Every Mondays at 7 p.m., the venue is Iguana Café, 517 N. Halsted. I've been there (though not for chess): it's very nice. The restaurant reviewers on UrbanSpoon give it a 92% rating , and the average entrée price is under $10.
For more info, join the meetup group.
Café owners tend to get annoyed with chess players who hang out all evening and only spend $2 for a cup of tea. If too many chess players do this, the owners eventually ask the chess players to leave. If, on the other hand, the players patronize the restaurant, the owners may start looking for ways to bring more chess players in.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Illinois Open in Oak Brook Labor Day weekend!
Here's the calendar listing. I just checked the preregistration: GMs Gurevich and Amanov head the three-day schedule, while GM Mitkov and IM Young top the two-day schedule. Both schedules merge after the third round.
The time control for all rounds of the three-day schedule is game/90 plus 30-second increment (that is, each player has 90 minutes to complete the game, plus 30 extra seconds added to the clock with each move made). You'll never have a crazy time scramble with this control! In fact, those of you accustomed to blitz play will need to learn to think prior to moving. Minor downside: restroom breaks after move 40 must be efficient pit stops. I'd like to see the time control for next year's championship be something like 40/90, sudden death/30, still with the 30-second increment from move 1. But this is a quibble: the thirty-second increment is a big improvement over five-second delay.
Save a few dollars and enter now: I just did! $79 for three days of play is incredibly reasonable. If you're entering by mail, play it safe and enter today (mail entries must be postmarked by Tuesday).
The time control for all rounds of the three-day schedule is game/90 plus 30-second increment (that is, each player has 90 minutes to complete the game, plus 30 extra seconds added to the clock with each move made). You'll never have a crazy time scramble with this control! In fact, those of you accustomed to blitz play will need to learn to think prior to moving. Minor downside: restroom breaks after move 40 must be efficient pit stops. I'd like to see the time control for next year's championship be something like 40/90, sudden death/30, still with the 30-second increment from move 1. But this is a quibble: the thirty-second increment is a big improvement over five-second delay.
Save a few dollars and enter now: I just did! $79 for three days of play is incredibly reasonable. If you're entering by mail, play it safe and enter today (mail entries must be postmarked by Tuesday).
Big win for Sam Shankland
Sam drew one of the toughest possible opponents in Round 1: Peter Leko, who came within a few moves of winning the World Championship in 2004. But Shankland won! Rook and bishop vs. rook and knight endings are maddeningly difficult, even for endgame virtuosos.
When I was preparing for my first classical game against IM Florin Felecan a couple years ago, I was suprised to find that he had played several games against Peter Leko when both were teenagers.
When I was preparing for my first classical game against IM Florin Felecan a couple years ago, I was suprised to find that he had played several games against Peter Leko when both were teenagers.
World Cup Round 1, Game 1
Yury Shulman has had great success in previous World Cups. But his first round pairing is the formidable Vladimir Potkin, winner of this year's European Individual Championship.
Yury has a quiet draw with White. Now he has to hold with Black and win the tiebreaks.
Yury has a quiet draw with White. Now he has to hold with Black and win the tiebreaks.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Strong Chicago showing in L.A.
I have yet to see games from the 1st Metropolitan Chess Inter,national , a 9-round norm event held August 17-21 in Los Angeles. But our local players certainly did well. GM Mesgen Amanov tied for second with a 6½-2½ score. GM Dmitry Gurevich had a mediocre event, but still scored 5½-3½. Eric Rosen had an IM norm in his grasp, but lost against IM Mark Ginsberg in the last round. (Note to Eric: I beat Mark Ginsberg when I was sixteen.) And NM Adarsh Jayakumar beat up on the locals (including IM Jack Peters) and gained some ELO with his 4½-4½ score.
GM Michael Adams simply outclassed the field: he won with a 7½-1½ score. One wouldn't want to be playing him in the World Cup!
GM Michael Adams simply outclassed the field: he won with a 7½-1½ score. One wouldn't want to be playing him in the World Cup!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Applause
Rumor has it that there's an organization called the Chess Journalists of America. (I cannot find a website for "Watching Paint Dry Journalists of America.")
As with the Academy Awards, the CJA occasionally honors someone who richly deserves it. This is one of those rare moments: congratulations, Maret!
CJA Best [USCF] State Chapter Website Runner-up
Official website of the State of Illinois' USCF chapter
Designed by Maret Thorpe
Sunday, August 21, 2011
From Chess Cafe to chess in cafés
National Master Vince Berry has a bright thought: we should compile a list of chess-friendly restaurants, cafés, and other businesses that give a home to casual chess. Chess happens in surprising places.
In the 1980s, Vince and I used to play at the legendary P-K4 barbershop across the street from Holy Name Cathedral, and Vince remembers a resale shop at Roscoe and Damen that supports casual play. You'd always find Rick Lang and the late Raj Yahya at Ennui (Lunt and Sheridan, in the same building as Papa Dee's Chicago Chess Club); it's closed now! Memories like these are nice, but tell us where you're playing chess now.
I go to Pressure Billiards & Cafe (6318 N. Clark) to study chess. It's not a chess hotbed, but it's chess-friendly. Sometimes a friend will be on ICC, and sometimes I'll get suckered into playing blitz risers.
In the 1980s, Vince and I used to play at the legendary P-K4 barbershop across the street from Holy Name Cathedral, and Vince remembers a resale shop at Roscoe and Damen that supports casual play. You'd always find Rick Lang and the late Raj Yahya at Ennui (Lunt and Sheridan, in the same building as Papa Dee's Chicago Chess Club); it's closed now! Memories like these are nice, but tell us where you're playing chess now.
I go to Pressure Billiards & Cafe (6318 N. Clark) to study chess. It's not a chess hotbed, but it's chess-friendly. Sometimes a friend will be on ICC, and sometimes I'll get suckered into playing blitz risers.
"The process of elimination"
Sherlock Holmes enjoyed berating Watson for failing to execute this procedure:
For example, what's White's best move in the above position?
Dvoretsky's The Instructor is the best monthly column on the web for players at or above the advanced intermediate level. If you print out a couple dozen columns from the Chess Cafe archives, you'll have enough material for a couple dozen afternoons in your favorite café! (Bring your set.)
