R ank & File

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 VOLUME XXVIII, NO. 6 $3.00 Sevillano Tops Southern Cal Open Tired of high entry fees? Play in the

7th Annual Joseph Ileto Memorial

December 10-11 5-SS, rds. 1-3 30/85, SD/30, rds 4-5 40/2, SD/1 SIERRA VISTA PARK 311 N RURAL DR. at E. Emerson, Monterey Park, CA 91755

Prize Fund $300-200-100

U2200 $100 U1800 $75 U2000 $100 U1600 $75 U1400/Unr $50

Entry fee: $30 if received by 12/8, $40 at door. Special Entry Fee: Juniors not eligible for cash prizes $10 (trophies to top 5). Full details on page 27.

A State Championship Qualifier

Entries: SCCF, P.O. Box 205, Monterey Park CA 91754

2 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 AroundAround thethe NNationation

Internet College Federation Vice President Mikhail Korenman, Director of Chess League Don Schultz. the Karpov International School of Gorbachev, a friend of World Chess. We recently received an an- Chess Champion , The October 29 ceremonies will nouncement for this organization, agreed to come to Lindsborg after be followed by a series of Internet which may be found at http://stu- receiving a call from Karpov. Gor- matches between students from dents.washington.edu/chessuw/iccl/. bachev had only two conditions: (1) countries throughout the world. The The problem of scholastic players Karpov would accompany him to winners of these matches will be in- dropping out of chess after high Lindsborg and (2) Karpov would vited to participate in the Chess for school is a real one, and, while this play a game of chess with him. Peace Festival, which will be held in may not be the solution, it is a wor- “I think it’s wonderful that Gor- Lindsborg in June 2006. Students thy attempt. They are also seeking bachev is coming to Lindsborg, be- will play chess and share their re- to provide a list of college chess clubs cause he is a humanitarian and spective cultures with other partici- nationwide, at http://students.wash- is committed to peace,” said Dr. pants. ington.edu/chessuw/iccl/university- Clubs.html.

Chess For Peace Chess is often used as a metaphor CONTENTS for politics. On October 29, 2005, CONTENTS the two will come together in the small town of Lindsborg, Kansas. AAROUNDROUND THE NATIONNATION ...... 33 Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of 21ST ANNUAL U.S. AMATEUR TEAM the , along with a host 27TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA of other political and chess dignitar- OPEN WEST ...... 55 ies, will kick off the yearlong Chess for Peace . The day’s events WTAESTERNCTICS CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS ...... 10 will feature a chess parade, a scho- ACTICSby TIM HANKS ...... 10 lastic , a match T between former World Chess Cham- HERE by Tim & THERE Hanks ...... 12 pions and Anatoly Club news, local tournaments, Karpov, a formal dinner, and a key- HERE & THERE note address that evening by Presi- scholastic events and more ...... 13 dent Gorbachev at Presser Hall on Club news, local tournaments, INTERNATIONAL NEWS ...... 18 the Bethany College campus. scholastic events ...... 15 Former Kansas Senator Nancy REVIEWS ...... 20 Kassebaum, as chairperson, is over- STATE CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS ...... 19 seeing the National Advisory Com- CLUB DIRECTORY ...... 21 mittee for the Chess for Peace initia- GAMES FROM RECENT EVENTS ...... 21 tive. The committee also includes THE LONG VIEW ...... 24 THE LIGHTER SIDE ...... 24 retired officeholders Governor John STATE CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS ...... 25 Carlin, Senator Sheila Frahm, and UPCOMING EVENTS ...... 26 Congressman Dick Nichols. Also on UPCOMING EVENTS ...... 26 the Advisory Committee, are former CHESS QUIZ...... 24 World Chess Champions Anatoly CHESS QUIZ ...... 28 Karpov and Susan Polgar and U.S.

3 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 For further information, see their Bh4 20. Re3 Rbe8 21. Bc3 f5 22. c5 web site www.chessforpeace.org, or fxe4 23. Bxe4 Rxe4 24. Qxe4 d5 25. Southern California Chess e-mail Korenman@chessforpeace. Qg2 Nf6 26. f5 Bg5 27. Ree1 h5 28. org. – USCF news release h3 Bh4 29. Re6 d4 30. Bxd4 Bxf5 31. Federation Rxf5 Qd7 32. Bxf6 Bxf6 33. Rfxf6 President Ron Rezendes Western States Open Qd4+ 34. Qf2 1-0 Vice President Joe Hanley Secretary Chuck Ensey A total of 355 players traveled to GM Ildar Ibragimov – Eugene Treasurer John Hillery Reno for the annual Western States Perelshteyn Executive Board Open, held at the Sands Regency Western States Open, Reno 2005 Randy Hough Hotel in Reno, Nevada October 14- B37 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Nshan Keshishian 16. Winning the 56-player Open sec- Acclerated Dragon Elliot Landaw tion with 5-1 were GMs Alexander 1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Mike Nagaran Ivanov and Ildar Ibragimov, with Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc2 Bg7 6. e4 d6 7. Be2 Rick Aeria Ivanov taking the blitz playoff and Nf6 8. Nc3 Nd7 9. Bd2 a5 10. 0-0 John Surlow trophy. Nc5 11. Qc1 0-0 12. Bh6 a4 13. Bxg7 Ivona Jezierska David Saponara Several Southern Californians Kxg7 14. Qe3 Qa5 15. Nd5 Qa7 16. had fine performances. In the Open b4 Nxe4 17. Nb6 Rb8 18. Na3 Nf6 Randy Hough section, which included 11 GMs and 19. Nb5 Qa6 20. Nd5 b6 21. Nxd6 12 IMs, our Open champion, IM En- Qa7 22. Nxf6 exf6 23. Ne8+ Rxe8 Rank & File rico Sevillano, tied for third with 4½- 24. Qxe8 Nxb4 25. Qb5 Qe7 26. Editor John Hillery 1½. He upset GM Aleks Wojtkiewicz Qxa4 Bf5 27. Qa3 Re8 28. Bf3 Qc5 835 N. Wilton Pl. # and drew with GM Jaan Ehlvest. In 29. Qc3 Rd8 30. a3 Nc6 31. Rad1 Los Angeles CA 90038 the four-way tie for first in the Expert Rd4 32. Qb3 Ne5 33. Rxd4 Qxd4 34. [email protected] section at 5-1 were Mike Zaloznyy, Be2 Qe4 35. Qe3 Qc2 36. h3 Be6 37. Christian Tanaka, and Caltech stu- Rc1 Qb2 38. Bf1 Qa2 39. Qc3 1-0 Publisher David Argall dent Philipp Perepelitsky. The latter Contributing Editors two stormed back after losing their Jack Peters first round games; Zaloznyy crushed Speaking in Tongues Tim Hanks Al Pena the previous clear leader in the final From the Department of Obscure Contributors round. Information: Ari Luiro has cre- Mike Carr Sevillano’s stepson, John Bry- ated a web page listing the names ant, took clear second in the A Chuck Ensey of the chess pieces in 72 languages Randy Hough section with 5-1, the latest in a (so far). it out at www.geoci- Chris Roberts string of successes for him. Mi- ties.com/TimesSquare/Metro/9154/ Barbara McCaleb chael Taylor performed the same nap-pieces.htm. Next time you play Mike White feat in Class C. – Randy Hough a Hungarian, you’ll be able to call the a huszar instead of a Subscriptions/Address Changes GM Alexander Ivanov – GM Alex zirgas. Randy Hough, Membership Secretary Stripunsky P.O. Box 205 Western States Open, Reno 2005 Monterey Park CA 9754 (626) 282-742 B43 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Paulsen [email protected] Variation 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Photos: Cover: John Hillery. P. 6, Rank & File — ISSN 8750-964 USPS Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. g3 Bb4 7. Bd2 col. 2: Al Pena; col. 3: John Hillery. 738-230, published bimonthly by the Nc6 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. Qg4 Bf8 10. Bg2 P. 7: Bliss Lagemann. P. 8: Al Pena. Southern California Chess Federation, 300 Rb8 11. b3 Nf6 12. Qe2 e5 13. 0-0 P. 12: Lola Nunn. P. 19: Chessbase. Ballista, La Puente CA 9744. Periodical Be7 14. f4 d6 15. Na4 0-0 16. c4 exf4 postage paid at Industry, CA. POSTMAS- 17. gxf4 Bg4 18. Qd3 Nd7 19. Rae1 TER: Send changes of address to SCCF, PO Box 205, Monterey Park CA 9754. Subscriptions: $4 adult, $9 . Advertising Rates: Full page $80, half page $45, 1/4 page $25, 1/8 page $15, back cover (3/4 SCCF Online Copyright © SCCF 2005. One-time only page) $80. (All rates are for camera-ready copy.) publication rights have been obtained from Flyer insert $50 (advertiser must supply flyers). The SCCF Web signed contributors. All other rights are 50% discount for tournaments requiring SCCF hereby assigned to the authors. The opinions membership. Display ads should be sent to the page is located at: expressed are strictly those of the contribu- Editor, flyers to the Publisher (addresses at right). tors and do not necessarily reflect the views Payment should be sent with order to the Editor. www.scchess.com of the SCCF, its officers or members. SCCF reserves the right to reject any advertising.

4 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 27th Annual Southern California Open

he 27th Annual Southern California Open, held September T3-5 at the LAX Hilton, had a good turnout of 145. Our new champion is IM Enrico Sevillano, who scored 5½-½ in the 76- player Open section. Sevillano defeated IMs Andranik Matiko- zyan and Kongliang Deng, drawing only with IM Jack Peters. chess columnist Jack Peters. Matikozyan, Deng and Peters tied for second with 5-1, along Colette McGruder (1863) – Mike with WGM Regina Pokorna. Other prize winners in the Open Henebry (1809) included Francis Chen and Alen Melikadamyan (X), and David 27th Annual Southern California Bennett (A). Open, Los Angeles 2005 In the Reserve (U1800) section, Tyler de Piero took home the A58 BENKO 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. trophy on tibrebak over Hai Hoang H Le, Aaron Chiu, Dingchao cxb5 a6 Lu, and Iouri Plotnikov, all with 5-1. The . XIIIIIIIIY 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 g6 7. Nf3 Worthy of note was the remark- 9-+rwqrsnk+0 Bg7 8. g3 able total of 122 for the one-day A reliable answer. Scholastic tournament. Despite the 9zpl+-vlpzp-0 8. … 0–0 9. Bg2 d6 10. 0–0 numbers, both sections saw clear 9-zp-+-sn-zp0 Ng4 winners with 5-0, Anthony War- 9+-zppvL-sN-0 Customary is 10. ... Nbd7. muth in the Open and Vincent Jin 11. h3 Ne5 12. Re1 in the Reserve. 9-+-zP-+-+0 White should develop rapidly John Hillery directed, with the 9+-zPL+-+P0 with 12. Nxe5 Bxe5 13. Bh6 Re8 14. assistance of Elie Hsiao and Randy 9PzPQsN-zPP+0 Qc2. Hough. 12. … Nbd7 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. 9tR-+-tR-mK-0 f4 IM Enrico Sevillano (2558) – Ilia xiiiiiiiiy Chasing the Knight where it Serpik (2260) 17. Bxf6 hxg5 18. Bxe7 Rxe7 19. wants to go! After 14. Qc2, chances 27th Annual Southern California Nf3 f6 20. Rxe7 Qxe7 21. Re1 Qf7 are about even. Open, Los Angeles 2005 22. dxc5 bxc5 23. Qa4 Ba8 24. h4 14. … Nc4 15. e4 Bd4+ 16. C42 PETROFF DEFENSE Bc6 25. Qa6 Bb7 26. Qxa7 g4 27. Kh2 Qb6 17. Qc2 Rfb8 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nh2 Qd7 28. Nxg4 Ra8 29. Qb6 c4 Every Black piece works. Al- Nf3 Nxe4 5. d3 Nf6 6. d4 d5 7. Bd3 30. Bb1 1–0 ready Black has the advantage. Be7 8. h3 0–0 9. 0–0 Nbd7 10. Re1 18. Bf1 c5 11. c3 Re8 12. Bf4 b6 13. Nbd2 Mike Henebry took the Best Also 18. Rb1 Qb4! (threatening Bb7 14. Qc2 Rc8 15. Ng5 Nf8 16. Game prize for this sharp Benko 19. ... Bxc3) 19. Bd2 Nxb2 favors Be5 h6 Gambit. Notes by Los Angeles Times Black.

