R ank & File

MARCH-APRIL 2007 VOLUME XXX, NO. 2 $3.00

In this issue: Western Class Championships WhereWhere toto playplay chesschess Club news Upcoming events ...... aandnd mmore!ore! Tired of high entry fees? Play in the 9th Annual Los Angeles County Open

April 28-29 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 U1600 $75 U2000 $100 U1400 $75 U1800 $100 Unrated $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 23.

A State Championship Qualifier

2 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 Around the Nation

U.S. Championship ing committee consists of Frank K. the certification of election results. Berry, Jim Berry, John Donaldson, The original Call for Nominations Bill Goichberg writes: Bill Goichberg, Bill Hall, and Jerry appeared in the November 2006 issue of Life. A random drawing was The USCF Executive Board has Hanken. approved a bid by Frank K. Berry held at the USCF office on January to hold the Frank K. Berry US 18th to determine the order that the Championship May 15-23, 2007 as a Just when you candidates will appear on the ballot The 10 candidates, in the order in 9-round Swiss at the Holiday Inn in thought it was safe ... which they will appear on the ballot, Stillwater, Oklahoma. The vote was are: 3-1 with Sloan opposed and Chan- Yet another USCF Election is Susan Polgar ning and Marinello abstaining. upon us. The latest USCF press re- Randy Bauer At least $65,000 will be available lease: Mike Goodall for prizes and/or player expenses; it In 2007 the USCF will hold an Joe Lux has not yet been determined wheth- election to elect three (3) members Sam Sloan er money towards expenses will be to the USCF Executive Board for Stephen Jones paid separately, or in the form of terms of four (4) years beginning at the conclusion of the 2007 Delegates Jim Berry prizes to all players. Frank K. Berry Meeting and one (1) member to com- Don Schultz has contributed $50,000 and may plete the remaining two (2) years of Mikhail Korenman raise or donate more, and USCF has Robert Tanner’s term, effective with committed to raising or donating $15,000. If enough money is available, it is possible that the top two players in the Swiss will qualify for a match CONTENTS to be played in Stillwater several months later to decide the US Cham- AROUND THE NATION ...... 3 pion. Whether or not this format will be used has not yet been decided. WESTERN CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS ...... 5 It is expected that at least 34 players will compete in this event, NORTH AMERICAN OPEN ...... 7 the 31 who qualified according to procedures previously announced TACTICS by America’s Foundation for Chess by Tim Hanks ...... 9 when that group planned to be the sponsor and three “wildcard” play- HERE & THERE ers, probably local, to be named by Club news, local tournaments, the organizing committee. It is also possible that additional “wildcard” scholasticastic eventsevents and more ...... 13 spots will be offered to any player CLUB DIRECTORY ...... 17 willing to pay a very high entry fee (probably in five figures) to compete; THE LONG VIEW ...... 20 an announcement regarding this fee may be made soon. STATE CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERSUALIFIERS ...... 21 The Tournament Directors will be Frank K. Berry, Jim Berry, and UPCOMING EVENTS ...... 22 Alex Relyea, all of whom are do- CHESS QUIZ ...... 24 nating their services. The organiz-

3 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 Candidate statements will ap- lumbus, Ohio won the team prize, pear in the April issue of followed by the host, East Side Mid- Southern California Chess and each candidate will be allotted dle School, in second. 1/2 page in the May and June issues Federation of Chess Life, and will be posted on Five players ended in a remark- President Joe Hanley the USCF website. able tie for first place in the 12 & Vice President ElliotElliot LandawLandaw The ballots will be distributed to under section. Even the tiebreaks Secretary ChuckChuck EEnseynsey voting members in June (the method were close, but in the end Alex Was- Treasurer John Hillery of distribution still to be determined) dahl had just enough to win the Executive Board and will be counted in July. The bal- section with five wins. The - Randy Hough lot counting will commence at the mare continued their Mike Nagaran USCF offices in Crossville TN on Rick Aeria Wednesday, July 25th. Any USCF in this section, winning Jim Bullock member is welcome to observe the the team prize. Ivona Jezierska ballot counting. Sean Vibbert was nearly perfect in the 10 & under section, clearing Ron Rezendes Essam Mohamed the rest of the field by a half point Takashi Iwamoto U.S. Chess with his 5½ score. The team com-

Congress petition was close, but the Kentucky Rank & File Knights chess club finished with Editor J Johnohn HHilleryillery 12½ points, just enough to edge out 835 N. Wilton Pl. # The 2007 U.S. Junior Chess the Evansville Chess Club with 12 Los Angeles CA 90038 Congress was held in Anderson, In- points. [email protected] diana for the second straight year The 8 & under group also fin- over the weekend of February 10- ished with an amazing five-way Publisher DavidDavid ArgallArgall 11. Over 200 participants dodged tie for first place at five wins each. Contributing Editors the snowstorms and crowded East Again it came down to close tie Jack Peters Side Middle School for the six round breaks and Vishan Ramanathan Tim Hanks event. took home first place. The Ken- Al Pena Winning the 18 & under section tucky Knights held on in this sec- Contributors was Travis Blazer from Anderson tion as well to claim top team hon- Chuck Ensey Highland High School. Travis won ors. Randy Hough Chris Roberts the section by edging out top-seed- Site organizers were Scott Re- Cyrus Lakdawala ed Boris Xu on tiebreaks. Lafayette isinger and Nick Zehner. A special Alex Gojich Jefferson High School pulled away thanks goes out to all of the volun- late to take the team crown. teers who made this event a success. Subscriptions/Address Changes The 16 & under competitors The chief tournament director was Randy Hough, Membership Secretary were combined with the 18 & under Scott Reisinger. – USCF news re- P.O. Box 205 and dominated the weekend. Evan lease Monterey Park CA 9754 (626) 282-742 Hanley finished first on tiebreaks Continued on page 8 ... with five wins. The next three fin- [email protected] ishers all represented Canterbury Rank & File — ISSNISSN 88750-964750-964 UUSPSSPS School, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, who 738-230, published bimonthly by the were never challenged for the team Southern California Chess Federation, 300 prize. Ballista, La Puente CA 9744. Periodical The 14 & under section featured postage paid at Industry, CA. POSTMAS- the first perfect score as top-seeded Cover art: Erin Roberts. Photos: Pp. TER: Send changes of address to SCCF, Akash Umakantha won the section 5,6: John Hillery. P. 14: Chuck Ensey PO Box 205, Monterey Park CA 9754. a whole point ahead of second. The Subscriptions: $4 adult, $9 junior. Knightmare Chess Club from Co- Copyright © SCCF 2007. One-time only publication rights have been obtained from signed contributors. All other rights are Advertising Rates: Full page $80, half page hereby assigned to the authors. Th e opinions $45, 1/4 page $25, 1/8 page $15, back cover (3/4 SCCF Online page) $80. (All rates are for camera-ready copy.) expressed are strictly those of the contribu- Flyer insert $50 (advertiser must supply fl yers). The SCCF Web tors and do not necessarily refl ect the views 50% discount for tournaments requiring SCCF of the SCCF, its offi cers or members. membership. Display ads should be sent to the page is located at: Editor, fl yers to the Publisher (addresses at right). Payment should be sent with order to the Editor. www.scchess.com SCCF reserves the right to reject any advertising.

4 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 Western Class Championships January 12-15, 2007 Agoura Hills, CA

Khachiyan And Matikozyan 3. … d6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bb5 e6 The preparatory 18. Raf1! wins Atop Western Class Safer is 5. ... Bd7. too. by Randy Hough 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d3 Be7 18. … Bxe5 Either 7. ... d5 or 7. ... Nd7 im- Hopeless alternatives include 18. somewhat disappointing field of proves. ... fxe5 19. Qxh7+ Kf7 20. Qh5+! A188 players (including reentries) 8. 0-0 0-0 Kf8 21. Qh8+ Kf7 22. Rg3 and 18. turned out for the first major event 9. e5! Nd5 10. ... h6 19. Qg6 Bxe5 (easier is 19. ... of 2007, the annual Western Class Ne4 fxe5 20. Nf6+ Kf8 21. Rxh6, mat- Championships in Agoura Hills, M a k i n g ing) 20. fxe5 Qxe5 21. Rf1 f5 22. January 12-15. With a $20,000 c5 a target. Rxh6 Bb7 23. Bg5. guaranteed prize fund, a number of White already 19. fxe5 Qxe5 20. Qxh7+ Kf7 them shared in the lucre. has much the 21. Rf1 Two GMs and five IMs graced better of it. Threatening 22. Nxf6. If 21. ... GM MELIKSET the Master section. Two local stars, KHACHIYAN 10. … Rb8 f5, then 22. Bg5 Re8 23. Qh5+ Kf8 GM Melikset Khachiyan and IM 11. c4 Nc7 12. 24. Qg6! invades. Andranik Matikozyan, tied for first exd6 Bxd6 13 b3 Re8? 21. … Ke8 22. Rxf6! gxf6 23. with 5½ of 7. They drew their own Too slow. Necessary is 13. ... Be7 Qh8+ Kd7 game, both split the point with IM 14. Be3 Na6 15. Ne5 Qc7, followed Or 23. ... Kf7 24. Rh7+ Kg6 25. Enrico Sevillano, and Khachiyan by ... f7-f6. Qg8+ Kf5 26. Rh5 mate. drew with GM 14. Be3 Na6 15. Ne5 Qc7 16. 24. Nxf6+ Kc7 and Matikozyan with IM David Qh5 Also 24. ... Kd6 25. Ne4+ costs Pruess. Khachiyan sharply exploit- White shifts his attention to Black his . ed Pruess’ dubious opening varia- Black’s Kingside. He threatens both 25. Ne8+ Rxe8 26. Qxe5+ tion in the last round. Sevillano, 17. Nxd6 and 17. Ng5. Kd7 27. Bxc5, Black resigns. also undefeated, took third with 5 16. … Re7 17. Rf3 points, while the same score earned With a winning attack. Khachi- IM David Pruess – IM Alan Stein Under 2400 honors for Matthew yan makes chess look easy! Western Class Championship, Beelby, returning to tournament 17. … f6 Agoura Hills 2007 chess after a layoff. After 17. ... f5 18. Nxd6 Qxd6 19. D01 VERSOV OPENING A complete list of prizewinners Rh3, neither 19. ... g6 20 Nxg6 nor (Notes by Los Angeles Times appears below. Bill Goichberg and 19. ... h6 20. Qg6 saves Black. chess columnist Jack Peters) Randy Hough directed for Conti- 18. Rh3! 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3 .Bg5 nental Chess. XIIIIIIIIY The Veresov Opening. 3. … Nbd7 4. Qd2 9-trl+-+k+0 Less investigated than 4. f3 and GM Melikset Khachiyan – Kofi 9zp-wq-tr-zpp0 4. Nf3. Tatum, 9n+pvlpzp-+0 4. … e6 5. e4!? dxe4 6. f3 Western Class Championship, Inviting 6. ... exf3 7 Nxf3, as in Agoura Hills 2007 9+-zp-sN-+Q0 the Blackmar-Diemer . B23 SICILIAN DEFENSE 9-+P+NzP-+0 6. … h6 (Notes by Los Angeles Times 9+P+PvL-+R0 Or 6. ... c5. chess columnist Jack Peters) 7. Bxf6 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 9P+-+-+PzP0 A small concession, but 7. Bh4 The Grand Prix Attack against 9tR-+-+-mK-0 e3! 8. Qxe3 Ng4! favors Black. the Sicilian Defense. xiiiiiiiiy 7. … Nxf6 8. fxe4 Bb4 9. e5