"You will not apply my precept," he said, shaking his head. "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth? We know that he did not come through the door, the window, or the chimney. We also know that he could not have been concealed in the room, as there is no concealment possible. When, then, did he come?"Mark Dvoretsky's current column in Chess Cafe has some wonderful examples of applying the principle of excluding possibilities in practical play. You don't have to calculate why your chosen move is best if you already know that the alternatives lose!
J. Moravec, 1925
White to play
For example, what's White's best move in the above position?
Dvoretsky's The Instructor is the best monthly column on the web for players at or above the advanced intermediate level. If you print out a couple dozen columns from the Chess Cafe archives, you'll have enough material for a couple dozen afternoons in your favorite café! (Bring your set.)
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Labor Day Scholastic at 2011 Illinois Open
Kick off the 2011-12 scholastic season in Oak Brook this September 3rd with a great new four-round event held in conjunction with the Illinois Open State Championship. Read all about it here! You'll get to see grandmasters and masters play for the state championshp.
You can register for either the one-day scholastic event or the two-day or three day sections of the Championship here.
And here's the listing for both events in the ICA Calendar.
Events this weekend
In Skokie Aug 19-21st, it's the 6th North American Amateur Open at the North Shore Chess Center. (Check the rating requirements, however: if your rating is below 1600 or you don't have a FIDE rating, you may not be able to play.)
In Northbrook on Sunday the 21st, it's the 3rd Coast Challenge XIII.
As always, check out the ICA Tournament Calendar to find out what's going on!
In Northbrook on Sunday the 21st, it's the 3rd Coast Challenge XIII.
As always, check out the ICA Tournament Calendar to find out what's going on!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Things I learn from beginners' books
Or in this case, a CD for beginners, the incredibly good Chess Tutor - Step 1.
Can you answer these three questions in less than five seconds?
Can you answer these three questions in less than five seconds?
- How many ranks does a chessboard have? (I bet you know that.)
- How many files does a chessboard have? (I bet you know that, too.)
- How many diagonals does a chessboard have? (I had no idea!)
The Illinois Chess Tour Is Back!
Another email cut-and paste!
The ICA is excited to announce the resumption of the Illinois Chess Tour for the coming year 2012.
The new format features 10 premier chess events and begins with the 26th edition of the Tim Just Winter Open this January.
ICA Metro Vice President Mike Cardinale has spearheaded the effort, and will serve as the inaugural Tour Commissioner, with assistance from some dedicated volunteers. Any ICA members who are interested in aiding the effort may contact Mike at metrovp@il-chess.org.
Stay tuned to our website for further details about the new Tour, including a kick-off event planned for this fall.
Play in the 2011 Illinois Open in Oak Brook this Labor Day weekend!
From the Illinois Chess Association's email newsletter:
2011 Illinois Open
Come join us at the 2011 Illinois Open. We expect to have GM Dmitry Gurevich, GM Mesegen Amanov, IM Angelo Young, FM Aleksandar Stamnov, FM Nikhilesh Kumar Kunche, FM Timur Aliyev! There will be plus score prizes, and all players can claim a three month extension to their ICA membership.
Chess for Life Website: http://chessforlife.com/chess/Ilopen11/ilopen11.html
Online Entry at: http://chessforlife.com/chess/Ilopen11/paypal.html
2011 Illinois Open
Come join us at the 2011 Illinois Open. We expect to have GM Dmitry Gurevich, GM Mesegen Amanov, IM Angelo Young, FM Aleksandar Stamnov, FM Nikhilesh Kumar Kunche, FM Timur Aliyev! There will be plus score prizes, and all players can claim a three month extension to their ICA membership.
- September 3, 2011 - September 5, 2011
- $11,000 prizes based on 250 entries
- 3 day schedule and 2 day schedule
- 6 Rounds
- Increment: G/90 + 30 seconds
- Pre-entry $79, At-the-door $90
- DoubleTree Hotel; 1909 Spring Road; Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
- Side Event: Individual Scholastic Trophy Tournament
- Side Event: Saturday G/25
Chess for Life Website: http://chessforlife.com/chess/Ilopen11/ilopen11.html
Online Entry at: http://chessforlife.com/chess/Ilopen11/paypal.html
Monday, August 15, 2011
Eric Rosen article in Chess Life
The author is Eric's mother Andi, so expect the piece to be hard-hitting. Eric also annotates the win against IM Marc Arnold that gave him the National High School title.
PDF here! The article originally appeared in the August 2011 Chess Life. Our thanks to CL editor Dan Lucas for giving the Illinois Chess Association permission to republish.
PDF here! The article originally appeared in the August 2011 Chess Life. Our thanks to CL editor Dan Lucas for giving the Illinois Chess Association permission to republish.
Call for CPS technology donations: Carter G. Woodson School
Trevor Scott gave me permission to republish this email:
Trevor Scott
Technology Coordinator, Carter G. Woodson South
773-535-1250
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I know that even with budgets tightening, technology upgrades are still done in corporate and federal entities, therefore, I am asking that any old equipment that is recycled or trashed to be donated to Carter G. Woodson School South, 4414 S. Evans. We are directly next door to a charter school with the same name so the address is of extreme importance to know the difference between the two schools. We are a windows based school with wireless capabilities and kids who just want a fair chance to succeed.
Our immediate needs are:
- Laptops
- Network/individual printers
- Desktops (preferably windows based and no older than 5 years)
- Flat screen monitors
- Copy machines
- LCD projectors
Thank you in advance for your consideration. If you need any further information then please feel free to reply to this e-mail or call the school directly and ask for Trevor Scott at your earliest convenience.
Trevor Scott
Technology Coordinator, Carter G. Woodson South
773-535-1250
Hardware is not just needed for the classroom: with the right software, it's invaluable for turning absolute beginners into strong players.
Your local public, parochial, or private school could also use some help, too. If you're a teacher or volunteer seeking donations for your school, or if your business is swapping out XP machines for Windows 7 machines, I'd be happy to facilitate the matchmaking process!
Cognitive blind spots
As we get "better" at chess, we see the board more quickly, but we may also stop seeing certain things.
In the following position, White can sacrifice his queen profitably. How?
And here's the question I couldn't answer when Mesgen Amanov told me to look for a queen sac: how many ways does White have to sacrifice his queen? I only counted three squares, and literally could not see the best move! The confusion eventually cleared.
Answer here.