5 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 XIIIIIIIIY IM Melikset Khachiyan (2592) 9rtr-+-+k+0 – IM Jack Peters (2447) 27th Annual Southern California 9+-+-zpp+p0 Open, Los Angeles 2005 9lwq-zp-+p+0 B81 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Keres 9+-zpP+-+-0 Attack 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. 9-+nvlPzP-+0 Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 9+-sN-+-zPP0 The Scheveningen variation of 9PzPQ+-+-mK0 the Sicilian Defense. 6. g4 9tR-vL-tRL+-0 White’s most ambitious reply, xiiiiiiiiy the Keres Attack. 18. ... Nxb2 19. Rb1 6. … h6 7. h4 Nc6 8. Rg1 h5 After 19. Bxa6 Rxa6, the plau- Else 9. g5 is strong. sible 20. Rb1 Bxc3 21. Qxc3 Rxa2 9. gxh5 22. Re2 loses to 22. ... Na4! 23. Rxb6 Now 9. g5 Ng4 sets up 10. … Rxe2+ 24. Kg1 Rxb6 25. Qc4 Re1+ Qb6, with counterplay. 26. Kf2 Rb4. Tougher is 20. Re2! 9. … Rxh5 10. Bg5 Rh8 11. Na4 21. Nxa4 (Black welcomes 21. Qd2 a6 Rb1 Nxc3! 22. Rxb6 Rbxb6, with Usually Black prefers 11. … Qb6 plenty for the ) Rxa4. 22 12. Nb3 a6. Qxa4 Bxa1 23. Qc2, although Black 12. 0–0–0 Bd7 13. f4 Qc7 14. TYLER DE PIERO TOOK THE AMATEUR retains a permanent advantage. Be2?! SECTION TROPHY ON TIEBREAK 19. … Bxf1 20. Rxb2 White keeps the advantage with Forced. If 20. Rxf1, Black evades 14. Nf3 0-0-0 15. Qe3, threatening tion of 23. … Be6 24. Rd3 Rg6. the and picks up a by 20. ... 16. e5. Bxc3 21. Qxc3 Na4 22. Rxb6 Nxc3. 14. … Nxd4 24. Re5+ 20. … Qa5 21. Rxb8+ Rxb8 I did not entirely trust the en- The tempting 24. Nd6+? Kf8 25. 22. Bd2? suing grab of ma- Rf5 loses to 25. … Rxf6! 26. Rxf6 Losing quickly. White must re- terial, but Black’s Ke7. sort to passive defense by 22. Rxf1 alternatives looked 24. … Kf8 25. Be7+ Kg7 26. Qxc3 23. Qxc3 Bxc3 24. Kg2. worse. Ng3 22. … Qa3! 23. Rxf1 15. Qxd4 d5!? Best, keeping the outcome Hopeless, as is 23. Bc1 Qxc3 24. 16. exd5 murky. Qxc3 Bxc3 25. Rxf1 Rb4 26. Rf3 During the 26. … Bf4 27. Nf5+ Bb2. Surprising mate threats ap- game, I feared 16. Avoiding 27. Nh5+ Rxh5 28. pear after 23. Rb1 Rxb1 24. Nxb1 Bxf6 Qxf4+ 17. Rxh5 because 28. … Re8 29. Bg5 Qf3 25. Be1 Qh5! and 24. Qxb1 IM JACK PETERS Kb1 Qxf6 18. Qb6, Bh2 wins. Bxh3! 25. Nb5 (White must yield when 18. … Bc6 27. … Kh7 28. Nxh6 Bxe5 29. a pawn by 25. Kxh3 Bxc3) Qf3 26. 19. exd5 exd5 20. Rhf1 looks prom- Nxf7 Re8! Kxh3 Bf2. ising for White. But the coldblooded Completing development with a 23. … Rb2 24. Qc1 Bxc3 18. … Rxh4 19. Qxb7 Rd8, inviting vengeance! After 30. Nxe5 Rxe7 31. Or 24. ... Qxc3. 20. exd5? Rb4, seems satisfactory. Bd3+ Kg7, White must give up the 25. Rf2 Bd4 26. Rg2 Qxa2 16. … Bc5 17. Qe5! Knight to stop a back rank mate. Threatening 27. ... Be3. Beginning a long forcing se- 30. Bb4! Bg3 27. Re2 quence that probably should suffice Harmless is 30. … Bf6?! 31. Or 27. Qe1 Bc3. for a . Instead, 17. Qd3 Bxg1 Bd3+ Kg7 32. Nd6. 27. … Rb1 0–1 18. Rxg1 Qc5 19. Re1 0-0-0 doesn’t 31. Bf3!? worry Black. Perhaps 31. Bd3+ Kg7 32. Ng5 17. … Qxe5 18. fxe5 Bxg1 19. improves, as 32. … Be1 33. a3 and Two special prizes for “Best exf6 gxf6 20. Bxf6 Be3+ 21. Kb1 32. … Bxh4 33. Bc3+ Kh6 34. Nf7+ Endgame” were donated by Bil Con- Rh6 Kh5 35. Ne5 seem to defend. rad. IM Jack Peters took the first Not 21. … Rg8? 22. dxe6 Bxe6 23 31. … Kg6 prize for this battle of versus Bf3. Trying to keep the Knight from Knight. Notes by the winner. 22. Ne4 exd5 23. Rxd5 Bc6! returning to safety via f3. Better than my original inten- 32. Bxc6 bxc6 33. Ng5 Re3 34.

6 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 Bd2 Re2 35. Bc3 Prize Winners U1400: Sandy He, Yu-Kai Chou, 4- Another difficult decision. 2; U1200: Robert Xue, Robert Gard- Khachiyan said he rejected 35. Kc1 Open ner, 2-4; Unrated: Stephen Coles, Bxh4 36. Nf3 Bf6 37. c3 (or 37. Ne1 1st: IM Enrico Sevillano, 5½- 2-4. Bxb2+) Kf5 because Black’s ½; 2nd-5th: IM Andranik Matiko- Scholastic might reach d3. Less favorable for zyan, IM Kongliang Deng, IM Jack Open: 1st: Anthony Warmuth, Black is 35. Bc1 Bxh4 36. Nf3 Bf6 Peters, WGM Regina Pokorna, 5- 5-0; 2nd-4th: Adam Roth, John 37. c3 Kf5 38. Nd2, but 35. Bc1 Re1 1; U2400/U2300: Tatev Abraha- Gong, Lewis Simon, 4-1. 36. Nf3 Rh1 37. Nd2 Bf4 38. Nb3 myan, Ilia Serpik, 4½-1½; U2200: Reserve: 1st: Vincent Jin, 5-0; Kf5 preserves winning chances. Francis Chen, Alen Melikadamian, 2nd-3rd: Jeffrey Ding, John Gard- 35. … Be1 36. Nf3?! 4½-1½; U2000: 1st: David Bennett, ner, 4½-½. Not 36. Bh8? because 36. … Bxh4 4-1; 2nd-4th: Derek Tan, James Hexes 37. Nf3 Bg3 wins a piece: 38. b3 Rf2 Mahooti, Konstantin Kavutskiy, 1st: Richard Henderson, 3-0; 39. Ne5+ Kh7 or 38. Bd4 Kh5 39. 3½-3½. 2nd-3rd: Werner Belke, Thurlo b3 Kg4. However, both 36. Bd4!? Amateur (U1800) Mishler, Anand Kesavaraju, 1½-1½. Kf5 37. Kc1 Bxh4 38. Nf3 Ke4 39. 1st-5th: Tyler de Piero (T), Hai Action Nxh4 Kxd4 40. Nf5+ Ke5 41. Ne7 Hoang H Le, Aaron Chiu, Dingchao 1st: Gregg Small, 4-1; 2nd-3rd: and 36. Kc1!? Bxc3 37. bxc3 Kf5 38. Lu, Iouri Plotnikov, 5-1; U1600: 1st- Ruben Delfin, Caleb Jaquish, 3½- Nf3 c5 39. Nd2 offer more chance 2nd: Nathaniel Lagemann, Melinda 1½. to draw. West, 4½-1½; 3rd-7th: Jorge Es- Blitz 36. … Bxc3 37. bxc3 c5 38. trada, David Meliti, Danil Fedunov, 1st: John Daniel Bryant, 6½-1½. Kb2 Kf5 Roel Sanchez, Michael Taylor, 4-2; XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 46. … Rf5 47. Ne4+ Kd4 48. Bxc3 16. Qxe4 Bxb2 17. Ra2 Bg7 9+-+-+-+-0 Nd6 Rf6 0–1 18. Rc2 Qb6 19. Nd4 Nd7 20. Bf3 Rab8 21. Rfc1 Ne5 22. Rc7 Nxf3+ 9p+-+-+-+0 23. Qxf3 Bxd4 24. exd4 Qxd4 25. 9+-zp-+k+-0 Donald Pacini received the “Best Rd1 Qb2 26. h3 h5 27. Rdd7 Qa1+ 9-+-+-+-zP0 Endgame” prize for the Amateur 28. Kh2 Qe5+ 29. g3 Qe6 30. Rxb7 section. Rxb7 31. Rxb7 a6 32. Ra7 Qb6 33. 9+-zP-+N+-0 Ra8 Rxa8 34. Qxa8+ Kg7 35. Qf3 9PmKP+r+-+0 Donald Pacini (1413) – Stephen Qf6 36. Qxf6+ Kxf6 37. Kg2 Ke6 9+-+-+-+-0 Coles (unr) XIIIIIIIIY xiiiiiiiiy 27th Annual Southern California 9-+-+-+-+0 Open, Los Angeles 2005 39. Kb3 Ke4 40. Ng5+ Kd5 41. D00 QUEEN’S PAWN OPENING 9+-+-+p+-0 c4+ Kd4 42. h5? 1. d4 d5 2. e3 c5 3. dxc5 Qa5+ 9p+-+k+p+0 White still has hope with 42. 4. c3 Qxc5 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Be2 Bg4 Nf3+, as Black must retreat by 42. 7. 0–0 g6 8. b4 Qd6 9. Bb2 Bg7 10. 9+-+-+-+p0 … Ke4 43. Ng5+ Kf5. Instead, 42. Nbd2 0–0 11. a3 e5 12. Nc4 Qc7 13. 9-zP-+-+-+0 … Ke3 43. Ne5! Kd2 44. Nd3 would Ncxe5 Bxf3 14. Nxf3 Ne4 15. Qxd5 9zP-+-+-zPP0 draw. 42. … Re3+ 9-+-+-zPK+0 Conclusive, finally! 9+-+-+-+-0 43. Ka4 xiiiiiiiiy Or 43. Kb2 Rg3! 44. Nf7 Rf3! 45. Nd6 Rf6 46. c3+ Kd3 47. Ne8 38. a4 Kd6 39. Kf3 Kd5 40. b5 Rb6+, ending White’s tricks. axb5 41. axb5 Kc5 42. Ke4 f6 43. 43. … Rg3 44. Nf7 Rf3! f4 Kxb5 44. Kd5 g5 45. Ke6 h4 46. Not letting the Knight support gxh4 gxf4 47. h5 f3 48. h6 f2 49. h7 the h-pawn. f1Q 50. h8Q Qe1+ 51. Kf7 Qe5 52. 45. c3+ Kxc3 46. Ng5 Qxf6 Qxf6+ 53. Kxf6 Kc6 54. h4 The trap 46. Nd6 Kd7 55. Kf7 Kd6 56. h5 Ke5 57. h6 Rh3 47. Ka5 Rxh5 48. a4 Rh6 49. Kf5 58. h7 1–0 Ne4+ Kxc4 50. Nxc5 is foiled by NATHANIEL LAGEMANN AND MELINDA 50. … Rh5. WEST TIED FOR THE U1600 PRIZE.

7 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 Derek Tan (1971) – John The only other defense, 20. ... Anderson (1851) Qe8, leads to a snappy finish: 21. IM Tim Taylor (2407) – Carlos 27th Annual Southern California Rxf8+ Qxf8 22. Rf1 Qg8 (or a) 22. Garcia (2186) Open, Los Angeles 2005 ... Qe8 23. Bxg7+ Kxg7 24. Qf6+ 27th Annual Southern California C54 GUIOCO PIANO Kg8 25. Be6+ Kh7 26. Rf3+-; b) 22. Open, Los Angeles 2005 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 ... Bf7 23. Bg5+ Kg8 24. Bf5 Qe8 A03 BIRD’S OPENING 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 25. Qh7+ Kf8 26. Nd5 followed by 1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 c5 3. d3 g6 4. c3 7. Nc3 d6 8. Qd3 h6 9. a3 Ba5 10. 27. Bh6) 23. Bxg7+ Kxg7 24. Qf6+ Bg7 5. Qc2 Nc6 6. e4 Nf6 7. Be2 0–0 h3 0–0 11. 0–0 a6 12. b4 Bb6 13. Kh7 25. Rf3 Qg7 26. Rh3+ Kg8 8. 0–0 c4 9. e5 cxd3 10. Bxd3 Ng4 11. Bf4 Re8 14. Rad1 Nxe4 15. Bxf7+ 27. Be6+ Bf7 28. Bxf7+ Qxf7 29. Na3 a6 12. h3 Qb6+ 13. Kh1 Ne3 Kxf7 16. Nxe4 Ne7 17. g4 Bd7 18. Rh8# 14. Qf2 d4 15. Bxe3 dxe3 16. Nc4 Rfe1 Bc6 21. Bg5+ 1–0 Qc5 17. Qxe3 Qxe3 18. Nxe3 Bh6 19. XIIIIIIIIY Nd5 Rd8 20. Be4 Bf5 21. Bxf5 Rxd5 22. Be4 Rb5 23. b4 Bxf4 24. Bxc6 9r+-wqr+-+0 WGM Regina Pokorna (2477) bxc6 25. Nd4 Bxe5 26. Nxb5 axb5 9+pzp-snkzp-0 – David Zimbeck (2258) 27. Rf3 Rd8 28. g4 Rd2 29. a4 bxa4 9pvllzp-+-zp0 27th Annual Southern California 30. Rxa4 Rc2 31. Ra8+ Kg7 32. Rc8 Open, Los Angeles 2005 Bd6 33. Kg1 c5 34. bxc5 Be5 35. c6 9+-+-+-+-0 B01 CENTER COUNTER DEFENSE Bxc3 36. g5 Bd2 9-zP-zPNvLP+0 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. Bb5+ XIIIIIIIIY 9zP-+Q+N+P0 Nbd7 4. Nc3 a6 5. Be2 Nb6 6. d4 9-+R+-+-+0 9-+-+-zP-+0 Nbxd5 7. Nxd5 9+-+-zppmkp0 9+-+RtR-mK-0 Qxd5 8. Nf3 Bg4 9. 9-+P+-+p+0 xiiiiiiiiy 0–0 e6 10. Be3 Bd6 11. Re1 0–0–0 12. 9+-+-+-zP-0 19. Neg5+ Kf6 20. Re6# 1–0 c4 Qf5 13. Qb3 Qh5 9-+-+-+-+0 14. h3 Bxh3 15. 9+-+-+R+P0 IM Tim Taylor (2407) – Samuel gxh3 Qxh3 16. Bf1 Berger (2111) Qxf3 17. Bg2 Qg4 9-+rvl-+-+0 18. Qxb7+ Kd7 27th Annual Southern California WGM REGINA 9+-+-+-mK-0 Open, Los Angeles 2005 19. Qxa6 Ke8 20. POKORNA xiiiiiiiiy B06 BIRD’S OPENING Qc6+ Kf8 21. Qf3 1. f4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. e4 d6 Qg6 22. a4 h5 23. a5 h4 37. h4 Be1 38. Rf4 Bd2 39. Re4 4. Be2 Nf6 5. d3 0–0 6. 0–0 c5 XIIIIIIIIY e6 40. Re2 Rc1+ 41. Kg2 Bf4 42. 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. Qe1 Kh8? 9. Qh4 Kf3 e5 43. c7 Rc5 44. Ra2 h6 45. Ng8?! 10. f5 e6? 11. Bg5 f6 12. 9-+-tr-mk-tr0 Raa8 hxg5 46. Rg8+ Kf6 47. hxg5+ fxg6+- h6 13. Be3 f5 14. Qg3 e5? 9+-zp-+pzp-0 Kf5 48. c8Q+ Rxc8 49. Raxc8 e4+ 15. exf5 Bxf5 16. Ng5! hxg5 9-+-vlpsnq+0 50. Ke2 Kxg5 51. Rge8 1–0 No better was 16. ... Bxg6 17. Ne6 Rxf1+ 18. Rxf1 Qe8 19. Nc7 Qd7 20. 9zP-+-+-+-0 Renata Pokorna (2156) – Qxg6 Qxc7 21. Rf7, winning. 9-+PzP-+-zp0 Jouaquin Banawa (2418) 17. Bxg5 Qd7 18. Qh4+ Nh6 9+-+-vLQ+-0 27th Annual Southern California 19. Bxh6 Bxg6 20. Bg4 Qd8 9-zP-+-zPL+0 Open, Los Angeles 2005 XIIIIIIIIY B26 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Closed 9tR-+-tR-mK-0 Variation 9r+-wq-tr-mk0 xiiiiiiiiy 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. 9zpp+-+-vl-0 Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6 6. Be3 Rb8 7. Qd2 9-+nzp-+lvL0 24. Qh3 Ne4 25. a6 f5 26. a7 Kf7 b5 8. Nd1 Nf6 9. Bh6 27. Ra6 c5 28. dxc5 Be5 29. Rb6 f4 Bxh6 10. Qxh6 Qa5+ 9+-zp-zp-+-0 30. Bxf4 Bxf4 31. Qf3 h3 32. Qxf4+ 11. Qd2 Qxd2+ 12. 9-+-+-+LwQ0 Nf6 33. Rb7+ Kg8 34. Qg3 Qxg3 Kxd2 e5 13. Ne2 Be6 9+-sNP+-+-0 35. fxg3 hxg2 36. Rb8 Kf7 37. a8Q 14. h3 Ke7 15. Ne3 Rxb8 38. Qxg2 Rh5 39. Qe2 Rxc5 Nd4 16. c3 Nxe2 17. 9PzPP+-+PzP0 40. Qxe6+ Kg6 41. Qd6 Rbc8 42. b3 Kxe2 c4 18. Rhd1 9tR-+-+RmK-0 Rh5 43. b4 Rch8 44. Qd3+ Kf7 45. cxd3+ 19. Kxd3 b4 xiiiiiiiiy Qf3 g5 46. Rf1 R8h6 1–0 RENATA POKORNA 20. c4 Nd7 21. Kc2