5 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 Ne4 10. Qe3 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Be7 Be3 Qh5 22. h3 Nd5 23. Bf2 Nf4 24. GM Alex Yermolinsky – IM An- Qe3 Slightly stronger is 11. ... Ba5 12. dranik Matikozyan Nf3 c5 13. Bb5+ Bd7, solving all of Western Class Championship, XIIIIIIIIY Black’s problems. Agoura Hills 2007 9-+-tr-+k+0 12. Nf3 c5 13. Bd3 Qc7 14. 0-0 E94 ’S INDIAN DEFENSE Bd7 15. Nd2 Bg5 1. d4 Nf6 2. 9zpl+-+pzpp0 Fine, if Black is careful. c4 g6 3. Nc3 9-zp-vlp+-+0 16. Qf2 Bxd2?! Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. 9+-+-+-+q0 Very risky! Black should equal- Nf3 0–0 6. Be2 ize with 16. ... Bc6 17. Ne4 Bxe4 18. e5 7. 0–0 Na6 8. 9-+-zP-sn-+0 Bxe4 0-0 19. Rab1 Rab8. Re1 Qe8 9. Bg5 9zP-+-wQP+P0 17. Qxf7+ Kd8 18. Qxg7 Re8 Bg4 10. Bxf6 9-zP-+-vLP+0 19. Rf7 Bxf6 11. d5 IM ANDRANIK 9+L+RsN-mK-0 Threatening 20. Bb5. Qe7 12. Rb1 c5 MATIKOZYAN 19. … a6?! 13. dxc6 bxc6 xiiiiiiiiy The refinement 19. ... c4! 20. 14. Qa4 Qb7 15. b4 Nc7 16. b5 c5 17. 24. ... Nxh3+ 25. gxh3 Qxh3 26. Bxc4 a6 keeps the position unclear. Nd2 Bg5 18. Nb3 Bxe2 19. Rxe2 Ne6 Qe2 Bh2+ 27. Kh1 Bf4+ 28. Kg1 Inadequate are 19. ... Bxc3? 20. Bb5 20. Nd5 f5 21. Qa5 fxe4 22. Rxe4 Rd5 29. Ng2 Rg5 30. Bg3 Rxg3 Bxb5 21. Rxc7 Bxa1 22. Rxb7; 19. ... Rf5 23. Qe1 Raf8 24. f3 Bf4 25. Rd1 Qc6? 20. Rb1 a6 21. Be4! Qa4 22. Ng5 26. Re2 Qg7 27. Nd2 Ne6 28. Prize Winners Rxb7; and 19. ... Bg5? 20. d5! exd5 Nf1 Nd4 29. Rf2 Kh8 30. Rd3 Master: 1st/2nd: Melikset 21. e6! Rxe6 22. Bb5 Re7 23. Rxe7 XIIIIIIIIY Khachiyan and Andranik Matiko- Bxe7 24. Qg8+. zyan, 5½ - 1½. 3rd: Enrico Sevilla- XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-tr-mk0 no, 5. Under 2400: Matthew Beelby, 9zp-+-+-wqp0 5. 4th/6th: David Pruess, Robby Ad- 9r+-mkr+-+0 9-+-zp-+p+0 amson, and Jerry Hanken, 4½. 9+pwql+RwQ-0 Expert: 1st/2nd: Ike Miller and 9p+-+p+-zp0 9+PzpNzpr+-0 Oliver Quinones, 5½. 3rd: John 9-+Psn-vl-+0 Bryant, 5. 4th/7th: Carlos Garcia, 9+-zp-zP-+-0 9+-+R+P+-0 Show Kitagami, Sean Higgins, and 9-+-zP-+-+0 Steve Breckenridge, 4½. 9+-zPL+-+-0 9P+-+-tRPzP0 Class A: 1st: Michael Yee, 6. 9+-+-wQNmK-0 2nd/3rd: Eric Zhang and Brennen 9P+Pvl-+PzP0 xiiiiiiiiy Lee, 5½. 4th/6th: Vincent Huang, 9tR-+-+-mK-0 Vincent Rubianes, and Richard Lee, xiiiiiiiiy 30. ... e4 31. Qxe4 Re5 32. Rxd4 5. cxd4 33. Qd3 Re1 34. Nxf4 Rxf4 35. Class B: 1st: Stewart Yanez, 6½. 20. d5! g3 Rf8 36. Kg2 Rfe8 37. a4 Ra1 0-1 2nd/4th: Jacob Alon, Joe Paige, and Counting on 20. ... exd5 21. Bf5. Liz Taylor, 5. 20. … Bxc3 Viktors Pupols – Robby Adamson Class C: 1st/2nd: Grigoriy Ma- White gets too many pawns Western Class Championship, karov and Kelly Zhang, 6. 3rd: Rich- from 20. ... c4 21. d6 Qb6+ 22. Kh1 Agoura Hills 2007 ard Sarasa, 5½. 4th/5th: Michael cxd3 23. Rxd7+ Kc8 24. Qf7 Rd8 25. D40 QUEEN’S GAMBIT DECLINED, Moody and Bertram Buggs, 4½. Rxd8+ Qxd8 26. cxd3. Tarrasch Defense 1100-1399: 1st/2nd: Cleo Rojas 21. d6 Qc6 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. e3 cxd4 4. and Michael W Brown, 6½. 3rd/4th: The only slim chance is 21. ... exd4 d5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nf3 Bb4 7. cxd5 Lee Roper and Connor Reck, 5. Qxd6, reaching a miserable end- Nxd5 8. Bd2 Nc6 9. Bd3 0–0 10. 0–0 Under 1100: 1st/2nd: Lucas game after 22. Qf6+ Kc8 23. exd6 Be7 11. Rc1 Nf6 12. Bf4 Nb4 13. Hultman and Anna Karapetyan, Bxf6 24. Rxf6. Bb1 b6 14. a3 Nbd5 15. Nxd5 Qxd5 5½. 3rd/4th: Aaron Simo and Domi- 22. Be4 16. Qd3 Bb7 17. Rfd1 Rac8 18. Ne1 nic Avila, 5. Seeing 22. ... Qxe4 23. Rxd7+ Rfd8 19. f3 Rxc1 20. Bxc1 Bd6 21. Kc8 24. Rd8+! Kxd8 25. Qc7 mate and 22. ... Qb5 23. a4. 22. … Qa4 23. Bxb7, Black Resigns. Next comes 24. Qf6+.

6 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 NorthNorth AmericanAmerican OpenOpen by Randy Hough

XIIIIIIIIY he annual post-Christmas North American Open in Las Ve- 9r+l+ksn-+0 Tgas attracted 582 players, including 46 re-entries. The Open 9+p+-vl-+-0 section saw another triumph by GM Hikaru Nakamura, clear first with a 6-1 score. A number of Southern Californians won 9pwq-+p+-zp0 prizes; this is a partial list. 9+-+pzPn+P0 9-+pzP-vLr+0 IM Enrico Sevillano, Elliott Liu, 9+-zP-+NsNR0 and Gregg Small scored 4½ in that 9PzP-wQ-+P+0 section, a tie for tenth. Gregg ac- 9tR-+-mKL+-0 tually shared in the second Under 2300 money; which Elliott Liu, who Qd2 Ndxf3 23. Qxf4+ Kg8 24. Nf2? xiiiiiiiiy lost only to GM Dmitry Gurevich, Nxd3? 25. Qxf3 Nxf2 26. Qxf2 Qe4 21. ... Rxf4 22. Qxf4 Qxb2 23. missed out on with his 2301 rating. 27. Qe2 Rf8+ 28. Ke1 Qd4? 29. Rd1 Rc1 Nxg3 24. Rxg3 Ba3 25. Rd1 Bd7 In Under 2200, Cau Le tied Qf4 30. Rd2 Bxb2 31. Kd1 Be5 32. 26. Qxh6 Qxc3+ 27. Qd2 Qxd2+ 28. for third with 5½ after a tough Kc2 b5?! 33. cxb5 Qa4+ 34. Kb1 Rf4 Nxd2 Bb2 29. Nb1 b5 30. h6 b4 31. last round loss. John Bryant, Mel 35. Rb3 Rxg4 36. Rd1 Rh4 37. Qc2 Rg8 0–0–0 32. g4 Ba4 33. Rd2 Bc1 Singson, John Rinaldo, and Raoul Qg4 38. Rbd3 Rh2 39. R3d2 Qb4+ 34. g5 1–0 Crisologo finished tied for fifth with 40. Qb3 Qe4+ 41. Qc2 Qb4+ ½–½ 5 points. Under 2000 saw Lonnie XIIIIIIIIY Neal and Armen Arakelov in the Eugene Yanayt – IM Enrico Sevil- first place tie with 6; Michael Yee 9-+-+-+k+0 lano was equal seventh with 5 points. 9zp-zp-+-+-0 North American Open, Las Ve- Under 1800 winners included 9-+-zp-+p+0 gas 2006 Vardan Betikyan (5½, equal fifth) B90 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Najdorf and Liz Taylor (5, equal seventh). 9+P+Pvl-+-0 Variation In Under 1600, 6 points earned 9-wq-+-+-+0 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Friez Kaakoozian a tie for second 9+-+-+-+-0 Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 place. David Karapetyan and Car- Be6 8. f3 Be7 9. Qd2 0–0 10. 0–0–0 los Salazar scored 5 points to tie 9P+QtR-+-tr0 b5 11. Nd5 Bxd5 12. exd5 Qc7 13. g4 for seventh in Under 1400. Finally, 9+K+R+-+-0 Rc8 14. Kb1 a5 15. Bxb5 a4 16. Na1 Robert Fitzgerald’s 5 points was xiiiiiiiiy Qb7 17. c4 Ne8 18. Qc2 a3 19. Bxe8 good for a share of third place in Rxe8 20. b3 Nd7 21. Qc3 e4?! Under 1200. Elliott Liu – FM Joseph Bradford XIIIIIIIIY North American Open, Las Ve- gas 2006 9r+-+r+k+0 GM Gregory Serper – Elliott Liu C11 FRENCH DEFENSE, Steinitz 9+q+nvlpzpp0 North American Open, Las Ve- Variation 9-+-zp-+-+0 gas 2006 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 E70 KING’S INDIAN DEFENSE Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 a6?! 9+-+P+-+-0 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 8. Qd2 g5?! 9. Ne2 g4 10. Nfg1 Rg8 9-+P+p+P+0 d6 5. Nge2 0–0 6. Ng3 e5 7. d5 Ng4 11. h3 g3 12. Nf3 c4 13. f5 Ne7 14. 9zpPwQ-vLP+-0 8. h3 Nh6 9. h4 f5 10. exf5 Nxf5 11. fxe6 fxe6 15. Bg5 Qb6 16. c3 Nf5 17. Nge4 Nd4 12. h5 Bf5 13. Bd3 Qe8 h4 h6 18. Bf4 Rg4 19. Rh3 Be7 20. 9P+-+-+-zP0 14. Be3 Nd7 15. g4 Bxe4 16. Nxe4 h5 Nf8 21. Nxg3 9sNK+R+-+R0 Rf4 17. Kf1 Qe7 18. hxg6 hxg6 19. xiiiiiiiiy Bxf4 exf4 20. f3 Ne5 21. Rh3 Kf7 22.

