8 21. Nb5 e5 22. Nd6 Rf6 23. Nxb7 Rb8 24. Na5 Qc7 25. Qa4 Ra6 XIIIIIIIIY 9-tr-+-+k+0 9zp-wq-sn-zpp0 9r+-+-+-+0 Tatev Abrahamyan 9sN-zPnzppsN-0 39. Qc4 Rd5 40. g6 fxg6 41. Rf8+ 9Q+-+p+-+0 Kb7 42. Qb4+ Nb5 43. Rf4 g5 44. 9+-+-+-+-0 Rf7+ Ka8 45. Rxa7+ Nxa7 46. Qb6 Tianyi He Rxe5 47. b4 Rf5 48. b5 cxb5 49. c6 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 Rf7 50. Qd8+ 1–0 9+-+RtR-mK-0 Qd8+ Kg7 43. Qg5+ Kf8 44. Qd8+ xiiiiiiiiy Kg7 45. Qe7+ Kg8 46. Qg5+ Kf8 Alexandre Kretchetov (2403) 26. b4 Nxb4 27. Rd7 Qxa5 28. 47. Qh6+ Kg8 48. Qe6+ Kf8 49. c6 - IM Jack Peters (2411) Qb3+ Ned5 29. Rxd5 1–0 Qd3+ 50. Kf2 Qd2+ 51. Kg1 Qc1+ SCCF State Championship, Los 52. Kh2 Qf4+ 53. Kh3 d4 54. Qc8+ Angeles 2009 Tianyi He (2210) - Tatev Abraha- Kg7 55. Qd7+ Kf6 56. c7 Qe3+ 57. E94 KING’S INDIAN DEFENSE myan (2315) g3 Qf3 58. Qd6+ Kg7 59. Qxd4+ 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. SCCF State Championship, Los Kg6 60. Qd6+ Kh7 61. Qd7+ Kg6 d4 d6 5. e4 0–0 6. Be2 Na6 7. 0–0 e5 Angeles 2009 62. Qe8+ Kg7 63. Qe1 Qc6 64. 8. d5 Nc5 9. Qc2 a5 10. Bg5 h6 11. C18 FRENCH DEFENSE, Winawer Qe7+ 1–0 Be3 b6 12. Nd2 h5 13. a3 Ng4 14. Variation Bxg4 hxg4 15. b4 Nd7 16. Rfc1 f5 17. 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 f3 f4 18. Bf2 Nf6 19. Bh4 Bh6 20. Ne7 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. Qg4 Tatev Abrahamyan (2315) - IM Bxf6 Rxf6 21. c5 dxc5 22. bxc5 Bf8 0–0 8. Bd3 Nbc6 9. Qh5 Ng6 10. Nf3 Enrico Sevillano (2556) 23. d6 c6 24. Nc4 bxc5 25. Rd1 gxf3 Qc7 11. Be3 c4 12. Bxg6 fxg6 13. SCCF State Championship, Los 26. gxf3 Rb8 27. Na4 Rb5 28. d7 Qg4 Qf7 14. Ng5 Qe8 15. h4 h6 16. Angeles 2009 Bxd7 29. Nxe5 Rd6 30. Rxd6 Qg5+ Nh3 Ne7 17. Nf4 Bd7 18. Rh3 b5 19. B33 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Svesh- 31. Kh1 Qxe5 32. Qa2+ 1–0 Rg3 Kh7 20. Nxe6 Kg8 21. f4 h5 22. nikov Variation Qh3 Qc8 23. f5 Rxf5 24. Nc5 Rf1+ 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 25. Kxf1 Bxh3 26. Rxh3 Qf5+ 27. 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 Rf3 Qxc2 28. Bg5 Nf5 29. Re1 Qb2 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Qa5+ 30. e6 Qxa3 31. e7 Re8 32. Re6 b4 10. Bd2 Qd8 11. Bg5 Qa5+ 12. Bd2 33. Rxg6 b3 34. Rxf5 Qxc5 35. dxc5 Qd8 ½–½ b2 36. Rf8+ Rxf8+ 37. Ke2 b1Q XIIIIIIIIY Ali Morshedi (2318) - Alexandre Kretchetov (2403) 9-+-+-trk+0 SCCF State Championship (6), 9zp-+-zP-zp-0 22. 08. 2009 9-+-+-+R+0 C30 KING’S GAMBIT DECLINED 1. e4 e5 2. f4 Bc5 3. Nf3 d6 4. Elliott Liu 9+-zPp+-vLp0 Nc3 Nc6 5. Bc4 Nf6 6. d3 Bg4 7. IM Enrico Sevillano (2556) - Elliott 9-+p+-+-zP0 h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Na5 9. f5 Nxc4 10. Liu (2405) 9+-zP-+-+-0 dxc4 Bb4 11. Bg5 Bxc3+ 12. Qxc3 SCCF State Championship, Los Nxe4 13. Bxd8 Nxc3 14. Bxc7 Ne4 Angeles 2009 9-+-+K+P+0 15. c5 Ng3 16. Rh2 dxc5 17. Bxe5 B22 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Alapin 9+q+-+-+-0 Nxf5 18. g4 f6 19. Bc7 Kd7 20. Bf4 Variation xiiiiiiiiy Rhe8+ 21. Kf2 Nd4 22. Kf1 Re4 23. 1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Rf2 Rae8 24. c3 Ne6 25. Rd1+ Kc8 d4 cxd4 5. Nf3 d6 6. Qxd4 e6 7. Bg5 38. Rxg7+ Kxg7 39. Bh6+ Kxh6 26. Bc1 Rd8 27. Rxd8+ Kxd8 28. g5 dxe5 8. Bb5+ Nc6 9. Qa4 Qc7 10. 40. exf8Q+ Kg6 41. Qg8+ Kf6 42. Nxg5 29. Bxg5 fxg5 30. Rf8+ Kd7
9 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 31. Rf7+ Re7 32. Rf5 h6 33. Rxc5 Rxh4 Rxa4 42. Kf2 Ra2+ 43. Kg3 IM Jack Peters (2411) - Tatev Re3 34. Rf5 Rxh3 35. Rf7+ Kc6 36. Kg6 44. Kh3 Ra8 45. Rg4+ 1–0 Abrahamyan (2315) Rxg7 Rh2 37. Rg6+ Kd5 0–1 SCCF State Championship, Los Angeles 2009 Alexandre Kretchetov (2403) IM Jack Peters (2411) - Tianyi He C03 FRENCH DEFENSE, Tarrasch - Elliott Liu (2405) (2210) Variation SCCF State Championship, Los SCCF State Championship, Los 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Be7 4. Bd3 Angeles 2009 Angeles 2009 c5 5. dxc5 Nf6 6. Qe2 a5 7. Ngf3 0–0 A41 ENGLISH OPENING B07 PIRC-ROBATSCH DEFENSE 8. 0–0 Na6 9. e5 Nd7 10. c3 Naxc5 1. Nf3 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. d4 d6 4. 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. 11. Bc2 b6 12. Re1 Ba6 13. Qe3 f6 14. Nc3 c5 5. dxc5 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 dxc5 Be3 Bg7 5. Qd2 c6 6. f3 Qa5 7. Nge2 exf6 Bxf6 15. Nb3 e5 16. Nxc5 bxc5 7. Qc2 Qa5 8. Rb1 Qa6 9. e4 Nc6 10. Nbd7 8. 0–0–0 b5 9. a3 Rb8 10. g4 17. Ng5 Bxg5 18. Qxg5 Qf6 19. Qxf6 Be2 Be6 11. Rb5 b6 12. Ng5 Bd7 13. Nb6 11. Nb1 Qa6 12. Ng3 h5 13. g5 gxf6 20. Bh6 Rf7 21. Bf5 Re7 22. 0–0 f6 14. Nf3 e5 15. Rd1 0–0–0 16. Nfd7 14. h4 Nc4 15. Bxc4 bxc4 16. Rad1 Bb7 23. f4 e4 24. Bxd7 Rxd7 Nd2 Na5 17. Nf1 Nb7 18. a4 Ne7 19. Rh2 Nc5 17. Qe1 Na4 18. c3 Qb6 19. 25. Rxe4 d4 26. Re3 Rad8 27. cxd4 Ne3 Rhf8 20. Nd5 Nc6 21. Be3 Be6 Rdd2 c5 cxd4 28. Ra3 Re8 29. Rg3+ Kh8 30. 22. Rdb1 Nba5 23. R1b2 Rd7 24. Qb1 XIIIIIIIIY Rxd4 Rc7 Rb7 25. Qa2 Bd7 26. Qa3 Rf7 27. h3 9-trl+k+-tr0 XIIIIIIIIY Rb8 9zp-+-zppvl-0 9-+-+r+-mk0 XIIIIIIIIY 9-wq-zp-+p+0 9+ltr-+-+p0 9-trk+-+-+0 9+-zp-+-zPp0 9-+-+-zp-vL0 9zp-+l+r+p0 9n+pzPP+-zP0 9zp-+-+-+-0 9qzpn+-zpp+0 9zP-zP-vLPsN-0 9-+-tR-zP-+0 9snRzpNzp-+-0 9-zP-tR-+-tR0 9+-+-+-tR-0 9P+P+P+-+0 9+NmK-wQ-+-0 9PzP-+-+PzP0 9wQ-zP-vL-+P0 xiiiiiiiiy 9+-+-+-mK-0 9-tR-+LzPP+0 xiiiiiiiiy 9+-+-+-mK-0 20. Qd1 cxd4 21. Qxa4+ Bd7 22. xiiiiiiiiy Qxc4 dxe3 23. Rc2 Bb5 24. Qd5 Be5 31. Bg7+ Rxg7 32. Rxg7 Kxg7 25. Rcg2 e2 26. Nxe2 Bxe2 27. Rxe2 33. Rd7+ Kg6 34. Rxb7 Re2 35. 28. Bxc5 bxc5 29. Rxb8+ Nxb8 Bxh2 28. Rxh2 Qg1+ 0–1 Rb5 h5 36. a4 h4 37. b3 Rb2 38. Kf1 30. Qxc5+ Bc6 31. Bg4+ f5 32. exf5 Kg7 39. Rxa5 Rxb3 40. Rh5 Rb4 41. gxf5 33. Qd6 Bb7 34. Bxf5+ Nd7 35. Qc7# 1–0 Solutions to Chess Quiz (see page 28) Varjoma – Lundquist, Sweden, 1980: Black wins with the diverting sacrifice 1. ... Rd3 2. Bxe5+ (not 2. fxe5 Qe4+, or 2. Qc2 Bxd4 [2. ... Rxd1 also works]) 2. ... dxe5 3. Qb2 (or 3. Qc2 Rxd1 4. Rxd1 Qf3+) 3. ... Qf3+! (but not 3. ... Rxd1? 4. Qxe5+ with a draw) 0–1
Haik – Skembris, Vrnjacka Banja, 1981: White breaks through the wall of pawns with 1. Rxf6 gxf6 2. Qh6 Re7 (or 2. ... Qe7 3. Nxf6+ Kh8 4. Nxe8!) 3. Nxf6+ Kh8 4. Ne8! (another diversion) 4. Rxe8 (4. ... Qxe8 5. Rxf8+) 5. Rf7 1–0
Ghinda – Gogilea, Romania, 1981: White’s pieces are well-posted for attack but not for de- fense, and Black removes the only good defender with 1. ... Bxf3 2. gxf3 Rxh2+! (attracting the King to the h-file) 3. Kxh2 (or 3. Kg1 Bf2+ 4. Rxf2 Rh1+ 5. Kg2 R8h2+ 6. Kg3 Qh4#) 3. ... Bg3+ 0–1. If 4. Kg1 Rh1+, though the prosaic 4. … Qh4 is actually faster.