8 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 Nc5 22. b3 a5 23. a3 a4 24. axb4 Kh1 Rhe8 21. Nxd8 Kxd8 22. Qh5 IM Jack Peters (2447) – IM Enrico Rxb4 25. bxa4 Ra8 26. a5 Ra4 27. Bd6 23. Rf7 Qb6 24. Nxd3 Qb3 25. Sevillano (2558) Rxa4 Nxa4 28. Ra1 Rxa5 29. Bf1 Ne5 Qxe3 26. Nxc6+ bxc6 27. Rxa7 27th Annual Southern California Ra8 30. Nd5+ Bxd5 31. cxd5 Rc8+ Qxd4 28. Ra8+ Kc7 29. Ra7+ Kb6 Open, Los Angeles 2005 32. Kd2 Nc5 33. Ke3 Rb8 34. Ra3 30. Rb1+ Kxa7 31. Qxe8 Qh4+ 32. B33 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Rb4 35. Bd3 f5 36. f3 Kf6 37. Bc2 Kg1 Bc5+ 33. Kf1 Qf2# 0–1 Sveshnikov Variation Rb2 38. Rc3 Ra2 39. h4 h6 40. Bb1 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Ra1 41. Bd3 Re1+ 42. Kf2 Rh1 43. Daniel Alvira (1804) – Ike Miller Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Ra3 Rh2+ 44. Ke3 Rg2 45. exf5 (2145) a4 a6 8. Na3 Be6 9. Bc4 Rc8 10. 0–0 gxf5 46. Ra8 27th Annual Southern California Be7 11. Bg5 0–0 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. XIIIIIIIIY Open, Los Angeles 2005 Nd5 Bg5 14. Qd3 Kh8 15. c3 f5 16. 9R+-+-+-+0 A14 f3 h6 17. Kh1 fxe4 18. fxe4 Rxf1+ 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Bg2 19. Rxf1 Bg8 20. b4 a5 21. bxa5 9+-+-+-+-0 Be7 5. 0–0 0–0 6. b3 c5 7. d4 Nc6 8. Nxa5 22. Rb1 Qe8 23. Bb5 Qh5 24. 9-+-zp-mk-zp0 Bg5 dxc4 9. dxc5 Qxd1 10. Rxd1 h6 Bd7 Rf8 25. Rf1 Rxf1+ 26. Qxf1 9+-snPzpp+-0 11. Bf4 cxb3 12. axb3 Bxc5 13. Nc3 Qh4 27. Bf5 Bxd5 28. exd5 Qxa4 29. Be7 14. Bd6 Bxd6 15. Rxd6 Ne8 16. Nb5 Be7 30. Bd3 e4 31. Be2 Qc2 32. 9-+-+-+-zP0 Rd2 Nc7 17. Rad1 e5 18. Ne4 Rb8 g3 Nb3 9+-+LmKPzP-0 19. Nc5 Ne6 20. Nd7 Bxd7 21. Rxd7 XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+r+0 Nc5 22. R7d5 Ne4 23. Rd7 Nf6 24. R7d6 Rfe8 25. e3 Ne4 26. Rd7 Nf6 9-+-+-+-mk0 9+-+-+-+-0 27. R7d6 Nb4 28. Nh4 e4 29. Nf5 9+p+-vl-zp-0 xiiiiiiiiy Kh7 30. R6d4 Nc6 31. R4d2 g6 32. 9-+-zp-+-zp0 46. ... f4+ 47. gxf4 exf4+ 48. Kd4 Nd6 Re7 33. Nb5 a6 34. Nc3 Kg7 Rd2 49. Ra3 Rxd3+ 50. Rxd3 Nxd3 35. Nd5 Nxd5 36. Rxd5 f5 37. Rd7 9+N+P+-+-0 51. Kxd3 Ke5 52. Kc4 h5 53. Kc3 Rbe8 38. Bf1 Ne5 39. R7d5 Rc8 40. 9-+-+p+-+0 Kxd5 54. Kd3 Kc5 55. Kc3 d5 56. Rxe5 Rxe5 41. Rd7+ Kf8 42. Rxb7 9+nzP-+-zP-0 Kd3 d4 57. Kd2 Kc4 58. Kc2 d3+ 59. Rec5 43. Bc4 R8c7 44. Rxc7 Rxc7 Kd2 Kd4 0–1 45. Bxa6 Rc1+ 46. Kg2 Rb1 47. Bc4 9-+q+L+-zP0 Rb2 48. h4 Kg7 49. Bd5 Kf6 50. Bc4 9+-+-+Q+K0 Bobby Hall (1971) – Craig g5 51. h5 f4 52. gxf4 gxf4 53. exf4 xiiiiiiiiy Clawitter (2169) e3 54. Kf3 exf2 55. Be2 Rxb3+ 56. 27th Annual Southern California Kxf2 Kf5 57. Bd1 Rc3 58. Ba4 Kxf4 33. Qf5 Qxe2 34. Qc8+ Kh7 35. Open, Los Angeles 2005 59. Be8 Qf5+ Kg8 36. Qe6+ Kf8 37. Qc8+ C02 FRENCH DEFENSE, Advance XIIIIIIIIY Kf7 38. Qe6+ Kf8 ½–½ Variation 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 9-+-+L+-+0 Qb6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. a3 Nh6 7. b4 cxd4 9+-+-+-+-0 8. cxd4 Nf5 9. Be3 Bd7 10. Bd3 Nxe3 9-+-+-+-zp0 SCCF Election 11. fxe3 f6 12. 0–0 0–0–0 13. Nc3 fxe5 14. Na4 Qc7 15. b5 e4 16. Ng5 9+-+-+-+P0 The SCCF Annual Membership exd3 17. bxc6 Bxc6 18. Nf7 9-+-+-mk-+0 Meeting was held on September XIIIIIIIIY 9+-tr-+-+-0 5, 2005, in conjunction with the Southern California Open. Results 9-+ktr-vl-tr0 9-+-+-mK-+0 of the election for Board members 9zppwq-+Nzpp0 9+-+-+-+-0 were as follows: 9-+l+p+-+0 xiiiiiiiiy Randy Hough 60, John Hillery 56, Joe Hanley 44, Chuck Ensey 38, 9+-+p+-+-0 59. ... Rc2+ 60. Ke1 Ke3 61. Kd1 Elliot Landaw 38, Ivona Jezierska 9N+-zP-+-+0 Ra2 62. Bg6 Rd2+ 63. Ke1 Ra2 64. 22, (elected) David Saponara 20, 9zP-+pzP-+-0 Kd1 Ra1+ 65. Kc2 Rh1 66. Kb3 Rc1 Rick Aeria 3, Mike Carr 2, Craig 67. Kb4 Kd4 68. Kb3 Rc3+ 69. Kb2 Clawitter, Jack Peters, Chris Rob- 9-+-+-+PzP0 Rc5 70. Kb3 Ke3 71. Kb2 Kf4 72. erts, Bill Goichberg, Robert Tan- 9tR-+Q+RmK-0 Kb1 Kg4 0–1 ner, Joel Channing, Greg Shahade, xiiiiiiiiy Jack Peters, Chris Roberts, Ron Rezendez 1 each. 18. ... Bd6 19. Nc5 Bxh2+ 20.

9 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 TacticsTactics by NM Tim Hanks

here are many tactical motifs Tin chess. Some are commonly used, like the double attack, or . But one tactical theme that should never be underesti- mated, is the pin. The pin is one of the most powerful tactical motifs in chess. If you look at most tactical 4. Kf1 f3! 5. Bxf3 (if 5. gxf3 g2+ combinations a pin of some type is If White plays 1. Qd7?, Black will (deflection) wins the ) Rxf2+ at the root of the variation. Take a win beginning with 1. … Re1+ 2. 6. Kg1 Rxf3 7. gxf3 Nxf3+, winning look at Position Number 1. Material Kh2 Rc1, exploiting a new pin on the White Rook. Other lines win as is even and White is basically just the b1-h2 diagonal. Best for White well.) 2. … gxf2+ 3. Rxf2 Rb1+ 4. waiting for Black to break through. is probably 1. g3, which averts any Bf1 (the Bishop now pinned) Qe3 It’s Black to move. What would you material loss and keeps a good (deflection) 5. Qxe3 fxe3 6. Rc2 do? game. Nxc4 (deflection) 7. Rxc4 e2 and Another common pin is when a XIIIIIIIIY Black wins. Bishop is pinning a Knight, usually 9-tr-+-+-+0 In general it is always best to to a Queen or Rook. These kinds of 9zp-+-mk-+-0 break pins as soon as possible. pins can lead to horrible material 9-+-zpp+-+0 Sometimes, however, this is easier loss if not promptly defused. said than done. Look at Position Take a look a Position Number 9+-wq-sn-+-0 Number 2. White’s Rook is pinned 3. It’s White to move. What would 9-+P+Pzpp+0 by the Black Queen. White wants to you do? 9+-wQ-+-+-0 sustain the initiative, not lose any material, and get rid of the nasty White to move. Is 1. h3 9P+-+LzPP+0 pin. What would you do? correct? 9+-+R+-mK-0 XIIIIIIIIY xiiiiiiiiy White to move. Is 1. Qd7 correct? 9r+-wq-trk+0 The Black Queen creates a pin XIIIIIIIIY 9zppzp-snpvlp0 along the a7-g1 diagonal, with pres- 9-+-zp-+p+0 sure on the White f2 pawn. In this 9-wq-+r+-mk0 example, the pin is so strong that 9+-tR-+pzp-0 9+-+-zp-+-0 the game is quickly decided with a 9-zp-wQ-+-zp0 9-+PsnP+l+0 clever flurry of moves, employing 9+-sNPvLNzP-0 a series of tactical motifs all stem- 9zp-+p+-+-0 ming from the the pin. Can you find 9Psn-zP-+P+0 9PzP-+-zPLzP0 the win? 9+L+-+-+-0 9tR-+Q+RmK-0 The main line goes 1. … g3 2. xiiiiiiiiy Rf1 (if 2. Qd4 then Black wins at 9-zP-+-zPP+0 least a piece beginning with 2. … 9+-+-+-mK-0 A very common mistake to break Qxd4 3. Rxd4 Rb2 (fork and ) xiiiiiiiiy the pin in these kinds of positions

10 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 is to attack the Bishop with 1. h3. Bishop is immune to capture ow- This, of course, is a mistake and will ing to an absolute pin to the Black cost White a pawn and a weakening XIIIIIIIIY Queen and King on the c-file. Thus of the Kingside on the light squares. 9rsnlwqkvl-tr0 Black counters first with 18. … Play continues 1. … Nxf3+ 2. Bxf3 Qc6 19. f3 d3, a clever deflection Bxh3 3. Bg2 Qd7 4. d4 Bxg2 5. 9zpp+-+pzpp0 to open lines for the Black Bishop Kxg2 f5 6. dxe5 Bxe5 7. f4 Bxc3 9-+p+psn-+0 and connect the Black Rooks. 20. 8. bxc3 Qc6 with a big advantage 9+-+p+-vL-0 Qc1 Bc5+ 21. Kh1 Qd6 22. Qf4 for Black. 9-+PzP-+-+0 Botvinnik has quickly built up a Tactics In the next example Black’s very strong Kingside attack. 9+-sN-+N+-0 by NM Tim Hanks Bishop is pinned and looks lost. XIIIIIIIIY However, Black has a countermove 9PzP-+PzPPzP0 9-+ktr-+-tr0 that eliminates the danger and cre- 9tR-+QmKL+R0 9zpl+n+p+-0 ates a counter-pin. Take a look Po- xiiiiiiiiy sition Number 4. It’s Black to move. 9-+-wqpzP-+0 How would you handle this? 5. … dxc4 Black decides to test 9+-vl-+-vL-0 White’s initiative and find counter- moves to compensate for his pinned 9PzpL+-wQ-+0 Black to move. What result? Knight. 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 9+-+p+PsN-0 XIIIIIIIIY g5 9. Nxg5 White makes a Knight 9-zP-+-+PzP0 to sustain the annoying 9-+-+-+-mk0 pin on the f6 Knight. 9. … hxg5 9tR-+-+R+K0 9+l+r+-zp-0 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 11. exf6 Bb7. So xiiiiiiiiy 9p+-+-+-zp0 far, pretty much book. Let’s see how The game ended with no chance Botvinnik handled and developed a for recovery, beginning with 22. … 9+p+-wqN+-0 middlegame strategy. 12. Be2 Qb6 Rxh2+ 23. Kxh2 Rh8+ 24. Qh4 9-+-vlP+-+0 13. 0-0 0-0-0 14. a4 b4 15. Ne4 c5 Rxh4+ 25. Bxh4 Qf4 0-1, as the 9+-+Q+-+-0 16. Qb1. White is looking to pres- White Bishops are skewered and sure the Queenside and open files substantial material loss is un- 9P+-+-+PzP0 towards the Black King. Black, avoidable. In this game White’s 9+L+R+-+K0 however, has a good initiative al- plan to pin the Black Knight on f6 xiiiiiiiiy ready brewing on the Kingside and got nowhere, and actually aided in will waste no time with his assault. opening lines on the Kingside that The pin is such a powerful move Notice how just about every move ultimately were exploited by pins that even when things look hopeless forces a major decision by White or created by Black that forced the it can sometime spring a winning else face immediate disaster. win. opportunity. Black wins with 1. … XIIIIIIIIY Bg1, and in one move all Black’s Too much cannot be said about troubles are eliminated. For exam- 9-+ktr-vl-tr0 the power of the pin and its impor- ple if 2. Qxd7 Qxh2# or if 2. Kxg1 9zpl+n+p+-0 tance as a tactical weapon. It’s very Rxd3 3. Bxd3 Bxe4 4. Bxe4 Qxe4 9-wq-+pzP-+0 important to recognize the danger with a rather easy win. or threats that may quickly occur 9+-zp-+-vL-0 if a pin is not defused in time or if In the featured game we have 9PzppzPN+-+0 weaknesses are created trying to Denker vs Botvinnik, USA-USSR 9+-+-+-+-0 eliminate a pin. Whenever possible Match 1945. The opening, which create instances of pins and look to features an opening pin with cru- 9-zP-+LzPPzP0 add as much pressure, doubling or cial consequences, is now appropri- 9tRQ+-+RmK-0 even tripling your pieces involved ately named the Botvinnik Varia- xiiiiiiiiy with the pin. If your opponent is tion. See if you can find all the not paying attention or taking ap- tactical motifs that make this game Black continued with 16. … propriate countermeasures, this a delight to play over and certainly Qc7, threatening mate on h2. 17. will usually lead to a series of other learn from. Ng3 (creating what is called a tactical motifs that will build in le- terminal pin, since if this Knight thality with the pin as the founda- 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. moves, White gets terminated!) 17. tion for overall success. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bg5, the Botvinnik … cxd4 18. Bxc4, A little tactics Variation of the Semi-. from White. In this case, the White Improving your ability to cal-

