The United States’ Largest Chess Specialty Retailer 888.51.CHESS (512.4377) www.USCFSales.com Official Rules of Chess 7th Edition Search for: B0001USCF on USCFSales.com $21In-Stock & Ready99 to Order! This comprehensive rulebook is the only guide sanctioned and compiled by the US Chess Federation. It is designed as a reference for all chess players, but especially tournament chess players and tournament directors. THIS NEW EDITION INCLUDES: All Relevant Rules and Updates Enacted by US Chess since the 6th Edition The US Chess Code of Ethics Important Upgrades to Tournament Director Certification FREE GROUND SHIPPING On All Books, Software & DVDS at US Chess Sales $25.00 Minimum - Excludes Clearance, Shopworn and Items Otherwise Marked www.uschess.org 47 120TH ANNUAL U.S. OPEN AUGUST 3 - 11, 2019 | ORLANDO, FL ROSEN CENTRE HOTEL · 9840 INTERNATIONAL DRIVE, ORLANDO FL 32819 Please see http://www.uschess.org/tournaments/2019/usopen/ for full information including updates, schedules, meetings, and other special events and happenings. Schedule for 2019 U.S. Open Workshops & Committee Meetings Workshop schedule subject to change. For updates, please visit: uschess.org/tournaments/2019/usopen/ Time 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM NOON 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM FIDE ARBITER'S SEMINAR FIDE ARBITER'S SEMINAR TDCC Problem Senior College Chess Women's Chess FIDE Events Ratings TDCC WEDNESDAY Solving August 7 Denker H.S. & International Commun- CJAScholastic Committee Outreach Barber K-8 Affairs ications Forum FIDE ARBITER'S SEMINAR FIDE ARBITER'S SEMINAR Executive Board THURSDAY LUNCH States Governance Task Force CLOSED August 8 Executive Board OPEN New Delegates Accessibility/ Rules Workshop Seminar Special Circ. FIDE ARBITER'S SEMINAR FIDE ARBITER'S SEMINAR Competition Staff FRIDAY Bylaws Development "Steps Method" Presentation August 9 Integrity Forum/General Membership Ethics Clubs Finance/LMA Trust Meeting SATURDAY Delegates Meeting AWARDS LUNCHEON Delegates Meeting August 10 SUNDAY Delegates Meeting August 11 SATURDAY, August 3, Denker Tournament of High School Champions, Barber Tournament of K-8 Champions, and Ruth Haring National Girls Tournament of Champions 2SHQLQJ&HUHPRQ\30 THURSDAY, August 8, 86&KHVV7UXVW0HHWLQJ 5:30 PM-7:00 PM; FRIDAY, August 9, Executive Board Reception 5:30 PM SUNDAY, August 11 ([HFXWLYH%RDUG0HHWLQJ &/26(' 2:00 PM and ([HFXWLYH%RDUG0HHWLQJ 23(1 6:00 PM ** Workshop schedule subject to change. For updates, please visit uschess.org/tournaments/2019/usopen/ www.uschess.org 1 CHESS LIFE STAFF EXECUTIVE BOARD Melinda Matthews Allen Priest Publications Editor President [email protected] PO Box 436787 Louisville, KY 40253 Frankie Butler [email protected] CHESS LIFE magazine is published by the US Chess Federation Creative Director Crossville, TN (931) 787-1234 [email protected] Randy Bauer Main office: Vice President Natasha Roberts 10990 NW 115th Avenue Press and Communications Inquiries: [email protected] (931) 200-5509 Creative Content Granger, IA 50109 (931) 787-1234, ext. 123 Coordinator [email protected] Advertising inquiries: [email protected] Letters to the editor: Please submit to [email protected] Chuck Unruh Alan Kantor VP Finance Tournament Life Announcements (TLAs): All TLAs should be emailed to Editorial Assistant/ P.O. Box 340 Copy Editor [email protected] or sent to P.O. 