In the following position, White can sacrifice his queen profitably. How?
And here's the question I couldn't answer when Mesgen Amanov told me to look for a queen sac: how many ways does White have to sacrifice his queen? I only counted three squares, and literally could not see the best move! The confusion eventually cleared.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Adarsh Jayakumar wins Cleveland Open, Life Master title
Adarsh tied for first last weekend with WIM Irnya Zenyuk and NM Atulya Shetty, and had the better tiebreaks. Story in Chess Life Online!
Crosstable here! This was Adarsh's fifth and final norm for the Life Master title--congratulations!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Chicago Southside Classic (gotta love the logo)
Check out Daaim Shabazz's website The Chess Drum for details on the Chicago Southside Classic, to be held at the world-famous Mosque Maryam (7351 S. Stony Island) on Saturday, August 27th!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Brilliant win by Dmitry Gurevich
If you play either side of the Catalan, you should pay attention to this game! The main line of the Open Catalan begins with 7.Qc2. Black's reply 7...b5!? has been played before, but it's been considered an unimportant sideline. In almost every previous game, Black met 8.a4 with 8...c6, with less-than-satisfactory results.
As Eric Rosen explained to me a couple weeks ago, Alexander Shabalov revived 7...b5!? against Sam Shankland in this year's U.S. Championship. Shabalov's primary contribution seems to be the realization that after 8.a4, the critical move is 8...b4!
Dmitry is Eric's teacher, so I suspect the two of them have been working on this line together. The engines tell me that in yesterday's game against six-time Dutch champion Loek Van Wely, Gurevich was better after 14 moves and simply winning after 16...Bf6! Dmitry finished the game in style with a bishop sac and a rook sac. Impressive preparation and play against a super GM!
As Eric Rosen explained to me a couple weeks ago, Alexander Shabalov revived 7...b5!? against Sam Shankland in this year's U.S. Championship. Shabalov's primary contribution seems to be the realization that after 8.a4, the critical move is 8...b4!
Dmitry is Eric's teacher, so I suspect the two of them have been working on this line together. The engines tell me that in yesterday's game against six-time Dutch champion Loek Van Wely, Gurevich was better after 14 moves and simply winning after 16...Bf6! Dmitry finished the game in style with a bishop sac and a rook sac. Impressive preparation and play against a super GM!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Louis Paulsen's blindfold exhibitions in Illinois
After Paul Morphy's retirement from active play in the early 1860s, Louis Paulsen may have been the strongest chess player in the world. He emigrated from Germany in 1854 and lived in Dubuque, Iowa, until 1860, after which he returned to Europe. Most chess players remember him for his famous games with Morphy from the First American Chess Congress, his contributions to the Sicilian Defense, and his proto-hypermodern playing style.
I never knew how strong a blindfold player he was until reading Olimpiu G. Urcan's Chess Cafe article on Paulsen's blindfold exhibitions. In May 1858, Paulsen scored 9 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw in a ten-game Chicago exhibition; later than month in Rock Island, Paulsen scored a perfect 10-0-0. You'll find several of those games in Urcan's article.
Amateur historians may wish to help Urcan in filling the gaps of Paulsen's exhibition record. And while you're at it (plants tongue in cheek), can you find any evidence that a certain avid amateur chess player from Galena (only a few miles from Dubuque) ever played Paulsen, and thus gained strategic insights put to use in winning the Civil War? (One might argue that Gen. Grant's style was closer to Morphy's.)
Friday, August 5, 2011
Letter from Mike Zacate
Mike will receive a lifetime achievement award from the U.S. Chess Federation in Orlando this weekend. Unfortunately, he won't be there, as his wife Betty is recovering from a broken leg. As is typical for Mike, he's more interested in the future than in personal honors. Here's a letter he wrote this week.
USCF Scholastic Chess Committee and interested scholastic chess individuals:
There is a plan under discussion between the Illinois Chess Association (ICA) and the Chicago Public Schools. This plan has been in development for several years and progress followed by, and contributed to, by officers of the ICA and members of the Illinois scholastic chess community. Scholastic chess in Illinois has been on a rise in Illinois for a number of years thanks to individuals whose volunteer efforts do not end as their children age, high school programs, and several companies providing chess instruction for pay. As a result, scholastic chess in Illinois has developed on a sustained basis in areas such as Rockford, Bloomington-Peoria area, northern Chicago suburbs, western Chicago suburbs, and, to a lesser extent, the southern Chicago suburbs (eastern Chicago is Lake Michigan). Thanks to some companies and the efforts of a few individuals in Chicago elementary and high schools there is some scholastic chess active in Chicago. Thanks to the companies (I know of three) chess at the elementary level has been on the rise even while chess at the secondary level has been waning. The recent growth of elementary chess in Chicago shows the potential for exponential growth if only a structure capable of managing it and (most important) providing a sufficient number of individuals to instruct and sponsor the students existed. The Chicago Public School system has such resources to enable the scale of growth other parts of the state have had.
The proposal being shown to the USCF that the ICA is developing with Chicago officials will provide the chess expertise to an interested bureaucracy to develop scholastic chess in Chicago to an unprecedented level. The ICA has offered to provide an instructional foundation that can sustain itself. As part of the plan, the ICA will help raise the funds needed for the initial training that will jump start the program. Once operational the program can become self sustaining within the Chicago system. Part of the beauty of the program is that it does not replace existing individual or company endeavors. Rather the ICA/Chicago plan will not only supplement and complement it, but will make much more in demand for the services of existing companies.
Developed through the input of numerous, highly experienced scholastic organizers, the plan has been endorsed (and/or sponsored) by Illinois’ top rated players, many of the private [z]one chess providers operating in Chicago, the Illinois Elementary School Association, the Illinois Chess Coaches Association, the Chicago Public Schools’ Chess Association, the U.S. Chess Trust, and the Youth Chess Foundation of Chess. Not developed in a vacuum, the plan is based on the successful programs in Philadelphia, New York, and other cities tailored to fit Chicago. The potential for gain to chess and to the USCF commands that the USCF support the plan with input and endorsement.
Yours in chess,
Michael E. Zacate
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Know your rook endings
There are two rook plus pawn vs. rook positions that every player should understand: the Philidor position and the Lucena position.