7 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 22. fxe4 Bh4 23. Bd4 Rxe4 24. ... continued from page 4 Twenty-four teams competed in Bxg7 f6 25. Bh6 Nb6 26. g5 fxg5 27. this year’s event, hosted by UMBC Qf6 Nxc4 28. Rhf1 Ree8 29. Bxg5 Pan-Am and organized by Dr. Alan T. Sher- Rf8 30. Qe6+ Kh8 31. Rxf8+ Rxf8 man, Director of the UMBC Chess 32. Bxh4 Qg7 33. Qe2 Ne3 34. Rc1 Intercollegiate Program. Sponsors included UMBC, Nxd5 35. Be1 h6 36. Qc2 Rf1 37. The University of Texas at Dal- the Coca-Cola Corporation, The US Qc8+ Kh7 38. Qc2+ Kh8 39. Ba5 las (UTD) dominated the 2006 Chess Federation, The Susan Pol- Qg1 40. Qc8+ Kg7 41. Rxf1 Qxf1+ Pan-American Intercollegiate Team gar Chess Foundation, ChessBase, 42. Qc1 Qg2 43. Qxa3 Qe4+ 44. Nc2 Chess Championship, held Decem- and The (ICC). Qh1+ 45. Ne1 1–0 ber 27–30, at the Renaissance Wash- Adithya Balasubramanian, a ington, DC Hotel. Two powerful 10th grade player from Tabb High UTD teams tied for first place with School in York County, Virginia, Takashi Iwamoto – Jerry Hanken 5½ points out of six, each having de- won the Pan-Am Scholastic Cham- North American Open, Las Ve- feated their main competition – the pionship, earning a four-year schol- gas 2006 A team from the University of Mary- arship to UMBC valued at $69,416. A40 land, Baltimore County (UMBC). He is the top-rated junior player in 1. Nf3 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. e4 c5 4. Curiously, UTD B finished ahead Virginia. d4 Nc6 5. d5 Nd4 6. Nc3 d6 7. h3 of UTD A on tie breaks, reminis- International Master Stanislav e5 8. dxe6 fxe6 9. Nxd4 cxd4 10. cent of 2002 when UMBC B won the Smetankin won the Pan-Am Closed Nb5 e5 11. Qa4 Ke7 12. Qa3 Nf6 Pan-Am. UTD B took home a $2000 individual tournament, collecting 13. c5 Nxe4 14. cxd6+ Kf6 15. Bd3 prize and a large trophy. $1000. Bf5 16. g4 Nxd6 17. gxf5 Nxb5 18. UMBC finished with four points, Next year’s Pan-Am will take Bxb5 Qd5 19. Rg1 Qxb5 20. Qd6+ tying Miami Dade, Duke, and place December 27–30, 2007, in Mi- Kxf5 21. Rg5+ Ke4 22. Qe6 Kd3 23. Catholic University of Peru, with ami, hosted by Miami Dade College. Rg3+ Kc2 UMBC taking third place on tie – USCF news release XIIIIIIIIY breaks. Tied at 3½ points were Yale 9r+-+-+-tr0 A, University of Texas at Browns- ville, and Harvard. Finishing next Solutions to Chess 9zpp+-+-vlp0 on tie-breaks, University of Toron- 9-+-+Q+p+0 to A tied six other teams with three Quiz points. (see page 24) 9+q+-zp-+-0 Thus, UTD, UMBC, Miami 9-+-zp-+-+0 Dade, and Duke advance to the Althoff – Alef, Cologne, 1936: 9+-+-+-tRP0 President’s Cup (“The Final Four White combines the motifs of di- of College Chess”), to be held March version and with 1. 9PzPk+-zP-+0 23-25, in Dallas, which is open to Rd6 g6 (of course not 1. … Qxd6 9tR-vL-mK-+-0 the top four USA schools from the 2. Qxf7#) 2. Rxf6 gxh5 3. Bxf7+ xiiiiiiiiy Pan-Am. Kf8 4. Bh6# 1–0 In Round 5, with UTD A and B Tal – NN, USSR, 1964: The 24. Qg4 1–0 each a full point ahead of the field “Wizard from Riga” magically with four points, Chief Arbiter Er- transports his Queen to the other nest Schlich had little choice but to side of the Board with 1. Bb6 Qxb6 IM Alan Stein (2471) – Julian pair the two UTD teams against 2. Qh4+ Rf6 3. Qxb4+, followed Landaw (2289) each other, bringing back memo- by mate. 1–0 North American Open, Las Ve- ries of 1996 when UMBC A beat Spassky – Kholmov, USSR gas 2006 UMBC B in the final round to win Team, Rostov, 1971: White be- C24 ’S OPENING the championship. In their match gins with the denuding 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Bc5 4. against each other, the two UTD 1. Qxh6 gxh6 2. Nf6+ Kh8 3. Nf3 d6 5. Nc3 c6 6. 0–0 b5 7. Bb3 squads quickly agreed to draws on Nxd7+ Kg8 (or 3. … Kh7 4. Nxf8+ Nbd7 8. Ng5 0–0 9. Kh1 h6 10. f4 all boards. Kg8 5. Nd7) 4. Re8 Nc6 (what Qb6 11. fxe5 Nxe5 12. Nxf7 Rxf7 13. Since 1997, UMBC or UTD won else?) 5. dxc6 Qa7 6. c7, regain- Rxf6 gxf6 14. Qh5 Be3 15. Bxf7+ every Pan-Am, with UMBC hold- ing all his material and then some Nxf7 16. Qg6+ Kf8 17. e5 Nxe5 18. ing a record seven wins (or ties for – 6. … Qxc7 7. Nf6+ Kg7 8. Nd5+, Qxf6+ Nf7 19. Bxe3 Qxe3 20. Ne4 first place) compared with UTD’s 6. … Rxe8 7. Nf6+ Kg7 8. Nxe8+ Bd7 21. Rf1 Be8 22. Nxd6 Qg5 23. five wins. Toronto and University Kg6 9. c8Q, or 6. … d5 7. Bxd5 Qxc7 Nxe8 Qxf6 24. Nxf6 Rd8 25. Ne4 of Chicago each have won the Pan- 8. Nf6+ Kg7 9. Rxa8 Qe7 10. Nd7+ Rd5 26. Kg1 c5 27. Nc3 1–0 Am six times. Kg8 11. Rxf8+.

8 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 Tactics by NM Tim Hanks hess is believed to be a descen- White forces mate by the fol- Cdantdant fromfrom a ann a ancientncient gamegame lowinglowing c :ombination: 1.1. Qd5+Qd5+ played in India during the 7th cen- Kh8 2. Nf7+ Kg8 3. Nh6+ Kh8 tury. At that time the rules of the 4. Qg8+! Rxg8 5. Nf7# -- a game were different. In fact, the most beautiful , Queen was one of the weakest piec- now known as Philidor’s mate. es and was permitted to move only to an adjacent diagonal square, sort The year 1851 stands out as the of like a Bishop but only one square beginning of a new age in chess as at a time. had not been in- well. It was in this year that the vented, but the King was allowed to tactics. His most famous notion was first International Chess Tourna- leap two squares on its first move. that “Pawns are the soul of chess,” ment was held. The playing site The Bishop, in this mediaeval game, by which he meant that struc- was London, England and 16 com- leaped over the adjacent diagonal ture determines the nature of the petitors took part in the main event. square to a square beyond on the position. Since Philidor’s death in Adolph Anderssen of Berlin won diagonal. It was not until the late 1795, his book has often been re- the tournament, taking first place 15th century, around 1485, when printed. It was an important mile- with brilliant play. He would go on important changes were made in stone in the progress of chess. to prove his worthiness as a true the rules and the new game of chess champion by taking first place in emerged. Italy was the main center Philidor was far superior to his several other events, many of the of chess activity and the new game contemporaries and almost always round-robin format, that paired probably originated there. When gave odds in his games or played si- him against the elite of the period. the moves of the Queen and Bish- multaneous matches. Thus serious- Andersen maintained the highest op were changed to those we play ly recorded games by him are rare. distinction in chess until a little today, the entire character of the However, there is Philidor’s legacy, unknown American, named Paul game was transformed. The whole which does occur from time to time Charles Morphy (1837-1884) came of the game quickened, the in actual play. See position #1. along and defeated him, along with battle shortened and intensified. White is down a substantial all the other European masters. In the early periods of chess amount of material. What would Robert Fischer, of course, holds a strong players did not publish you do? similar distinction to that of Mor- their games or their analysis. The phy, for this remarkable rise and high stakes for which they played Position No. 1. White to move and ability in more recent history. Now- made them secretive. There were win. adays, Topalov is establishing new exceptions, of course, and some XIIIIIIIIY opening approaches that may prove manuscripts, notably from Giulio to be of major significance in the Cesare Polerio, survived, giving us 9r+-+-+k+0 years ahead. insight to a wide range of openings 9tr-zp-+-zpp0 Modern-day chess is undergoing and defensive lines played during 9-zp-+-+-+0 another profound transformation, the 1600’s. In the 18th century, the directly tied to major technological name Andre D. Philidor dominates 9+-+-sN-+-0 advancements. In many ways the the history of this period, and he set 9-+-+Q+-+0 change may be even more drastic forth his theories of chess in logical 9+-+-+-+P0 than what occurred over 300 to 500 fashion in his “Analyze du jeu des years ago. This change is not only Echecs” written when he was 23. He 9-+-+-zPPmK0 that elite players can instantly ac- was the first to define and explain 9+-wq-+-+-0 cess vast numbers of games, books the principles of and xiiiiiiiiy and information to prepare for

9 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 tournaments and matches -- some- hope that strict consequences are equal with chances for both sides. thing early chess players would imposed at tournaments to estab- Sometimes when your position is never have imagined or contem- lish deterrence for cheating. Other- somewhat cramped it’s better to plated even in their wildest dreams. wise our wonderful game will spiral look for ways to pieces Nor is the change that a wealth of to the lowest of levels and lose all and work to simplify the position. teaching materials or instructors is the wonderful distinction the great Also, there’s nothing wrong with available that can advance a gifted players of the past and so many oth- establishing a defensive stronghold 6-year-old child from a beginner to ers worked so hard to attain. and waiting patiently for counterat- Master level in perhaps a year or tacking chances to develop. Many two with devoted hard work. Nope. In the featured game this month, players are over-anxious and feel The change is even more profound we see how Morphy displays the im- they have to make something hap- than that. The change is that play- portance of sound opening develop- pen and therefore make unsound ers don’t have to study very much ment and how tactics for an attack or blundering moves. Work to sup- anymore but can cheat and win by develop by a natural and gradual press this urge and your games will allowing computers do the thinking buildup of forces. Before Morphy’s improve. for them. Computers of course can influence came to be felt and under- 16. Bg3 Rg7 17. Nf5 Rg6 18. f4 solve the complexities of positional stood, so called tactical sacrifices gxf4 19. Rxf4 Kh8 20. Rh4 Bf8 tactics, literally instantly, and hu- and combinations by the “elites” of 21. Bxe5 fxe5 22. Rf1 Qe6 23. mans have started to admit they that period were made without ob- Nb5 Qg8 will probably never be able to win jective effectiveness or in some case Or 23. ... Qxa2 24. c4 Bxb5 25. matches against them anymore. true soundness. The observant stu- Qh5 Bh6 26. Nxh6 Qxc4 27. Nf7+ When cheating during a game all a dent chess player can compare Mor- Kg8 28. Qxh7+ Kf8 29. Rf2. player has to do is play some of the phy’s games to these earlier players, 24. Rf2 computer’s moves until the game is such as Zukertort, Bird, Black- Also good was 24. Nxc7. easy or clear enough to win. Hav- burne, Steinitz and Kolisch and be- 24. ... a6?! ing this “resource,” by whatever gin to recognize a transformation This move, as best I can tell, may method, during a game has already of styles and notably more “correct- be the losing move, as Black’s posi- taken center stage at grand chess ness” in their moves. Morphy was tion begins to crumble. Better may events, like Corus, or more incred- truly brilliant, impressively artistic be 24. ... Rd8 25. Nxc7 Rd7 26. Nd5 ibly at the World Championship and accurate with his tactical com- Bxd5 27. exd5 Qxd5 28. c4 Qe6 29. match. The modern chess player, binations. Ne3 Be7 30. Re4 Bd8 31. Kh2 Bb6. whether you like it or not, owing to 25. Nxc7 Rc8 26. Nd5 Bxd5 the advent of ultra-strong minia- Morphy – Harrwitz 27. exd5 Rc7 ture chess analyzing devices or pro- Match, 1858 Or 27. ... Qxd5 28. Rxh7+ Kxh7 grams, is living an over-the-board C62 PHILIDOR’S DEFENSE 29. Qh5+ Bh6 30. Ne7 Qe6 31. Nxg6 nightmare and it’s only going to get 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 Qxg6 32. Rf7+. worse as temptation and greed go 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Bb5 Bd7 6. Bxc6 28. c4 Be7 29. Rh5 Qe8 on the rise. Cheating accusations Bxc6 7. Bg5 f6 8. Bh4 Nh6 9. Nc3 No better was 29. ... Bf8 30. a4 have been and are going to contin- Qd7 10. 0–0 Be7 11. Rad1 0–0 12. Rg5 31. Rxg5 Qxg5 32. Kh2 Qg6 33. ue to escalate and explode at events, Qc4+ Rf7 a5 Bh6 34. g3 Bg5 35. Qe4 Rf7 36. creating a high level of distrust If Black tries 12. ... Nf7, then c5 Be3 37. Qxe3 Rxf5 38. c6 bxc6 39. and creating setup logistical prob- White plays 13. Nd4 Kh8 14. f4 Nd8 dxc6 Qe6 40. g4 Rf7 41. Rxf7 Qxf7 lems. Players are taking advantage 15. Bf2 Re8, and White has the ad- 42. Kg3 Qc4 43. Qc3. of weak or non-existent security vantage owing to better piece ac- 30. c5! Rxc5? at events, coming up with incred- tivity, space and control of the cen- If 30. ... Bf8 31. Nxd6 Bxd6 32. ibly elaborate and clever methods ter. A Morphy trademark! cxd6 Rxd6 33. Rxe5. of cheating – some of which will 13. Nd4 Ng4 14. h3 31. Rxh7+ Kxh7 32. Qh5+ never be detected. Along with all Not 14. f4? due to 14. ... Ne3, Kg8 33. Nxe7+ Kg7 of this and perhaps worse will be forking. Or 33. ... Qxe7 34. Qxg6+ Qg7 35. false accusations of cheating, which 14. ... Ne5 15. Qe2 g5 Qe6+ Kh8 36. Rf5 Rc1+ 37. Kh2. can ruin anyone’s credibility and This move “loosens” the Black 34. Nf5+ Kg8 35. Nxd6 and distill off-board tactics upsetting Kingside and creates weaknesses Black resigns. 1–0 player’s preparation plans. If a nov- that offer tactical opportunities. elty is discovered, it’s more likely to Better may be 15. ... Bf8 16. Bg3 Ng6 Improving your ability to cal- be credited to a computer, rather 17. Nd5 Re8 18. Qd3 Ne7 19. Nxc6 culate and visualize tactical com- than a player’s creativity, hard bxc6 20. Nf4 Nc8 21. Rfe1 Nb6 22. binations takes practice. Tactical work or ingenious insight. It is my c4 Qc8, and the position is roughly problem solving will help in this