11 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 culate and visualize tactical com- a) Black is winning. binations takes practice. Tactical b) White is winning. Problem No. 4. White to problem solving will help in this c) The position is equal. move. What result? development and one area often Validate your choice with a XIIIIIIIIY neglected to study is in the end- variation. game. The following endgame tac- 9-+-+-+-+0 tical exercises, of varying difficulty, will test your awareness. So you 9+-+-+-vL-0 Problem No. 3. Black to 9-+-+-+-+0 think you’re good, eh? Then prove move. it by solving these. Avoid moving 9+-mK-+-+-0 the pieces when solving problems XIIIIIIIIY 9-+p+kzppzp0 to strengthen your over-the-board 9-+-+-+-+0 play. Be alert, play sharp and al- 9+-mk-+-+p0 9+-zP-+-+-0 ways remember to do your safety 9-+P+-zPP+0 check. Enjoy the solutions (that 9-+p+-+pzP0 9+-+-+-+-0 can prove to be very resourceful), 9+-+p+pzP-0 good luck and happy solving! Solu- xiiiiiiiiy tions on page 25. 9-zp-zP-wq-+0 9+-+-+L+K0 a) White is winning b) Black is winning Problem No. 1. White to 9-+-+QzP-+0 c) The position is equal move. 9tr-+-+-+-0 Prove your answer with a XIIIIIIIIY xiiiiiiiiy variation. 9-+-+-+-+0 a) 1. … Qxf3+ is simplest and 9+-+-+-+-0 best and Black will easily win 9-+-zp-+-+0 b) 1. … Qxf3 is a mistake Prove your answer with a 9+-mk-+-+-0 variation. 9-+-+P+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+K+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy a) Black is winning b) This endgame is a draw Prove your answer with a variation.

Problem No. 2. White to move. XIIIIIIIIY 9rsn-tR-+-+0 9zp-+-+-+-0 9PzP-+-+-+0 9+-+-mK-+-0 9-+-zP-+-+0 9+-+-+p+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-mk-+-0 TIM HANKS (R) AND HIS TEAMMATES (RON HERMANSEN, xiiiiiiiiy RORY VALLE, CHARLES VAN BUSKIRK) AFTER WINNING THE U.S. AMATEUR TEAM PLAYOFFS IN JUNE

12 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 Gary Ware – Christopher Zalecki loznyy won with a perfect 3-0 score. Costa Mesa Octos, August 2005 Second and third place money was B99 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Najdorf split between Randy Hough, Alex Variation Gojich, and Neil Bershad all at 2-1. 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. In the middle section Werner Belke Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 and Vincent Huang tied for first Be7 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. 0–0–0 Nbd7 10. and second at 2½-½. Third place g4 b5 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. g5 Nd7 13. was split between Barry Lazarus f5 Nc5 14. f6 gxf6 15. gxf6 Bf8 16. and Krishna Kaliannan at 2-1. The Rg1 b4 17. Nd5 exd5 18. exd5 Nd7 bottom section saw the only other 19. Re1+ Ne5 20. Nc6 Bb7 21. Nxe5 perfect score when 8 year old Eric dxe5 22. Qe4 0–0–0 23. Qxe5 Bh6+ Zhang went 3-0. Second and third Costa Mesa Octos 24. Kb1 Qxe5 25. Rxe5 Rxd5 26. place was shared by Michael Taylor Twenty-eight players participat- Rxd5 Bxd5 27. Bxa6+ Kc7 28. Bd3 (all the way down from Bakersfield) ed in the August 27th Costa Mesa Ra8 29. b3 Bf4 30. h4 Re8 31. Bxh7 and George Stearns at 2½-½. Octo tournament. I made the top Re2 32. h5 Rh2 33. Bg6 fxg6 34. The next Costa Mesa Octo will section 8 players and the other two hxg6 Be4 be held on October 22. – Mike Carr sections 10 each with a third prize in XIIIIIIIIY those sections. The top section had a tie for first and second between 9-+-+-+-+0 Boney Mountain Craig Faber and Craig Clawitter at 9+-mk-+-+-0 2½-½. The second section was won 9-+-+-zPP+0 by Vincent Huang at 2½-½. Second David Chow won the “Chess and third place money was a four 9+-+-+-+-0 Dreams World Championship,” a way tie among Werner Belke, Ped 9-zp-+lvl-+0 24-player held on August 27. Other Bashi, Roger Bowen, and Ronald 9+P+-+-+-0 prize winners included Alan Meng Hoffman all at 2-1. The bottom sec- (Middle School), Dennis Neymit (El- tion saw the only perfect 3-0 score 9P+P+-+-tr0 ementary) and Alexander Belsley of turned in by Richard Martin. Sec- 9+K+-+-tR-0 Portugal (best foreign player). ond and third place was a three way xiiiiiiiiy The Boney Mountain Chess tie among Gene Fernando, George meets on Friday evenings in Bor- Stearns, and Eric Zhang, all at 2-1. 35. g7 Bxc2+ 36. Kb2 Bg6+ 37. chard Community Center, 190 Re- Fortunately with an even number I Ka1 Be5# 0–1 ino Rd. For information, call Akagi did not have to play until the last Kayashima at (805) 230-9919, or e- round when one player withdrew On September 24th, thirty-two mail [email protected]. in the top section. I took a peace- players participated. I made three ful draw with young Marina Asami. sections, with twelve in the lower Randy Hough has become a regular section. This is more players than I West Valley Chess at my Octos. I told him that he was normally put in a section but two of Club becoming the drawing master. He the players were not competing for The 31-player Vacation Swiss, drew all three of his games, and has prize money, and I did not charge ending in August, was won by Ed- drawn five out of six in the last two them entry fees. One was a 7 year ward Bayer with a score of 5½-½. Octos. To his credit all of his draws old who was just joining the USCF Class prizes went to Arsham Dol- are long, hard fought affairs. No and the other started in the second maian, Harold Deutscher, David draws for Randy. round. Rawlings, and Alexander Atkins. In the top section Mike Za- The West Valley Chess Club meets

13 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Thursdays whose average rating was 2185! The Reserve Section Best Game in the West Valley Jewish Com- Cyrus had a little luck in avoid- winner features one of our newer munity Center, 22622 Vanowen St. ing what looked like certain defeat players: For information, call John Price at against Raoul Crisologo in the first

(818) 363-1379 or Duane Cooper at round, but Raoul couldn’t quite find Andrew Bell (1861) – Chuck (818) 999-0837. the knockout punch and Cyrus es- Ensey (1752) caped with a win. He then went on Gambito #238, San Diego, with victories over Ron Bruno and 9/03/05 Carey Milton before drawing with La Palma Chess Club B02 ALEKHINE’S DEFENCE Leigh Hunt and TD Mike Hene- Enrico Sevillano in the last round 1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. e5 Ne4 4. bry tied for first place with 4 points to secure the top prize ($125). En- d4 Nxc3 5. bxc3 Bf5 6. Nf3 e6 7. c4 in La Palma Chess Club’s 5-round rico had drawn with Bruce Baker Bb4+ 8. Bd7 Nc6 9. a3 Bxd2+ 10. “Is This The Dawning of the Age of in round 2, so he had to settle for Qxd2 Be4 11. c3 Bxf3 12. gxf3 dxc4 Provigil? Swiss” that ended Sep- a tie for Second Place with Bruce. 13. Bxc4 Na5 14. Ba2 b5 15. Qd3 a6 tember 9. Class prize winners were Rick Aeria won BU2200 ($75) with 16. f4 c5 17.Rd1 c4 18. Qg3 g6 19. Richard Tantioco, Best “B”, with a 3 wins in a row after a first round Bb1 Qe7 20. Be4 Rd8 21. d5 exd5 22. score of 3½, Donald Binnix, Best loss to Enrico. James Mahooti and Bxd5 0-0 23. f5 Rfe8 24. e6 Qd6 25. “C” with a score of 3, and Isaac Carey Milton tied for second U2200. 0-0 Qxg3+ 26. fxg3 Rxd5? 27. exf7+ Zhou, Best “D/E/Unrated” with 2½. We placed the Class A players in Kxf7 28. fxg6+ Kxg6 29. Rxd5 Re6 Zhou also won the highest rating the lower section for this event to 30. a4 Re3 31. Rd6+ Kg5 32. Rxa6 gain prize, with a gain of 56 points. make for a super strong Open Sec- Nb3 33. axb5 Rxc3 34. b6 Nc5? 35. In September, the “Victory tion. WGM Anna Gershnik was a Ra5 1-0 Quads” saw sections won by Richard surprise entry, and we hope to see Tantioco, Rory Valle and W. Leigh her again soon. In the Reserve Sec- The October “Special” Super Hunt (tied), Primo Estillomo, and tion, Chang Kim and Alex Garcia- Gambito had a $1600 prize fund with Francis Gray and Robert Hutchin- Betancourt tied for first with 3½ 5 rounds at G/40. We would like to sin (tied in the “Victory Swiss”). points, but since Chang’s rating try these special events about three Details of all tournaments may be was U1800, he won that prize ($75) or four times a year. The next one found at www.lapalmachess.741. while Alex took the U2000 ($75). is scheduled for February 4, 2006. com. – Chris Roberts John Bryant and Ben Barquin were The entry fee is $40 in advance, or 2nd U2000, while Richard Jensen, $50 on site. This is the second time Anthony Whitt and Chuck Ensey we have tried this format and the Arcadia Fall were 2nd U1800. Alan Jenn won turnout was even better than the Scholastics the U1600 ($75) and Gene Arnaiz first time, with 40 players in all, 21 September 11 was 2nd U1600. in the Open and 19 in the Reserve. Winners of this 31-player scho- The Best Game Prize winner Bruce Baker and Cyrus Lakdawala lastic tournament held at Diver- has Cyrus versus Ron Bruno: tied for first with 4 points out of five sity Educational Center in Arcadia for $250 each. Enrico Sevillano and were Cheston Gunawan and Steven Cyrus Lakdawala (2489) – Ron Ron Bruno were right behind them Porta Jr. with 4½-½. Gunawan won Bruno (2248) with 3½ points for Third Place. Ju- a playoff game for first place. Next Gambito #238, San Diego, lian Landaw came down form LA was Christopher Hung with 4-1, af- 9/03/05 to pick up the BU2200 prize while ter a playoff with Daniel Gong and B82 SICILIAN DEFENSE, his father, Elliot Landaw, attended Anthony Hung. Class prizes went to Scheveningen Variation the SCCF board meeting, held right Edward Xue, Philip Chung, Emma 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. after the Gambito. Five players Fonseca and Perry Watson. Details Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. 0-0 Qc7 7. tied for 2nd U2200 with 3 points: of the club’s tournaments and Fri- Nc3 d6 8. Be3 Be7 9. f4 0-0 10. Qf3 Rick Aeria, Richard Gimeno, Jorge day night meetings may be found at Nc6 11. Kh1 Bd73 12. Rae1 b5 13. Balares, Carey Milton and Leonard diversityeducationalcenter.com. a3 Rab8 14. Nxc6 Bxc6 15. Qh3 d5 Sussman. James Mahooti pushed 16. exd5 exd5 17. Bd4 Ne4 18. Nxd5 his rating over 2000 by winning Bxd5 19. Bxe4 Bxe4 20. Rxe4 f5 21. the BU2000 prize by scoring 2½ Gambito Opens Qb3+ Kh8 22. Re6 Bd6 23. Qe3 and winning his last round against 29 players competed for a $640 in b4 24. axb4 Rxb4 25. Qc3 Rc4 26. NM Joe Hanley. Hard working prizes at the August Super Gambi- Bxg7+ Kg8 27. Qd3 Rf7 28. Bh6 SCCF membership chairman Ran- to and once again Cyrus Lakdawala Bf8 29. Re8 Qc6 29. Re8 Qc6 30. dy Hough also participated for the came out on top, but it wasn’t easy Qg3+ Qg6 31. Qxg6+ hxg6 32. ce first time and scored a respectable with an Open section of 12 players Re4 33. Rb8 1-0 2 points against the very strong