You will sometimes get positions very close to either the Philidor or the Lucena: in many (most?) cases, your job is to try to convert to the Philidor (as defender) or Lucena (as attacker).
In round one of the U.S. Open, Sevan Muradian handled the ending much better than his young opponent, but made one slip that could have thrown away the upset win. Very nice game!
You will sometimes get positions very close to either the Philidor or the Lucena: in many (most?) cases, your job is to try to convert to the Philidor (as defender) or Lucena (as attacker).
In round one of the U.S. Open, Sevan Muradian handled the ending much better than his young opponent, but made one slip that could have thrown away the upset win. Very nice game!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Dumas Technology Academy tournament
Barbara Radner, the director of the Center for Urban Education at DePaul's School for New Learning, runs a summer enrichment program at Dumas Technology Academy, 6650 S. Ellis. This past Friday, Barbara, Gary Childers, and the other wonderful teachers in this program (my apologies for not having all your names!), invited Jerry Neugarten and me (on behalf of the Illinois Chess Association) to help run the program's chess championship. It was a wonderful day: Jerry and I had a lot of fun, and the love these young players have for the game is palpable.
These pictures were taken at the end of a round: the crowd was much larger!
Shomari Tillett took first place. Second was shared by Coriyana Richardson and Robert Redmond. Other plus score awards were given to Royon McCoy, Michael Harper, Eddie Jackson, Demeatreas Whately, Tevin White, Martinez Butler, Eaon Pier, Gregory Bennett, Zachary King, and Jamariah Crider.
Congratulations to all who played!
Jerry Neugarten gets the tournament underway (courtesy Barbara Radner)
The end is near.... (courtesy Barbara Radner)
Trevor Magness at the Denker
The Illinois representative is one of the early leaders at the Denker Tournament of High School Champions in Orlando.
In today's game, Trevor finds a nice shot in the hyper-theoretical Romanishin Variation of the Nimzoindian.
In today's game, Trevor finds a nice shot in the hyper-theoretical Romanishin Variation of the Nimzoindian.
Noodling around with the laptop
I was reading Kasparov's classic My Great Predecessors, Part 2
this afternoon (with Houdini running in the background). Houdini discovered a very cool variation that Kasparov doesn't mention, which suggests that White may have had more than one way to draw.
Please check this!
Amazingly, the position after White's 19th move was home preparation by Botvinnik! This would be impressive in the computer age, let alone 1930.
P.S. Fritz 6 also finds this same line easily, which makes me think that this is an editorial snafu.
this afternoon (with Houdini running in the background). Houdini discovered a very cool variation that Kasparov doesn't mention, which suggests that White may have had more than one way to draw.
What's White's best move: 24.axb4, 24.Kb3, or 24.Qxb4?
Please check this!
Amazingly, the position after White's 19th move was home preparation by Botvinnik! This would be impressive in the computer age, let alone 1930.
P.S. Fritz 6 also finds this same line easily, which makes me think that this is an editorial snafu.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
1st World Chess Games for Disabled in Dresden, Germany, October 24-30
I hadn't heard of this event before. Link to details at Chess Life Online. Please note that entrants must be sponsored by their national federation, which means that if you'd like to play, you need to get in touch with USCF as soon as possible.
There are separate titles for the blind, the deaf, and the physically disabled. Unfortunately for me, "patzer" is not one of the disability categories.
There are separate titles for the blind, the deaf, and the physically disabled. Unfortunately for me, "patzer" is not one of the disability categories.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Mesgen Amanov annotates
Mesgen steamrolled one of America's top juniors in the first round of this month's World Open in Philadelphia. The game ends with a cute sacrificial flourish.
He discussed the game in a lecture at the North Shore Chess Center, and was gracious enough to share the game with those of us who weren't there. Here's the link!
He discussed the game in a lecture at the North Shore Chess Center, and was gracious enough to share the game with those of us who weren't there. Here's the link!
No-draw puzzles
Bill Smythe of Rogers Park posted some ingenious and amusing puzzles on the U.S. Chess Federation's "All Things Chess" forum. Imagine some minor modifications to the rules of chess: repetitions of position are now prohibited, and the definitions of checkmate and stalemate are altered.
Can you figure out the theoretical result of king vs. king without resulting to brute force? I can't!
Can you figure out the theoretical result of king vs. king without resulting to brute force? I can't!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Rachel Ulrich's first master scalp
I asked 11-year-old Rachel Ulrich if she could send the PGN of yesterday's win against NM Steve Tennant at the Downers Grove event. She modestly replied, "Yes, this is my first win against a master. Thanks to Mr. Tennant for playing in this event. I appreciate his time spent playing me."
And now we adults must be wary of another precocious young player. White's play in this game is very smooth and very impressive!
And now we adults must be wary of another precocious young player. White's play in this game is very smooth and very impressive!
Young, Magness win Downers Grove #8
IM Angelo Young and NM Trevor Magness tied for first in yesterday's Downers Grove Chess Club #8 with 3½-½ scores. In the final round, Young downed tournament leader NM Pete Karagianis, while Magness beat Mikhail Korenman.
One-day, four-round Swiss System events are called "tornadoes." This was certainly the strongest tornado in the Midwest this summer: two International Masters, three FIDE Masters, five National Masters, and several experts played.
11-year-old Rachel Ulrich (post-event rating 1714) beat NM Steve Tennant. Tennant crushed me in the CICL playoffs a couple months ago. Hmm.
Daniel Parmet organized for the Downers Grove Chess Club, assisted by Brian Smith.
Crosstable here!
One-day, four-round Swiss System events are called "tornadoes." This was certainly the strongest tornado in the Midwest this summer: two International Masters, three FIDE Masters, five National Masters, and several experts played.
11-year-old Rachel Ulrich (post-event rating 1714) beat NM Steve Tennant. Tennant crushed me in the CICL playoffs a couple months ago. Hmm.
Daniel Parmet organized for the Downers Grove Chess Club, assisted by Brian Smith.
Crosstable here!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Downers Grove tomorrow!
Another email cut-and-paste:
Hello chess friends!