10 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 development. Avoid moving the a) 1. … fxe6 is correct and White a) 1. … Kc8 pieces when solving problems so as has inadequate for b) 1. … Ke8 to strengthen your over-the-board the sacrificed material. c 1. … Kd7 play. Be alert, play sharp and al- b) 1. … fxe6 is incorrect. Validate your choice with analy- ways remember to do your safety Prove your conclusion with a sis. . Good luck and happy solv- variation. ing! Solutions on page 20. Problem No. 3. White to move. Position No. 1. Black to move. How Problem No. 2. What’s the best XIIIIIIIIY would you proceed? move? XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+r+k+0 9r+l+kvlntr0 9r+-mk-+-tr0 9zp-zpl+pzpp0 9zpp+nzppzp-0 9zppzp-vlq+p0 9-vlp+r+-+0 9-wqp+N+-zp0 9-+n+N+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9+-+-+-+-0 9+-+-+-vL-0 9QzP-+-+-+0 9-+-zP-+-+0 9-+-zp-+Q+0 9+-zPq+L+-0 9+-+L+-+-0 9+-+-+-+-0 9R+-zP-zPPzP0 9PzPPvL-zPPzP0 9PzPP+-zPPzP0 9+-vL-+RmK-0 9tR-+QmK-sNR0 9tR-+-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy a) 1. Qa6 is a mistake and Black will win. b) 1. Qa6 is correct. Prove your answer with a varia- tion. 2007 Lina Grumette Prize Fund $10,000 BasedBased onon 200200 players,players, 60% of each prize guaranteed Problem No. 4. Black to move – what result? Memorial Day In 5 sections XIIIIIIIIY (Unrated must play in Unrated or Open) 9-+-+-+-mk0 9zp-+-+q+p0 Classic Open: $$ $$T+1800- 750-400-300-200, 9-zpl+-+-+0 U2400 400, U2200 9+-zp-+-+-0 700-300-200. 9-+-+L+-wQ0 Premier (Under 2000): 9+-zP-vL-+-0 $$750-300-200-100. 9P+-+-+-zP0 May 26-28, 2007 Amateur (Under 1800): 750-300-200-100. 9+-+-+-+K0 LAX Hilton $$ xiiiiiiiiy 5711 W. Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA Reserve (Under 1600): 90045 $$750-300-200-100. a) The game is a . Booster (Under 1400): b) White wins. c) Black wins. 6-SS, 40/2, SD/1 $$T+400-200-100, U1200 T+100, Unr Prove your answer with a varia- (2-day schedule rds. 1-3 G/60) tion. T+100. (Unrated may An American Classic! win Unrated prizes See p. 23 for full details only in this section) Best Game Prize $25, www.westernchess.com all sections eligible.

11 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 2007 SENIOR / JUNIOR OPEN April 21-22 AT THE SAN DIEGO CHESS CLUB, 2225 SIXTH AVE, SAN DIEGO $3,200 PRIZE FUND Based on 60 players 5 Round Swiss, in 2 Sections Saturday 3 rounds G/90, plus 10 second delay per move Sunday 2 rounds G/120, plus 10 second delay per move SENIOR SECTION: 1st $300, 2nd $150, 3rd $50 Must Be 50 Years U2200 $150, 2nd $50 Old Or More! U2000 $150, 2nd $50 U1800 $150, 2nd $50, U1600 $150, 2nd $50 Plus: Best Over 60 years old $100 Special Age-Based Best Over 70 years old $100 Prizes! Best Over 80 years old $100 (Each player eligible for only 1of all the above prizes.) JUNIOR SECTION: 1st $300, 2nd $150, 3rd $50 (Under 50 years old) U2200 $150, 2nd $50 U2000, U1800, U1600 all have 1st $150, 2nd $50 Plus : Best Under 20 years $100 Special Age-Based Best Under 16 years $100 Prizes! Best Under 12 years $100 (Each player eligible for only 1of all the above prizes.) Registration: 9:00 to 9:45 AM, Round 1 will start at 10:00 sharp! Rounds: 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM on Sat, 10 AM & 3 PM on Sunday Entry Fee: $50 if pd by 4/20, or $60 on site, $25 if rating is <1400 SCCF Membership Required For All Players ($14 Adult/$9Junior) One Half Pt Bye OK in Rds 1 - 4, must be requested by fi rst round For More Info: call (619) 239-7166 or email [email protected] Mail Entries to: SDCC, PO Box 120162, San Diego, CA 92120

12 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 Chess Club. Ilya Serpik and Hako- (Under 1800), Daniel Gong (Under byan tied for third place at 3½-1½. 1600), Arsen Matevossian (Under Praveen Joy and Holly McRoberts 1400), and Brandon Thornton (Un- led the under-1800 section. rated). The Los Angeles Chess Club The club meets Friday nights meets on the second floor of at 7 pm, second floor, Throop 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., above Church, 300 S. Los Robles (NE Javan restaurant. For informa- corner of Del Mar). For informa- tion, call Mick Bighamian at (310) tion: Randy Hough, (626) 282-7412, 795-5710 or send a message to [email protected]. – Randy [email protected]. Web site: Hough www.lachessclub.com. Arcadia Chess Club In January, Ike Miller scored 5½- Exposition Park ½ to win the Richard Morris Memo- La Palma Chess Club Chess Club rial, followed at 5-1 Gregg Fritchle, Newcomer Vikram Kumar wonwon David Argall, and Jeremy Stein. the 12-player Fright Knight No. 4 On January 7, Marc Conde, Fer- Other prizes went to Gerry Har- contested at the La Palma Chess nando Corona and Augusto Picardo rison and David King (B), Richard Club on December 29th. The 8- (tied), Patrick Dailey, and Eyulkala Yang (C), Anthony Hung (D), and round G/10 Action Chess Swiss was Hill topped sections in the monthly Johnny Carrido (E/unr). A total of played at La Palma’s Central Park. free tournament at the Exposition 50 players competed. Runners up were Joma Packing and Park Chess Club. For photos of the Miller again scored 5½-½ in the Serio Pragale. club, see chess.expoparkla.com. The 55-player Winter Open in February. In February, Mehrdad Miralaie club meets every Sunday afternoon Class prizes winners included Tim and Rory Valle tied for first place in the public library, 3665 S. Ver- McCarron (X), Gregg Fritchle (A), with scores of 4-1 in the 24-player mont Ave. in Los Angeles. Fourteen Johnny Carrido, Terrence Sun and Knights of the Rectangular Tables players competed. Ryan Yeung (C), Richard Williams tournament in La Palma. Leigh and Kelly Zhang (D), and Jeffrey Hunt won an accompanying 11- Ding, Alvin Huang and Robert Ma- player event with 5-0. Costa Mesa Octos catangay (D/E/unr) The La Palma Chess Club meets Jeremy Stein, Mike Carr and The Arcadia Chess Club meets 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Fridays in Michael W. Brown won sections at 6:30 p.m. Mondays in the Senior Central Park, 7821 Walker St. For at the January 20 Costa Mesa Oc- Citizens building, 405 S. Santa Ani- information, call Leigh Hunt at tos. On February 10, Pirouz Hendi, ta Ave. For information, call Fred (714) 635-0448 or Mike Brady at and Michael W. Brown, Henry Yan Brock at (626) 331-1638 or Mel (562) 867-8248. For complete stand- and Grant Yosenick (tied) were the Clark at (626) 447-9355. Web site: ings and a schedule of 2007 events, section winners. For information www.geocities.com/arcadiachess- see the club’s website at www.lapal- about future Octos, March 17, see club. machess.741.com – Chris Roberts members.cox.net/octochess.

Los Angeles Chess Pasadena Chess Club Diversity Winter Club The Richard Lewis Memorial, Scholastics with 26 players, was won by Jesse Jouaquin Banawa and IM Tim Victoria, 5-1, ahead of Ike Miller Anthony Zohrabian topped a Taylor tied for first with 4-1 in the and Randy Hough at 4-½. Class 19-player field with 5-0 to win the New Year’s Day Open, a 25-player winners included Gordon Brooks Winter Scholastics at Diversity Ed- tournament at the Los Angeles (Under 2000), Brendyn Estolas ucational Center in Arcadia on Jan-

13 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 uary 21. Next at 4-1 were Shyam ner Charter School in Los Angeles. Gandhi and Rebecca Sanchez. For In grades K-5, winners included the club’s schedule and more, go to Michael Moradi, Sriram Velmani- diversityeducationalcenter.com. kandan, Jack Bramson, Michelle Safransky, David Phu, Jeremy Quintana, Jeniree Martinez and AAA Winter Rachel Peni. Gabe Feldinger, Jason Hakakha and Owen Fahey led Nov- Scholastics ice sections. John Surlow directed The AAA Chess Club’s Winter the 80-player tournament. tournament, held January 27 at First Lutheran Church attracted Riverside Chess MAKSIM GUSEV RECEIVING HIS TROPHY 127 players. Section winners were Michael Ambartsoumian (grades Union Open score earned Maksim a free ticket K-12), Petros Ayrapetyan (K-8) Alex Gojich won this 14-player into our Club Championship, plus and Gor Badikyan (K-5, all with tournament, held February 24 at a nice trophy. Todd Smith came in 5-0. Harut Keshishian and Harut Back to the Grind Café in Riverside, second place with 3½ and there was Akopyan directed. with a 3-0 score. a 3-way tie for 3rd place between John Funderburg, Jim Humphrey Alex Gojich (1997) – Don Cotten and George Zeigler. The Class A Joshua Tree Winter (2013) trophy was won on tie breaks by Riverside Chess Union Open, Robert Defore with 4 points over Open Riverside 2007 Buddy Morris, and third place was Joel Johnson won the Joshua A23 split between Alfredo DeLeon and Tree Winter Open, held January 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 c6 4. Jerry Soelberg. The Class B trophy 27, with a 5-0 score. Kermit Norris Bg2 d5 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. d4 exd4 7. was won by one of our young rising was second at 4-1. The Joshua Tree Qxd4 Nc6 8. Qd1 Be6 9. e3 Be7 10. stars, Jason Qu, with 4 points, and Chess Club meets Friday evenings Nge2 Qd7 11. 0–0 0–0 12. b3 Rfd8 tying for second with 3½ were Joel in Faith Lutheran Church, 6336 13. Bb2 Bh3 14. Nd4 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Batchelor, Vincent Broman, Marty Hallee Rd. in Joshua Tree. Rac8 16. Rc1 Ne5 17. Qe2 Ne4 18. Lower and Erik Marquis. Captur- Rfd1 Bb4 19. Nxe4 dxe4 20. Rxc8 ing the Class C trophy was our Qxc8 21. Nc2 Nd3 22. Nxb4 Nxb4 strongest woman player, the ever Southern California 23. Rxd8+ Qxd8 24. Qg4 f6 25. popular Rocio Murra, who scored a Invitational High Qe6+ Kh8 26. Qxe4 Nd3 27. Bd4 solid 4½, ahead of Bob Samuel with Nb4 28. Bxf6 gxf6 29. Qxb4 Qd5+ 4 and Eduardo Sanchez with 3½. School Chess League 30. e4 Qf7 31. Qc4 Qe7 32. a4 Kg7 Jachin Tyrell won the Class D tro- Brothers Derek and Jared Tan 33. Qd5 b6 34. f4 Qc7 35. h4 Qc2+ phy with 3 points in the combined took top individual honors in the 36. Kh3 Qc8+ 37. Qf5 Qc1 38. Qd7+ C/D section. Hai Qu, Jason’s father, Southern California Invitational Kg8 39. Qe6+ Kg7 40. Qe7+ Kg8 was second Class D and Marcus High School Chess League and led 41. Qxf6 Qh1+ 42. Kg4 Qd1+ 43. Hilgers was third. their team, Lutheran H.S. of Or- Kg5 Qxb3 44. Qd8+ 1–0 ange County, to the team title. John The Markowski Open, our Club Cachay finished third. Whitney Championship qualifier, is cur- H.S. and Long Beach Polytechnic San Diego Chess Club rently in progress with a record 92 were the next best teams. Philip Vo- In November and December players, not including 5 house play- ron organized the 19-team, 88-stu- 70 players competed in the Class ers. After 5 rounds there is a four dent event February 3 at Oakwood Championship, a five section event way tie between Ron Bruno, David School in North Hollywood. played at a of 40/90, Hart, Robert Richard and Rich- SD/1. The top section, known as ard Russell, all with 4½. Trailing “The Masters,” was won by an Ex- with 4 points are Rick Aeria, Niko- Warner Winter pert, Maksim Gusev, who you may lay Arutyunov, Bruce Baker, Marc Scholastic recall beat 3 masters in our previ- Duesterwald, Jim Humphrey and ous event. This time he beat just Dimitry Kishinevsky. It is great to Ricky Demer, Happy Ullman and one master, but drew with another, see our playing hall completely full Jonathan Gunn led their grades K- plus he beat a strong expert, a Class with so many eager chess enthusi- 12 sections in the Warner Winter A player playing up, and drew with asts. As far as I know, our club is Scholastic, held February 3 at War- another expert. This 4 out 5 point one of the largest in the country.