10 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 TacticsTactics by NM Tim Hanks actics,actics, tactics,tactics, tactics!tactics! TheThe wordword 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 T“tactics”“tactics” isis appliedapplied toto soso manymany 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 Qc7 6. a3 Bxc5 things we hear about today. From 7. Bg5 big company advertising and selling campaigns as well as military ideol- Position No. 1. Black to move. What ogies that use tactics to address na- do you do? tional defense or the fight against terrorism. You’ll see the term tac- ERIKSSON tics applied in healthcare, law, poli- XIIIIIIIIY tics, of course sports and more. All of these share a common theme that 9rsnl+k+-tr0 usually involves out-playing some 9zppwqp+pzpp0 “opponent” or striving to gain the 9-+-+psn-+0 upper hand with clever “implemen- tation schemes” in order to make 9+-vl-+-vL-0 big profits, neutralize some “thing” ate imbalances in an opening when 9-+P+-+-+0 or to win. The goals in these cases playing lower rated players: because 9zP-sN-+-+-0 may be short term or long term. tactics thrive when things are not Chess tactics shares much with clear and thus there are more ways 9-zPQ+PzPPzP0 this. However, executing tactics the lower player can go wrong. Of 9tR-+-mKLsNR0 well in chess requires proper tim- course there are exceptions to all xiiiiiiiiy ing, and it’s all about executing of this but the premise is clear. The VOSSELMAN quickly to be effective. When you more you study and learn tactical really think about it the funda- motifs and practice solving a vari- mental aspect of “chess tactics” is ety of tactics problems (such as tac- White has violated an opening taking advantage of a mistake your tics in openings, the middlegame principle, as it’s “usually” preferred opponent has made (or may make). and endgames) the stronger you to develop the Knights before Bish- If you do not execute at the proper will play and the less likely you will ops. Early Knight moves are pretty time your chance for an advantage blunder. There’s probably no better clear, but Bishops have many more and even to outright win may be way to improve and play stronger options. Emanuel Lasker, the 2nd missed. chess than working on your tactics World Champion for a remarkable Studying chess tactics problems skills. 27 years, advised on proper opening and reading articles about chess development and one of his rules tactics will help in reinforcing Playing the opening carefully was not to develop Bishops before your awareness and to reduce and and sticking to sound rudimentary Knights. He also recommended not avoid blunders, especially in the development is so important since developing the Queen Bishop be- early phases of a game. Large col- even slight inaccuracies can result fore your opponent has castled. It’s lections of chess games sorted from in devastating consequences or seri- rather fitting for this instruction as databases and evaluated by chess ous weaknesses that you can never the consequence of this violation is software programs have shown recover from. What’s important is proven nicely by an opening tactic. that the lower the player rating the to pay attention and be prepared to Can you see how to exploit White’s higher the probability a blunder take advantage when opportunities last move? Black can gain a clear will be made, especially in the early arise. Take a look at a game from advantage by employing a double- moves or opening phases of a game. Vosselman vs Eriksson, Budapest attack motif beginning with 7. … This is why stronger players will (or 1994. It’s a Nimzo-Indian Defense, Bxf2+! 8. Kxf2 Qc5+ 9. Ke1 (not should) tend to work quickly to cre- which started as follows: 9. Be3 since Ng4+ and Black will
11 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 win even more material) Qxg5. lively play and good chances for an completely lost as serious material Black has won a pawn, has a supe- attack for the sacrificed Pawn. The loss is unstoppable. It’s very impor- rior pawn structure and will work game continued 7. … Bxc3 8. Bxc3 tant to pay attention here and no- to develop an attack towards the Nxe4 9. Nxe5 (not Bxe5? as Nxe5 tice the importance of timing your White King now stuck in the cen- 10. Nxe5 Qa5+ and Black picks off tactical play. If instead Black played ter. Black went on to win and the the Knight on e5) Nxc3 10. Nxc6 13. … d5 or 13. … Re8 or any other remaining moves and details of the Qf6!? (More accurate for Black move, White would be able to castle game are beyond this article. The was probably 10. … dxc6 11. Qxd8+ to safety. All of Black’s winning ad- point is if you develop a Bishop be- Kxd8+ 12. bxc3 Re8+ and Black vantage would be lost. The game fore the Knights, pick the most suit- has a clear positional advantage ow- continued 14. Qd1 There really is able square for the piece and be sure ing to the weaknesses in the White nothing better for White. For exam- it’s defended and not susceptible to Queenside pawn structure.) 11. ple if 14. Qxa6 (14. c4?? of course is a double attack. Qd3?! (And here yet another slight met by Qxa1+) then Qxc3+ 15. Kd1 In the next game, a Sicilian De- mistake. Better was 11. Qd4, when Qxa1+ 16. Kd2 Qxh1 and White is fense, Wonnell vs White, LA Memo- White will be only slightly worse.) totally lost being down so much ma- rial Day, 2003, notice how slight bxc6 12. bxc3? (Still yet another terial. 14. … Rfe8 Of course. This opening move inaccuracies add up slight inaccuracy. White had to ac- pin sums up all of White’s opening to where Black gains a decisive and cept the broken Pawn structure inaccuracies and resulting weak- then winning advantage. for the sake of time with 12. Qxc3 nesses. The game is over but White Qxc3+ 13. bxc3). 12. … 0–0 13. tried 15. Kd2?? Ouch! One mis- 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 Be2?? (That’s it. The final opening take after another and this demon- 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5, this is the mistake and this time the conse- strates the difficulties players face Löwenthal variation of the Sicilian quence is fatal. White had to play when defending or if they’re in se- Defense, named Johann Löwenthal. 13. f3 to avoid being pinned by the rious trouble. They usually make The defense was more common Black Rook on the e-file and Black’s even bigger mistakes. White had to back in the early 1970’s but can still startling next move. Yes, it’s agreed castle to avoid immediately losing. that Black would have the advan- be a deadly weapon for Black today. Position No. 4. Black to move. tage but White would still be in the The game continued 6. Nf3!? (more What’s the best move? usual is 6. Nb5). game. With the last mistake there’s little chance for White to recover. XIIIIIIIIY Position No. 2. It’s Black to move. 9r+-+r+k+0 How would you continue? Position No. 3. It’s Black to move. 9zp-+p+pzpp0 Can you exploit White’s opening 9l+p+-wq-+0 A. WHITE mistake? XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9+-+-+-+-0 9r+lwqkvl-tr0 9r+l+-trk+0 9-+-+-+-+0 9zpp+p+pzpp0 9zp-+p+pzpp0 9+-zP-+-+-0 9-+n+-sn-+0 9-+p+-wq-+0 9P+PmKLzPPzP0 9+-+-zp-+-0 9+-+-+-+-0 9tR-+Q+-+R0 9-+-+P+-+0 9-+-+-+-+0 xiiiiiiiiy 9+-sN-+N+-0 9+-zPQ+-+-0 15. … Rxe2+?! I suspect Black was so confident about chalking up 9PzPP+-zPPzP0 9P+P+LzPPzP0 the win he did not take much time 9tR-vLQmKL+R0 9tR-+-mK-+R0 to seek a quicker more forceful com- xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy bination. The move played of course C. WONNELL wins, but more accurate was 15. … Qg5+ 16. Ke1 Bxe2 and checkmate Black seizes the initiative with 6. White has floundered in the will follow shortly. Always remem- … Bb4. This is the correct and most opening allowing Black to take the ber to pause, unless you’re in seri- active continuation. White contin- initiative and instigate a strong and ous time pressure, and search for a ued 7. Bd2?! which is passive and winning attack. A series of slight better move even when your initial perhaps another inaccuracy. Better inaccuracies by White now allows assessment looks “good enough.” was probably 7. Bc4 to meet Nxe4? Black to create a winning position. For example “Why win a Rook or with 8. Qd5 Nd6 (forced) 9. Bb3 Black wins with the powerful deflec- even a Queen when you can get thus regaining the initiative with tion tactic 13. … Ba6! White is now checkmate on the move?” 16. Kc1
12 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 Qxc3 17. Rb1 Qa3+ and Black text-book elements that one should the White King. Better may be 19. went on to win the endgame. learn and review. Returning to Rad1 although Black would still be In our final game for this lesson the game let’s see how AR handles doing well with 19… Bb6+ 20. Kh1 we have Rotlewi vs Rubinstein, Lodz White’s slight inaccurate move. h5 21. h3 Ng4 (exploiting the dark 1907 with the Queen’s Gambit De- 10. … Qe7 Black’s plan is to build square weakness) 22. Bb1 (not 22. clined, Tarrasch Defense. I thought slowly in the center, centralize his hxg4 Qh4#) Qh4 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 I’d share this game for those who Rooks, aim his Bishops toward the 24. Rf3 Nf2+ 25. Kh2 Bd4 with a may have never seen it as it’s one White Kingside then attack taking clear advantage. White most likely of my favorite games and best ex- advantage of any more White inac- thought opening the b1-h7 diagonal amples of how to take advantage of curacies. 11. Bd3 dxc4 12. Bxc4 would create counterplay with per- slight inaccuracies in the opening. b5 13. Bd3 Rd8! haps a chance to attack the Black Kingside. However, his loss of time This game is named “Rubinstein’s Position No. 6. It’s White to move. in the opening is costing him now in Immortal Game.” I’m sure you’ll What would you do? the middlegame. See Position No. 7. understand why when you see the XIIIIIIIIY winning combination at the end. Can you see how to exploit White’s 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 c5 4. 9r+ltr-+k+0 somewhat overly optimistic expan- c4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. dxc5 Bxc5 9+-+-wqpzpp0 sion in the center? 7. a3 a6 8. b4 Bd6 9. Bb2 0–0 9p+nvlpsn-+0 Position No. 7. It’s Black to move. It’s White to move. What would What’s your plan and how would you play? 9+p+-+-+-0 you proceed? 9-zP-+-+-+0 XIIIIIIIIY RUBINSTEIN 9zP-sNLzPN+-0 9-+rtr-+k+0 XIIIIIIIIY 9-vL-wQ-zPPzP0 9+lvl-wqpzpp0 9r+lwq-trk+0 9tR-+-mK-+R0 9p+-+psn-+0 9+p+-+pzpp0 xiiiiiiiiy 9p+nvlpsn-+0 9+p+-zP-+-0 Already you begin to see some 9-zP-+-zP-+0 9+-+p+-+-0 problems for White. The Queen 9zP-sNL+-+-0 9-zPP+-+-+0 is misplaced on the d-file (see the 9zP-sN-zPN+-0 tricky x-ray tactics by Black’s Rook 9-vL-+Q+PzP0 on d8) and thus White must spend 9tR-+-+RmK-0 9-vL-+-zPPzP0 more time relocating. Thus White xiiiiiiiiy 9tR-+QmKL+R0 plays 14. Qe2. Not 14. 0-0 as Black xiiiiiiiiy would reply 14. … Bxh2+ 15. Nxh2 Black’s plan is to attack and ROTLEWI (Kxh2 is no better) Ne5 with a clear make every one of his moves do and sustaining advantage. 14. … something. There is no time to build- The game is equal and this is Bb7 Black has now completed his up anymore. With the opening of di- a common position of the Tarr- development before White. Usually agonals pointing at the White King asch Defense. Best now is probably it’s the other way around. At the tactical combinations are looming. 10. cxd5 exd5 then 11. Be2 with a top level this kind of small edge can Black now forces his attack with 19. complex middlegame to ensue. The make a significant difference when … Bb6+ After this move it’s like a game continued with 10. Qd2?! it comes to a initiating a successful roller coaster to the end. Try play- This move is incorrect and very attack. 15. 0–0 Ne5 Clever idea. AR ing “Solitaire Chess” with the final may well be the “losing” move since is looking to remove defenders from moves and if you’re lucky perhaps with this inaccuracy Black will now the White Kingside. 16. Nxe5 Bxe5 you’ll get one of Black’s moves cor- gain the initiative and then drive 17. f4 Bc7 18. e4!? Perhaps 17. h3 or rect. 20. Kh1 Ng4! Decoy! This very the pace for the rest of the game. 17. Rad1 improves for White here as strong move sets up some ominous Akiba Rubinstein (1882-1961) or the g1-a7 diagonal has been weak- threats. Watch how White attempts AR was a Polish GM known more ened although in what way is very to defend. 21. Be4 What else can for his amazing and brilliant end- subtle. 18. … Rac8 Black contin- White do? If 21. Qxg4 then Rxd3 game skills. He was a potential con- ues to build – no need to rush any- (threatening the Knight on c3 so if tender to play Lasker for the World thing (yet) – as White is struggling White tries 22. Rac1 then Rd2 hit- Championship but could not raise to find a plan. 19. e5? Aha! There ting the weak g2 square and Bishop money and never got the chance. In it is. This is incorrect as the h1-a8 on b2. Notice again how Black’s this game AR shows how to build diagonal is now open bringing to careful, accurate and slow build up up an attack employing all the best life both of Black Bishops aimed at in the beginning is all coming to life