I am running the 8th Downers Grove swiss tournament tomorrow! It is already a very strong event with 10 masters and 8 experts signed up! We already have 40 players including IM Angelo Young, IM Mateusz Bobula, FM Albert Chow, FM Aleksanda Stamnov, FM Zin, Aung Thant, NM Trevor Magness, NM Petros Karagianis, NM Alex Ding, NM Sam Schmakel, NM Steven Tennant! 4 rounds of Game 60 EF $25
Announcement of DGCC's July 23, 2011 USCF tournament:4-SS G/60 plus 5 sec delay. Fairview Village, 200 Village Drive, Downers Grove, ILJuly 23, 2011 Downers Grove Swiss #8
IM Angelo Young 7 time IL State Champion and Chicago Blaze player is playing in this event. FM Albert Chow, FM Aung Thant Zin, NM Steven Tennant, NM Trevor Magness are playing in this event. More masters are expected to play, see here for a current list of pre-registered players.
Early Entry fee is $20, if you preregister and payment is received by July 18th. After thatEF is $25.
This is a CICL-friendly event. For current Chicago Industrial Chess League members (those who played in the 2010-2011 season), the EF is $20 (including at the door), and you are eligible for the best CICL-player non-cash prize.
Prizes: Based on 40 entries: 1st $325, 2nd $150, 3rd $75. (At least 70% of EFs will be returned as cash prizes.) Book prizes, DVDs, or McDonald's gift certificates for best u2000, u1800, u1600, CICL-player, and upset. Unrated players can only win cash prizes.
Pre-registration: maximum number of players is 52, advanced registration is advised. Send mail with your name, phone number, USCF id number and a check payable to "Brian Smith" toBrian Smith483 Nantucket RoadNaperville, IL 60565
Onsite registration: 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. If paying at the door, pay cash only (no checks).Rounds: rd1 9:30am, rd2 12:30pm, rd3 2:45pm, rd4 5pmClocks and sets provided. Daniel Parmet is the TD.Email questions to brs483@att.net More info at http://sites.google.com/site/downersgrovechess USCF rated, USCF membership required. Players may take a half point bye in any round except the last round. A half point bye must be requested before the round starts. Zero point bye only in final round. Free parking, but park only in a space marked for visitors. "200 Village Drive" is the "Village Apartments" building. Enter its main entrance, and tell receptionist you are there for the chess tournament. Multiple sections possible. Junior players (under sixteen years) rated 900+ are welcome, and must be accompanied by a parent throughout the day. Sorry, but we do not accept junior players rated under 900.
Regards,
Daniel Parmet
TD
Bughouse Informant
Here's the third in a great series on bughouse theory and praxis—from junior high school students!
I don't think I've played bughouse since I was 19, but reading the series makes me want to try.
I don't think I've played bughouse since I was 19, but reading the series makes me want to try.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Tommaso Dorigo
Tommaso Dorigo must have a good life: he's an experimental particle physicist, and he plays chess! Tomasso is a veteran of the Chicago Industrial Chess League, having played for Fermilab.
Will the "God particle," the Higgs boson, be unveiled later this week? Dorigo is pessimistic. (More here.) Are there baryons to be discovered? You bet.
And does Tommaso have any good ideas for the White side of the Catalan?
Will the "God particle," the Higgs boson, be unveiled later this week? Dorigo is pessimistic. (More here.) Are there baryons to be discovered? You bet.
And does Tommaso have any good ideas for the White side of the Catalan?
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Evanston Rapids July 30: $5, such a deal
Email cut-and-paste:
Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave, Evanston, IL 60202
Evanston Chess Presents:
Jul 30, 2011, 9:00am-4:30pm
Rapid 5SS G/29
One Section, USCF Quick Rated
Join us for our "light" summer event--five rounds of quick rated chess. Let your regular rating take a vacation. It's your chance to try out those crazy new opening lines. NM Eric Rosen will be playing Board one.
Five rounds. Digital clocks are required and will be set to G/29 plus 3 seconds delay. Accelerated or decelerated pairings at TD discretion.
Registration from 9:00 to 9:30 AM. Players must check in by 9:30 am; players who arrive late will receive a half-point bye for the first round. First Round 9:45 am, last round over roughly 4:30 pm.
From time to time Evanston Chess pays one or more titled players to play in our events. We usually do not pair them against each other. Even if they should lose (it does happen) we may pair them with the highest score groups.
You may take one half-point bye in any round but the last.
Entry fee is $5, please pay cash (no checks) at the door. Masters and Experts play free.
Send name, USCF number, and telephone number to enter@evanstonchess.org
Junior players (under fourteen years) rated 900+ are welcome. Sorry, but we do not accept junior players rated under 900. Must be accompanied by a parent throughout the event.
Bring clocks -- Wheelchair accessible -- No Smoking.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Wrapup of the 2011 FIDE Continental Americas Amateur Chess Championship
The title of this event seems somewhat longer than the article by Sevan Muradian on the ICA website.
The next Bobby Fischer?
Nakamura profile in St. Louis's Riverfront Times. An excerpt:
"I know the general idea is that I can be an arrogant [*******]," Nakamura says. "But that's not all I can be."
Nakamura's level of hubris is the kind that comes with youth, talent and the pressure of being both the symbol and the future of one the country's most dedicated microcosms. He uses this to his advantage: No one reinforces that pressure more than he does, and he channels arrogance to turn the hope that he can win into the knowledge that he, in fact, will. Nakamura never enters a game thinking he is the underdog, an aggressive philosophy that usually guarantees he is not. It also leads to dramatic changes in mood and behavior. "Bobby was crazy," says Rich, making that ubiquitous Fischer comparison. "Hikaru's just arrogant."
Particularly in his teenage years, Nakamura established a reputation of misbehavior, of emotional reactions and rude exchanges with other players. It has been hard for him to leave this behind.
"When I play chess, it's a competition," Nakamura says. He pauses. "I'm trying to think of how I want to put this: When I was a bit younger, I was a bit of a bad boy. I didn't exactly have the greatest manners, which has improved greatly, but a lot of people still remember when I was a jerk." The result is that today, people don't know what to expect from him. "I rather enjoy that."
Although he is always confident, he is not the same person away from the board as he is at it — or thinking about it. If he is angry, disappointed or depressed — as he can be often, depending upon his performance in a tournament — that fact is pronounced.
"When you're competing at such a high level, you have to wear a mask to some extent," says Sunil Weeramantry. His stepson, he says, isn't as aware of how he comes across as he should be: "He pretty much wears his feelings on his sleeves. He can be moody, and in the next instant, he can be absolutely charming."