14 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 The Club Championship starts Feb- Nf5+) 27. e5 is hopeless for Black. Rxd8 36. Rxh4+ Kg5 37. Qxd8. ruary 21, after the other 13 quali- 23. hxg4 hxg4 24. Raf1 35. R8xf6 Rxd6+ 36. Rxd6 fiers have been selected through Now 24. Nhxg6 fxg6 leads only Rh2 37. Rxc6 cxd3 38. Kxd3 the Markowski Open. Three play- to equality. Rxg2 39. Rg4 1–0 ers are already seeded in: Maksim 24. ... Qxh4 A terrific tactical battle. Gusev, as mentioned above, along with Ron Bruno, last year’s club XIIIIIIIIY John Funderburg (2123) – Thom- Champion and Todd Smith, who 9r+-+-+-tr0 as Fries (1900) qualified by winning the San Diego Markowski Open, San Diego Open Shootout in August. Please 9+-+l+pmk-0 2007 see our website, which is loaded 9-+p+-+p+0 D14 , Exchange with lots of games, pictures and 9zp-+-+-+-0 Variation stories at http://Groups.msn.com/ [Note by IM Cyrus Lakdawala] sandiegochess. -- Chuck Ensey 9-zpp+PsNpwq0 9+-+P+-wQ-0 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Bf4 Bf5 Adam Corper (2205) – Carey 9PzPP+-tRP+0 7. Qb3!? Milton (2040) 9+-+-+RmK-0 More common is 7. e3 e6 8. Qb3, Markowski Open, San Diego xiiiiiiiiy or 8. Bb5. 2007 7. ... e6? B30 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Rossolimo 25. Nh5+!? Black mistakenly sacs a pawn Variation This combination shouldn’t work to try and lure the White Queen [Note by IM Cyrus Lakdawala] for White. in. Unfortunately, the Queen on b7 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. 25. ... Qxh5 26. Rxf7+ Kg8 27. is also an invader into Black’s ter- Bb5 Bg7 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. d3 Nf6 Qd6! ritory. Better is 7. ... Na5! 8. Qa4+ 7. h3 0–0 8. Be3 Nd7 9. Qd2 b5?! Not 27. Rxd7?? Qh1+ 28. Kf2 Bd7 9. Qc2 Rc8 10. e3 e6 11. Bd3 A very active move but also Rf8+. (11. Ne5 Ne4³) 11. ... Bb4 and Black one which weakens his Queenside 27. ... Qh1+? looks good here. pawns. Also 9. ... b6 10. Bh6 e5 11. Black can still draw with 27. ... 8. Qxb7 Nb4? 0–0–0!? leads to a sharp game. Bf5! 28. Rf6 g3! 29. Qxg3 Bg4 30. The logical idea behind the 10. Bh6 b4!? 11. Bxg7 Kxg7 Qd6 Kg7 31. Qc7+ Kh6 32. Qf4+ pawn sac, but it loses by force after 12. Ne2 Qg5 33. Rxg6+! Kxg6 34. Qf7+ White’s next shot. Necessary was 8. Very ambitious. I would have Kh6 35. Rf6+ Qxf6 36. Qxf6+ Kh5 … Qc8. played it safe and played on the 37. Qf7+. XIIIIIIIIY Queenside pawn weakening with 28. Kf2 g3+ 29. Ke3! 12. Nd1! e5 13. Ne3 f6 14. a3! (14. Not 29. Kxg3?? Qh2+ 30. Kf2 9r+-wqkvl-tr0 Ng4 Kh8). Qxd6, or 29. Qxg3? Qxf1+! 30. Kxf1 9zpQ+-+pzpp0 12. ... e5 13. Nh2!? a5 14. 0–0 Kxf7. 9-+-+psn-+0 If 14. Ng4 Qh4. 29. ... Qh6+ 30. Kd4! 14. ... Nf6 15. Qe3 This is the safest spot for the 9+-+p+l+-0 Or 15. f4 Nxe4? (15. ... exf4 16. White King. 9-sn-zP-vL-+0 Qxf4²) 16. Qe3 Nd6 17. fxe5 Nb7 18. 30. ... Bf5 9+-sN-+N+-0 Rf6, with a plus for White. Black has no defense here. For 15. ... Qe7 16. f3!? example: 30. ... Rh7 31. Qxd7+-; 30. 9PzP-+PzPPzP0 After 16. f4 c4! 17. Nf3 exf4 18. ... Bg4 31. R1f6 Bh5 32. Qe6 c5+ 33. 9tR-+-mKL+R0 Nxf4 Re8 is about equal. Kxc4. xiiiiiiiiy 16. ... h5 17. Rf2 Be6 18. f4 31. exf5! Qh4+ exf4 19. Nxf4 Bd7 20. Qg3 Rh8 Or 31. ... gxf5 32. Rf6! Qh4+ 33. 9. e4! Instead, 20. ... c4 21. Nf3 cxd3 22. Rf4!. The threat of Bb5+ takes prece- cxd3 Rh8 (22. ... Rae8? 23. e5 Nh7 32. Rf4 dence over all of Black’s threats. 24. Nxh5+) 23. Raf1 gives White Also 32. Kc5! Rh6 33. fxg6 Rh5+ 9. ... a6 strong pressure down the f-file. 34. R1f5 gives white a winning at- A sad necessity. If Black follows 21. Nf3 c4 22. Nh4! Ng4! tack. through on his idea with 9. ... Nc2+? Active defense by Carey! Defend- 32. ... Rd8 33. Rf8+! Kg7 10. Kd1 Nxa1, he is mated after 11. ing passively with 22. ... Rh6?! 23. Not 33. ... Rxf8 34. Qxg6#. Bb5+ Nd7 12. Ne5 dxe4 13. Bxd7+ Raf1 Rf8 24. Nfxg6! Rxg6 (24. ... 34. f6+ Qxf6+ Ke7 14. Bg5+ f6 15. Qb4#. fxg6 25. Qg5! (25. e5?? Nh7) 25. ... Also inadequate are 34. ... Kh7 10. exf5 Nc2+ 11. Kd1 cxd3 26. cxd3 Be6 (26. ... Qe6? 27. 35. Rxh4#, and 34. ... Kh6 35. Rxd8! The most accurate move, but 11.

15 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 Kd2 Nxa1 12. fxe6 Be7 (12. ... fxe6 All results are at http://www. than reading some tedious book! 13. Ng5+-) 13. exf7+also wins for uschess.org/msa/XtblMain. So I encourage all players not to be White. php?200701282741.0-10082218. afraid of G/45, but to embrace it. 11. ... Nxa1 12. Nb5! axb5 The tournament was organized and The February Super Gambito Or 12. ... Be7 13. Nc7+ Kf8 14. directed by Joe Hanley. Congratu- drew a relatively light crowd of 23 Qxa8 Ne4 15. Qxd8+ Bxd8 16. Kc1 lations to all players! – Joe Hanley players. Cyrus Lakdawala tied for Bxc7 17. Bxc7 Ke7 18. Kb1 Rc8 19. First Place with Ronald Bruno, Bg3 Nc2 20. fxe6 fxe6 21. Bxa6 Rc6 each scoring 3 wins and draw- 22. Bd3 Nb4 23. Bxe4, and White Gambito Open News ing with each other for $100 each. is up a piece and 2 pawns for zero The January Super Gambito Dimitry Kishinevsky won BU2200 comp for Black. was won by NM John Bryant, who for $75 with 3 points, while Carey 13. Bxb5+ Nd7 14. Ne5 defeated both IM Cyrus Lakdawala Milton and Ryan Richardson took Or the simple 14. Bxd7+ Qxd7 and NM Bruce Baker to win his 2nd U2200. Richard Jensen also 15. Qxa8+ Qd8 16. Qxd8+ Kxd8 17. first Gambito Open. Bruce tied for won $75 for BU2000 while Chuck Kd2 Bb4+ 18. Kd3. Second Place/BU2200 with Carey Ensey collected $25 for 2nd U2000. 14. ... Bd6 15. Nxd7 Bxf4 16. Milton and Leonard Sussman. Ben In the Reserve Section, Marty Ne5+! 1–0 Barquin and Varun Krishnan tied Lower and Pratik Khanna tied for for BU2000. Varun had a draw with 1st with Pratik taking the BU1600, John Bryant in the bag, but he re- while Jesse Orlowski and William SCCF January Open fused a , tried to Delaney were 2nd U1800 and Dan- The SCCF January Open was win and let the game slip away to iel Cook was 2nd U1600. – Chuck held on January 27-28 at the San a loss in at the end. Ensey Diego Chess Club. Many thanks go Despite his small stature, Varun to the club for all their hospitality. is becoming a giant on the chess- John Bryant, John (2226) – Bruce The Open saw 33 players including board! According to the USCF top Baker (2229) 4 masters and 4 experts fighting it 100 lists for February, Varun is the Gambito #304, San Diego 2007 out for the $1,400 guaranteed prize 3rd highest rated 9 year old in the B47 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Taimanov fund. country and the best in California. Variation In the end, masters Leonid John Bryant comes in as the 4th [Note by IM Cyrus Lakdawala] Balmazi and John Bryant tied with best 15 year old in the country and 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. experts Leonard Sussman, Dmitri also the best in Calif. In the Gam- Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 Kishinevsky, and John Funderburg bito Open Reserve Section, Richard The Taimanov Sicilian. for top honors with a score of 4-1. Jensen won BU1800, and William 6. Ndb5 Qb8 7. Be3 a6 Sussman upset master Ronald Bru- Wijaya was 2nd U1800. Tom Kuhn Or 7. ... d6. no in the last round while expert won BU1600. This was the 304th 8. Bb6!? axb5 9. Nxb5 Bb4+! Kishinevsky upset Bryant in round Gambito Open, now in its 7th year Instead, 9. ... Ra4?! 10. Nc7+ Ke7 3. Balmazi took a first round bye of running tournaments every Sat- 11. c4 Ra5 12. c5 f6 gives White a and then drew with Bruno in round urday. Attendance usually ranges nasty attack for the piece. 4. With this event was a state quali- between 20 and 40 players for the 10. c3 Ba5 11. Nc7+ Qxc7 12. fier, Kishinevsky won this spot on popular 4 round G/45 event. It is a Bxc7 Bxc7 13. Qg4 g6 tiebreaks. There are plans for more great place for lower rated players John told me after the game that of these events in the future. to play strong Experts and Masters he felt he had good compensation for In the SCCF January scholastic if they choose to play in the Open the Queen here. I disagreed, feeling open, 53 players registered for the Section, or to compete with fellow that three pieces is too much to give Open, Reserve, and Booster section. Class B and C players in the Re- up for just Queen and pawn. Bruce The Open was open to all players serve Section if they are looking for looks at least equal here. while the Reserve had the players close exciting games. Either way, 14. f4 Nge7 15. Qf3 d5 16. Bb5 rated 551-999. The Booster was playing faster time controls such as Bd7 17. a4 0–0 for players rated from New to 550. G/45, which some people foolishly Or 17. ... dxe4 18. Qxe4 Nd5 19. Carlos Martinez won first place in shun, can greatly improve your tac- g3 0–0 unclear. the scholastic open with a score of tical skills and teach you to think 18. 0–0–0!? Rfd8!? 3½-½. Darren Chow and Jeffrey Xu efficiently. Also you gain more ex- Moving a defender away from tied for first in the Reserve (Chow perience just by the larger number his King looks suspicious. I sug- winning on tiebreaks) with scores of games you can play. And improv- gested to Bruce after the game a of 4-1. Aaron Householder finished ing your game by picking up tips central counterattack line like 18. a perfect 5-0 for the top prize in the from strong players after a game is Booster section. over is so much easier and more fun Continued on page 21 ...