14 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 field. Alex Uyemura also scored 2 are separated naturally into groups Jemar Fragante (1768) – Carlos and took the BU2000 prize . by their bye points), Todd Smith Felipe Martinez (1654) won with 8 points, edging out Bruce In the Reserve Section, there Gambito Open #242, San Diego, Baker and Adam Corper, who each was a 3 way tie for first between 10/01/05 ended up with 7½. One other bit one of our better scholastic play- A45 ers, Daniel Grazian, and two other 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 Nc6 3. d5 Ne5 4. of excitement that happened at frequent Gambito players, Richard Nc3 e6 5. e4 h6 6. Bh4 Ng6 7. Bg3 the club recently was a quick visit Jensen and Chuck Ensey, all with 4 Bb4 8. dxe6 fxe6 9. f3 d6 10. Bd3 c6 by GM Alexander Shabalov, who points. Jesse Orlowski, another Jedi 11. f4 Ne7 12. Nge2 Qb6 13. a3 Bc5 dropped by the club one Wednesday Knight (our Friday night scholastic 14. b4 Be3 15. Bc4 d5 16. exd5 exd5 night to check out his up and com- club) won the BU1600 prize, even 17. Na4 Qd8 18. Bb3 Ne4 19. Qd3 ing competition in future years. He though he came in rated as only Bd2+ 20. Kd1? Nf5 21. Nec3 Ne3+ looked at every game being played 1397. Kyron Griffith was another 22. Ke2 Bg4# before our President Ron Rezendes Jedi that did quite well and he won drove him to the airport. Some 2nd U1600, tying with Sam Barboo, The Super Gambito Open has a people did not recognize Shabba, a middle aged, (but young at heart) $600 guaranteed prize fund and is the Pittsburgh Pounder, and no an- player who has been gradually mov- held on the first Saturday of every nouncement was made, as he did ing up the rating charts this year. month at the San Diego Chess Club. not want to make a big deal and dis- Bruce Baker was proud of all his Regular Gambito Opens now alter- turb the games in progress. I was young students who brought their nate locations between San Diego so focused on my game I didn’t even “A” game to this event. I barely sur- and National City with the second see him! I hope next time Ron will vived against Daniel, getting only a and fourth Saturdays at the Na- interrupt us - we strive for perfect draw after he dropped a Rook in a tional City (Macaspac) Club and the playing conditions with no noise to winning position. And Kyron had third Saturday at the SDCC. These speak of, but I think in this case an me on the ropes, but I managed to events keep getting stronger (Gam- exception could have been made! regroup and counterattack before bito #243 had 5 masters), yet are Todd Smith also won the 5 round he could get castled. still fun for the lower rated players San Diego Open, played through- The Best Game Prize winner because we use two sections or the out August on Wednesday nights. was Carey Milton: McMahon system. See our website He tied with Bruce Baker with 4½ at http://Groups.msn.com/sandi- points, but won on tiebreaks. The Raoul Crisologo (2072) – Carey egochess for more info. – Chuck tiebreaks were important because Milton (2001) Ensey this was one of three tournaments Gambito Open #242, San Diego, held during the year in which the 10/01/05 winner would automatically qualify C44 San Diego Chess Club for next year’s club championship. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 g6 4. In September the club played Cyrus Lakdawala qualified earlier Bb5 Bg7 5. 0-0 Nge7 6. d4 exd4 7. Botvinnik’s Brawl, a McMahon by being the highest scoring local cxd4 0-0 8. Nc3 d6 9. h3 a6 10. Ba4 Swiss where the masters & experts player in the San Diego County b5 11. Bc2 b4 12. Ne2 f5 13.Bb3+ received 4 initial bye points, Class Championship in May, and the Kh8 14. Ng5 Qe8 15. d5 Ne5 16. Nf4 A 3 points, Class B 2, Class C 1 third and final spot will be won in fxe4 17. Nfe6 Bex6 18. Nxe6 Qd7 19. and Class D and below 0 points. 47 the last event of the year, The Mas- Nxf8 Rxf8 20. Be3 Rf3?! 21. Kh2?! players joined in every Wednesday ters in November and December. In Rxh3+ 22. gxh3 Nxf3+ 23. Qxf3 along with 8 other house players the San Diego Open, we had three exf3 24. Bf4 g5! 25. Bg3 h5 26. Rae1 who filled in when needed. After sections, and in the Premier Sec- h4 27. Re6 hxg3+ 28. fxg3 Nf5 29. 5 rounds we had a clear winner in tion, there was a 3 way tie for first Rxf3 Nd4 30. Rf2 Nxe6 31. dxe6 each point group, except the lowest between Maksim Gusev, Dayne Fre- Qe8 32. Rf7 c6 33. Rc7 d5 34. e7 Bf6 one, where Mark Lawless and Mark itag and Joel Batchelor. Maksim is 35. Ba4 Bxe7 36. Rxc6 Qf8 37. Rc2 De Yoe tied with 3 points each. In new to our club and the USCF, but Bd6 38. Kg2 Qf5 39. Rf2 Qe5 40. the 1 point section (Class C), Key- is clearly of Expert strength, as he Bd7 Qxg3+ 41. Kf1 d4 42. Bg4 Bf4 van Asgari won with 4 ½ points. An- has won nearly every game played 43. Rf3 Qh2 44. Rf2 Qh1+ 45. Ke2 thony Harbone finished as the best so far at the club. Joel Batchelor Qb1 46. Kf3 d3 47. Bf5 Qh1+ 0-1 2 pointer (Class B) with 6 points finally stopped his win streak in and David Saponara was the best the last round of this event. Dayne … and in the Reserve Section Class A player, also with 6 points. had lost only to Maksim, and Joel Carlos Martinez mates with 4 mi- In the top “group” of experts and lost just one game in the first round nor pieces: masters, (in a McMahon everyone to the rapidly improving Julian plays in one big section, but players Rodriguez. In the Reserve Section,

15 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 Morgan Fox lost only one game (to ington Road. For information, call Robert Samuel) and took clear first Pete Savino at (310) 827-2789. Web San Luis Obispo with 4 points. site: www.santamonicachess.com. October Open The club is currently playing the – Mike White The 13-player San Luis Obispo Fall Swiss. We are located at 2225 October Open on October 15 was Sixth Avenue and play every Wednes- won by Eric Montany 3½-½, with day night at 7 p.m. The phone num- Arcadia Chess Club Warren Williamson and Charles ber is 619-239-7166. Our officers The “Bill Smith Memorial,” end- Scolieri tieing for second at 3-1. are: President Ron Rezendes, Vice ing in September, drew 49 players. Charles Scolieri also took first in President James Malowney, Trea- Tying for first with 5-1 were Scott the B/C group, and Allan Sung sec- surer Louis Pace, Secretary Chuck Haubrich, Randy Hough, and Law- ond at 2-2. Howard Gaxiola placed Ensey, Sargeant-At-Arms Robert rence Stevens. Class prizes went to first for the D/under prize with 2-2, Draper and Members-At-Large Rick John Anderson and Robert Gold- and Zach Lindsay was second, 1½- Aeria and Thomas Webb. NM Bruce berg (A), Gerry Harrison, Andras 2½. The tournament was directed Baker is club manager and Dave Mohai and James Sutton (B), Har- by Steven Tomak. – Barbara Mc- Saponara is Park Liaison. Please ry Gaul and Richard Williams (C), Caleb drop by if you are in the area, espe- and Sandy He (D/E/unrated). cially you Grandmasters out there! The Arcadia Chess Club meets – Chuck Ensey 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Mondays in the Senior Citizens building, 405 S. Santa Anita Ave. For information, Exposition Park call Fred Brock at (626) 331-1638 Chess Club or Mel Clark at (626) 447-9355. Section winners at the monthly free tournament in September were Ken Phillipson, Stephan Bosch, West Covina Chess and Christophe Carter. In October, Club section winners were Excell Peo- ples, Bertam Buggs, Kevin Bulone, The “Midsummer’s Days Chess” and Perry Watson. The Exposition in September saw Fred Brock take Park Chess Club meets at 1 p.m. ev- first place, while Bob Salwet and Solutions to Chess ery Sunday at the Exposition Park Romy Foley earned class prizes. Quiz Branch Library, 3665 S. Vermont The West Covina Chess Club meets (see page 28) Ave. in Los Angeles. For informa- 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays tion, call the library at (323) 732- and Thursdays in the Senior Cen- Britton – Shamkovich, 0169 or send a message to the club ter, 2501 E. Cortez St. For informa- Lloyd’s Bank, 1978: Black over- secretary at expochess07@yahoo. tion, call Richard Williams at (626) loads the White Bishop with 1. … com. Web site: http://chess.expo- 339-5188. Bxb5 2. Bg2 Qb2 3. Bh1 Qd4 4. parkla.com. Qe3 Rf1+ 5. Kh2 Qb2+ 6. Bg2 Rf2 (and now the pin decides mat- Pasadena Chess Club ters) 7. Rg1 Bf1 8. Qxf2 Qxf2 9. Santa Monica Bay Winner of the 22-player “San Rxf1 Qb2 10. Re1 f6 0–1 Gabriel Valley Open” in Septem- Chess Club ber was Gregory Hall with 4½-½. Trifunovich – Aaron, Bever- After giving the club an analy- Elston He finished second at 4-1. wijk, 1962: White wins with the sis of a fascinating game he recent- Class prizes went to Danny Machu- surprising double attack 1. Bg8, ly played in , on October ca (best under-1800), Jason McK- threatening mate and the Rook. 10 Grandmaster een (best under-1600) and Antony 1–0 simultaneously played 13 members Milici (best under-1400). of the audience. Once again, the The Pasadena Chess Club meets Skagiatmetov – Demin, Oren- 2670 FIDE rated, 2004 World Open 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Fridays in berg, 1964: It seems that White Champion yielded not even a draw Throop Memorial Church, 300 S. must lose his Queen, but the Bish- to the field, which included experts. Los Robles Ave. For information, op has too much to do after 1. d7! But we’ll have him back! call Neil Hultgren at (818) 243- Bxe4+ 2. Ka1 Bd5 (blocking the The Santa Monica Bay Chess 3809 or Tim Thompson at (818) 354- Rook, but the nimble Knight steps Club meets 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. 8698. Web site: www.tim-thompson. in) 3. Ne6 Bxe6 4. d8Q+ 1–0 Mondays in Joslyn Park, 633 Kens- com/pasadena.html.

16 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 Presents this Month Boney Mountain Black Talon Elite Octos Tournament Nationally rated by the U.S. Chess Federation. All ages. G/150+5s td. Weekend Octos tournament with eight (8) player sections grouped by rating. The Elite Octos champion will receive the coveted “Black Talon Elite” champion plaque, plus $150. 2nd octos winner receives champion plaque plus $50. Third octos group winner receives $50 prize. Scholastic octos winner (8 lowest rated scholastic players, 13 years & under) receives plaque. No unrateds; provisional ratings (10/1) good. Limited space. Register early.

Saturday, November 19th, Round 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Round 2 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, November 20th, Round 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Borchard Community Center 805.381.2791 to register. EF: $25. 190 Reino Road, Newbury Park, CA 91320 Take 101 north to Thousand Oaks, exit west at Borchard Road. 2 miles to the corner of Reino and Borchard Roads. Free parking on right. Beautified environment. Email or call Akagi with your current USCF ID# before the 19th. [email protected] 805.230.9919

(advertisement)

17 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 n a welcome return to good sense, IFIDE this year abandoned its be- Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. g4 loved hundred-player monstrosities e5 8. Nf5 g6 9. g5 gxf5 10. exf5 d5 for more traditional form of World 11. Qf3 d4 12. 0–0–0 Nbd7 13. Bxd4 Championship tournament, a dou- exd4 14. Rxd4 Bg7 15. Rg1 Kf8 16. ble-round robin among eight of the Qe3 Qe7 17. Qd2 h6 18. gxf6 Nxf6 world’s best players. The tourna- XIIIIIIIIY ment was held from September 28 9r+l+-mk-tr0 through October 14 in San Luis, Argentina. Absent were only Garry 9+p+-wqpvl-0 Kasparov, still sulking in his tent, 9p+-+-sn-zp0 and , who took 9+-+-+P+-0 the title from Kasparov in 2000. The victor, by a 1½-point margin, XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-tR-+-+0 was GM of Bulgaria. 9r+-+rvlk+0 9+-sN-+-+-0 The score understates his achieve- 9PzPPwQ-zP-zP0 ment, for he scored 6½ out of 7 in 9+-+-+p+-0 the first half, then drew all seven 9-wq-zp-+pzp0 9+-mK-+LtR-0 games in the second tour to finish 9+p+l+N+-0 xiiiiiiiiy with 10-4. Next at 8½-5½ (and the 19. Rd8+ Ne8 20. Bb5 axb5 21. only other plus scores) were Viswa- 9-snp+P+-+0 Re1 b4 22. Nb5 Bxb2+ 23. Kxb2 nathan Anand and Peter Svidler. 9+-+n+NtRP0 Qf6+ 24. Qd4 Kg7 25. Rexe8 Rxe8 A reunification of the World 9-zP-wQ-zPP+0 26. Rxe8 Qxd4+ 27. Nxd4 Kf6 28. f4 Championship, divided since Kasp- b6 29. Rd8 Bb7 30. Rxa8 Bxa8 31. arov’s break with FIDE in 1993, now 9+LvL-tR-mK-0 Kb3 Bd5+ 32. Kxb4 Bxa2 33. Kb5 seems at least possible, if far from xiiiiiiiiy Bb1 34. c3 Ke7 35. Kxb6 Kd6 36. c4 certain. Does Topalov’s result pres- 24. Nxh6+ Bxh6 25. Qxh6 Bd3 37. c5+ Kd5 38. Nc6 Ke4 39. age a new era of another dominating Qxf2+ 26. Kh2 Nxe1 27. Nh4 Ned3 Ne7 Bc2 40. c6 Ba4 41. c7 Bd7 42. player, or merely a good result by a 28. Nxg6 Qxg3+ 29. Kxg3 fxg6 30. Kc5 1–0 first among equals? Only time will Qxg6+ Kf8 31. Qf6+ Kg8 32. Bh6 tell. 1–0 GM Peter Svidler (2738) – GM Veselin Topalov (2788) GM (2788) GM Judit Polgar (2735) – GM FIDE World Championship, – GM Michael Adams (2719) Rustam Kasimdzhanov (2670) Argentina 2005 FIDE World Championship, FIDE World Championship, B90 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Najdorf Argentina 2005 Argentina 2005 Variation C92 B90 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Najdorf 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Variation Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Ba4 Nf6 5. 0–0 Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Bg7 10. h3 d6 8. c3 0–0 9. h3 Bb7 10. d4 Re8 11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Nbd2 Bf8 12. a4 h6 1 Topalov,Veselin 2788 ** 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 10-4 13. Bc2 exd4 14. cxd4 Nb4 15. Bb1 c5 16. 2 Svidler,P 2738 0 ½ ** ½ ½ 1 1 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 8½-5½ d5 Nd7 17. Ra3 c4 18. 3 Anand,V 2788 ½ ½ ½ ½ ** 0 ½ ½ 1 0 1 1 ½ 1 1 8½-5½ axb5 axb5 19. Nd4 4 Morozevich,A 2707 0 ½ 0 0 1 ½ ** ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 7-7 Qb6 20. Nf5 Ne5 21. 5 Leko,P 2763 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ 0 ** ½ 1 1 ½ 1 ½ 6½-7½ Rg3 g6 22. Nf3 Ned3 23. Qd2 Bxd5 6 Kasimdzhanov,R 2670 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 ** ½ ½ 0 1 5½-8½ 7 Adams,Mi 2719 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ** ½ ½ 5½-8½ 8 Polgar,Ju 2735 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ 1 0 ½ ½ ** 4½-9½