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Regular membership provides online-only access to Chess Life and Chess Life Kids. Youth provides bimonthly Chess Life, Scholastic bimonthly Chess Life Kids, others listed above monthly Chess Life. See www. uschess.org for other membership categories. Dues are not refundable and may be changed without notice. *Ages at expiration date of membership being purchased www.uschess.org 3 Chess Life 24 AUGUST COVER STORY COLUMNS The 2019 CHESS TO ENJOY / ENTERTAINMENT 16 Players versus Thinkers Spring BY GM ANDY SOLTIS Nationals BACK TO BASICS / READER 18 ANNOTATIONS BY GM NICOLAS D TE. Tug of War CHECA (HIGH SCHOOL); BY GM LEV ALBURT DR. ALEXEY ROOT, WIM (JUNIOR HIGH); AND IN THE ARENA / BRUCE PANDOLFINI 20 PLAYER OF THE MONTH (ELEMENTARY) The New Generation BY GM ROBERT HESS BOOKS AND BEYOND / 22 SHOULD I BUY IT? The Data Arms Race INTERVIEW / DR. KENNETH KIEWRA BY JOHN HARTMANN 32 More Chess Parenting: SOLITAIRE CHESS / INSTRUCTION 48 Nurturing the Talented Child Reinfeld Played Chess BY DR. ALEXEY ROOT, WIM BY BRUCE PANDOLFINI Dr. Kenneth Kiewra’s new book examines appropriate THE PRACTICAL ENDGAME / conditions for fostering talent. 50 INSTRUCTION Bad but Beautiful BY GM DANIEL NARODITSKY PRO CHESS LEAGUE / 2019 FINALS 36 PRO Chess League Finals Break the Rules BY FM MIKE KLEIN DEPARTMENTS Unlike conventional over-the-board tournaments, at the raucous PRO Chess League finals spectators grabbed snacks, yelled moves, 5 COUNTERPLAY / READERS RESPOND and cheered their favorite teams. 8 AUGUST PREVIEW / THIS MONTH IN CHESS LIFE AND CHESS LIFE ONLINE CORRESPONDENCE CHESS / FIRST MOVES / CHESS NEWS FROM 40 10 CHAMPIONSHIPS AROUND THE U.S. Chess by Knight FACES ACROSS THE BOARD / BY AL BY FM ALEX DUNNE 11 LAWRENCE The 2011 Golden Knights Championship and the 2014 Electronic Knights Championship crown their winners. US CHESS AFFAIRS / NEWS FOR OUR 14 MEMBERS 15 ACROSS THE BOARD / PRESIDENT’S GRAND CHESS TOUR / COTE D’IVOIRE COLUMN 44 Cote d’Ivoire through a Newcomer’s Lens TOURNAMENT LIFE / AUGUST BY WFM MARIA EMELIANOVA 54 The 2019 Grand Chess Tour kicked off with a brand-new event 71 CLASSIFIED / AUGUST in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. SOLUTIONS / AUGUST 72 MY BEST MOVE / PERSONALITIES THIS MONTH: GM NICOLAS CHECA ON THE COVER For scholastic chess players across the nation, springtime means national tournaments. Our cover art captures the spirit of these popular events. COVER ART: JAMES OSES; PHOTO, THIS PAGE: BETSY ZACATE 4 August 2019 | Chess Life Counterplay / Readers Respond LETTERS: Miscellany BILL LOMBARDY HONORED MISSED MOVE? I was very happy to read in the I am a very low level player, rating about 1100, highest just over 1400, May issue of Chess Life that Bill several decades ago. The only quiz feature I am capable of tackling is Lombardy has been inducted into the ABCs of Chess, but I love doing it every month. the [U.S.] Chess Hall of Fame In the May 2019 ABCs of Chess Life (page 49, solutions page 75) (HOF). I knew Bill very well from there appears to me to be a move missed in Problem II, specifically, 3. the late 1970s into the mid-1990s. I Ka3, which significantly extends the problem. Am I right in this, or was aware that when he was alive, am I missing something? he said that if elected to the HOF Jerry Caveney he would decline. For those who via email knew Bill, especially in his later years, this was very consistent with Bruce Pandolfini responds: his state of mind. Bill was very Thank you for your kind words about the ABCs of Chess. I very much embittered that the chess world appreciate your loyal and regular interest in my column. didn’t provide him a living just You are most perceptive.