16 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 Pla Where to y Chess

ARCADIA. The Arcadia Chess Club Ave. Casual play. Most attendees are meets at 6:30 p.m. Mondays in the over age 55, but younger adults are ESCONDIDO. The Palomar Chess SeniorSenior CitizensCitizens building,building, 405405 S.S. welcome.welcome. N Noo d dues.ues. C Callall ( (760)760) 602-602- ClubClub meetsmeets a att 7 p p.m..m. ThursdaysThursdays Santa Anita Ave. Continuous rated 4650. in the Escondido Bridge Center, tournaments, casual play. Dues: 2427 S. Center City Parkway. Con- $10/year, $7.50/year for juniors and CLOVIS. The Maharlika Chess Club tinuous rated tournaments. Call seniors. Call Fred Brock at (626) 331- meets 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Fridays John Goddard at (760) 591-0200 or 1638 or Mel Clark at (626) 447-9355. in Carl�s Jr. at 818 W. Shaw Ave. [email protected]. Web Web site: www.geocities.com/arca- in Clovis, CA. Casual play, blitz, oc- site: www.sdchess.com. diachessclub. casional tournaments. No dues. Call Sam Roamboa at (559) 222-4354. ESCONDIDO. A group meets noon ARCADIA. A youth group meets for to 4 p.m. weekdays in the Senior casual play 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. COLTON. A group meets 8:30 p.m. Center, 210 Park Ave. Casual play, Fridays in Diversity Educational to 12:30 a.m. Friday nights in a ages 50 and up. No dues. For infor- Center, Suite A, 1012 S. Baldwin private room at Dennys restaurant, mation, call (760) 839-4688. Ave. For students in kindergarten, 160 W. Valley Blvd. Casual play, blitz. elementary school and junior high. Call Denny’s at (909) 824-2132. FRESNO. The Fresno Chess Club Occasional Sunday tournaments. meets 6:00 p.m. to midnight Mon- Free. Call Roel Sanchez at (626) 254- CORONA. Chessplayers are invited days in Carl’s Jr. restaurant, 3820 9951. Web site: www.diversityeduca- to play on Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m. to N. Cedar. Rated tournament in May, tionalcenter.com. 10:00 p.m., at All About Coffee, 2276 non-rated quick chess quads, ca- Griffin Way, Suite #108. Casual sual play, chess library, newsletter. BISHOP. Kava Coffee House, 206 chess, blitz (bring your clocks). Call Dues: $15/year, $8/year for students, N. Main St., welcomes chessplay- Steven Burleson at (951) 549-6710. women, and those who live outside ers. are available at all Fresno County. Contact Aaron Hise hours. Call (760) 872-1010. COSTA MESA. The Chess Cen- at (559) 228-8089 or send a message ter meets in the Odd Fellows/Re- to [email protected]. BURBANK. A group meets Wednes- bekah Hall, 2476 Newport Blvd. at days from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 7:30 p.m. Tournaments Wednes- GARDEN GROVE. Chess Palace the Joslyn Center, 1301 W. Olive St. days, Fridays, Sundays, casual play has moved to 12872 Valley View, (at Griffith Park Drive). Casual play, Thursdays, monthly Octos tourna- Suite 5. The club is open 6:00 p.m. ages 55 and up only. No dues. Call ments on Saturdays, Chess classes to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, (818) 238-5353. for children, scholastic tournaments, 10:30 am to 10:00 p.m. Saturdays, casual play, lectures, lending library and 11:00 am to 7:00 p.m. Sundays. BURBANK. A group meets Fridays of chess videos, chess supplies for Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and from 5:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Mc- sale. For information, call Al Massip Thursdays. Wide variety of rated Cambridge Park, 1515 N. Glenoaks at (949) 646-6696. Web site: www. tournaments, Action chess, youth Blvd. Casual play, tournaments pos- chess-center.com. tournaments, scholastic chess camps, sible. Call Emil Klimach at (818) blitz, occasional lectures and simuls, 845-1104. ENCINITAS. A group meets 12:30 large selection of chess books, com- p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays in the puters, and equipment for sale, lend- CARLSBAD. A group meets 12:30 Senior Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park ing library of chess videos, excellent p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays in the Drive. Casual play, ages 55 and up website. Dues: $3/day or $99/year. Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine only. No dues. Call (760) 943-2250. Call the club at (714) 899-3421 or

17 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 Alfred Ong at (562) 598-5099. Web LAGUNA BEACH. People gather to of every month. No dues. Call the site: www.chesspalace.com. play chess at the permanent chess library at (323) 732-0169 or send table on the boardwalk. a message to the club secretary at GLENDALE. The chess park at 227 [email protected]. Web site: N. Brand Blvd. is open day and night LAGUNA WOODS. The Leisure http://chess.expoparkla.com. for casual play. Speed tournaments World Chess Club meets 11:00 a.m. Friday evening, occasional weekend to 5:00 p.m. Mondays and 10:30 a.m. LOS ANGELES. A group meets at tournaments. to 6:00 p.m. Thursdays in the Com- 6 p.m. Mondays in the Baldwin Hills munity Center building in Leisure branch of the public library, 2906 S. HEMET. The Hemet Chess Club World. Guests are welcome. Casual La Brea Ave. Casual play, instruc- meets 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fri- play, ladder competition, occasional tion for beginners. All ages welcome, days in the clubhouse of Royal simul. Call Alan Brown at (949) 206- especially children and teenagers. Holiday MH Park, 4400 W. Florida 1039. Call the library at (323) 733-1196. Ave. Casual play, rating system, re- freshments. Dues: $20/year, less for LAWNDALE. The Alondra Park LOS ANGELES. A group of seniors juniors, first three visits free. Call Chess Club meets 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 meets Monday and Friday mornings Marcos Montes at (951) 252-5926 or p.m. Tuesdays at 3850 Manhattan at 8:00 a.m. in the Freda Mohr Com- Kasandra Smith at (951) 767-0974. Beach Blvd. Rated six-round tour- munity Building, 330 N. Fairfax Ave. naments at 7:00 p.m., speed chess Casual play, no smoking. INGLEWOOD. The Inglewood Li- or extra rated games on seventh brary Chess Club meets 1:00 p.m. to Tuesday, no smoking. Dues: $5/year LOS ANGELES. The Los Angeles 5:00 p.m. Saturdays in the public li- plus $5/tournament, $2.50/year for Chess Club (LACC) meets on the brary, 101 W. Manchester Blvd. Chil- juniors. Call Steve Boak at (310) second floor of 11514 Santa Monica dren’s program with free instruction 607-9751. Web site: www.geocities. Blvd., above Javan restaurant. Vari- 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fridays. Call com/alondra_park_cc. ety of tournaments and instruction the library at (310) 412-5380. on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesday LONG BEACH. The chess room in evenings and Wednesday evenings. IRVINE. A group meets at lunch time Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave., is open Dues: adults $120/year, juniors/se- (11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) Fridays at for casual play from noon to 5:30 niors $100/year or $5/visit for non- Knowlwood Restaurant, 14952 Sand p.m. Mondays through Fridays and members, first visit free. Call Mick Canyon Ave. Speed chess, analysis. noon to 4:00 p.m. Saturdays. Free. Bighamian at (310) 795-5710 or send Bring equipment. Contact David a message to Mick@LaChessClub. Zechiel at [email protected]. LONG BEACH. Players gather for com. Web site: www.lachessclub. casual play at Golden Burger, 2301 com. JOSHUA TREE. The Joshua Tree E. 4th St., after the chess room in Chess Club meets 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bixby Park closes. Call the restau- LOS ANGELES. The California Fridays at Faith Lutheran Church, rant at (562) 434-2625. Chess Club at 11610 W. Olympic Blvd. 6336 Hallee Rd. in Joshua Tree. Ca- offers a variety of tournaments and sual play, occasional tournaments, LOS ANGELES. The Santa Monica instruction for children and adults. some instruction, junior chess pro- Bay Chess Club meets 7:00 p.m. to For times and prices, contact Os- gram. Contact Mark Muller at (760) 11:00 p.m. Mondays in St. Andrew’s car Maldonado at (310) 473-2435 or 367-2311 or at muller29@adelphia. Lutheran Church, 11555 National at [email protected]. Web site: net. Blvd. Variety of rated tournaments, www.californiachessclub.com casual play, simuls, over 50 years LA PALMA. The La Palma Chess in business. Dues: $40/year, free LOS ANGELES. Tang’s Donuts, Club meets 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. to women and juniors. Call Pete 4341 W. Sunset Blvd., welcomes Fridays in Central Park, 7821 Walk- Savino at (310) 827-2789. Website: chessplayers for casual play and er St. Rated tournaments, Action www.geocities.com/santamoni- speed chess, especially late at night. chess, casual play. Entry fees: $40 cabaychessclub. for three months of rated tourna- MORRO BAY. A group meets 11 a.m. ment play, $5 less to La Palma resi- LOS ANGELES. The Exposition to 5 p.m. Saturdays at the big chess dents. Call Mike Henebry at (562) Park Chess Club meets 1:00 p.m. to board on Embarcadero at Morro Bay 370-2146 or Leigh Hunt at (714) 4:30 p.m. Sundays in the Exposition Blvd. Chess pieces may be checked 635-0448. Web site: www.lapalm- Park branch of the public library, out weekdays from the Parks and achess.741.com. 3665 S. Vermont Ave. Casual play, Recreation Dept. Call Eugene Ar- lectures, simuls, instruction, free camonte at (805) 528-4079 or Fred tournament on the first Sunday Brown at (805) 772-7074.

18 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 OCEANSIDE. The Oceanside Chess play, non-rated tournaments. No SAN DIMAS. Coffee Bazaar, 661 Club meets 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. dues. Call the Senior Center at (909) W. Arrow Highway, welcomes chess- Wednesdays in the North River Road 798-7550. players. Bring your . Call Neighborhood Center, 5306 N. River (909) 394-1964. Rd. Casual play, occasional rated REDLANDS. Another group meets tournaments. No dues required. Call 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Tuesdays in the SAN LUIS OBISPO. The San James Fritz at (760) 967-0717. Community Center, 111 W. Lugonia Luis Obispo Chess Club meets 6:30 Ave. Call (909) 798-7579. p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tuesdays in the NATIONAL CITY. The National Church of the Nazarene, 3396 John- City Chess Club meets noon to 10:00 RIDGECREST. The Ridgecrest son Ave. Casual play, lectures, occa- p.m. daily at 1341 E. 8th St. Scho- Chess Club meets 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 sional tournaments. Dues: $15/year, lastic instruction and casual play p.m. Saturdays in the Kern County $5/year for students. Contact Bar- Tuesdays, Gambito tournaments Library (west entrance), 131 E. Las bara McCaleb at (805) 544-0717 or every other Saturday. Free instruc- Flores Ave. Casual play, occasional [email protected]. tion for scholastic members ages 7 scholastic and club tournaments. to 12. Dues: $120/year, $15/month, No dues. Contact Dwight Morgan at SAN LUIS OBISPO. The 2 Dogs $1.50/visit, free to masters. Call (760) 377-0034 or dmorgan@iwvisp. Chess Club meets 6 p.m. to closing Jorge Balares at (619) 477-3118 or com. at 2 Dogs Coffee Company, 1017 (619) 788-8395. Web site: www.na- Monterey St. Casual play. Call (805) tionalcitychessclub.com. RIVERSIDE. A group meets for ca- 543-5282. sual play and blitz at 8:30 p.m. Thurs- ORANGE. The Orange Senior Club day evenings in Back 2 the Grind SAN MARCOS. The North County meets from noon to 4:00 p.m. Tues- Cafe, 3575 University Ave. “Quick Chess Club meets at 7:00 p.m. Fri- days in the Orange Senior Citizens Thursdays” G/15 quads on the first days in the Woodland Parkway Se- Community Center, 170 S. Olive Thursday of every month, register nior Apt. Complex at 975 Woodland St. in Orange. Casual play, all ages at 8 p.m. Bring equipment. Call the Parkway. Continuous rated tourna- welcome. For information, call (714) cafe at (951) 784-0800 or e-mail Ty- ments, casual play. Dues: $25/year, 538-9633. rone Liddell at TD@TheChessUnion. $10/year for juniors. Call Mike Na- com. Web site: www.TheChessUnion. garan at (858) 245-5901, or e-mail PASADENA. The Pasadena Chess com. [email protected]. Club meets 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Fridays in Throop Memorial Church, RUNNING SPRINGS. The Moun- SANTA CLARITA. The Califor- 300 S. Los Robles Ave. Rated tour- tain Chess League meets at 6:30 p.m. nia Youth Chess League offices at naments, Action chess, quick chess, Tuesdays in The Fireside, 32031 Hol- 25864 Tournament Rd., Suite G, occasional exhibitions. Dues: $15/ iday Lane. Casual play, must be over are open for casual play and blitz year. Call Neil Hultgren at (818) 243- age 21. Annual team tournament Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 1:00 3809 or Tim Thompson at (818) 354- starts in March. No dues. Call Don a.m. All ages welcome. Kids usually 8698. Web site: www.tim-thompson. La Suer at (909) 867-4994 or send a leave by 8:00 p.m. No dues. Contact com/pasadena.html. message to [email protected]. Jay Stallings at (661) 288-1705 or at [email protected]. PASO ROBLES. The Paso Robles SAN DIEGO. The San Diego Chess Chess Club meets 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 Club meets daily in the Balboa Club, SANTA MONICA. Chess tables are p.m. Wednesdays in the Senior Cen- 2225 6th Ave. (at Ivy) in Balboa available from sunup to sundown ter, 270 Scott St. Casual play, tourna- Park. Club opens for casual play at daily at the Santa Monica Interna- ments. Dues: $15/year. Call Dennis 2:00 p.m. weekdays, 10:00 a.m. Sat- tional Chess Park, on the promenade Steele at (805) 227-4444. Web site: urdays, and noon Sundays. Rated just south of the Santa Monica pier. www.chessmaniac.com/pasoclub. tournaments at 7:00 p.m. Wednes- Casual chess, blitz, chess bulletin days and 10 a.m. Saturdays, Action board, large demonstration board, POWAY. The North County Chess chess, speed chess, instruction by occasional summer tournaments. Club has moved to San Marcos. master Bruce Baker at 7:00 p.m. No dues. Contact Mike Nagaran at (858) 285- Thursdays, Jedi Knights childrens 5901 or at [email protected]. club from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Fri- SIMI VALLEY. TheThe YMCAYMCA ChessChess days. Dues: $48/year. Call the club Club of Simi Valley meets 6:00 p.m. REDLANDS. The Joslyn Center at (619) 239-7166. Web site: http:// to 10:00 p.m. Mondays at the YMCA, Chess Club meets 11:00 a.m. to groups.msn.com/SanDiegoChess/. 3200 Cochran St. Casual play, in- 5:00 p.m. Wednesdays in the Joslyn struction, non-rated tournaments. Senior Center, 21 Grant St. Casual Dues: $5/month, free to YMCA