18 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 Ne5 11. Nf5 Bxf5 12. exf5 Nbc6 13. 44. Qe4 Qxe4+ 45. dxe4 Rc8 46. 25. Kb1 Bxf4 26. Nd5 Bxd5 27. Rxd5 Nd5 e6 14. Ne3 Qa5+ 15. c3 Nf3+ Rb1 Rc3 47. Rb2 Kf7 48. Kf1 Rc1+ Bb8 28. Rhd1 c3 29. Rd7 1–0 16. Qxf3 Bxc3+ 17. Kd1 Qa4+ 18. 49. Ke2 Rc3 50. Ra2 Rb3 51. Ra7+ Nc2 Bxb2 19. fxe6 fxe6 20. Qb3 Kf8 52. Rb7 Rxb4 53. Kd3 Rb2 54. GM Peter Leko (2763) – GM Qxb3 21. axb3 Bxa1 22. Nxa1 Ke7 f4 Rb3+ 55. Kxd4 Rxg3 56. f5 Rxg4 Viswanathan Anand (2788) 23. Bd3 Rac8 24. Re1 Nd4 25. f3 57. f6 Rg1 58. Rxg7 b4 59. Kc5 b3 FIDE World Championship, Rc3 26. Kd2 Rhc8 27. Rb1 R3c5 28. 60. Rb7 Ra1 61. Rxb3 Ra5+ 62. Kd4 Argentina 2005 b4 Rd5 29. Bf2 Kd7 30. Be3 Nf5 31. Ra4+ 63. Ke3 Ra5 64. Rb8+ Kf7 C42 PETROFF DEFENSE Bf2 Nh4 32. Bxh4 gxh4 33. Nc2 h5 65. Rb7+ Kf8 66. Kd4 Ra4+ 67. Kc5 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 34. Re1 Rg8 35. Kc3 a5 Ra5+ 68. Kd4 Ra4+ 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 0–0 Be7 8. c4 Nb4 9. Be2 0–0 10. a3 9-+-+-+r+0 9-+-+-mk-+0 Nc6 11. cxd5 Qxd5 12. Nc3 Nxc3 13. bxc3 Bf5 14. Re1 Rfe8 15. Bf4 Rac8 9+p+k+-+-0 9+R+-+-+-0 16. h3 Be4 17. Nd2 Bxg2 18. Bg4 9-+-zpp+-+0 9-+-+pzP-+0 XIIIIIIIIY 9zp-+r+-+p0 9+-+-zP-zp-0 9-+r+r+k+0 9-zP-+-+-zp0 9r+-mKP+-+0 9zppzp-vlpzpp0 9+-mKL+P+P0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+n+-+-+0 9-+N+-+P+0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+q+-+-0 9+-+-tR-+-0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-zP-vLL+0 xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy 9zP-zP-+-+P0 36. Bc4 Rc8 37. Ne3 Rb5 38. Kd3 69. Ke3 Ra3+ 70. Kf2 Ra5 71. Rxb4 39. Bxe6+ Kxe6 40. Nc2+ Kg3 Rxe5 72. Kg4 Rxe4+ 73. Kh5 9-+-sN-zPl+0 Kd5 41. Nxb4+ axb4 42. Re7 b5 43. 1–0 9tR-+QtR-mK-0 Rh7 Rc3+ 44. Kd2 Rc4 0–1 xiiiiiiiiy GM Viswanathan Anand (2788) GM Veselin Topalov (2788) – GM – GM Rustam Kasimdzhanov 18. ... Bh1 19. f3 Bh4 20. Rf1 f5 Rustam Kasimdzhanov (2670) (2670) 21. Bh5 g6 22. Kxh1 gxh5 23. Rg1+ FIDE World Championship, FIDE World Championship, Kh8 24. Qf1 Bf6 25. Rb1 Ne7 26. Bg5 Argentina 2005 Argentina 2005 Bxg5 27. Rxg5 Rg8 28. Rxg8+ Rxg8 C88 RUY LOPEZ B90 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Najdorf 29. Qe2 Ng6 30. Rb5 Qc6 31. Rxf5 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Variation Qxc3 32. Rd5 Qxa3 33. Kh2 Qf8 34. Ba4 Nf6 5. 0–0 Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qe6 Qf4+ 35. Kh1 Rf8 36. Qe2 h4 0–0 8. h3 Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Na5 11. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 37. Rd7 Rf7 Ba2 c5 12. Nbd2 Nc6 13. Nf1 Bc8 Be6 8. Be3 Nbd7 9. Qd2 b5 10. 0– 38. Rd8+ 14. c3 Be6 15. Bxe6 fxe6 16. b4 Qd7 0–0 Nb6 11. Qf2 Nc4 12. Bxc4 bxc4 Kg7 39. Ne4 17. Qb3 Rfb8 18. N1h2 a5 19. Bd2 13. Na5 Rc8 14. Bb6 Qd7 15. g3 g6 Qxf3+ 40. h6 20. Ng4 Nxg4 21. hxg4 axb4 22. 16. Rd2 Bh6 17. f4 Ng4 18. Qf3 Rb8 Qxf3 Rxf3 axb4 cxb4 23. cxb4 Bf6 24. Rec1 Kf7 19. h3 Nf6 41. Nc5 b6 25. g3 Qb7 26. Kg2 Rxa1 27. Rxa1 XIIIIIIIIY 42. Ne6+ Ra8 28. Rh1 Nd4 29. Nxd4 exd4 30. Kf6 43. GM VISWANATHAN ANAND Bf4 d5 31. e5 Be7 32. Qd1 Bg5 33. 9-tr-+k+-tr0 Nxc7 Rxh3+ Bxg5 hxg5 9+-+q+p+p0 44. Kg1 Rd3 45. Nb5 Kg5 46. Nxa7 34. Rh5 9pvL-zplsnpvl0 h3 47. Nc6 Kg4 48. Ra8 Kg3 49. Ra1 Qe7 35. h2+ 50. Kh1 Nf4 51. Ne5 Re3 52. Qh1 Rf8 36. 9sN-+-zp-+-0 Rd1 Kh3 53. Nf7 Rg3 0–1 Rh7 Ke8 37. 9-+p+PzP-+0 Qa1 Kf7 38. 9+-sN-+QzPP0 Qc1 Ke8 39. Qa1 Kf7 40. 9PzPPtR-+-+0 Qxd4 Kg8 9+-mK-+-+R0 41. Rh1 xiiiiiiiiy Qf7 42.

Qe3 d4 43. GM VESELIN TOPALOV 20. Bc5 exf4 21. gxf4 Rc8 22. Qe2 Qb7+ Bxd6 Qd8 23. Bb4 Qb6 24. a3 Nh5

19 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 Reviews

MIGUEL NAJDORF: LIFE AND games still are. Enjoy them. Recom- ly, twelve illustrative games (“ideas mended. into action”) recap the themes. GAMES Early on, the authors quote Ti- by Tomasz Lissowski and Adrian gran Petrosian telling a student CHESS OPENINGS FOR BLACK, Mikhalchishin who had played some dubious open- Batsford, TP, 256 pp., $21.95 EXPLAINED ing moves as Black in an effort to (review by John Hillery) by , Roman Dzindzi- win, “It’s much easier to play for It is surprising that there has chashvili, and , a win from an equal position than been no previous book of Najdorf’s with Al Lawrence. from a bad position!” Quite true, games in English. Miguel Najdorf New York: Chess Information but from the standpoint of a player (as he was known after settling in and Research Center, 2005. 552 looking for a repertoire that will of- Argentina in 1939) was one of the pages. $29.95. fer good winning chances against top players in the world during (review by Randy Hough) lower-rated opponents, the book the 1940s and ‘50s—he defeated underplays the concept of dynamic Botvinnik at Groningen 1946, This reviewer’s suspicion of “rep- versus static equality. Simply ob- and many thought he should have ertoire” books dates back to 1972. serving that Black has equalized been invited to the 1948 Match Casually employing a recommended when an opposite-colored bishops Tournament after Fine’s with- move in the Petroff’s from A Com- ending arises offers little consola- drawal—as well as a colorful and plete Defense to 1. P-K4 (that’s 1.e4, tion to the player who wants to win. attractive personality. Tartakover kiddies), I was dismayed when my (In fairness, the authors do stress wrote: correspondence opponent refuted it. that rote memorization is no sub- “What does Najdorf’s particu- (I felt better about it twelve stitute for understanding lar skill consist of? To put it brief- years later when that the concepts behind an ly, let us say that he produces very player, Vic Palciauskas, opening.) profound strategic conceptions, became correspondence One recommen- but that they alone would not world champion.) dation with which I have been sufficient to scale the This book, however, found fault was in a heights. His success is due to his ability to inject dynamics (or ‘dy- forces me to reconsider briefly-covered “back- namite’ – why not?) into positions my opinion. The authors, up” opening, the Center that appear simple and equal, by two GMs and one IM, offer Counter (which I will play means of first-rate tactical under- a sturdy repertoire built around when pigs fly). After 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 takings.” the Accelerated Dragon (1. e4 c5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 c6 This handsome volume includes 2. Nf3 g6) and the Nimzo/Bogo-In- 6. Bc4 Bg4 7. h3 Bh5 8. g4 Bg6 the an introduction by Najdorf’s daugh- dian complex. All alternatives for authors deem Black’s position only ter Liliana, a biographical sketch White are also covered: other lines a little worse. But they ignore the by Lissowski, and 131 annotated against the Sicilian; English; Lon- idea of creating a dynamic imbal- games. Many of the notes are by don System; Trompowsky; Polish, ance (a familiar concept to students Najdorf himself; others come from and many others. of Jeremy Silman’s books) with 5. such contemporaries as Alekhine, There are a staggering 1448 dia- … Ne4, when Black obtains either Tartakover, and Kmoch. There are grams, enabling many players to superior or the two also sections on Najdorf’s endgames study the book without recourse to bishops at the cost of development. and combinations. a board. Major points are reiterated A more attractive option for some- Najdorf’s own notes (and games) with color sidebars (though graphic one looking to win, I should think. confirm the impression which he considerations sometimes result in In sum, Chess Openings for gave in person—an outgoing, ebul- less than optimal placement), and Black, Explained, properly utilized, lient fellow of limitless optimism. In “memory markers” also reinforce is a valuable resource for players of his later years, Najdorf became one the lessons. Pictures (of sharply the Black pieces, and may well force of the best ambassadors for chess, varying quality) of some of the play- some players to reconsider their and a sponsor as well. The man ers who have enriched opening the- repertoire as White! himself is no longer with us, but his ory further enliven the book. Final-

20 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 Pla Where to y Chess

ARCADIA. The Arcadia Chess Club CARLSBAD. A group meets 12:30 in the Escondido Bridge Center, meets at 6:30 p.m. Mondays in the p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays in the 2427 S. Center City Parkway. Con- Senior Citizens building, 405 S. Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine tinuous rated tournaments. Call Santa Anita Ave. Continuous rated Ave. Casual play. Most attendees are John Goddard at (760) 591-0200 or tournaments, casual play. Dues: over age 55, but younger adults are [email protected]. Web $10/year, $7.50/year for juniors and welcome. No dues. Call (760) 602- site: www.sdchess.com. seniors. Call Fred Brock at (626) 331- 4650. 1638 or Mel Clark at (626) 447-9355. ESCONDIDO. A group meets noon Web site: www.geocities.com/arca- COLTON. A group meets 8:30 p.m. to to 4 p.m. weekdays in the Senior diachessclub. 12:30 a.m. Friday nights in a private Center, 210 Park Ave. Casual play, room at Denny’s restaurant, 160 W. ages 50 and up. No dues. For infor- ARCADIA. A youth group meets for Valley Blvd. Casual play, blitz. Call mation, call (760) 839-4688. casual play 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Denny’s at (909) 824-2132. Fridays in Diversity Educational FRESNO. The Fresno Chess Club Center, Suite A, 1012 S. Baldwin CORONA. Chessplayers are invited meets 6:00 p.m. to midnight Mon- Ave. For students in kindergarten, to play on Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m. to days in Carl’s Jr. restaurant, 3820 elementary school and junior high. 10:00 p.m., at All About Coffee, 2276 N. Cedar. Rated tournament in May, Occasional Sunday tournaments. Griffin Way, Suite #108. Casual non-rated quick chess quads, ca- Free. Call Roel Sanchez at (626) 254- chess, blitz (bring your clocks). Call sual play, chess library, newsletter. 9951. Web site: www.diversityeduca- Steven Burleson at (951) 549-6710. Dues: $15/year, $8/year for students, tionalcenter.com. women, and those who live outside COSTA MESA. The Chess Center Fresno County. Contact Aaron Hise BISHOP. Kava Coffee House, 206 meets in the Odd Fellows/Rebekah at (559) 228-8089 or send a message N. Main St., welcomes chessplay- Hall, 2476 Newport Blvd. Rated to [email protected]. ers. are available at all tournaments at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, hours. Call (760) 872-1010. monthly Octos tournaments on Sat- FRESNO. The Maharlika Chess urdays, chess classes for children at Club meets 5:00 p.m. to midnight BURBANK. A group meets Wednes- 6 p.m. Mondays, scholastic tourna- Fridays in Borders Books, 7722 N. days from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at ments, casual play, lectures, lending Blackstone Ave. Casual play, blitz, the Joslyn Center, 1301 W. Olive St. library of chess videos, chess sup- tournament planned for March 27. (at Griffith Park Drive). Casual play, plies for sale. Call Al Massip at (949) No dues. Call Sam Roamboa at (559) ages 55 and up only. No dues. Call 646-6696 or Mike Carr at (949) 768- 222-4354. (818) 238-5353. 3538. GLENDALE. The chess park at 227 BURBANK. A group meets Fridays ENCINITAS. A group meets 12:30 N. Brand Blvd. is open day and night from 5:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Mc- p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays in the for casual play. Speed tournaments Cambridge Park, 1515 N. Glenoaks Senior Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Friday evening, occasional weekend Blvd. Casual play, tournaments pos- Drive. Casual play, ages 55 and up tournaments. sible. Call Emil Klimach at (818) only. No dues. Call (760) 943-2250. 845-1104. GLENDALE. Chessplayers are wel- ESCONDIDO. The Palomar Chess come at Java City Café, 134 N. Brand Club meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays Ave. Casual play, speed chess, Sia-