13 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 with devastating effects now in the Improving your ability to cal- c) Rxf7 is unclear and leads to middlegame. White has few if no culate and visualize tactical com- equal chances for both sides. options to neutralize the onslaught. binations takes practice. Tactical Validate you answers with anal- 21. … Qh4 AR keeps the pressure problem solving will help in this ysis. going. Black is now threatening development. Avoid moving the checkmate. When your opponent is pieces when solving problems so as Problem No. 3. It’s Black to move. on the ropes don’t let up. Not even to strengthen your over-the-board How do you assess the position? for a second. 21. … Bxe4 would be a play. Be alert, play sharp and al- XIIIIIIIIY gross mistake allowing White back ways remember to do your safety in the game with 22. Nxe4 and good check. Good luck and happy solv- 9k+-+-+-+0 chances to neutralize all of Black’s ing! Solutions on page 19. threats at the cost of maybe a pawn. 9+-zp-trp+P0 Don’t look to win material when you 9KzpP+-tR-+0 can get the King. See Position No. Position No. 1. White to move. 9+-+-+-tr-0 8. It’s White to move. What would What’s your assessment after you play? 9-zP-+-+-+0 White plays 1. Be5? 9+-+-+-+-0 Position No. 8. Black is threat- XIIIIIIIIY ening mate. What do you do? 9-+-+-+-+0 XIIIIIIIIY 9rvLl+kvl-tr0 9+-+-+-+-0 9+p+pzppzpp0 xiiiiiiiiy 9-+rtr-+k+0 9-zp-+-+-+0 9+l+-+pzpp0 a) Black has a won game. 9pvl-+p+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 b) White has a won game. 9-+-+n+-+0 c) The position is equal. 9+p+-zP-+-0 9+-zp-+-+-0 Prove your choice with a varia- 9-zP-+LzPnwq0 tion. 9zP-sN-+-+-0 9PzP-+PzPPzP0 9-vL-+Q+PzP0 9tRN+-mKLsNR0 Position No. 4: Black to move. What xiiiiiiiiy would you do? 9tR-+-+R+K0 XIIIIIIIIY xiiiiiiiiy a) Black is better. b) White is better. 9r+-vlr+k+0 White played 22. g3? to defend c) The position is unclear. 9zpp+q+pzpp0 the mate threat. This allows for a Prove your answer with analysis 9-+-zPl+-+0 fantastic and shall I say “immortal” and a variation. finish. 22. h3 may have prevented 9+-zP-zp-+-0 the brilliancy (and take away AR’s Problem No. 2. It’s White to move 9R+-+N+-+0 immortal stature) but White is and he’s contemplating 1. Rxf7. 9+P+-vL-+-0 clearly lost anyway. 22. … Rxc3!! How would you assess this move? Deflection! With this game you can XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-zPPzP0 almost picture a boxer stuck in the 9+-tRQ+-mK-0 corner being hit with lefts, rights, 9-+-+-trk+0 xiiiiiiiiy uppercuts and more. 23. gxh4 (23. 9+-+-+pzpp0 Bxb7 would last longer – as now it’s 9-+-zp-+-+0 a) 1. … Bf5 is correct and Black a forced mate in 7 moves!) Rd2 De- retains a slight edge due to his flection! 24. Qxd2 Bxe4+ 25. Qg2 9+-+L+-wq-0 Bishop pair and strong blockade of Rh3 Pin! White resigned here, as 9R+-+P+n+0 the White pawns. 26. Rf3 Bxf3 27. Bd4 Bxd4 28. Ra2 9+-tr-+-+-0 b) 1. … Bf5 is incorrect and Rxh2# is mate. The final position White will be better. seems to employ so many tactical 9P+-+Q+PzP0 c) 1. … Bf5 is unclear with motifs all acting together it’s like 9+-+-+R+K0 chances for both sides. a composition and not something xiiiiiiiiy Prove your choice with a varia- that would have occurred in real tion. life. This game is so beautiful it’s a) Rxf7 is correct and White will worth memorizing. be better. b) Rxf7 is incorrect and Black will win.
14 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 finish. Three and a half and three “playing up” for upsets and glory. points also guarantee cash prizes. One of the Class A players, Daniel Two and a half collects a free entry Giordani, rated 1912, actually did to a regular event. The next Super win a small amount of money ($12) 2x quad will be held on the 12th of by tying for 2nd U2100 with three September. Masters get free entry Experts, Raoul Crisologo, Michael with one week registration, but de- Nagaran and Leo Raterman. Good ducted from the prize. job Daniel! Just don’t spend it all in one place! The real money winner Chess Palace Wins Club Match was IM Dionisio Aldama, who took Against La Palma the First Place prize of $500. But Chess Palace slightly edged La not without a scare, he nearly lost Palma on Sunday, August 9th, in to FM Joel Banawa in round 4, and the club match held at ChessPal- probably should have, but Joel got ace. Andrew Kao from La Palma the “yips” and missed a six foot putt took a 2-0 against veteran Neil Ber- that would have won the event. No, shad. David Portwood also victored wait a minute, that was Tom Wat- against La Palma chief organizer son at the British Open, but it was Leigh Hunt. Kele Perkins seized two a similar botch, except that Joel is points. Juniors Leo Kamgar and much younger than Tom of course. Craig Hilby split the match against Joel basically dropped a piece in an their higher rated opponents. Chess Palace easily won position, and even then August’s Super 2x quad drew The rated match was two games he still had some winning chanc- a strong field of juniors that chal- with the same opponent, one white es, but he was so unnerved by the lenged the veterans. Four sections and one black. Time control was 90 blunder that he quickly agreed to a consisted of at least one junior; minutes. Thank you to Mike Hene- draw with the IM. Joel then drew expert Austin Hughes in the first bry and Leigh Hunt for accepting his last round game with Eugeny quad, number one ranked girl at age and bringing the challenge. – An- Shver while Dionisio overpowered 10 Simone Liao and third ranked thony Ong Bruce Baker with a nice technical nine year-old Californian Shyam win. When the dust settled there Gandhi in the second, upcoming was a 4-way tie for Second Place, Winston Zeng and Leo Kamgar led San Diego County but for prize purposes Joel won the third group, and Craig Hilby Championship Second Place, Giovanni Carreto and Stan Liao completed the last won BU2400, Eugney Shver won group. Hilby has gained 200 points 75 players attended this early BU2300 and Leonard Sussman won in the last two months! These seven August weekend event in Balboa BU2200, with all 4 players pocket- juniors had an average rating of Park and that was down from 80 ing $212. Leonard was the only San almost 1700 going into the tourna- players last year, but still not bad, Diego County resident out of the ment. considering the economy is more top five winners, so he was crowned Regardless of the endless chal- difficult for most people this year. the new San Diego County Cham- lenges, veteran Takashi Iwamoto Everyone is saving their nickles pion. The tournament drew several swept the field with four points and dimes just to get through this players from Arizona and about 20 taking home the guaranteed one ugly recession. Hey buddy, can you players from Los Angeles, plus one hundred dollar prize. The two oth- spare a pawn? The good news is from Kansas and one player direct- er winners are Winston and Craig there were just enough players to ly from Moscow! In fact over one with 3½ and 3 points, respectively. cover the Guaranteed Prize Fund third of the players were from out of Super 2x quad is held at Chess- of $3,500. The Open section was San Diego county, which just goes Palace every second Saturday of the especially large with 37 players, to prove what we already know, month. Four points guarantee one including 7 Masters, 18 Experts that San Diego is a great place to hundred dollars regardless of place and a surprising 12 Class A players
15 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 vacation, AND to play chess! 4 play- Komrosky was BU1500 with 4 was very happy to see him show up ers finished with 3½ points in this points for $100 and James Hillard unexpectedly at our club. Four play- tough field: Romeo Ignacio won 2nd was Second Place with 3½ for $75. ers trailed a full point behind the U2400 for $50, John Rinaldo won Finally 3 players tied for BU1400/ two IMs with 2½: Romeo Ignacio, 2nd U2300, for $50 and then Rick 2ndU1500/2nd U1400 for $50 each: Jorge Balares, Raoul Crisologo and Aeria and Barry Lazarus split the Cristhian Garcia, Andrew Ritter (of Aaron Wooten. 3 players tied for BU2100/2nd U2100 prizes for $125 Kansas) and young Claire Negus U2000: Jesse Orlowski, Jason Qu each. all scored 3 points. Claire lost her and Chris Wonnell. In the Reserve 22 players competed in the Re- first two games to much higher rat- Section, twelve year old Jason Ma serve Section (U2000), including ed players, but came back strong to put on a spectacular performance, 11 Class A and 11 Class B players. win 3 in a row. -- Chuck Ensey winning all 4 games and First Three players tied for First Place Place, despite being only the 11th with 4 points. Antonio Gonzalez highest rated player in the section. won First Place on tiebreaks, Dan- Gambito Open News Nestor Dagamat and Mike Friedel iel Collins was BU1900 and Se- The July Super Gambito Open tied for Second Place. Tom Kuhn men Filatov was BU1800, but they (#427) happened to fall on the 4th won BU1600 and 3 players tied for all won $233 each. Semen was the of July so there was some concern 2nd U1600: Gene Arnaiz, Michael player from Moscow who happened that the attendance might be low, Chen and Patrick Edwards. Jason to be visiting in San Diego and he but not to worry, 33 players turned Arbeiter and Cyrus Lakdawala was a delightful and impressive out for a great day in Balboa Park. won the Best Game Prizes. $830 in young man. Whenever you play a Bruce Baker took First Place with prizes in total prizes were paid out. player whose last name ends in –tov, 3 wins and a draw in the last round -- Chuck Ensey you can figure that you are in for a to Jorge Balares, who tied for 2nd/ real battle! The Soviet Union may U2400/U2200 with Cyrus Lak- be gone, but Russian names still dawala and Jason Qu, all 3 scoring San Diego Chess Club dominate many of the large chess 3. Jason lost to Bruce in round 1, In June 61 players played in the tournaments throughout the world. while Jorge took a bye. Cyrus was Chuck Ensey Doubleheader, a new Three players also tied for Second upset in Round 2 by Kyron Griffith, format where two games were played Place: San Diegan Jesse Orlowski, who ended up with 2 points and tied in one night, one as Black and one as Alejandro Ruiz of Santa Clarita and for 2nd U2200 with Alejandrino White, against the same opponent John Badger of San Diego. Jesse is Baluran. Carey Milton was 2nd with a time control of G/45 minutes. rated 1995 and was hoping to win U2400 with 2½. Eric Smith, Chuck It seemed to be popular with the the section, but a loss to Daniel Col- Ensey and Madhavan