19 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 members. Call John Williams at 22. Bxh7+. Black offers an Ex- (805) 529-1816. The Long View change sacrifice to get his central pawns moving. by John Hillery VENTURA. The Ventura County Chess Club meets on the first Tues- he McDonnell-La Bourdonnais 21. Qc4+ Kh8 22. Ba4 Qh6 23. day, the second Monday, and the Tencounters marked the begin- Bxe8 fxe4 24. c6 exf3 25. Rc2 later Tuesdays each month in the ning of modern chess -- a set match And not 25. cxb7?, as 25. ... Qe2+ Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foot- of serious games, all of which were 26. Kh1 fxg2+ 27. Kxg2 Rf2+ would hill Rd. Rated tournaments, casual recorded and published. This was lead to mate. play. Dues: $35.00/year, $17.50/year the Frenchman’s most famous win 25. ... Qe3+ 26. Kh1 Bc8 27. for juniors and military, $2.00/night of the match (really a series of six Bd7 f2 for non-members. Call Jimmy Sweet matches, won by La Bourdonnais In turn threatening 28. ... Qe1+ at (805) 659-0356 or Chuck Smith +45, =13, -27), in which we have 28. Qf1 Qxd1 30. Qxd1 f1=Q+. at (805) 654-8472. Web site: www. the unusual spectacle of a swarm of 28. Rf1 d3 29. Rc3 Bxd7 30. vcchess.com pawns overcoming a Queen. cxd7 e4 31. Qc8 Bd8 32. Qc4 Qe1 33. Rc1 d2 34. Qc5 Rg8 35. Rd1 WEST COVINA. The West Covina McDonnell-La Bourdonnais e3 36. Qc3 Chess Club meets 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 62nd Match Game, 1834 XIIIIIIIIY p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the B32 SICILIAN DEFENSE, La Bour- Senior Center, 2501 E. Cortez St. donnais Variation 9-+-vl-+rmk0 All ages welcome. Casual play, rat- 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 9+-+P+-zpp0 ed and non-rated tournaments on 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nxc6 9-+-+-+-+0 Tuesdays. Bring . A positional error, strengthen- No speed chess! Call Richard Wil- ing Black’s central pawns, but such 9zp-+-+-+-0 liams at (626) 966-6311. niceties were little known in the 9-+-+-+-+0 1830s. 9+-wQ-zp-+-0 WEST HILLS. The West Valley 5. ... bxc6 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. Bg5 Chess Club meets 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 Be7 8. Qe2 d5 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. 9PzP-zp-zpPzP0 p.m. Thursdays in the West Valley Bb3 0-0 11. 0-0 a5 12. exd5 cxd5 9+-+RwqR+K0 Jewish Community Center, 22622 13. Rd1 d4 14. c4 Qb6 15. Bc2 Bb7 xiiiiiiiiy Vanowen St. Open to all, continu- 16. Nd2 Rae8 17. Ne4 Bd8 18. c5 ous rated tournaments, blitz, casual Qc6 19. f3 Be7 20. Rac1 f5 36. … Qxd1 37. Rxd1 e2, play. One of the largest local clubs. Not 20. ... Bxc5? 21. Nxc5 Qxc5 White resigns Call John Price at (818) 363-1379 or Duane Cooper at (818) 999-0837. Web site: www.geocities.com/wes- Solutions to Tactics by Hanks (see page 11) thillschess. Problem no. 1: b. fxe6 is incorrect. (From the game Nunn vs Georgiev, Linares 1988.) Taking the White Knight is a horrible mistake. The main line goes 1. … fxe6 Late news 2. Qh5+ Kd8 3. Ba5 and White wins owing to the Queen . A better try is 1. … Ngf6 with play for both sides. The 24th Annual U.S. Amateur Problem no. 2: c. 1. … Ke8 is the best move and leads to an even game. The Team West, held February 17-19 at the main line is 1. … Ke8 2. Nc7+ Kd8 (not 2. … Kf8 else 3. Bh6+ mates next move) 2. Doubletree Marina San Pedro Hotel, Ne6+ (not 2. Nxa8? since 2. … Bxg5 3. Qxg5+ Kc8 and the White Knight is trapped ended in a three-way tie at 5-1. Tak- and Black has a decisive advantage) Ke8 3. Nc7+ draw. The other choices lead to a ing first place on tiebreak was “Or- decisive White advantage or quick Black . ange County Chess Club” (Alexandre If you chose a. Kc8 – thenthen WhiteWhite forcesforces a PhilidorPhilidor stylestyle smotheredsmothered matemate inin 6,6, afterafter 1.1. Kretchetov, Ilia Serpik, Takashi Iwa- … Kc8 2. Nc5+ Kb8 3. Nd7+ Kc8 4. Nb6+ Kb8 5. Qc8+ Rxc8 6. Nd7# moto, and Krishna Kaliannan). Second If you chose b. Kd7 – White retains a decisive advantage by 1. … Kd7 2. Re1 h5 3. place went to “Knights of the Republic” Qh3 Ke8 4. Bxe7 Nxe7 5. Nxc7+ Kd8 6. Nxa8 Rf8 7. Qh4 Qf6 8. Qg3 Qf4 9. Qxf4 Rxf4 (IM Enrico Sevillano, John Bryant, Mi- 10. Nc7! Kxc7 11. Rxe7+ Kc6 12. Re5 with a completely winning position. chael Yee, Vincent Huang), and third to Problem no. 3: a. 1, Qa6 is a mistake and Black will win. (From the game “Hoo’s the Next American Idol” (Joua- Paulsen vs Morphy, NY 1857.) The main line goes 1. Qa6 Qxf3! 2. gxf3 Rg6+ 3. Kh1 quin Banawa, Joel Banawa, Takashi Bh3 4. Rd1 Bg2+ 5. Kg1 Bf3+ 6. Kf1 Bg2+ 7. Kg1 Be4+! (Morphy missed this and Iwamoto, Melinda West, and Jonathan played 7. … Bh3+ and White resigned a few move later) 8. Kf1 Bf5! 9. Qe2 Bh3+ 10. Soo Hoo). The winners will face the Ke1 Rg1#. East, North and South champions in Problem no. 4: c. Black wins. Actually, Black forces a kind of comical smoth- an on-line playoff match on March 24. ered mate with a lone Bishop in 3 moves. The main line goes 1. …. Qf1+ 2. Bg1 Qf3+ A full report will appear in our next is- 3. Bxf3 Bxf3#. So you see Knights, doing their smothered mate acts, are not the only sue. ones who can perform with such beauty.

20 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 ... continued from page 16 ... 2006-2007 State Championship ... dxe4 19. Qxe4 Nd5 20. g3 Nb8! 21. eeded into the Championship are the 2006 co-champions Enrico Sevillano c4 Bxb5 22. axb5 Ra4 23. Qe2 Nb6 Sand Andranik Matikozyan, two players selected on the basis of rating, 24. b3 Ra7?!. and four from the 2007 .

19. e5! July 1-4 Pacific Southwest Open Michael Casella Now... f6 is not possible for Julian Landaw Black July 8-16 State Championship Jack Peters 19. ... Bb6? Cyrus Lakdawala Too slow. Now the White attack Eugene Yanayt picks up steam. Better was 19. ... Christian Tanaka Na5 20. Qe2 Nb3+ 21. Kc2 Nc5 and Francis Chen I still prefer Black] July 20-23 Pacific Coast Open Tim Taylor 20. h4 Nb8 21. h5 Bxb5 Elliot Liu September 2-4 Southern California Open XIIIIIIIIY Joel Banawa 9rsn-tr-+k+0 Melikset Khachiyan Sept. 30-Oct. 1 San Luis Obispo Cty Champ. James Humphrey 9+p+-snp+p0 Vadim Kudryavtsev 9-vl-+p+p+0 Chris Roberts 9+l+pzP-+P0 October 6-8 Los Angeles Open Ilya Sterin Mikhail Ginzburg 9P+-+-zP-+0 Takashi Kurosaki 9+-zP-+Q+-0 Craig Clawitter Sargis Hakobyan 9-zP-+-+P+0 Marian Nick Nita 9+-mKR+-+R0 Francisco Alonso Bobby Hall xiiiiiiiiy November 18-19 SCCF November Open Derek Tan 22. hxg6!! Roger Dellaca A brilliant intuitive sac in the Tal November 23-26 American Open Reynaldo del Pilar tradition. Instead, 22. axb5 Ra1+ Ron Hermansen 23. Kc2 Rxd1 24. Rxd1 Nd7 25. g4 Ilia Serpik is only slightly better for White. December 10-11 Joseph Ileto Memorial Ike Miller 22. ... Be8 Show Kitagami Or 22. ... Bxa4 23. Rxh7 Bxd1 24. Mike Zaloznyy Leo Raterman Qh3! Ra1+ 25. Kd2 Nxg6 26. Qh6 and mates. January 12-15 Western Class Championships Matthew Beelby Jerome Hanken 23. Rxh7 Nxg6 24. Rdh1 Rxa4 January 27-28 SCCF January Open John Daniel Bryant John Funderburg No better is 24. ... Kf8, e.g. 25. Leonard Sussman f5 exf5 26. Qxf5 Be3+ 27. Kb1 Ra6 Dimitry Kishinevsky 28. Rf1 Kg8 29. Rxf7 Nd7 30. e6 Upcoming Nde5 31. Qf6 Bxf7 32. exf7+ Nxf7 March 3-4 SCCF High School Champ North Hills 33. Qxf7+ Kh8 34. Rh1+ Nh4 35. April 21-22 SCCF Senior Open San Diego Rxh4+ Bh6 36. g4. 25. Kb1 Rxf4 26. Qh5 Kf8 April 28-29 Los Angeles County Open Monterey Park Also 26. ... Be3 27. Rh8+ mates May 28-30 Memorial Day Classic LAX (27. Qh6?? Rf1+). 27. Qg5! Each event qualifies two players (highest scoring Southern California The black King’s exit is cut off. residents not previously qualified) except that 1) In the event of a tie, all 27. ... Rf1+ 28. Rxf1 Bb5 29. tied players will advance; 2) A score of 60% is required to qualify; 3) The Rfxf7+ 1–0 SCCF Amateur, SCCF High School and any one-day event will each have one qualifying spot; and 4) All one-day tournaments shall require a 75% score and only one player shall qualify on tiebreak.