Monday, July 18, 2011
Mitkov, Gurevich, Sarkar, Rosen win Chicago Class
GM Nikola Mitkov, GM Dmitry Gurevich, IM Justin Sarkar, and NM Eric Rosen tied for first with 4-1 scores. Sarkar is from New York, but we otherwise defended our turf. GMs Amanov and Kekelidze also played.
I tied for dead last with twoformer masters (edit: they're under 2200, but the NM title is for life) and a future master, and I didn't play that badly: tough event!
Congratulations to Max Villareal, who I believe was the only clear winner of a section. Max won Class C with a perfect 5-0, going from 1412 to 1598 in five games. (He was rated 1244 after the Chicago Open, then went from 1244 to 1412 at the Conitnental Americas Amateur--history here.) At this rate of progression, we expect to see him playing for the 2013 World Championship.
ICA Secretary Maret Thorpe picked up 97 Elo in the Under-1000 section. I kibitzed the under-1000 section a bit on Saturday: my impression is that most players with established ratings under 1000 have deflated ratings, simply because they're playing improving juniors in under-1000 sections.
More to follow....
Results here!
I tied for dead last with two
Congratulations to Max Villareal, who I believe was the only clear winner of a section. Max won Class C with a perfect 5-0, going from 1412 to 1598 in five games. (He was rated 1244 after the Chicago Open, then went from 1244 to 1412 at the Conitnental Americas Amateur--history here.) At this rate of progression, we expect to see him playing for the 2013 World Championship.
ICA Secretary Maret Thorpe picked up 97 Elo in the Under-1000 section. I kibitzed the under-1000 section a bit on Saturday: my impression is that most players with established ratings under 1000 have deflated ratings, simply because they're playing improving juniors in under-1000 sections.
More to follow....
Results here!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
This weekend: Chicago Class in Wheeling
Info here. Next, they'll be holding the Wheeling Class in Chicago....
All sections are five games: you can choose between a Friday evening or a Saturday morning.first round. Online entry closed on the 11th, but you can enter onsite until 6 p.m. FridaySaturday or until 10 a.m. Saturday Sunday.
This is the last Continental Chess Association event for which ICA membership is required. For future events, ICA members will receive a $5 discount. Carrots work better than sticks.
All sections are five games: you can choose between a Friday evening or a Saturday morning.first round. Online entry closed on the 11th, but you can enter onsite until 6 p.m. Friday
This is the last Continental Chess Association event for which ICA membership is required. For future events, ICA members will receive a $5 discount. Carrots work better than sticks.
"King Eric"
The 2011 National High School Champion learned much from Chicago's Russian Jewish community. Story in The Chicago Jewish News.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Continental Amateur photos
Monday, July 11, 2011
World Open report
GM Jaan Ehlvest (photo Eric Rosen)
On the ICA website, Brad Rosen reports on some outstanding results by Illinois players in Philadelphia (including a few that I'd missed).
Sadly, there were no restaurant reviews in Brad's report. (Here's mine: if happy hour sushi appeals, Aki,1210 W. Walnut, is delicious & affordable.) 2012 is rumored to be the last year that the World Open will be in downtown Philadelphia: the event moves to Arlington, Virginia, in 2013.
June 2011 CICL bulletin
The June issue of The Chicago Chess Player was up some time ago: forgot to link to it! There's one more issue to come to wrap up the 2010-2011 season....
Sunday, July 10, 2011
eBay auction items
In the next few days, a few chess books will be auctioned via eBay Giving Works for the benefit of the Illinois Chess Association's Warren Junior Program.
Bid early, bid often: it's for a good cause!
Oops: some of the auction items are not displaying: I've linked directly to the items here.
Bid early, bid often: it's for a good cause!
Oops: some of the auction items are not displaying: I've linked directly to the items here.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
So what's Chicago's Immortal Game?
The Illinois Chess Database (updated earlier today by Tom Sprandel) gives us a good excuse to ask this question: what's the best game ever played in Chicagoland? Your nominations are welcome.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Summer Chess Fun at Rudy Lozano Public Library
Details here.
"A teen with many interests"
Albert Alfano (Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media)
Read about Albert Alfano, a senior at St. Rita, in the Southtown Star.
He's considering a philosophy major in college. As a refugee from academia, I would advise him that the big bucks are in comparative literature.
Where to play this weekend?
On Saturday, there's the Lincoln-Way West Open in New Lenox. Outside the metro area, there's the Route 20 Rated Beginners' Open/Open Swiss in Freeport.
And we've already mentioned the Blaze fundraiser in Skokie.
On Sunday, there's the 67th Knights Quest in Northbrook.
Next weekend, it's the 4th Annual Chicago Class in Wheeling.
As always, look to the ICA Tournament Calendar for info on upcoming events!
And of course, there's always the Chess Pavilion.
And we've already mentioned the Blaze fundraiser in Skokie.
On Sunday, there's the 67th Knights Quest in Northbrook.
Next weekend, it's the 4th Annual Chicago Class in Wheeling.
As always, look to the ICA Tournament Calendar for info on upcoming events!
And of course, there's always the Chess Pavilion.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
"Pinoy ties for 1st in Philadelphia chess"
A Touch Move Chess Club member and frequent player at the Evanston Chess Club gets notice in the international press. Fom the Phillipine Daily Inquirer:
FILIPINO Rene Ancheta defeated American Raynard Simmons in the ninth and final round to finish tied for first place in the 39th Annual World Open Chess Championships last July 4 at the Sheraton Philadelphia in Race Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
The Makati City pride Ancheta, who is currently based in Chicago, tallied 7.5 points, the same output of Aaron Jing, Arnold Fuchs, Aakaash Meduri and Robby Hecht in the [Under 2000] Division. All of them received $5,521.60.And we're proud of him here in Chicago, too!
"Zing 'em With Zugzwang"
A classic column from my favorite Nixon Administration speechwriter explains zugzwang to non-chessplayers by quoting GM Arthur Bisguier: ''When standing in a traffic island, with cars going in both directions, one is most assuredly in Zugzwang.''
Hat tip to former USCF Executive Director / Facebook friend Al Lawrence.
Also: Zugzwang does not rhyme with "bug thang." But in standard English usage (contra Safire), use the lower case.
Hat tip to former USCF Executive Director / Facebook friend Al Lawrence.