Vajapeyam players, and we will definitely try lins in round 2 put a crimp in his tied for BU2000 with 2 points. In it again, but next time we will have plans. Then he also drew with Pro- the Reserve Section, Aaron House- more sections so the players will be fessor Dennis Saccuzzo (1956) of holder and Caleb Guy tied for First closer in rating. In this 10 round San Diego State in round 4. So even Place with 3½. Mike Friedel, Scott event, David Hart came out on top if you are the #1 rated player, it is Householder and Nestor Dagamat with 8½ points for First Place, while never easy to win a chess tourna- tied for Second. Mike Friedel and Bruce Baker claimed Second with 8. ment; they never just hand it to you Jorge Balares won the Best Game Ignacio Sainz, Ron Soto and Manuel on a silver platter. Nestor Dagamat Prizes. A total of $750 in prizes Herrera, were BU2200, all with 7. won 2nd U1800 ($50) and he is now were paid out. Jeff Turner and Bill Whitney won finally rated over 1800. He beat The August Super Gambito BU2000 with 6½. Jerry Soelberg me with a nice Rook sac, and al- (#431) had an even bigger turnout took sole possession of the BU1800 though it wasn’t completely sound, with 36 players, including 4 Masters prize with 6, trailed by Mike Friedel, I couldn’t find the correct answer, and 6 Experts. Cyrus Lakdawala Shaun Sweitzer and Ron Rezendes so he prevailed. As Tal proved over tied for First Place with Dionisio with 5 each. Matt Souza was clear and over, luck favors the aggressive Aldama of Phoenix. They drew BU1600 with 5, followed by Tom player. Ronaldo Salenga passed GO their game in round 3 and finished Kuhn, Michael Ryan and Chris Cal- and collected $200 of real cash, not with 3½ each. It was great to see bat with 4½ each. Jim Krooskos and just monopoly money, for BU1700. someone close to Cy’s rating giving Tom Lavoy tied for BU1400 with 4½. Manuel Abundo and Tom Kuhn him a rough time, as Cyrus so often There was also a Slow Section for split 2nd U1700 for $25 each. dominates the Gambito. Both play- players who didn’t want to try the In the Booster Section, there ers are rated about 2500. Dionisio new fangled format and they played were 5 Class C and 11 Class D and is originally from Cuba and Expert at G/120 with 10 second delay. Here below. Todd Arone won First Place Antionio Gonzalez of Mexico says the winner was George Zeigler with and $150 with 4½ points. Joseph he has known him for 20 years and 4½, followed by Jamieson Pryor with
16 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 4. Alejandrino Baluran, Buddy Mor- between Shaun Sweitzer, Jerry Soel- winners. ris and Ramin Sinaee came in with berg, Mike Friedel and Steve Perry, The club meets Fridays at 6:45 3½ and then Alfredo Deleon and Bill all with 5½. Just 3 players tied for at the Boys and Girls Clun, 3230 Murray won BU1800 and BU1600 BU1600: Julian Rodriguez (of TJ), East Del Mar. The traditional six- with 3 points each. Erik Marquis and Steve Gordon, all round San Gabriel Valley Champi- Also in June, the club hosted with 5 points. Roger Wathen also onship begins September 11. For GM Ronen Har-zvi for a simultane- scored 5 and took BU1400. Finally, further details call Neil Hultgren at ous exhibition. Playing well over 30 Jim Krooskos, Libano Rodriguez (818) 243-3809. – Randy Hough boards, including several Masters (TJ) and Cristhian Garcia (TJ) tied for 2nd U1400 with 4. and quite a few Experts, the GM did Larry Stevens (2095) – Jesse Vic- not lose a single game and gave up The SDCC is open every day for toria (2088) only 3 draws. This was one of the casual play and has tournaments on Tim Pellant Memorial, Pasadena best performances in a simul that Wednesday nights starting at 7 p. 2009 we’ve ever had, and we have had m. and on Saturday at 10 a. m. Call B22 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Alapin quite a few very strong players give our Club Manager Bruce Baker at Variation simuls. It takes a special skill to 619-239-7166 for more information. 1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. play such an exhibition, and appar- -- Chuck Ensey d4 cxd4 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. cxd4 d6 7. Bc4 ently this GM from Israel has mas- dxe5 8. dxe5 Ndb4 9. Qb3 e6 10. O- tered the skill. O Be7 11. a3 Na5 12. Bb5+ Kf8 13. In July and early August 68 play- Pasadena Chess Club Qa4 Nd5 14. Bd2 a6 15. Be2 Nc6 16. ers participated in the 2nd Annual The Liberty Open, with a turn- Nc3 Nxc3 17. Bxc3 g5 18. Rad1 Bd7 Jerry Soelberg Open, but this year out of 50 players, produced per- 19. Qe4 Qc7 20. Nd2 h5 21. Nc4 Kg7 we used a 6 round McMahon Swiss fect scores in two sections. John 22. Nd6 Rh6 23. f4 g4 24. f5 Bg5 pairing format where Masters and Hale topped the Open, 4-0, trailed XIIIIIIIIY Experts started with 4 points, Class by a half point by Larry Stevens. A with 3, Class B with 2, Class C Nathaniel Lagemann and David 9r+-+-+-+0 with 1 and Class D and below with Minasyan scored 3 to split the class 9+pwql+pmk-0 0. This allows for more equitable prizes. Anthony Hung went 4-0 in 9p+nsNp+-tr0 pairings (players closer in rating Section two, closely followed by Ja- play each other), similar to a class son McKeen. Richard Varela, Eze- 9+-+-zPPvlp0 tournament, but without the head- kiel Liu, Annie Wang, and Robert 9-+-+Q+p+0 aches of odd numbers of players in Head split Under 1600 honors with 9zP-vL-+-+-0 sections that can happen with a 5 3 points, and the same score earned section event. Bruce Baker won the the Under 1400 prize for Yuting 9-zP-+L+PzP0 event with 9 points (4 bye points, Chen. Shelley Anthopoulos and Al- 9+-+R+RmK-0 5 wins and only one loss, to Jorge exander Hung tied for Under 1200. xiiiiiiiiy Balares). Jorge finished in clear The Pasadena Club meets Friday second place with 8½. David Hart nights at 6:45 at the Boys and Girls 25. Nxf7 Qb6+ 26. Kh1 exf5 27. and Carl Wagner tied for Third Club, 3230 East Del Mar. The San e6+ Bf6 28. Qxf5 Ne7 29. Qg5+ 1- Place with 8. Manuel Herrera tied Gabriel Valley Championship, a 0 for BU2200 with Raoul Crisologo traditional six-rounder, begins Sep- with 7½ points; both players travel tember 11. For further club infor- Tim Thompson (1900) – Larry quite a long way to play at our club, mation call Neil Hultgren at (818) Stevens (2095) Raoul comes down from Temecula 243-3809. Tim Pellant Memorial, Pasadena and Manuel fights the border traffic The Tim Pellant Memorial at- 2009 from Tijuana. Five players tied for tracted 55 players, the best turnout B78 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Dragon 3rd U2000: John Funderburg, Ig- in a number of years. Larry Stevens Variation nacio Sainz (another border cross- and Yuting Chen scored 4-0 to win 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. er), Jamieson Pryor, Alejandrino the two sections. Phil Chase scored Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Baluran and Paul Agron, all with 7 3½ for second place in the Open sec- Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. O- points. Also scoring 7 was Class A tion, and Cheston Gunawan, Greg O-O Qa5 11. Kb1 Rfc8 12. Bb3 Ne5 player Saeid Abdoli, who won clear Hall, Terrence Sun, Tim Thomp- 13. g4 Rxc3 14. Qxc3 Qxc3 15. bxc3 BU2000. Four others tied for 2nd son, Anthony Hung, Ron Mor- Rc8 16. g5 Ne8 17. f4 Nc4 18. Bc1 b5 U2000: Fausto Robles (also from ris, and Yusheng Xia earned class 19. Rhe1 Nb6 20. e5 dxe5 21. fxe5 TJ), Roberto Aiello, Joel Batchelor prizes. In the second section, Justin e6 22. Bf4 Nc7 23. Ne2 Ncd5 24. and Alfredo Deleon, all with 6½. Tay was second with 3½, and Tom Bxd5 Nxd5 25. Kb2 Bc6 26. Rxd5 There was a 4-way tie for BU1800 Hogue and Jennifer Lu were class Bxd5 27. Nd4 Bf8 28. a3 a6 29. Rd1
17 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 Rc4 30. Bg3 Be7 31. h4 players. Directed by Mike Jeffreys, Nf6 (intending ... Nc6-b4-d5) 11. a3 XIIIIIIIIY it was an unrated Round-Robin b6 12. Bc2 Bb7 13. Qd3. 9-+-+-+k+0 with a $5 entry fee. 11. Be4 Nde7?! The results: The more popular 11 ... Nce7 9+-+-vlp+p0 1st Mark Duckworth = $20 maintains control of the blockade 9p+-+p+p+0 2nd Carl Hyne = $15 square d5 and makes the d-pawn 9+p+lzP-zP-0 3rd Dean Arvidson = $8 an immobile target. 4th was a 3 way tie = $5 (which 12. Be3 Nf5 9-+rsN-+-zP0 the three players: David de la Torre, Consistent. If Black develops 9zP-zP-+-vL-0 Eren Karadayi, and Stewart Yanez, by 12. ... b6 13. Ne5 Bb7, then 14. 9-mKP+-+-+0 decided to play a blitz match be- Qh5 g6 15. Qh3 Bg7 16. Rad1 places tween themselves for winner take White’s pieces very aggressively. 9+-+R+-+-0 all). 13. Bxf5 exf5 14. d5 xiiiiiiiiy The August 31st One Night Un- Now the isolated pawn is an un- 31. … Bxa3+ 32. Kxa3 Rxc3+ rated Action Tournament was won deniable asset. 33. Kb4 Rxg3 34. Ra1 Bb7 35. Rd1 by David Baran with Simon Kogan 14. … Ne7?! Black should try Rg4 36. Kc5 Bd5 37. Ra1 Rxh4 38. taking 2nd. to control d6 by 14. ... Ne5 15. Nxe5 Rxa6 Rg4 39. Rb6 Rxg5 40. Rxb5 Bxe5, although 16. Bd4 Bd6 17. Be5 Rxe5 41. Kd6 Re4 42. Rxd5 exd5 43. is promising for White. Kxd5 Rxd4+ 44. Kxd4 h5 45. c4 h4 Pacific Coast Open 15. Bc5 Bd7 46. c5 Kf8 0-1 GM Melikset Khachiyan took Black cannot halt White’s initia- first place in the 14th Pacific Coast tive. Useless is 15. ... Re8 16. Nb5, Open, held July 16-19 at the Renais- while 15. ... b6 16. Ba3 Bb7 gets Arcadia Chess Club sance Hotel in Agoura Hills, with bullied by 17. d6 Ng6 18. d7 Be7 19. The McGuire Memorial, a 42- 5½-½. Next at 4½-1½ were IMs An- Bxe7 Nxe7 20. Qd6 Ng6 21. Nd5. player, power outage-shortened dranik Matikozyan and Emory Tate. 16. d6 Ng6 17. Nd5! swiss, saw Randy Hough and Mat- Other section winners included Jay Offering a pawn by 17. ... Bxb2 thew Hayes on top with 4½ of 5. Stallings, Vinzent Davies, Marek 18. Rb1 b6. But 19. Rxb2 bxc5 20. Dave King was best Under 2000 Jankowski, Alejandro Ruiz, Joe Ne7+ Kh8 21. Nxg6+ hxg6 22. Re7, with 3½, and Alvin Huang, Issa Russell, Bud Stamper, Joshua Rose, intending Nf3-e5, is too strong. For Razzaghi, Joseph Jao, and Alexan- Timothy Abadilla, Rodrigo Casia- example, 22. ... Be6 23. Ne5 Kh7 der Hung also won class prizes. no, Leo Creger and Dylan Pearson. 24. Nc6 Qc8 25. Qf3 threatens 26. The Oak Tree, with 50 players, Steve Immitt and Randy Hough di- Qh3+ Kg8 27. Rc7 and 28. Ne7+. ended in a tie among Craig Faber, rected the 217-player event for the 17. … b6 18. Ba3 Kh8 David Argall, and Matthew Hayes, Continental Chess Association. XIIIIIIIIY as Faber downed leader Argall in an exciting game. Alexander Xie (who IM Andranik Matikozyan – Vad- 9r+-wq-tr-mk0 gained 144 points), Dave King, Ed- im Kudryavtsev 9zp-+l+pzpp0 gar Rodriguez, and Yi Lin Zheng Pacific Coast Open, Agoura Hills 9-zp-zP-vln+0 mopped up most of the class prizes 2009 with 4 points. The Arcadia Club D42 CARO-KANN DEFENSE, 9+-+N+p+-0 meets Monday nights at 6:45 at the Panov-Botvinnik Attack 9-+-+-+-+0 Senior Center, 400 S. Santa Anita (Notes by Los Angeles Times 9vL-+-+N+-0 Avenue. For information call Mel chess columnist Jack Peters) Clark at (626) 447-9355. – Randy 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 Hough 4. c4 9tR-+QtR-mK-0 The Panov-Botvinnik Attack xiiiiiiiiy against the Caro-Kann Defense. Santa Monica Bay 4. … Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nf3 Be7 19. Re7! Be6 Chess Club Karpov advocated 6. … Bb4. If 19. ... Re8, both 20. Rxf7 Kg8 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Bd3 Nc6 9. 0- 21. Re7! and 20. Rxe8+ Bxe8 21. David Baran and George Wit- 0 0-0 10. Re1 Nxf6 gxf6 22. Qd5 will win. comb were the section prize winners A typical position with an iso- 20. Nxf6 gxf6 21. Qd4 Kg7 22. of the Club’s August Swiss (8/3/09- lated d-pawn, slightly in White’s Re1 Bxa2 8/24/09). Wall Chart attached favor. Or 22. ... Re8 23. R1xe6. The August 30th Beach Blitz at 10. … Bf6 23. b3! Bxb3 24. Bb2, Black the pier area Chess Park drew 12 Another branch begins 10. … Resigns.