21 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 Upcoming Events

8 Under 1000; K-8 Under 750; Un- Express, 728 Sixteenth Street, Sac- March 17 ramento, 916-444-4436 chess rate COSTA MESA OCTOS. 3-SS, 30/75, rated. Prizes: Trophies for top 25 $115. Clarion Hotel, 700 Sixteenth SD/30. (Digital Clocks with delay players and teams in each section Street, 916-444-8000, Chess rate 30/70 SD/30). 8 player sections based on attendance average dur- $110. Ent: www.uschess.org/tour- by rating. Odd Fellows/Rebekah ing recent years. Class trophies naments Hall, 2476 Newport Blvd., Costa to the top three in the following Mesa, CA. EF: $27 advance, $32 classes: K-9 Championship: 1400- March 31 at site, $2 disc. to all Southern Ca- 1599, 1200-1399, 1000-1199, U1000, CHESS UNION SPRING OPEN. 3-SS, lif. Chess Federation members. $$ Unrated. K-8 Championship: 1400- G/75. Back to the Grind Cafe prizes per entries. Reg. 9:30-10:15 1599, 1200 – 1399, 1000 – 1199, (lower level), 3575 University Ave a.m. Rds. 10:30-2:30-6:30. (New U1000, Unrated. Opening cer- Riverside, CA. Top 2 $$200-$100 Times) Rounds may start earlier emony: 12:30 pm Friday. Rds: Fri- and U1800 Gtd., other prizes b/30. if your opponent is present and day: 1-7 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m.-2:00 Reg: 9:00-10:10 a.m. Rds: 10:15-1:00- ready. Info/Ent: Takashi Iwamoto p.m.-7:00 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m.-2:00 4:00. EF: $24 online/mail received ([email protected]), 24275 Tama p.m. Awards: 7 p.m. (approximate) by March 24, $30 at door. Ent: Mail Lane, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677. Sunday. EF: $40 if postmarked checks to the “Chess Union,” PO Home: (949) 643-2981 cell: (949) by March 5, $60 if postmarked by Box 1313, Bloomington, CA 92316. 689-3511. Web site: http://members. March 19, $75 after March 19 or $80 Info: at www.TheChessUnion.com cox.net/octochess/. NS, NC. at site. 1/2 pt bye any round except or call (951) 990-7990. No checks or 7 if requested in advance (limit 1). credit card entries at door. GP: 6 March 25 Please bring clocks. Sets and score DIVERSITY SPRING SCHOLASTIC sheets provided. USCF member- April 15 QUADS. 3 double-SS, G/30 no delay. ship required. Team rooms avail- DIVERSITY SPRING SCHOLASTICS. Diversity Educational Center, 1012 S. able ([email protected]). Febru- 5-SS, G/30 (no delay). Tie-break: Baldwin Ave. #A, Arcadia, CA 91007. ary rating supplement will be used. 5-4-3 min speed game. Diversity 4 people per group based on rating. Meetings: Coaches and Parents Educational Center, 1012 S. Bald- Please bring clocks. Tie break: meeting: 11 a.m. Friday. Tourna- win Ave. #A, Arcadia, CA 91007. 5-min, 4-min, 3-min speed game. ment Feedback meeting: 9:30 a.m. EF: $16 by Apr 14, $20 at site Trophies: Awarded in 1st and Sunday. Scholastic meeting: 2:30 Trophies: top 3, top U1200, top 2nd place per group. February rat- p.m. Sat. Coaches Forum 7:00 p.m. U1000, top U800, top U600, top ing list used. EF: $16 if received Saturday. Special Events: Na- U400/unrated. The champion is by 11/18/06, $21 onsite. On-site tional Junior High School Bug- invited back for the 2007 Diversity reg: 9:30 to 10:00. Round Times: house Championship: Thursday Chess Championship at the end of 10:00 - 12:45 - 3:00. Awards at 5 11 a.m. Bughouse entry onsite only the year. Reg. 9:30-10:00 a.m. Rds. p.m. Info/Ent: Roel Sanchez (roel $25 per team. National Junior 10:00-11:15-1:00-2:15-3:30, awards @diversityeducationalcenter.com), High School Blitz Champion- at 5 p.m. April rating list used. Two 1012 S. Baldwin Ave. #A, Arcadia, ship: Thursday 5 p.m. Blitz EF: 1/2pt byes for rounds 1-4 is allowed. CA 91007 Phone: 626-254-9951, $15 per player/$20 on site or if af- Info/Ent: Roel Sanchez (roel@div cell: 626-818-0671 Web site: www. ter March 5. Parents & Friends ersityeducationalcenter.com), 1012 diversityeducationalcenter.com Tournament: Four Rounds: Sat- S. Baldwin Ave. #A, Arcadia, CA urday 10:30 a.m.-12:30-2:30-4:30, 91007. Phone: 626-254-9951, cell: March 30–April 1 onsite registration only, Rated and 626-818-0671 Web site: www.di- NATIONAL JUNIOR HIGH (K-9) CHAM- Unrated section. New! Trophies for versityeducationalcenter.com PIONSHIP. 7-SS, G/120. Sacramen- Parent and Child combined results. to Convention Center, 1030 15th HR: Host Hotel Hyatt Regency Sac- April 21 Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. In 6 ramento, 800-233-1234. Chess rate COSTA MESA OCTOS. 3-SS, 30/75, sections: K-9 Championship; K-9 $119 s/quad. Additional Hotels a SD/30. (Digital Clocks with delay Under 1250; K-8 Championship; K- of couple blocks away: Holiday Inn 30/70 SD/30). 8 player sections by

22 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 rating. Odd Fellows/Rebekah Hall, Park, CA 91755. $$1100 guaran- Los Angeles, CA 90045. Open to gr. 2476 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA. teed: $300-200-100, U2200, U2000, 12-below. In two sections: Open: EF: $27 advance, $32 at site, $2 disc. U1800 each $100, U1600, U1400 Trophies to top 5, top 3 U1200, top to all Southern Calif. Chess Federa- each $75, Unrated $50. EF: $30 if 2 Unrated. Grade 6/below U1000: tion members. $$ prizes per entries. received by 4/26, $40 at door. Spe- Trophies to top 5, top 3 U700, top Reg. 9:30-10:15 a.m. Rds. 10:30- cial option for HS/below: $10, 5 2 Unrated. Reg: 8:30-9:15. Rds 2:30-6:30. (New Times) Rounds trophies only. SCCF membership 9:30-11-1:00-2:30-4. EF: $16 if re- may start earlier if your opponent req’d of So. Californians: $14, $9 jrs. ceived by 5-24, $20 door. Inf: John is present and ready. Info/Ent: Reg: 9-9:40 a.m. Rds: 10-2-6, 10-4. Hillery, [email protected]. Takashi Iwamoto (takashi@cox. Info: Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, On-line ent: www.westernchess. net), 24275 Tama Lane, Laguna [email protected]. Ent: com. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, Niguel, CA 92677. Home: (949) 643- SCCF, PO Box 205, Monterey Park, 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los Angeles 2981 Cell: (949) 689-3511. Web site: CA 91754. GP: 10. State Champi- CA 90038. http://members.cox.net/octochess/. onship Qualifier. NS, NC. May 28 May 26-28 MDC HEXES, 3-SS, G/90. LAX April 21-22 2007 LINA GRUMETTE MEMORIAL Hilton, 5711 W Century Blvd, Los SCCF SENIOR & YOUNGSTER OPEN. DAY CLASSIC. 6-SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2- Angeles, CA 90045. Six-player sec- 5-SS, Rds. 1-3 G/90, plus 10 sec- day schedule rds 1-3 G/60, then tions by rating. EF: $20 if received ond delay; Rds. 4-5 G/120, w/ 10 merges). LAX Hilton, 5711 W Cen- by 5-24, $25 door. $$ 40-20-10 each sec delay. San Diego Chess Club, tury Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045. section. Reg: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Rds 2225 Sixth Ave, San Diego CA $$10,000 b/200, 60% of each prize 10:45-2-5. Ent: SCCF, c/o John 92101. Two Sections: $3,200 in guaranteed. In five sections: Open: Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los Total Prizes (based on 60 players). $$T+1800-750-400-300-200, U2400 Angeles CA 90038, online at www. Senior Section – Must be over 400, U2200 700-300-200. Premier westernchess.com 50 years old! $300-150-50, U2200 (under 2000): $$750-300-200-100. $150-50, U2000 $150-50, U1800 Amateur ((UnderUnder 11800):800): $$$750-300-$750-300- May 28 $150-50, U1600 $150-50, plus 3 200-100. Reserve (Under 1600): MEMORIAL DAY ACTION SWISS. 5-SS, special age-based prizes: Best Over $$750-300-200-100. Booster (Un- G/30. LAX Hilton, 5711 W Century 60, 70 and 80 years old, $100 each. der 1400/unrated): $$T+400-200- Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045. $$500 Each player eligible for only one 100, U1200 T+100, Unr T+100. (Un- b/40, else proportional: $150-70-40, prize. Youngster Section – Must rated may win Unrated prizes only.) U2100/Unr $80, U1800 $80, Under be under 50 years old! Same prizes Best game prize $25, all sections eli- 1500 $80. EF: $20 if received by 5- as in Senior Section, plus 3 special gible. All: half-point byes available, 24, $25 at door. Reg: 9-10 a.m. Rds age-based prizes: Best Under 20, 16 limit 2, rds 5-6 must be requested 10:15-11:30-12:45-2:30-3:45. Ent: and 12 years old, $100 each, play- with entry & cannot be revoked. SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wil- ers can win only 1 prize. EF: $50 SCCF membership req. ($14, jr. $9), ton Pl. #1, Los Angeles CA 90038, if recvd by 4/20, or event day fee of OSA. No checks or credit cards at online at www.westernchess.com. $60. Special rate of $25 for U1400. door Reg: 3-day 9-10 a.m. 5-26, 2- SCCF membership required ($14, day 8:30-9:30 a.m. 5-27. Rds: 3-day: $9 jr). Reg: 9-9:45 AM, free park- 10:30-5 Sat-Sun, 10-4:30 Mon. 2- ing, arrive early for best spots. Rds: day: 10-12:15-2:30 Sun., then merg- 10 AM, 2 PM and 6 PM on Satur- es. EF: Open, Premier, Amateur, day, 10 AM and 3 PM on Sunday. Reserve $83 if received by 5-24, $95 Byes: One half point bye available door, Booster $67 by 5-24, $80 door. in Round 1-4, no last round byes. On-line entry: www.westernchess. Info: Call SDCC at 619-239-7166 com. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, or email [email protected]. Ent: 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los Angeles Mail checks to SDCC, POB 120162, CA 90038. HR: $95 (310) 410-4000, San Diego CA 92120. mention chess. Parking $8/day. Inf: [email protected]. NS, W, April 28-29 F. GP: 40. State Championship 9TH ANNUAL LOS ANGELES COUNTY Qualifier CHAMPIONSHIP. 5-SS, 30/85, SD/30 (1st 3 rounds), 40/2, SD/1 (last 2 May 27 rounds). Sierra Vista Rec Cen- MDC SCHOLASTICS. 5-SS, SD/45. ter, 311 N Rural Drive, Monterey LAX Hilton, 5711 W Century Blvd,

23 RANK & FILE MARCH-APRIL 2007 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-trk+-tr0 9-+R+-+-wQ0 9rwq-sn-vlk+0 9zpl+psnpzpp0 9zpp+lmkp+-0 9+-+l+pzp-0 9-vlp+-wq-+0 9-+-+p+r+0 9-+-zp-+-zp0 9+-+-zp-+Q0 9wqN+p+-+-0 9zppzpP+-+N0 9-+L+P+-+0 9Pvl-+-+-+0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-sN-vL-+-0 9+-+-vL-+-0 9+P+-+-zPP0 9PzPP+-zPPzP0 9-zP-+-zPPzP0 9PvLPwQ-zPL+0 9+-+R+RmK-0 9+-+-+-mK-0 9+-+-tR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy ALTHOFF - ALEF TAL - NN SPASSKY - KHOLMOV COLOGNE, 1936 USSR, 1964 USSR TEAM, ROSTOV, 1971 WHITE TO MOVE WHITE TO MOVE WHITE TO MOVE

Solutions on page 8

SCCF PO BOX 205 MONTEREY PARK CA 9754