21 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 mese chess. Bring equipment. Call Brady at (562) 867-8248. Web site: lectures, simuls, instruction, free the restaurant at (818) 956-3925. www.lapalmachess.741.com. tournament on the first Sunday of every month. No dues. Call the HAWTHORNE. The Alondra Park LAGUNA BEACH. People gather to library at (323) 732-0169 or send Chess Club’s temporary home is in play chess at the permanent chess a message to the club secretary at Bodger Park, 14900 S. Yukon Ave. table on the boardwalk. [email protected]. Web site: The club meets 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 http://chess.expoparkla.com. p.m. Tuesdays. Rated six-round tour- LAGUNA WOODS. The Leisure naments at 7:00 p.m., speed chess on World Chess Club meets 11:00 a.m. LOS ANGELES. A group meets at seventh Tuesday, no smoking. Dues: to 5:00 p.m. Mondays and 10:30 a.m. 6 p.m. Mondays in the Baldwin Hills $5/year plus $5/tournament, $2.50/ to 6:00 p.m. Thursdays in the Com- branch of the public library, 2906 S. year for juniors. Call Steve Boak munity Center building in Leisure La Brea Ave. Casual play, instruc- at (310) 607-9751. Website: www. World. Guests are welcome. Casual tion for beginners. All ages welcome, geocities.com/alondra_park_cc. play, ladder competition, occasional especially children and teenagers. simul. Call Alan Brown at (949) 206- Call the library at (323) 733-1196. HEMET. The Hemet Chess Club 1039. meets 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Thurs- LOS ANGELES. A group of seniors days in the clubhouse library of Colo- LAWNDALE. The Alondra Park meets Monday and Friday mornings nial Country Club MH Estates, 601 Chess Club has moved to temporary at 8:00 a.m. in the Freda Mohr Com- N. Kirby. Casual play. No dues. quarters in Bodger Park, 14900 S. munity Building, 330 N. Fairfax Ave. Yukon Ave. in Hawthorne. Casual play, no smoking. IRVINE. A group meets at lunch time (11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) Fridays at LONG BEACH. The chess room in LOS ANGELES. The Los Angeles Knowlwood Restaurant, 14952 Sand Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave., is open Chess Club (LACC) meets on the Canyon Ave. Speed chess, analysis. for casual play from noon to 5:30 second floor of 11514 Santa Monica Bring equipment. Contact David p.m. Mondays through Fridays and Blvd., above Javan restaurant. Vari- Zechiel at [email protected]. noon to 4:00 p.m. Saturdays. Free. ety of tournaments and instruction on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesday JOSHUA TREE. The Joshua Tree LONG BEACH. Players gather for evenings and Wednesday evenings. Chess Club meets 5:30 p.m. to mid- casual play at Golden Burger, 2301 Dues: adults $120/year, juniors/se- night Fridays at Faith Lutheran E. 4th St., after the chess room in niors $100/year or $5/visit for non- Church, 6336 Hallee Rd. in Joshua Bixby Park closes. Call the restau- members, first visit free. Call Mick Tree. Casual play, occasional tour- rant at (562) 434-2625. Bighamian at (310) 795-5710 or send naments, some instruction, ju- a message to Mick@LaChessClub. nior chess program. Contact Mark LOS ALAMITOS. Chess Palace, com. Web site: www.lachessclub. Muller at (760) 367-2311 or at 4336 Katella Ave., is open 6:00 p.m. com. [email protected] or call Hen- to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Fri- ry Schmit at (760) 367-7173. days, 10:30 am to 10:00 p.m. Sat- LOS ANGELES. The California urdays, and 11:00 am to 7:00 p.m. Chess Club at 11610 W. Olympic Blvd. LA HABRA. The La Habra Chess Sundays. Closed Mondays, Tues- offers a variety of tournaments and Club meets at 6:00 p.m. Fridays in the days, and Thursdays. Wide variety instruction for children and adults. Community Center, 101 W. La Habra of rated tournaments, Action chess, For times and prices, contact Os- Blvd. Continuous rated tournaments, youth tournaments, scholastic chess car Maldonado at (310) 473-2435 or casual play, instruction for beginners, camps, blitz, occasional lectures at [email protected]. Web site: USCF membership required, all visi- and simuls, large selection of chess www.californiachessclub.com tors welcome. Dues: $3/year, $1.50/ books, computers, and equipment year for juniors under 18. Call Jerry for sale, lending library of chess LOS ANGELES. Tang’s Donuts, Schain at (562) 691-2393. videos, excellent Web site. Dues: $3/ 4341 W. Sunset Blvd., welcomes day or $99/year. Call Alfred Ong or chessplayers for casual play and LA PALMA. The La Palma Chess Austin Ong at (562) 598-5099. Web speed chess, especially late at night. Club meets 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. site: www.chesspalace.com. Fridays in Central Park, 7821 Walk- MORRO BAY. A group meets 11 a.m. er St. Rated tournaments, Action LOS ANGELES. The Exposition to 5 p.m. Saturdays at the big chess chess, casual play. Dues: $10/year. Park Chess Club meets 1:00 p.m. to board on Embarcadero at Morro Bay Entry fees: $35 for three months of 4:30 p.m. Sundays in the Exposition Blvd. Chess pieces may be checked rated tournament play. Call Leigh Park branch of the public library, out weekdays from the Parks and Hunt at (714) 635-0448 or Mike 3665 S. Vermont Ave. Casual play, Recreation Dept. Call Eugene Ar-

22 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 camonte at (805) 528-4079 or Fred ments. Dues: $15/year. Call Dennis RUNNING SPRINGS. The Moun- Brown at (805) 772-7074. Steele at (805) 227-4444. Web site: tain Chess League meets at 6:30 p.m. www.chessmaniac.com/pasoclub. Tuesdays in The Fireside, 32031 Hol- OCEANSIDE. The Oceanside Chess iday Lane. Casual play, must be over Club meets 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. POWAY. The North County Chess age 21. Annual team tournament Wednesdays in the North River Road Club meets 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. starts in March. No dues. Call Don Neighborhood Center, 5306 N. River Fridays in the Poway Senior Center, La Suer at (909) 867-4994 or send a Rd. Casual play, occasional rated 13094 Bowron Rd. Continuous rated message to [email protected]. tournaments. No dues required. Call tournaments, casual play. Dues: James at (760) 967-0717. $25/year, $10/year for juniors. Call SAN DIEGO. The San Diego Chess Mike Nagaran at (858) 485-0241. Club meets daily in the Balboa Club, NATIONAL CITY. The National 2225 6th Ave. (at Ivy) in Balboa City Chess Club meets noon to 10:00 REDLANDS. The Joslyn Center Park. Club opens for casual play at p.m. daily at 1341 E. 8th St. Scho- Chess Club meets 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. weekdays, 10:00 a.m. Sat- lastic instruction and casual play 5:00 p.m. Wednesdays in the Joslyn urdays, and noon Sundays. Rated Tuesdays, Gambito tournaments Senior Center, 21 Grant St. Casual tournaments at 7:00 p.m. Wednes- every other Saturday. Free instruc- play, non-rated tournaments. No days and 10 a.m. Saturdays, Action tion for scholastic members ages 7 dues. Call the Senior Center at (909) chess, speed chess, instruction by to 12. Dues: $120/year, $15/month, 798-7550. master Bruce Baker at 7:00 p.m. $1.50/visit, free to masters. Call Thursdays, Jedi Knights children’s Jorge Balares at (619) 477-3118 or REDLANDS. Another group meets club from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Fri- (619) 788-8395. Web site: www.na- 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Tuesdays in the days. Dues: $48/year. Call the club tionalcitychessclub.com. Community Center, 111 W. Lugonia at (619) 239-7166. Web site: http:// Ave. Call (909) 798-7579. groups.msn.com/SanDiegoChess/. NEWBURY PARK. The Boney Mountain Chess Club opened in July RIALTO. The Rialto Chess Club has SAN DIMAS. Coffee Bazaar, 661 with a five-round tournament at Bor- lost its playing site and is meeting W. Arrow Highway, welcomes chess- chard Community Center, 190 Reino temporarily at 1 p.m. Wednesdays players. Bring your . Call Rd. The club plans a three-round in the home of Dec Cuerdon at 1181 (909) 394-1964. event in November and hopes to meet W. Banyon St. Casual play, occa- weekly in 2006. Call Akagi Kayashi- sional tournaments, instruction for SAN LUIS OBISPO. The San Luis ma at (805) 230-9919 or write to him beginners. No dues, but donation of Obispo Chess Club meets 6:30 p.m. at [email protected]. $20/year or $8/3 months lets players to 10:00 p.m. Thursdays in the compete for trophies and prizes. Call Church of the Nazarene, 3396 John- ORANGE. The Orange Senior Club Cuerdon at (909) 641-4337. son Ave. Casual play, lectures, occa- meets from noon to 4:00 p.m. Tues- sional tournaments. Dues: $15/year, days in the Orange Senior Citizens RIDGECREST. The Ridgecrest $5/year for students. Contact Bar- Community Center, 170 S. Olive Chess Club meets 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 bara McCaleb at (805) 544-0717 or St. in Orange. Casual play, all ages p.m. Saturdays in the Kern County [email protected]. welcome. For information, call (714) Library (west entrance), 131 E. Las 538-9633. Flores Ave. Casual play, occasional SAN LUIS OBISPO. The 2 Dogs scholastic and club tournaments. Chess Club meets 6 p.m. to closing PASADENA. The Pasadena Chess No dues. Contact Dwight Morgan at at 2 Dogs Coffee Company, 1017 Club meets 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (760) 377-0034 or dmorgan@iwvisp. Monterey St. Casual play. Call (805) Fridays in Throop Memorial Church, com. 543-5282. 300 S. Los Robles Ave. Rated tour- naments, Action chess, quick chess, RIVERSIDE. A group meets for SANTA CLARITA. The Califor- occasional exhibitions. Dues: $15/ casual play and blitz at 8:30 p.m. nia Youth Chess League offices at year. Call Neil Hultgren at (818) 243- Thursday evenings in Back 2 the 25864 Tournament Rd., Suite G, 3809 or Tim Thompson at (818) 354- Grind Café, 3575 University Ave. are open for casual play and blitz 8698. Web site: www.tim-thompson. “Quick Thursdays” G/15 quads on Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 1:00 com/pasadena.html. the first Thursday of every month, a.m. All ages welcome. Kids usually register at 8 p.m. Bring equip- leave by 8:00 p.m. No dues. Contact PASO ROBLES. The Paso Robles ment. Call the café at (951) 784- Jay Stallings at (661) 288-1705 or at Chess Club meets 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 0800 or contact Tyrone Liddell at [email protected]. p.m. Wednesdays in the Senior Cen- [email protected]. Website: ter, 270 Scott St. Casual play, tourna- www.TheChessUnion.com

23 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 SANTA MONICA. The Santa Mon- pieces, giving the White Queen the ica Bay Chess Club meets 7:00 p.m. The Long View chance for a double attack (22. Qd7). to 11:00 p.m. Mondays in Joslyn by John Hillery Park, 633 Kensington Road. Variety XIIIIIIIIY of rated tournaments, casual play, An early example of the double 9r+-+-trk+0 simuls, excellent playing conditions, Bishop sacrifice, the “chess mill” 9+l+-vlpzpL0 over 50 years in business. Dues: $40/ theme, and the skill of the then- year, free to women and juniors. Call young , who only 9pzpq+p+-+0 Pete Savino at (310) 827-2789. Web five years later would challenge 9+-zppvL-+n0 site: www.santamonicachess.com. Steinitz for the World Champion- 9-+-+-zP-+0 ship. SANTA MONICA. Chess tables are 9+P+-zP-+-0 available from sunup to sundown Em. Lasker - J. Bauer 9P+PzPQ+PzP0 daily at the Santa Monica Interna- 1889 9tR-+-+RmK-0 tional Chess Park, on the promenade BIRD’S OPENING just south of the Santa Monica pier. 1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 Nf6 4. xiiiiiiiiy Casual chess, blitz, chess bulletin b3 Be7 5. Bb2 b6 15. ... Kxh7 16. Qxh5+ Kg8 board, large demonstration board, The flank development of his 17. Bxg7! Kxg7 18. Qg4+ Kh7 19. occasional summer tournaments. Queen Bishop fits in well with Rf3 e5 20. Rh3+ Qh6 21. Rxh6+ No dues. White’s central formation, but Kxh6 22. Qd7 Black’s play is rather obliging — he If it were not for this sting at VENTURA. The Ventura County ought to have tried either for an the end of the , Black Chess Club meets on the first Tues- early ... e6-e5, or ... c7-c5 followed would have more than enough for day, the second Monday, and the by ... d5-d4. his Queen. Now White has a deci- later Tuesdays each month in the 6. Bd3 Bb7 7. Nc3 0-0 8. 0-0 sive material and positional advan- Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foot- Nbd7 9. Ne2 c5 10. Ng3 Qc7 11. tage. hill Rd. Rated tournaments, casual Ne5 Nxe5 12. Bxe5 Qc6 13. Qe2 22. ... Bf6 23. Qxb7 Kg7 24. play. Dues: $35.00/year, $17.50/year a6 14. Nh5 Nxh5 15. Bxh7+! Rf1 Rab8 25. Qd7 Rfd8 26. Qg4+ for juniors and military, $2.00/night A bolt from a stormy sky. The key Kf8 27. fxe5 Bg7 for non-members. Call Jimmy Sweet factors of the combination are a) Not 27. ... Bxe5 28. Qe6. at (805) 659-0356 or Chuck Smith at the possibility of quickly bringing a 28. e6 Rb7 29. Qg6 f6 30. (805) 654-8472. Web site: http://us- Rook into the attack (19. Rf3) and Rxf6+ Bxf6 31. Qxf6+ Ke8 32. ers.adelphia.net/~sdall/ b) the presence of undefended Black Qh8+ Ke7 33. Qg7+ 1-0

WEST COVINA. The West Covina Chess Club meets 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Senior Center, 2501 E. Cortez St. All ages welcome. Casual play, rat- ed and non-rated tournaments on Tuesdays. Bring . No speed chess! Call Richard Wil- liams at (626) 966-6311.

WEST HILLS. The West Valley Chess Club meets 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Thursdays in the West Valley Jewish Community Center, 22622 Vanowen St. Open to all, continu- ous rated tournaments, blitz, casual play. One of the largest local clubs. Call John Price at (818) 363-1379 or Duane Cooper at (818) 999-0837.

24 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 Solutions to Tactics 2005-2006 State Championship by Hanks eeded into the Championship are 2005 co-champions Andranik Matiko- (see page 12) Szyan, Cyrus Lakdawala, and Melikset Khachiyan, Southern California Problem no. 1: b. This end- Open champion Enrico Sevillano, and four from the 2006 Candidates Tour- game is a draw. It’s hard to believe nament. that people have actually resigned when faced with positions such as Date Name Qualifiers this. White has an easy draw if you July 2-4 Pacific Southwest Open Michael Casella know the technique. The main line Ilia Serpik begins with a “tactical sacrifice” July 9-17 State Championship Jack Peters that assures getting the . Alaa-Addin Moussa 1. e5! dxe5 2. Kc1!! The distant op- Craig Clawitter position Instead, 2. Kc2?? loses to 2. Ron Bruno … Kc4 and Black will have the oppo- July 21-24 Pacific Coast Open Boris Kreiman sition! Be careful. One slip in these Greg Hjorth kinds of endgames and your team- August 13-14 San Luis Obispo John Williams mates will have a heart attack. 2. … County Championship Steven Tomak Kd5 3. Kd1 (remember to keep an Francisco Anchondo odd number of squares away with August 21 Westwood Open Tatev Abrahamyan your opponent to move) 3. … Kd4 4. Sept. 4-6 Southern California Open Kongliang Deng Kd2 Ke4 5. Ke2 book draw! If you Francis Chen failed to find this tactical resource Alen Melikadamian or do not understand the opposition, Upcoming study more K vs K+P endgames to October 30 Norwalk Open Norwalk strengthen your play. Nov. 24-27 American Open LAX Problem no. 2: c. The po- sition is equal. I’m sure you’ll December 10-11 Joseph Ileto Memorial Monterey Park question my answer, but yes, it’s January 20-22 Western Class Championships Agoura Hills true. The game is a draw. Use your April 14-16 4th Annual Western Pacific Open LAX computer to prove this if you’re still unconvinced. The main line goes 1. Each event qualifies two players (highest scoring Southern California Ke4 f2 2. b7!! f1=Q 3. bxa8=Q residents not previously qualified) except that 1) In the event of a tie, all Qg2+ 4. Ke3! Qxa8 5. d5!! (A tied players will advance; 2) A score of 60% is required to qualify; 3) The most amazing quiet little move, as SCCF Amateur, SCCF High School and any one-day event will each have now Black cannot make any prog- one qualifying spot; and 4) All one-day tournaments shall require a 75% ress and must settle for a draw score and only one player shall qualify on tiebreak. despite all his material advantage. Truly incredible.) 5. … Kd1 6. Kd3 Kc1 7. Kc3 Draw! For all you skep- Problem no. 4: c. The po- etrable .) The main line tics, that were so sure Black was sition is equal. Perhaps you fig- continues 3. … h2 4. Ka3 h1=Q winning … I’m sure you enjoyed ured I’d challenge those skeptics 5. Kb2 and now, guess what? this one. out there again and so you worked Black, with all his superior ma- harder to find the solution to this terial, cannot make any head- Problem no. 3: b. 1. … Qxf3 is one. Good for you if you found the way to win. The White King is a mistake. It is, in fact, a horrible amazing resource for White. What totally safe from the Black army , as practically any “other” you need to realize here is that and thus the game is drawn. As sensible move (like 1. … Kd8 or 1. Black’s h-Pawn cannot be stopped long as White remains in the cor- … Kb6) wins easily. If 1. … Qxf3?? from . But so what? What ner and does not lose his Bishop, the main line goes 2. Qxf3 Ra3 3. if I can build a “fortress” for the Black cannot win. If you’re still Kh4 Rxf3 (forced, otherwise White White King that Black cannot pen- unconvinced, play the White side wins) Stalemate. If you failed to etrate? This is endgame tactics at following my defensive advice, find White’s clever resource, learn its best and what makes chess truly and see if your computer (on it’s to put yourself in what I call “com- so beautiful a game to all of us! The strongest level) can win. Send puter mode.” This forces you to con- main line begins with 1. Bd4 f3 2. any refutations to the editor. [[If sider all possible moves and replies g3!! (ouch!) h3 (anything else and so, you’d better have a convinc- in simple variations, so as to avoid White wins) 3. Kb4!! (There it is. ing variation. Please don’t send those “sneaky gotchas” that can Not 3. Kxc4, as the Black pawn on me something like “My computer ruin your easy wins. c4 actually supports White’s impen- says it’s a win.” It isn’t. – ed]]