18 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 tos of the club, see chess. expopark- pictures and a schedule of upcom- Westwood Summer la. com. The club meets every Sun- ing events are at the club’s website Open day afternoon in the public library here http://www. lapalmachess. 741. at 3900 S. Western Ave. in Los An- com/index. html. – Chris Roberts July 26 Top-rated GM Melikset Khachi- geles. yan dominated the Westwood Sum- mer Open, winning four straight be- California G/30 fore making a quick last-round draw La Palma Chess Club Championship with master Joel Banawa. Tied for Craig Faber won La Palma second wre Banawa and another of Chess Club’s Friday Knight Fever August 23 Khachiyan’s victims, master Ryan that ended July 31st with a per- Joel Banawa and Bill Pennucci Porter. In the Reserve (U1800) sec- fect score of 4. Other prizewinners shared first place in this 29-player tion, unrated Michael Jaglom scored were Chris Roberts, 2nd place; Jef- California Rapid Championship at 4. 5 to prove that you can start play- fery Ding, Best U1900; newcomer the Los Angeles Chess Club. Jason ing tournament chess at any age. Shyam Gandhi, Best U1700; Ander- Bibiano and unrated Igor Kukavica (Hint: He’s not a little kid. ) John son Ju, Best U1500; and Curtis Ain, led the Under- 1800 section. Mick Hillery directed for Western Chess. Best U1300. The 37-player player 4- Bighamian directed. Open: 1st: GM Melikset Khachi- round Swiss was held at La Palma’s yan, 4. 5-. 5; 2nd-3rd: Joel Banawa, Central Park Community Center. Ryan Porter, 4-1; U2200: Jeremy La Palma Chess Club’s New Diversity Summer Stein, 3. 5-1. 5; U2000: Willis Kim, Hampshire Open ended August Zoran Djoric, Matthew Hernandez, 28th with two players achieving Scholastic Cheston Gunawan, 3-2. perfect scores. Craig Faber and August 23 Reserve: 1st: Michael Jaglom, 4. Chris Roberts topped the 39-player Nicholas Hammond won the Di- 5-. 5 (technically 1st U1400/unrat- field by a full point. Faber had bet- versity Educational Center Sum- ed, however); 2nd-3rd: Saul Priever, ter tie breaks. Other prizewinners mer Scholastic in Arcadia, ahead Numan Abdul-Mujeeb, 4-1; U1600: were Bill Martino, Best U1800; of Jennifer Lu and Shelley Antho- David Steinhart, Sanjay Siddhanti, newcommer Craig Lok Hilby, Best poulos. Danial Asaria and Raghav Bryan Shapiro, 3-2; U1200: Yechiel U1600; Ron Duff, Best U1400; Ramanujan led their sections in the Goldberger, 3-1. and Mike Searcy, Best U1200. 33-player tournament. Complete standings, games, GM Melikset Khachiyan (2596) – Ryan Porter (2293) Westwood Summer Open, Los Angeles 2009 Solutions to Tactics by Hanks B06 PIRC-ROBATSCH DEFENSE (see page 14) 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 a6 5. a4 b6 6. Bc4 e6 7. 0–0 Ne7 Problem no. 1: a. Black is better. 1. Be5? is a mistake. The main line 8. Re1 0–0 9. Bf4 h6 10. h4 Bb7 11. goes 1. Be5? Rxa2! 2. Nxc3 (not 2. … Rxa2 since Black gets a Queen and Qd2 Kh7 12. Rad1 Nd7 13. Bg3 Qb8 wins with … c2) 2. … Rxa1+ 3. Nd1 and Black has the better game. White 14. Qe2 Qa7 15. h5 g5 16. e5 Bxf3 must play 1. Nc3 Nxc3 2. bxc3 Rxb8 and accept being down a pawn. Thus 17. gxf3 d5 18. Bd3+ Kh8 19. f4 another lesson on the perils of being too greedy. gxf4 20. Bxf4 c5 21. Qd2 cxd4 22. Problem no. 2: c. Rxf7 is unclear and leads to equal chances for Ne2 Nc6 23. Bxh6 Rg8 24. Bxg7+ both sides. The main line goes 1. Rxf7 h5! (not 1. … Rc1+ since 2. Qf1! Rxg7+ 25. Kh1 Ndxe5 26. Qh6+ will win for White) 2. Rc4 Rxc4 3. Qxc4 and the game is unclear. Kg8 27. Rg1 f5 28. Qxe6+ Qf7 29. Problem no. 3: c. The position is equal. White is down a full Rook Rxg7+ Kxg7 30. Rg1+ Kf8 31. but can force a draw as follows: Qh6+ Ke8 32. f4 1–0 If 1. ... Rh6 2. Rh6! Rxh6 3. h8=Q+ Rxa8 4. b5 and the White King is entombed and therefore stalemated. If 1. ... Re8 2. Rh6 Rh8 4. b5 and again no matter what Black does he can- Exposition Park not make any progress and the game is drawn. Use your chess software to Chess Club prove this. Amazing. Problem no. 4: b. Bf5 is incorrect and White will be better. The On August 2, Marc Conde and main line goes 1. ... Bf5 2. c6! bxc6 (other moves offer no improvement for Mark Sokolovsky won sections at Black) 3. Nc5 Qc8 4. d7 (fork) Bxd7 5. Qxd7 and White is clearly better. the Exposition Park Chess Club’s Black’s best is probably 1. ... Qc6 but White retains the edge. monthly free tournament. For pho-
19 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 Pla Where to y Chess
ARCADIAARCADIA. TThehe ArcadiaArcadia ChessChess ClubClub roomroom atat Denny’sDenny’s restaurant,restaurant, 160160 W.W. GARDENGARDEN GROVEGROVE. ChessChess Pal-Pal- meetsmeets atat 6:306:30 p.m.p.m. MondaysMondays inin thethe ValleyValley Blvd.Blvd. CCasualasual pplay,lay, bblitz.litz. CallCall aceace i iss o openpen 9 9:00:00 a a.m..m. toto 7:007:00 p p.m..m. SeniorSenior CitizensCitizens building,building, 405405 S.S. Denny’sDenny’s atat (909)(909) 824-2132.824-2132. WednesdaysWednesdays andand Fridays,Fridays, andand 9:009:00 Santa Anita Ave. Continuous rated am to 5:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sun- tournaments, casual play. Dues: COSTA MESA. The Chess Center, days, at 12872 Valley View, Suite $10/year. Call Mel Clark at (626) 2482 Newport Blvd, hosts sepa- 5. Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and 447-9355. Web site: www.geocities. rate tournaments for children and Thursdays. Wide variety of rated com/arcadiachessclub. adults on Thursday evenings, plus tournaments, Action chess, youth instruction for children. Saturday tournaments, scholastic chess BAKERSFIELD. The Bakersfield tournaments may resume soon. camps, blitz, occasional lectures Chess Club meets 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 Call Al Massip at (949) 646-6696 and simuls, large selection of chess p.m. Thursdays at 3000 Mall View or (949) 422-1186. Web site: www. books, computers, and equipment Rd. in the East Hills Mall. Rated chess-center.com. for sale, lending library of chess vid- tournaments, rated games, casual eos, excellent website. Dues: $3/day play, blitz, lessons. Dues: $35/year ESCONDIDO. The Escondido or $169/year. Call the club at (714) for adults, $25/year for youth. Call Chess Club meets at 7 p.m. Thurs- 899-3421 or Alfred Ong at (310) Kenneth J. Poole at (661) 304-7468. days at 2427 S. Centre City Park- 594-3475. Web site: www.chesspal- Web site: www.bakersfieldchess- way. Continuous rated adult and ace.com. club.com. children’s tournaments. Dues: $20/ year. Call the club at (760) 317-1744 GLENDALE. The chess park at BURBANK. A group meets or Alex Goddard at (760) 500-3417 227 N. Brand Blvd. is open day and Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 or write to [email protected]. night for casual play. Speed tourna- p.m. at the Joslyn Center, 1301 W. Web site: www.escondidochess.com. ments, occasional weekend tourna- Olive St. (at Griffith Park Drive). ments. Casual play, ages 55 and up only. No ESCONDIDO. A group meets noon dues. Call (818) 238-5353. to 4 p.m. weekdays in the Joslyn Se- HEMET. The Hemet Chess Club nior Center, 210 Park Ave. Casual meets 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sun- BURBANK. A group meets Fri- play, ages 50 and up. No dues. Call days in Steve’s Burgers West, 240 S. days from 5:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in (760) 839-4688. Sanderson Ave. Casual play. Free. McCambridge Park, 1515 N. Gleno- Contact hemetchessclub@yahoo. aks Blvd. Casual play, tournaments FRESNO. The Fresno Chess com. possible. Call Emil Klimach at (818) Club meets 6:00 p.m. to midnight 845-1104. Mondays and Fridays in Carl’s Jr. HUNTINGTON BEACH. The restaurant, 6767 N. First St. (at Hanley Chess Academy Chess Club CARLSBAD. A group meets 1:00 Herndon). Rated tournaments, meets 6:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Thurs- p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mondays in the non-rated quick chess quads, casual days at 7390 Center Ave. Weekly rat- Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine play, lectures, chess library, news- ed tournaments, Action chess, blitz Ave. Casual play. Most attendees letter, new website. More than 200 tournaments, casual play. No dues. are over age 50, but younger adults members! Dues: $20/year, $10/year Bring your own equipment. Con- are welcome. No dues. Call (760) for students, women, and those who tact Joe Hanley at (714) 925-3195 602-4650. live outside Fresno County. Contact or [email protected] or call Bar- Bob Rasmussen at (559) 708-8100. ry Lazarus at (714) 229-0792. Web COLTON. A group meets at 9:00 Website: www.fresnochessclub.org. site: www.hanleychessacademy.org. p.m. Friday nights in a private