Also: Zugzwang does not rhyme with "bug thang." But in standard English usage (contra Safire), use the lower case.
Illinois Database project
Tom Sprandel recently posted the first version of the Illinois database on the ICA website. It's got just over 10,000 games.
The current version of the database (not yet live on the ICA website) is almost 20,000 games: it begins with an 1858 Louis Paulsen simul in Chicago and ends with games from the 2011 Chicago Open. The collection draws heavily from ChessBase, CICL, and the ICA archives. We'd like to include as many annotated games as possible, but we don't want to infringe on any copyrights.
What games belong in the database? I'd like to err on the side on inclusiveness without being silly. Any game by an Illinois master (no matter where in the world it was played), any master game played in Illinois, any interesting amateur game (you probably have hundreds of your own games!), and games played by "honorary Chicagoans" (Bill Martz, Emory Tate, Bill Colias). The database also includes games of immigrants to Illinois from "the old country." Simul games and postal games are most welcome. (Maybe even endgame studies? The Lasker-Reichheim position was first published in the Chicago Tribune.) And please don't be bashful: send wins, losses, and draws!
Bobby Fischer was born at Billings Hospital Michael Reese (not the first time I've published this misinformation) and Sammy Reshevsky went to the University of Chicago, but one has to draw the line somewhere: I've only included Reshevsky's games from his Midwest years (roughly 1924-34) and essentially excluded Fischer unless he was playing someone from Illinois.
If you have a collection of games that you'd like to contribute to the project (clean PGN or CBV files strongly preferred: ask me about data formatting), please drop me a line! Perhaps we can swap files....
The current version of the database (not yet live on the ICA website) is almost 20,000 games: it begins with an 1858 Louis Paulsen simul in Chicago and ends with games from the 2011 Chicago Open. The collection draws heavily from ChessBase, CICL, and the ICA archives. We'd like to include as many annotated games as possible, but we don't want to infringe on any copyrights.
What games belong in the database? I'd like to err on the side on inclusiveness without being silly. Any game by an Illinois master (no matter where in the world it was played), any master game played in Illinois, any interesting amateur game (you probably have hundreds of your own games!), and games played by "honorary Chicagoans" (Bill Martz, Emory Tate, Bill Colias). The database also includes games of immigrants to Illinois from "the old country." Simul games and postal games are most welcome. (Maybe even endgame studies? The Lasker-Reichheim position was first published in the Chicago Tribune.) And please don't be bashful: send wins, losses, and draws!
Bobby Fischer was born at
If you have a collection of games that you'd like to contribute to the project (clean PGN or CBV files strongly preferred: ask me about data formatting), please drop me a line! Perhaps we can swap files....
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Blaze fundraiser - Grandmaster workshop this Saturday
Another email cut-and-paste
Introducing the 2011 Chicago Blaze Team!
Hello everyone! 3 years ago many people came together to form the Chicago Blaze. We were kindly supported by the local chess community and each season we challenged ourselves to do better, eventually reaching our first post season in 2010!
The 2011 season which begins at the end of summer will introduce our most vibrant lineup yet. As such I'm pleased to announce the 2011 Chicago Blaze team:
Grandmaster Yury Shulman
Grandmaster Josh Friedel
Grandmaster Mesgen Amanov
Grandmaster Dmitry Gurevich
International Master Florin Felecan
International Master Angelo Young
FIDE Master Jim Dean
National Master Eric Rosen
National Master Gopal Menon
National Master Sam Schmakel
As done last season, all games played by the Chicago Blaze will be done at the North Shore Chess Center in Skokie, IL. Supporters are welcome and we will have quick rated fundraising tournaments running in parallel.
Here's to a championship run in 2011!
Best regards,
The Chicago Blaze Management Team
Sevan A. Muradian, Daniel Parmet, Jae Lim, Brad Rosen, Tom Panelas, and Glenn Panner
***
Chicago Blaze Fundraiser - Train with 2 Grandmasters!
Chicago Blaze Fundraiser
4-hour training session withGM Dmitry Gurevich and GM Mesgen Amanov
Saturday July 9th 11:30am - 3:30pm
Hosted at the North Shore Chess Center
100% of proceeds to benefit the Chicago Blaze!
Must be rated above 1600 to participate as we will break up into groups of 10-12 during the training session
Only $75 advance entry or $100 at the door
Spend 4 hours with two Chicago Blaze team members, as they review all aspects of the game from openings, to middle game planning, to endgame technique.
Lunch is included with this training session along with a simul with another local area master at 4pm.
Entry Fee: $75 received by 7/8 9pm online; $100 onsite
(onsite entries are not guaranteed and based on available space)
Questions: sevan@nachess.org or call 847.423.8626
Register online: http://www.nachess.org/training
The Chicago Blaze is the representative for Illinois in the US Chess League.
The Chicago Blaze is entering its 4th season of competition.
Last season we made it to the playoffs for the first time. With your support we can build a team that will aim for the championship this season!
The North Shore Chess Center is located at5500 W Touhy Ave Suite A Skokie, IL 60077
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Stamnov wins All American Double Class
NM Aleksandar Stamnov scored an impressive 4½-½ to take clear first in Larry Cohen's All American Double Class, held July 2-3 in Oak Brook. IM Angelo Young, FM Albert Chow, NM Peter Gilruth, and NM Kevin Cao tied for second, a full point back.
Zhaozhi Li and Andrew Pheasant tied for first in the A/B section with 4-1 scores. Rudy Padilla and Jordan Nach shared B/C honors, also with 4-1. And Andrew Hochstadt's undefeated 4-1 score was good for clear first in the E/Unrated diviision.
Crosstable here!
Zhaozhi Li and Andrew Pheasant tied for first in the A/B section with 4-1 scores. Rudy Padilla and Jordan Nach shared B/C honors, also with 4-1. And Andrew Hochstadt's undefeated 4-1 score was good for clear first in the E/Unrated diviision.
Crosstable here!
Beta version, Illinois Chess Database
Hard-working ICA President Tom Sprandel just gave us a new toy to play with: check it out!
It's a beta version, so your constructive criticism would be most appreciated. I have another version of the database coming with more than 5,000 additional games. It would be incredibly cool to get more complete collections of the games of Illinois masters and amateurs (is Alan Watson lurking somewhere??), it would be cool to get annotations online live, it would be cool to get a more robust search function.