25 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 Upcoming Events

November 19 Ent: Diversity Educational Center, American Open, PO Box 205, Mon- COSTA MESA OCTOS. 3-SS, 35/90, 1012 S. Baldwin Ave. #A, Arcadia, terey Park, CA 91754 or www.ameri- SD/30. 8 player sections by rating. CA 91007 canopen.org. NS, W, F. U.S. Cham- Odd Fellows/Rebekah Hall, 2476 pionship Qualifier. GP: 100. State Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA. November 24 – 27 Championship Qualifier EF: $20 advance, $25 at site, $2 41ST ANNUAL AMERICAN OPEN. 8- disc. to all Southern Calif. Chess SS, 40/2, SD/1. LAX Renaissance November 26 Federation members. $$ prizes Hotel, 9620 Airport Bl, Los Ange- AMERICAN OPEN QUICK CHESS CHAM- per entries. Reg. 9:15-10 a.m. Rds. les, CA 90045. $$40,200 b/o 400 PIONSHIP. 5-SS (double round), G/10. 10:15-2:45-6:45. Info/Ent: Michael entries, 50% of each prize gtd. In 6 LAX Renaissance Hotel, 9620 Air- Carr, 25601 Chrisanta Drive, Mis- sections (Unr. must play in Unr. or port Bl, Los Angeles, CA 90045. $5 sion Viejo, CA 92691. (949) 768- Master). Open: $4000-2000-1000- parking. EF: $30 received by 11/23, 3538. NS, NC. 700-600-500, U2450/Unr. $1000- $35 at site. $$G 1100: $300-200- 500, U2300/Unr. $800-400. U2200 100; U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, November 19-20 (not a separate section; Experts eli- Unr. each $100. (Unrated eligible BLACK TALON OCTOS. 3-SS, G/150. gible for all other prizes in section) only for Open and Unr. prize). Reg. Borchard Community Center, 190 $2600-1300-700. U2000, U1800, closes 8 pm. Rds: 8:15-9-9:45-10:30- Reino Road, Newbury Park, CA U1600: Each $3200-1600-800-400. 11:15. Double bye (1 pt) available 91320. 8-player sections by rating. U1400: $2200-1100-550, U1200 Rd 1. Ent: American Open, PO $$: Top section “Black Talon Elite” $1000-500 (not a separate section; Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754. champion plaque, plus $150. 2nd U1200s also eligible for U1400 priz- Info: Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, section champion plaque plus $50. es). Unrated: $350-200. EF: Open, [email protected]. NS. 3rd section $50 prize. Scholastic U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400 $119 GP: 10 octos winner (8 lowest rated scho- if received by 11/22, $30 less for jrs. lastic players, 13 years & under): under 15 playing up, $50 more for November 26 plaque. No unrateds; provisional players rated under 2000 playing in AMERICAN OPEN SCHOLASTIC. 5-SS, ratings (10/1) good. Limited space. Open, Unrated $39. All: $21 more G/45, LAX Renaissance, 9620 Air- Register early. EF: $25. Rds: 10- at door. SCCF membership req’d, port Bl, Los Angeles, CA 90045. 4 Saturday, 10 Sunday. Free park- $14, $9 jrs under 19, includes Rank $5 parking. Open to HS/below. 4 ing. Inf/Ent: Borchard Community & File magazine, OSA. Elegant tro- sections: K-12: trophies top 5, 2 Center, 190 Reino Road, Newbury phy each section winner. Best game each grades 9-12, 1 each K-8. K- Park, CA 91320, tel. (805) 381- prizes gtd: $100-50-50 (one must 8: trophies top 5, 2 each K-8. K-6: 2791, Akagi (805) 230-9919, e-mail be from non-Master). No checks at trophies top 5, 2 each K-6. K-3: [email protected]. door – cash, credit card or money trophies top 4, 2 each K-3. EF: $15 order only. 4-day schedule: Reg. if received by 11/23, $20 at door. November 20 closes noon 11/24, Rds. 12:30-7:30, Reg: 9-9:45, Rds: 10-11:30-1-3-4:30. ARCADIA WINTER SCHOLASTICS. 5- 12:30-7:30, 10:30-5, 10-4:30. 3-day Ent: American Open, PO Box 205, SS, G/30 no delay, tiebreak: 5-4-3 schedule: Reg. closes 11:30 a.m. Monterey Park, CA 91754. NS, W. min. blitz games. I-Cafe Station, 11/25, Rds. 12-2:30-5-8 (G/1), sched- Info: Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, 1311 S. Baldwin Ave. #A, Arcadia, ules merge in Rd 5 and compete for [email protected] CA 91007 EF: $21 by 11/18, $25 at common prizes. Byes (2 max) with site (includes lunch). HS and below. advance notice. CCA minimum rat- November 27 Trophies to top 3, top 3 U1000, top ings and TD discretion will be used AMERICAN OPEN ACTION. 5-SS, G/30, 3 U700, top 3 U400/unrated. Reg. to protect you from improperly rated LAX Renaissance, 9620 Airport Bl, 11:00-11:30 a.m. Rds. 11:30-1:10- players. October Rating Supplement LA. 90045. $5 parking. EF: $20 if 2:15-3:20-4:25. awards at 6 p.m. used. HR: $89, (310) 337-2800, men- received by 11/23; $25 at door. 80% Info: Roel Sanchez email: roel@div tion chess. Parking only $5. Info: of entry fees returned in prizes. ersityeducationalcenter.com, phone: NTD Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, Reg: 11-11:45 a.m. Rds: 12-1:15-3- 626-254-9951, cell:626-818-0671 [email protected]. Ent: 4:15-5:30. Ent: American Open, PO

26 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754. January 20-22 C, D or E Section): 3-day $38, 2-day Info: Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, WESTERN CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS. 5- $37 mailed by 1/13, all $36 online [email protected]. NS. W. SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1- at chesstour.com by 1/18 (entry only, 2 G/75), Renaissance Agoura Hills no questions), all $50 at site. All: Re- December 3-4 Hotel, 30100 Agoura Road, Agoura entry (except Master) $50. Advance SUPER DOUBLE GAMBITO. 8-SS, G/45. Hills CA 91301. $13,000 prize fund, EF $10 less if paid with $49 USCF San Diego Chess Club, 2225 6th Ave., all unconditionally guaranteed. In dues. SCCF memb. ($14, jrs $9) re- San Diego CA. $$2000 guaranteed. 7 sections. Master (over 2199) quired for rated Southern CA resi- In 2 sections. Open: $$300-200- $1200-600-300-200, top U2300 dents. Advance EF minus $10 service 100, U2200 $200-100-50, U2000 $500. Expert (2000-2199): $1000- charge refunded for withdrawals $200-100-50. Reserve (U1800): 500-300-150. Class A (1800-1999): who give notice at least 1 hour be- $$200-100-50, U1600 $200-100-50. $1000-500-300-150. Class B (1600- fore rd 1 (no service charge if fee Upset prize $25, both sections eligi- 1799): $1000-500-300-150. Class applied to future CCA tmts). 3-day ble. SCCF membership required ($14 C (1400-1599): $1000-500-300-150. schedule: Reg. Fri to 7 p.m., rds reg, $9 junior). Reg: 10-10:25. Rds: Class D (1200-1399): $600-300-200- Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 10-4:30. 10:30-12:15-3-4:30 both days. Up to 100. Class E (Under 1200): $600- 2-day schedule: Reg Sat to 10:30 two half-point byes allowed in rds 1- 300-200-100. Rated players may play a.m., rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 10-4:30. 6 if requested by 2nd round. EF: $50 up one section. Unrated must play All schedules: Half point byes OK all if received by 12-2, $60 at door. Inf: in A or below with maximum prize rounds, Master must commit before (619) 239-7166, http://Groups.msn. A $400, B $300, C $200, D $150, E rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $78-78- com/sandiegochess. Ent: San Diego $100; balance goes to next player(s) 78-78, 818-707-1220, reserve by 1/6 Chess Club, P O Box 120162, San in line. Top 5 sections entry fee: or rate may increase. Free parking. Diego CA 92112. 3-day $108, 2-day $107 mailed by Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use 1/13, all $106 online at chesstour. AWD #D657633Questions: www. December 10-11 com by 1/18, all $110 phoned to 406- chesstour.com, 845-496-9658 or 7TH ANNUAL JOSEPH ILETO MEMORIAL. 896-2038 by 1/18 (entry only, no 845-234-0386. Entry: Continental 5-SS, rds. 1-3 30/85, SD/30, rds. 4-5 questions), all $120 at site. Class Chess, c/o Goichberg, Box 661776, 40/2, SD/1. Sierra Vista Park, 311 N D or Class E entry fee: 3-day Arcadia CA 91066. GP: 50. NS. NC. Rural Dr at E Emerson, Monterey $68, 2-day $67 mailed by 1/13, all F. State Championship Quali- Park, CA 91755. EF: $30 received by $66 online at chesstour.com by 1/18 fier. 12-8, $40 door. Special EF: $10 for (entry only, no questions), all $80 at juniors not competing for cash priz- site. Entry fee if unrated (A, B, es (trophies to top 5). $$1000: $300- 200-100, U2200 100, U2000 100, U1800 75, U1600 75, U1400/Unr Scholastic Chess Calendar February (prepared by Jay Stallings) 4 – Warner Winter Scholastic 50. SCCF mem. req. ($14 reg, $9 jr.), 19 – US Amateur Team Scholastic (not OSA. Reg: 8:30-9:30. Rds: 10-2-6, November confirmed) 10-4. Up to 2 half-pt byes if request- 5 – American Heritage Fall Classic, 25 – President’s Day Classic, Bakersfield Bakersfield (D. Huff) ed w/entry. Inf: Randy Hough (626) 6 – Junior Challenge Cup (Valencia) March 282-7412, randallhough@yahoo. 12 – Unrated at CYCL 3-5 – Western States Scholastics, San Diego com. Ent: SCCF, PO Box 205, Mon- 13 – Champions Cup (Valencia) 11 – Morrison Scholastic, Buena Park 18-20 – USCF Youth Action Championships, (Dewain Barber) terey Park, CA 91754. NS. NC. W. Atlanta, GA 18 – AAA Scholastic (Glendale) GP: 10. State Championship 19 – Staser (Dewain Barber returns to his 25 – Bakersfield Qualifier traditional weekend) 20 – Winter Scholastics (DEC) April 26 – American Open Scholastics 7-9 – U.S. K-9 Championships December 17 16 – WPO Scholastics (LAX) December COSTA MESA OCTOS. 3-SS, 35/90, 21-23 – U.S. K-12 Championships 2-4 – USCF K-12, College Grade Level, 29 – Super State Scholastics (Burbank) SD/30. 8 player sections by rating. Houston, TX Odd Fellows/Rebekah Hall, 2476 10 – BCSD Ed. Fdn. Winter, Bakersfield May Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA. 11 – DEC Ultimate Championship 6 – American Heritage Spring Classic, (invitational) Bakersfield EF: $20 advance, $25 at site, $2 disc. 17 – AAA Scholastic, Glendale 12-14 – U.S. K-6 Championships, Denver, CO to all Southern Calif. Chess Federa- 17 – Westwood Charter Winter Scholastic 20 – CYCL Championships tion members. $$ prizes per entries. 18 – So. Cal Scholastic Chess League (Joe Hanley June Reg. 9:15-10 a.m. Rds. 10:15-2:45- 3 – AAA Scholastics, Glendale 6:45. Info/Ent: Michael Carr, 25601 January 3 – Warner Summer Scholastic Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo, CA 21 – AAA Scholastic, Glendale 10 – Westwood Charter Summer Scholastic 28 – MLK Jr. Classic, Bakersfield 92691. (949) 768-3538. NS, NC. 28 – SPA Winter Scholastic

27 RANK & FILE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2005 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+k+0 9-+-tr-wq-mk0 9-+-+-+k+0 9zp-+l+p+-0 9zp-+-+-vl-0 9+-+-+-+p0 9-zp-zp-wqpwQ0 9-tr-+-zp-zp0 9-+pzP-+-+0 9+P+P+-+-0 9+pzpLzpQzpP0 9zp-+-+lwq-0 9-+-+P+-+0 9-+-+P+-+0 9-+-+QsN-+0 9+-+-+-zPP0 9+-zP-+-zP-0 9+-+-+-zP-0 9-+-+-tr-+0 9PzP-tR-zPK+0 9PzP-+-+-zP0 9+-+-tRLmK-0 9+-+R+-+-0 9+K+R+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy BRITTON - SHAMKOVICH TRIFUNOVICH - AARON SKAGIATMETOV - DEMIN LLOYD’S BANK, 1978 BEVERWIJK, 1962 ORENBERG, 1964 BLACK TO MOVE WHITE TO MOVE WHITE TO MOVE

Solutions on page 16

SCCF PO BOX 205 MONTEREY PARK CA 9754