20 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 HUNTINGTON BEACH. The HB LAGUNA BEACH. People gather to LOS ANGELES. The Los Ange- Chess Café meets 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 play chess at the permanent chess les Chess Club (LACC) meets on p.m. Fridays in Café Enchante, table on the boardwalk. the second floor of 11514 Santa 328 11th St. Casual play, free chess Monica Blvd., above Javan restau- lesson from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. LAGUNA HILLS. A group meets rant. Variety of tournaments and Bring your chess set. No dues. Web 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesdays instruction for children and adults site: hbchesscafe.com. in the Game Master, Suite 1530 of on Saturdays, Sundays and Tues- the Laguna Hills Mall. Casual play. day evenings. Dues: adults $120/ IRVINE. A group meets at lunch Free. Call (949) 457-0290. Website: year, juniors/seniors $100/year time (11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) Fri- www.gamecenteronline.com. or $5/visit for non-members, first days at Knowlwood Restaurant, visit free. Call Mick Bighamian at 14952 Sand Canyon Ave. Speed LAGUNA WOODS. The Leisure (310) 795-5710 or send a message to chess, analysis. Bring equip- World Chess Club meets 1:00 p.m. [email protected]. Web site: ment. Contact David Zechiel at to 5:00 p.m. Mondays and 1:00 a.m. www.lachessclub.com. [email protected]. to 6:00 p.m. Thursdays in the Com- munity Center building in Leisure LOS ANGELES. The Santa Mon- IRVINE. A group meets 11 a.m. to World. Guests are welcome. Casual ica Bay Chess Club meets 7:00 p.m. 1 p.m. Fridays at the Rancho Senior play, ladder competition, occasional to 11:00 p.m. Mondays in St. An- Center, 3 Ethel Coplen Way. Casu- simul. Call John Griffin at (949) drew’s Lutheran Church, 11555 Na- al play, mostly seniors. Free. Call 462-0722 or Stan Kahan at (949) tional Blvd. Variety of rated tourna- (949) 724-6800. 830-6699. ments, casual play, simuls, over 50 years in business. Dues: $60/year, JOSHUA TREE. The Joshua LONG BEACH. The chess room free to women and juniors. Call Tree Chess Club meets 6:00 p.m. in Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave., is Pete Savino at (310) 827-2789. Web to 10 p.m. Fridays at Faith Lu- open for casual play from noon to site: www.geocities.com/santamoni- theran Church , 6336 Hallee Rd. 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays cabaychessclub. in Joshua Tree. Casual play, occa- and noon to 4:00 p.m. Saturdays. sional tournaments, some instruc- Free. LOS ANGELES. Tang’s Do- tion, junior chess program. Contact nuts, 4341 W. Sunset Blvd., wel- Mark Muller at (760) 367-2311 or at LONG BEACH. Players gather for comes chessplayers for casual play [email protected]. casual play at Golden Burger, 2301 and speed chess, especially late at E. 4th St., after the chess room in night. LA PALMA. The La Palma Chess Bixby Park closes. Call the restau- Club meets 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. rant at (562) 434-2625. LOS ANGELES. A group meets Fridays in Central Park, 7821 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays in Walker St. Continuous rated tour- LOS ANGELES. A group meets at the public library, 4591 Santa Mon- naments, blitz, casual play, free cof- 5:30 p.m. Mondays in the Baldwin ica Blvd. Casual play. Free. Call the fee, boards and sets provided. Entry Hills branch of the public library, library at (323) 664-6418. fees: $45 for three months of rated 2906 S. La Brea Ave. Casual play, tournament play or $25 per tourna- instruction for beginners. All ages MORRO BAY. A group meets 11 ment, $5 less to La Palma residents. welcome, especially children and a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays at the big Call Mike Henebry at (562) 370-2146 teenagers. Call the library at (323) chess board on Embarcadero at or Leigh Hunt at (714) 635-0448 or 733-1196. Morro Bay Blvd. Chess pieces may write to [email protected]. Web be checked out weekdays from the site: www.lapalmachess.741.com. LOS ANGELES. The Exposition Parks and Recreation Dept. Call Park Chess Club meets 1:00 p.m. to Eugene Arcamonte at (805) 528- LAWNDALE. The Alondra Park 4:30 p.m. Sundays in the Exposition 4079 or Fred Brown at (805) 772- Chess Club meets 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 Park branch of the public library, 7074. p.m. Tuesdays at 3850 Manhattan 3900 S. Western Ave. Casual play, Beach Blvd. Rated six-round tour- lectures, simuls, instruction, free MURRIETA. The Temecula Val- naments at 7:00 p.m., speed chess tournament on the first Sunday of ley Chess Club meets noon to 2 or extra rated games on seventh every month. No dues. Call the li- p.m. Sundays in It’s a Grind Coffee- Tuesday, no smoking. Dues: $5/year brary at (323) 290-3113 or send a house, 24520 Village Walk Place. plus $5/tournament, $2.50/year for message to the club secretary at Casual play. Free. Contact Peter juniors. Call Richard Meller at (310) [email protected]. Web site: Surowski at (951) 818-9771 or at 227-2873. Web site: www.geocities. http://chess.expoparkla.com. [email protected]. com/alondra_park_cc.
21 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 NATIONAL CITY. The Nation- RIVERSIDE. A group meets for play, instruction, rated and non- al City Chess Club meets 2:00 casual play and blitz at 8:30 p.m. rated tournaments. Dues: $15 for p.m to 10:00 p.m. daily at 1341 Thursday evenings in Back 2 the 7 weeks, free to YMCA members. E. 8th St. Casual play, chess vid- Grind Café, 3575 University Ave. Contact John Williams at (805) 529- eos available, free instruction “Quick Thursdays” G/15 quads on 1816 or [email protected]. for scholastic members ages 7 to the first Thursday of every month, 12, informal atmosphere. Dues: register at 8 p.m. Bring equip- VENTURA. The Ventura County none, but small donation welcome. ment. Call the café at (951) 784- Chess Club meets on the first Tues- Call Jorge Balares at (619) 477- 0800 or e-mail Tyrone Liddell at day, the second Monday, and the 3118 or (619) 788-8395. Web site: [email protected]. Web later Tuesdays each month in the www.nationalcitychessclub.com. site: www.TheChessUnion.com Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foot- . hill Rd. Rated tournaments, casual NEWHALL. The California Youth SAN DIEGO. The San Diego play. Dues: $35.00/year, $17.50/year Chess League conducts a scho- Chess Club opens for casual play for juniors and military. Call Jimmy lastic chess club 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 at 2:00 p.m. weekdays, 10:00 a.m. Sweet at (805) 659-0356. Web site: p.m. Mondays, except holidays, in Saturdays and noon Sundays in www.vcchess.com. Vincenzo’s Pizza, 24504 ½ Lyons Balboa Park at 2225 6th Ave. (be- Ave. Casual play, blitz, bughouse, tween Ivy and Juniper). Tourna- VICTORVILLE. The Victor Valley free instruction for total begin- ments Wednesday evenings and Chess Club meets noon to 4:00 p.m. ners. Parents or guardians must Saturdays, Jedi Knights children’s Saturdays in the Victor Villa Club- stay with kids. Free. Call Jay Stall- club with Bruce Baker at 7:00 p.m. house, 13393 Mariposa Rd. Casual ings at (661) 288-1705 or write to Fridays, lessons available. Dues: play, non-rated quad tournaments [email protected]. $60/year, discounts for seniors, ju- most months, instruction. No dues. niors and active military. Call the Write to [email protected]. ORANGE. The Orange Senior club at (619) 239-7166 or e-mail Club meets from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 Chuck Ensey at [email protected]. WEST COVINA. The West Covina p.m. Tuesdays in the Orange Senior Web site: http://sdchessclub.multi- Chess Club meets 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 Citizens Community Center, 170 S. ply.com. p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in Olive St. in Orange. Casual play, all the Senior Center, 2501 E. Cortez ages welcome. Call (714) 538-9633. SAN DIMAS. Home Brew Coffee, St. All ages welcome. Casual play, 661 W. Arrow Highway, welcomes rated and non-rated tournaments PASADENA. The Pasadena Chess chessplayers. Bring your chess set. on Tuesdays. Bring chess equip- Club meets from 6:45 p.m. to 11:00 Call (909) 394-1964. ment. No speed chess! Call Richard p.m. Fridays in the Boys and Girls Williams at (626) 966-6311. Club, 3230 E. Del Mar Blvd. Contin- SAN LUIS OBISPO. The San uous tournaments at 7 p.m. Fridays. Luis Obispo Chess Club meets 6:30 WEST HILLS. The West Valley Dues: $25/year. Call Neil Hultgren p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Thursdays in the Chess Club meets 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 at (818) 243-3809. Web site: www. Church of the Nazarene, 3396 John- p.m. Thursdays in the West Valley tim-thompson.com/pasadena.html. son Ave. Casual play, lectures, occa- Jewish Community Center, 22622 sional tournaments. Dues: $5/year. Vanowen St. Open to all, continu- REDLANDS. The Joslyn Center Contact Barbara McCaleb at (805) ous rated tournaments, blitz, casual Chess Club meets 11:30 a.m. to 544-0717 or [email protected] play. One of the largest local clubs. 5:00 p.m. Wednesdays in the Jos- Contact Jerry Yee at (818) 915-5572 lyn Senior Center, 21 Grant St. Ca- SANTA MONICA. Chess tables or at [email protected]. Web site: sual play, non-rated tournaments. are available from sunup to sun- www.geocities.com/westhillschess. No dues. Call the Senior Center at down daily at the Santa Monica (909) 798-7550. International Chess Park, on the promenade just south of the Santa RIDGECREST. The Ridgecrest Monica pier. Casual chess, blitz, Chess Club meets 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 chess bulletin board, large demon- p.m. Saturdays in the Kern Coun- stration board, occasional summer ty Library (west entrance), 131 E. tournaments. No dues. Las Flores Ave. Casual play, occa- sional scholastic and club tourna- SIMI VALLEY. The YMCA Chess ments. No dues. Contact Dwight Club of Simi Valley meets 6:00 Morgan at (760) 377-0034 or at p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mondays at the [email protected]. YMCA, 3200 Cochran St. Casual
22 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 Continued from page 4 ... Black’s King. 30. Qh6+! Kxf7 31. Bb3+, 19. … Kxg7 Black Resigns. Black should preface this idea After 19. ... Kg8, the simple 20. with 14. ... h6. Nxf5 Qxf5 21. Bxh6 is all right, but Eugene Yanayt (2251) – Donald 15. Bxc4 Bxe4 16. N3h4! h6?! most conclusive is 20. Qh5! Bxh4 Danlag (2043) Leaving the Bishop vulnerable at (or 20. ... Kxg7 21. Nxf5+ Kf6 22. U. S. Open, Indianapolis 2009 e4. Necessary is 16. ... Bxf5 17. Nxf5 Qxh6+! Kxf5 23. Qh3+, winning E02 CATALAN OPENING Nc5, although White’s Bishops con- the Queen) 21. Qxh6 Bh7 22. Bxf8 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 stitute a decisive advantage. Rxf8 23. Qxh4. Nbd7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. 0–0 0–0 7. Qc2 XIIIIIIIIY 20. Qxe5+ Bf6 dxc4 8. Qxc4 c5 9. Rd1 Rb8 10. dxc5 Black cannot stand 20. ... Kh7 Bxc5 11. Bf4 e5 12. Nxe5 Nxe5 13. 9-+-+rtr-mk0 21. Nxf5 f6 22. Qf4. Rxd8 Nxc4 14. Rxf8+ Kxf8 15. Bxb8 9zp-wqnvlpzp-0 21. Nxf5+ Kg6 22. Qg3+! Ng4 16. e3 9-zp-+-sn-zp0 Relying on the X-ray 22. ... Kxf5? XIIIIIIIIY 23. Qh3+. 9+-+-zpNvL-0 22. … Kh7 23. Bd3 Kh8 9-vLl+-mk-+0 9-+L+l+-sN0 After 23. ... Rd8 24. Bb1, White 9zpp+-+pzpp0 9+-zP-+-+-0 threatens discoveries and 25. Qh3. 9-+-+-+-+0 24. Nxh6 Rd8 25. Bb1 Rfe8 9PzP-+QzPPzP0 26. Qf4 Qe6 27. Bf5! Qe7 9+-vl-+-+-0 9+-+R+RmK-0 Useless is 27. ... Qd5 28. Ng4 Bg7 9-+n+-+n+0 xiiiiiiiiy because of 29. Nf6. 9+-+-zP-zP-0 28. Bc2 17. Rxd7! Qxd7 18. Bxf6 The Bishop maneuver creates 9PzP-+-zPLzP0 Planning 18. ... Bxf6 19. Qxe4. threats of 29. Qf5 and 29. Bb3. 9tRN+-+-mK-0 18. … Bxf5 19. Bxg7+! 28. … Be5 29. Nxf7+ Kg7 xiiiiiiiiy The crux of White’s combination. White refutes 29. ... Kg8 by 30. 16. … Ngxe3 17. fxe3 Nxe3 18. White regains material and exposes Nxe5 Qxe5 31. Qh6, setting up 32. Be4 Nc2+ 19. Kf1 Nxa1 20. Be5 Bb3+. ��������������������� ����������������� Thanksgiving weekend, November 26 – 29 or 27 – 29 At the luxurious Los Angeles Airport Renaissance Montura Hotel Great room and parking rates! Eight rounds of great chess! $37,500 prize fund based on 400 players, $19,500 guaranteed Daily lectures, videos, and special prizes! See detailsSee details in Grand on page Prix 27section