Seeing this database makes me think of friends who are gone.
It's a beta version, so your constructive criticism would be most appreciated. I have another version of the database coming with more than 5,000 additional games. It would be incredibly cool to get more complete collections of the games of Illinois masters and amateurs (is Alan Watson lurking somewhere??), it would be cool to get annotations online live, it would be cool to get a more robust search function.
Seeing this database makes me think of friends who are gone.
Bring back the Illinois Chess Tour!
Nothing's official yet, but the ICA Board is very excited about Mike Cardinale's proposal. The spiffy logo means T-shirts (and substance) are soon to follow!
P.S. Look for more coverage of this weekend's events shortly: I'm waiting on game scores, MSA, and (not least) the delivery of a new DSL wireless router.
Monday, July 4, 2011
More unofficial congratulations...
...to Grandmaster Mesgen Amanov, who just beat fellow GM Tamaz Gelashvili, an anchor of Georgia's Olympiad team. (Gelashvili beat Amanov earlier this year at the Philadelphia Open.)
Looks like a dropped flag in a position where Black's edge may be slight. All wins are good!
Mesgen should tie for third or fourth. Supergrandmasters Adams and Kamsky tied for first, with games still in progress.
Looks like a dropped flag in a position where Black's edge may be slight. All wins are good!
Mesgen should tie for third or fourth. Supergrandmasters Adams and Kamsky tied for first, with games still in progress.
Unofficial congratulations....
...to the newest National Master in Illinois, Sam Schmakel of Whitney Young High School!
Sam was the top Illinois finisher at the Continental Americas Amateur Class Championships, held July 1-4 in Rosement.
Sam was the top Illinois finisher at the Continental Americas Amateur Class Championships, held July 1-4 in Rosement.
Friday, July 1, 2011
World Open: A cute mate
Eric Rosen drew GM Ray Robson in Round One last night. Alexander Shabalov broke down Eric's Sicilian in Round Two, however:
You can follow top board action at monroi.com: Mesgen Amanov is playing an interesting double-rook ending right now.
You can follow top board action at monroi.com: Mesgen Amanov is playing an interesting double-rook ending right now.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Why Not Chicago?
Look for the text of the following proposal on the Illinois Chess Association's website shortly!
ILLINOIS CHESS ASSOCIATION
WHY NOT CHICAGO?
A proposal to set up a program of free chess
instruction in Chicago’s Title I schools to
* improve decision-making, strategic
thinking and emotional development
* improve academic performance
* bring Chicago’s youth chess program
into the nation’s top competitive tier
to
Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Jean-Claude Brizard
CEO, Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Board of Education:
David Vitale, President
Henry Bienen
Mahalia Hines
Penny Pritzker
Jesse Ruiz
Rod Sierra
Andrea Zopp
June 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
computer cheating (in quite another sense)
Via ChessVibes: The International Computer Games Association claims that Vasik Rajlich lifted the code of Crafty and Fruit.
The claim is not a new one (it's been discussed on rybkaforum.net for some time), but ICGA bans Rajlich for life and strips Rybka of the 2007-2010 titles. (I hope Rybka takes the news well.)
The claim is not a new one (it's been discussed on rybkaforum.net for some time), but ICGA bans Rajlich for life and strips Rybka of the 2007-2010 titles. (I hope Rybka takes the news well.)
What works in Brooklyn....
If it can work in Bedford-Stuyvesant, it will work in Chicago.
James Black of I.S. 318 has one half-brother doing 20 to life for murder; another did 33 months for selling drugs. But James is choosing another path: Dylan Loeb McClain reports.
James Black of I.S. 318 has one half-brother doing 20 to life for murder; another did 33 months for selling drugs. But James is choosing another path: Dylan Loeb McClain reports.
Nice budget quad in Kenosha
Hey, if it's at the end of my commuter line, it's sorta in Chicagoland. I have to confess that the Kenosha Chess Association is new to me. They have a quad on Saturday, July 1st. (As you might guess, there are four players in a quad. The top four players are in Quad 1, the next four in Quad 2, etc. Each section is a three-round round robin.) Advance entry fee is only $10, and the winner even gets a prize!
Info on the ICA website!
Info on the ICA website!
Choose one of two great tournaments this weekend!
On July 1-4 in Rosemont, it's the 2011 FIDE Continental America's Amateur Chess Championship. There's only one game on July 4th, so you'll have time to recover for work on Tuesday morning! And this event has a $15,000 guaranteed prize fund!!
I'll be playing in the All American Double Class on July 2-3 at the DoubleTree in Oak Brook. One IM and six masters have already registered. The schedule is a bit unusual in that play doesn't begin until Saturday afternoon, and Round 3 is 9:45 Sunday morning. (If you're not staying at the hotel, you may wish to consider asking for a ½-point bye at registration.). This tournament has a $12,000 based on 250 players; approximately $7,000 of the prize fund is guaranteed! (At least that's the way I read it; please correct me if I'm wrong.)
For info on these and other upcoming events (including summer camps, lectures, simuls, and classes), check out the ICA Tournament Calendar!
I'll be playing in the All American Double Class on July 2-3 at the DoubleTree in Oak Brook. One IM and six masters have already registered. The schedule is a bit unusual in that play doesn't begin until Saturday afternoon, and Round 3 is 9:45 Sunday morning. (If you're not staying at the hotel, you may wish to consider asking for a ½-point bye at registration.). This tournament has a $12,000 based on 250 players; approximately $7,000 of the prize fund is guaranteed! (At least that's the way I read it; please correct me if I'm wrong.)
For info on these and other upcoming events (including summer camps, lectures, simuls, and classes), check out the ICA Tournament Calendar!
The fifteen-minute solution
I'm not terribly interested in a quarrel between New in Chess and ChessBase, but the idea of a fifteen-minute broadcast delay to make cheating more difficult is interesting.
This doesn't just affect grandmasters. I'm half a class below master level, and I've had four of my games broadcast live on Monroi in the past three months. On balance, I'm against the delay: the overwhelming majority of players wouldn't dream of cheating.
This doesn't just affect grandmasters. I'm half a class below master level, and I've had four of my games broadcast live on Monroi in the past three months. On balance, I'm against the delay: the overwhelming majority of players wouldn't dream of cheating.
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