23 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 Be6 21. b3 Nxb3 22. axb3 Bxb3 23. Bxb7 a5 24. Bb2 Kg8 25. Bc6 g5 26. The Long View 19. Ned4 Kh7 Nd2 Bc2 27. Ne4 1–0 To meet the threat of 20. Nxc6 by John Hillery Bxc6 21. Ne7+ and 22. Nxc8. The John Bidwell (2254) – GM Dmitry he young Capablanca gained entry a2 pawn still cannot be captured, in Gurevich (2536) Tto this event, intended for those view of 19. ... Qxa2 20. Ra1 Qb7 21. U. S. Open, Indianapolis 2009 who had taken at least two third prizes Reb1. A34 ENGLISH OPENING in international tournaments, only at 20. g4 Rbe8 21. f3 Ne6 22. 1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. f4 the insistence of Frank Marshall, who Ne2 Qxa2 had lost to Capa in a match two years g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 d6 Seeing no direct threat, Black before. The Cuban won the event con- 8. Be2 Nc6 9. Be3 Nf6 10. Bf3 Nxd4 vincingly, losing only one game (to Ru- thinks that it is time to capture the 11. Qxd4 0–0 12. Qd3 Nd7 13. Rc1 binstein). Ossip Bernstein had been a-pawn, but 22. ... Qb6 would have Nc5 14. Qb1 f5 15. exf5 Bxf3 16. one of the most vocal opponents of Ca- minimized White’s advantage. gxf3 Rxf5 17. b4 Bxc3+ 18. Rxc3 pablanca’s admission, and it befell that 23. Neg3 Qxc2? Ne6 19. Qe4 Kf7 20. 0–0 Rc8 21. they met in the first round. XIIIIIIIIY Rd1 Qh8 Capablanca - Bernstein 9-+-+rtr-+0 XIIIIIIIIY San Sebastian, 1911 9zp-zpl+pzpk0 9-+r+-+-wq0 C65 RUY LOPEZ, Steinitz Defense 9-+pzpn+-zp0 9zp-+-zpk+p0 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. 0-0 Be7 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bxc6+ 9+-+-+N+-0 9-zp-zpn+p+0 bxc6 7. d4 exd4 8. Nxd4 Bd7 9-+-+P+P+0 9+-+-+r+-0 Black has adopted the Steinitz 9+P+-wQPsN-0 9-zPP+QzP-+0 Deense to the Ruy Lopez, in which he obtains a cramped but solid po- 9-+q+-+-zP0 9+-tR-vLP+-0 sition. The doubled c-pawns deny 9+-+RtR-mK-0 9P+-+-+-zP0 White the use of the d5 square, and xiiiiiiiiy 9+-+R+-mK-0 Black may hope for counterplay on the b-file. Overall, White stands The only chance of defense was xiiiiiiiiy slightly better. 23. ... f6, to defend the g7 pawn with 22. Ra3 Rc7 23. Rd5 Qa1+ 24. 9. Bg5 0-0 10. Re1 h6 11. Bh4 ... Rf7. Kf2 Qb2+ 25. Kg3 Rxd5 26. cxd5 Nh7 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 24. Rc1 Qb2 25. Nh5 Rh8 Ng7 27. Rb3 Qxa2 0–1 In a cramped position, it is usu- Other moves are no better. Two ally wise to exchange a few pieces variations given by Capablanca are Randy Hough (2018) – Ernie for greater freedom of movement. 25. ... g5 26. e5 f6 27. Qd3, and 25. Schlich (1700) 13. Qd3 Rab8 14. b3 Ng5 ... g6 26. Qxh6+ Kg8 27. e5 gxh5 28. U. S. Open, Indianapolis 2009 In the days when this defense gxh5, and there is no answer to the E05 CATALAN OPENING was popular, it was more common threat of Re1-e2-g2+. 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. for Black to regroup with ... Rfe8 26. Re2 Qe5 27. f4 Qb5 28. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Nbd7 6. 0–0 Be7 7. and Nh7-f8-g6. Nfxg7 Nc5 Nbd2 0–0 8. Nxc4 Re8 9. Qc2 c5 15. Rad1 Qe5 16. Qe3 Ne6 17. Losing quickly. Capablanca ex- 10. Rd1 Qc7 11. Bf4 Qd8 12. dxc5 Nce2 Qa5 18. Nf5 Nc5 pected 28. ... Nxh7, though White Nd5 13. Bd6 Nxc5 14. Bxc5 Bxc5 The threat against the a2-pawn is still winning after 29. Nf6+ Kg6 15. e4 b5 16. Nce5 Qc7 17. exd5 proves illusory, for after 18. ... Qxa2 30. Nxd7 f6 31. e5 Kf7 32. Nxf6 Re7 Bb7 18. dxe6 Rxe6 19. Rd7 Qb6 20. 19. Qc3 (threatening to trap the 33. Ne4. Rxb7 Bxf2+ 21. Qxf2 Qxb7 22. Ng5 Queen with 20. Ra1) Qa6, White 29. Nxe8 Bxe8 30. Qc3 f6 31. Qxg2+ 23. Qxg2 Rxe5 24. Qxa8+ would obtain a strong attack with Nxf6+ Kg6 32. Nh5 Rg8 33. f5+ Re8 25. Qxe8# 1–0 20. Nf4 f6 21. Qg3 g5 22. Ng6 Rf7 Kg5 34. Qe3+ Kh4 35. Qg3+ Kg5 23. Nxh6+ Kg7 24. Nxf7 Kxg6 25. 36. h4 mate Nxd6 cxd6 26. Rxd6 Rb7 27. e5.
24 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 death who is not using a time-delay preferred option, ahead of first de- USCF clock may make a claim of “insuf- ciding whether the claim is “clearly Delegates’Meeting ficient losing chances,” and the TD correct” or “clearly incorrect.” Ar- by John Hillery has to decide whether the opponent gument for: It gets TDs out of the is legitimately trying to win or just business of adjudication, for which A number of significant events seeking to run out the clock. To they are neither qualified not fit. took place at the 2009 USCF Del- my astonishment, there was actu- Argument against: some jerks egates’ Meeting, held August 8-9 in ally some sentiment for abolishing might make a claim in a hopeless Indianapolis. Most will have no im- this rule completely, and allow- position just to stall. (This seems mediate effect of the average player, ing a player to run his opponent unlikely to me, but Bill Goichberg, but members should nevertheless out of time in something silly like who perhaps deals with a different be aware of them. Rook and pawn versus Rook. For- class of player, disagrees.) This is 1) SOMOV abolished. “State tunately that was defeated. What probably not a big deal, since “old One Member One Vote” is the selec- did pass was a change making the 14H” is a “minor variation” which tion of USCF Delegates by vote of insertion of a time-delay clock the many TDs will continue to use. the members. Effective in 2011, it will be dropped, and the Delegates will again be appointed by the State Chapters. The biennial elections 2009-2010 State Championship have cost the USCF a lot of money, eeded into the Championship are 2009 champion Enrico Sevillano, up voter turnout has been pitiful, and Sto three players selected on the basis of rating, and four from the 2010 the number of “petition” candi- Candidates Tournament. Below is a list of players who will be invited to the dates (those not nominated by their Candidates, and of upcoming qualifying tournaments. State Chapters) has been near zero except for a few cranks like Sam Qualifiers Sloan. If you don’t like this (and I July 3-5 Pacific Southwest Open Melikset Khachiyan can’t blame you), more of you ought Joel Banawa to have voted the last few times. July 17-20 Pacific Coast Open Andranik Matikozyan 2) Truong and Polgar mem- Garush Manukyan bership suspensions. Dissident Christian Tanaka Executive Board members Paul Vadim Kudryavtsev Truong and Susan Polgar had their July 26 Westwood Summer Open Ryan Porter Tim Taylor USCF memberships revoked by the Jeremy Stein EB, and the action was upheld on August 8-9 San Diego Cty Open Evgeny Shver appeal by the Delegates. Since the Leonard Sussman motion included a rider allowing August 15-23 State Championship Tianyi He them to continue to play in USCF Alexandre Kretchetov rated tournaments (though they Jack Peters rarely have), the only actual effect Elliott Liu of this was to remove them from Tatev Abrahamyan the Executive Board. While Pol- gar and Truong were not entirely Upcoming to blame for the start of this mess, September 5-7 Southern California Open San Diego their strategy of trying to get their September 12 San Luis Obispo Cty Open Pismo Beach way by running up the USCF’s le- September 12-13 Eclectic Collections West LA gal bills left them with few friends September 26-27 Bakersfield Fall Classic Bakersfield October 9-11 Los Angeles Open LAX or supporters. November 8 Westwood Fall Open Waet LA 3) EB terms changed. With November 22-23 Harold Valery G/60 Champ. West LA a phase-in period starting in 2011, November 26-29 American Open LAX the terms of EB members will be changed from four years to three. Each event qualifies two players (highest scoring Southern California To be honest, I doubt that anyone residents not previously qualified) except that 1) In the event of a tie, all tied except a few politicians will notice. players will advance; 2) A score of 60% is required to qualify; and, 3) The 4) Change to 14H. Rule 14H is SCCF Amateur, SCCF High School and any one-day event will each have one of the annoying artifacts of sud- one qualifying spot. den death. A player with less than two minutes remaining in sudden
25 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 Upcoming Events
September 12 Monica & Purdue - 1 block, or in the $55, Late Reg.: $10 more, Onsite SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY CHAMPI- building basement ($3). Inf: (310) (not guaranteed seating): $15 more. ONSHIP. 4-SS, G/60, Pimo Dunes 795-5710 or Mick@LaChessClub. SCCF memb, seniors, and juniors Travel Trailer Park Clubhouse, com. Web site: www.LaChessClub. save $2. Reg: 8:30-9:30 a.m. Rds: 200 S. Dolliver St., Pismo Beach, com. Ent: LACC - P.O. Box 251774, 10-11:15-1-2:15-3:30. Free park- CA 93449. 2 Sections: Open and Los Angeles, CA 90025. GP: 10. ing. Inf: chesspalace2000@yahoo. Reserve (U1500/Unr.) Prizes: 80% State Championship Qualifier. com. Web site: www.chesspalace. of paid entries returned. Reg: 8:45 com/events.htm. Extra: Free t- – 9:30 Saturday at tournament site. September 26-27 shirt, snacks, and raffle tickets. Rds: 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m., BAKERSFIELD FALL CLASSIC. 5-SS, Ent: (714) 899-3421. On-line entry: 5:15 p.m. EF: $40 Open, $30 Reserve G/90 (Rounds 1-3), 40/2, SD/1 www.chesspalace.com/events.htm. – paid in advance by September 10. (Rounds 4-5). East Hills Mall, 3000 One $5 discount to SCCF, S.L.O.CC, Mall View Road, Bakersfield, CA October 9-11 or Cal Chess members. All $10 more 93306. $1700 prize fund b/o 40, 80% LOS ANGELES OPEN. 5-SS, 3-day at site. Cash only at on-site regis- guaranteed: $500 (GTD!!)-300- 40/2, SD/1, 2-day rds. 1-2 G/60 then tration. INF: Barbara McCaleb, 200 top U2000 $250, U1800 $200, merges. LAX Hilton, 5711 W. Cen- 805-540-0747, bmccaleb@calpoly. U1600/Unr $150-$100. EF: $45 by tury Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. edu, Mark Keller, 805-481-6366, 9/24, $55 after; $6 discount for BCC $$10,000 b/200, 50% of each prize [email protected], www.sanlu- members and SCCF members. GMs guaranteed. In 3 sections: Open: isobispochess.com. Ent: Payable to & IMs free ($45 from prize). All: 1/2- 1600-1000-800-400-200, U2400 San Luis Obispo Chess Club, c/o pt bye available any round with en- 300-200, U2200 700-500-300. EF: Barbara McCaleb, 234 Via La Paz, try. Reg.: 8:45-9:30 a.m. Saturday. $83 if received by 10/8, $95 door. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. State Rds.: Saturday: 10-1:30-5, Sunday: Premier (U2000): $$ 700-500-300- Championship Qualifier. 9-3:30. Info: Kenneth J. Poole 661- 100, U1800 400-200-150, U1600 400- 304-7468, [email protected] 200-150. EF: $83 if received by 10/8, September 12-13 or visit www.bakersfieldchessclub. $95 door. Amateur (U1400/Un- ECLECTIC COLLECTIONS. (Sponsored com. Ent: Bakersfield Chess Club, rated): $$400-200-100, U1200 100, by: Eclectic Collections www.co- P.O. Box 176, 3501 Mall View Rd., Unr 100, unrated may win unrated lognes.com/eclectic_collections) 6- Suite 115, Bakersfield, CA 93306. prize only. EF: $67 if received by SS, G/60. Los Angeles Chess Club, Special K-8 Tournament: Septem- 10/8, $80 door. On-line entry: www. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd, LA, CA ber 26, 5-SS G/30, Rounds: 10- westernchess.com. No credit card 90025, 2nd floor (4 blocks W. of 405). 11:30-1-2:30-4. EF: $20 by 9/24, $30 entries at door. All: $25 Best Game $$$ 1,500 Guaranteed! In two sec- after; prizes 1st–3rd place Overall prize, all sections eligible. One half tions: Open: $400-200-50, U2200: & 1st – 3rd place trophies in scho- point bye if requested with entry, $125, U2000: $125. Reserve lastic categories. WCL JGP for Fall rds 4-5 cannot be revoked. SCCF (U1800) $$200-100, U1600 $125, Classic only. GP: 10. State Cham- membership req. of S. Cal. res., $18 Under 1400/unrated $100, U1200 pionship Qualifier. reg, $10 junior. Reg.: 5:30-6:30 p.m. $75. EF: $55 if received by 9/10; $60 Fri, 9-10 a.m. Sat. Rds.: 3-day 7 at the door ($40 LACC members if September 27 p.m. Fri, 11-5:30 Sat, 10-4:30 Sun. received by 9/10; $45 at the door; 19TH CHESS PALACE ANNIVERSARY. 2-day: 10:30-1:30 Sat. (G/60), then $30 new LACC members). $6 off 5-SS, G/30. Chess Palace is located merges. HR: $109, (310) 410-4000. SCCF members. Re-entry $25. Up at12872 Valley View St. Suite 5, Gar- Use Group Code LOS. Parking $8/ to 2 half-point byes available. Reg: den Grove, CA, 92845. $$1,000 Cash day. Info: admin@westernchess. 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. Rds: 12:00, 2:00, Prize Guaranteed. In two sections: com. Web site: www.westernchess. 4:00 each day. 1-day option I: Play 3 Open: $300-$100-$75, U2000: com. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, games- no 1/2 pt byes- Pay 1/2 EF. $100, Reserve U1800: $100-$50, 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los Angeles, 1-day option II: Play 3 games- three U1600 $90, U1300 $80. Plus trophy CA 90038. NS. NC. F. WCL JGP for 1/2 pt byes- pay full EF. Free park- awards for all prize winners. EF: rounds slower than G/60. GP: 40. ing lots on the SW corner of Santa Early Registration (before 9/13/09): State Championship Qualifier.
26 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 October 11 November 26-29 November 28 LAO HEXES. 3-SS, G/90. LAX Hil- 45TH ANNUAL AMERICAN OPEN. 8-SS, AMERICAN OPEN SCHOLASTIC. 5-SS, ton, 5711 W. Century Blvd., Los 40/2, SD/1. LAX Renaissance Hotel, G/45. Open to HS/below. LAX Re- Angeles, CA 90045. Six-player sec- 9620 Airport Bl, Los Angeles, CA naissance Hotel, 9620 Airport Bl, tions by rating. EF: $20 if received 90045. $$37,500 b/o 400 entries, Los Angeles, CA 90045. In 4 sections by 10/8, $25 door. $$ 40-20-10 each $19,500 gtd. In 6 sections (Unr. K-12: trophies top 5, 2 each grades section. Reg.: 9:30-10:15 a.m. Rds.: must play in Unr. or Open). Open: 9-12, 1 each K-8. K-8: trophies top 10:30-1:30-4:30. Ent: SCCF, c/o $3600-1800-800-600-500-400, 5, 2 each K-8. K-6: trophies top 5, 2 John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, U2450/Unr. $800-400, U2300/Unr. each K-6. K-3: trophies top 4, 2 each Los Angeles, CA 90038, online at $600-300. U2200, U2000, U1800: K-3. EF: $16 received by 11/25, $20 www.westernchess.com. Each $3000-1500-700-300. U1600 at door. Reg: 9-9:45 Rounds: 10- $2400-1200-500-300. U1400/Unr: 11:30-1-3-4:30. Ent: www.ameri- October 11 $2000-1000-500, U1200 $900-450 canopen.org or American Open, PO LAO SCHOLASTICS. 5-SS, G/30. LAX (not a separate section; U1200s also Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754. Hilton, 5711 W. Century Blvd., Los eligible for U1400 prizes), Unrated: Info: Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, Angeles, CA 90045. Open to gr. 12- $300-150 (Unrateds in this section [email protected]. below. In two sections: Open: Tro- eligible for these prizes only). Spe- phies to top 5, top 3 U1200, top 2 cial prizes $1000 gtd. in memory November 28 Unrated. Grade 6/below U1000: of Joyce Jillson: Best tactical games AMERICAN OPEN QUICK CHESS Trophies to top 5, top 3 U700, top 200-100, best positional games 150- CHAMPIONSHIP. 5-SS (double 2 Unrated. Reg.: 8:30-9:15. Rds.: 75, best tactical game non-Master round), G/10. LAX Renaissance 9:30-11-12:15-1:45-3. EF: $16 if re- 175, biggest rating gain by woman Hotel, 9620 Airport Bl, Los Ange- ceived by 10/8, $20 door. Inf: John 200, biggest rating gain under age 13 les, CA 90045. $$1000: $250-150; Hillery, [email protected]. 100 (established ratings over 1000). U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, Unr. On-line ent: www.westernchess. Special cumulative upset prizes each $100 (Unrated eligible only com. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, $500 gtd. donated by Dr. Harold for Open and Unr. prize). EF: $30 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los Angeles, Valery: Open, Under 2200, Under received by 11/25, $35 at site. Reg CA 90038. 2000 Each $100; Under 1800 $75; closes 8 pm. Rounds: 8:15-9-9:45- Under 1600, Under 1400 Each $50; 10:30-11:15. Double bye (1 pt) avail- November 8 Under 1200 $25. EF: Open, U2200, able for round 1. Ent: www.ameri- 2009 WESTWOOD FALL OPEN. 5-SS, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400 $120 canopen.org or American Open, PO G/40. Los Angeles Chess Club, 11514 if rec’d by 11/24, $50 more for play- Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754. Santa Monica Blvd., LA, CA 90025, ers rated under 2000 playing in Info: Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, 2nd floor (4 blocks West of 405 Fwy). Open, Unrated $40. All: $30 more [email protected]. GP: 6. $$1500 b/50, 80% of each prize at door. SCCF membership req’d, guaranteed. In two sections: Open: $18, $10 jrs under 19 includes Rank November 29 $400-200-50, U2200 125, U2000 & File magazine, OSA. No checks AMERICAN OPEN ACTION. 5-SS, G/30. 125. Reserve (U1800): $$200- at door – cash, credit card or money LAX Renaissance Hotel, 9620 Air- 125, U1600 $100, Under 1400/un- order only. 4-day schedule: Reg. port Bl, Los Angeles, CA 90045. EF: rated $100, U1200 $75. EF: $47 if closes noon 11/26, Rds. 12:30-7:30, $20 received by 11/25; $25 at door. received by 11/7, $55 at site. SCCF 12:30-7:30, 10:30-5, 10-4:30. 3-day 80% of entry fees returned in prizes memb. ($18, under 18 $10) req. for schedule: Reg. closes 11:30 a.m. Reg: 11-11:45 a.m. Rounds: 12- rated S. CA residents. No checks or 11/27, Rds. 12-2:30-5-8 (G/1), sched- 1:15-3-4:15-5:30. Ent: www.ameri- credit cards at site. Half point byes: ules merge in Rd 5 and compete for canopen.org or American Open, PO limit 1, must be req. w/entry. Reg.: common prizes. Byes (2 max) with Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754. 9-9:45 a.m. Rds.: 10-11:30-1:30- advance notice. CCA minimum rat- Info: Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, 3:15-4:45. 2 free parking lots on the ings and TD discretion. November [email protected]. SW corner of Santa Monica & Pur- Rating Supplement used. Lectures due, or in the building basement and videos. HR: $99, (310) 337- ($3). Inf: admin@westernchess. 2800, mention chess. Parking only com. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, $6. Info: Randy Hough (626) 282- 835 N. Wilton Place #1, Los Ange- 7412, [email protected]. les, CA 90038. On-line entry: www. Ent: American Open, PO Box 205, westernchess.com. GP: 10. State Monterey Park, CA 91754 or www. Championship Qualifier. americanopen.org. NS, W, F. WCL JGP. GP: 100. State Champion- ship Qualifier.
27 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+rmk0 9r+lwqrsnk+0 9-+-wqk+-tr0 9+-+-+-+p0 9zpp+-+-zpp0 9+l+n+pzp-0 9-+-zp-+-+0 9-+-zp-zp-+0 9p+-zpp+-+0 9+-+-vl-+-0 9+-zp-+-+N0 9+-+-zP-+-0 9p+PvL-zPq+0 9-+PzPPtR-+0 9P+-vL-zP-vl0 9zPr+-+-+-0 9zP-zPL+-+-0 9+-+-+N+-0 9-+-wQ-+-zP0 9-+-wQ-+PzP0 9-+-+-trPzP0 9+-+R+R+K0 9+-+-+RmK-0 9+L+QtRR+K0 xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy VARJOMA – LUNDQUIST HAIK – SKEMBRIS GHINDA – GOGILEA SWEDEN, 1980 VRNJACKA BANJA 1981 ROMANIA, 1981 BLACK TO MOVE WHITE TO MOVE BLACK TO MOVE
Solutions on page 10
SCCF PO BOX 205 MONTEREY PARK CA 9754