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 2016
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CHAMPIONSHIP EAST
FEBRUARY 13-15, 2016
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PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054

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And All That Jazz!
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YOU DONT HAVE TO WEAR YOUR
BUT PLEASE BRING YOUR SET AND CLOCK,
AND DONT FORGET YOUR TEAMMATES!
 T

CHESS LIFE US CHESS

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2 January 2016 | Chess Life

 PHOTOS BY DAVID LLADA
Chess Life
JANUARY
COLUMNS

14 LOOKS AT BOOKS / INFORMANT #125

Staying Relevant
By John Hartmann
For the second year, Millionaire Chess
16 CHESS TO ENJOY / ENTERTAINMENT generated a great deal of excitement in
The Secret Handshake the chess world. Shown below are just
By GM Andy Soltis some of the 544 participants.

18 BACK TO BASICS / READER ANNOTATIONS

Off-Book
By GM Lev Alburt

44 SOLITAIRE CHESS / INSTRUCTION

Sac, Sac, and Sac
By Bruce Pandolfini

46 THE PRACTICAL ENDGAME / INSTRUCTION

Keeping a Clear Head
By GM Daniel Naroditsky

DEPARTMENTS

6 JANUARY PREVIEW /
THIS MONTH IN CHESS LIFE AND US
CHESS NEWS
22 COVER STORY / MILLIONAIRE CHESS 2
8 COUNTERPLAY / READERS RESPOND
Millionaire Chess 2: High Stakes
10 FIRST MOVES /
By FM Alisa Melekhina
MC2 attracted all three of the US world-top-ten players, with GM Hikaru
CHESS NEWS FROM AROUND THE U.S.
Nakamura snagging the $100,000 grand prize.
11 FACES ACROSS THE BOARD /

32
BY AL LAWRENCE
COLLEGE CHESS / UT DALLAS VERSUS U. BELGRADE

12 US CHESS AFFAIRS / Five to Five

By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM
NEWS FOR OUR MEMBERS
UT Dallas defeats University of Belgrade, ties decade-long Svetozar Gligoric
50 TOURNAMENT LIFE / JANUARY Transatlantic Cup

71 CLASSIFIEDS / JANUARY
38 MILITARY CHESS / 2015 ARMED FORCES CHAMPIONSHIP
71 SOLUTIONS / JANUARY
Officers Pay Double
72
By Colonel David A. Hater
MY BEST MOVE / PERSONALITIES
Larry Larkins wins 56th Armed Forces Championship, and our
THIS MONTH: GM VARUZHAN AKOBIAN
correspondent examines how chess helped our overseas forces.

ON THE COVER
GM Maurice Ashley and Amy Lee have staked much on
their Millionaire Chess concept, and the second edition
started to pay dividends as the U.S. top player took time
away from his international competitions to make the trip
to Nevada: GM Hikaru Nakamura overcame a tough field
in a demanding event format to win Millionaire Chess 2.
PHOTO BY DAVID LLADA

4 January 2016 | Chess Life

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January Preview / This month in Chess Life and US Chess News

US CHESS NEWS PREVIEW JANUARY

BENKO PUZZLES
Grandmaster and composer Pal
Benkos latest for US Chess is a series
of 16 problems to celebrate the new MLK WEEKEND
year. You can easily sort previous Follow Grand Prix events held over Martin Luther King
pieces by Benko by checking out the Day weekend, including the Liberty Bell Open in Philadelphia
Problems and Puzzles section of our and the Golden State Open in northern California.
new site. His recent contributions
include a birthday series for Rex
Sinquefield (right) and a piece on the
Waterloo problem based on
Napoleon Bonaparte. CONTRIBUTORS
FM ALISA MELEKHINA (Millionaire Chess) is one
of the top female players in the U.S. She received the
gold medal for her performance in the 2009 Womens
World Team Championship held in Ningbo, China.
She recently placed fifth in the 2014 U.S. Womens
Championship. Alisa graduated from Penn Law at age
22 in May of 2014. She is currently practicing at a
corporate law firm in New York City in the fields of
intellectual property and white-collar litigation.

PAN AM CHAMPIONSHIPS DR. ALEXEY ROOT, WIM (College Chess) is the

Find Director of College Chess Al Lawrences wrap-up of the Pan-American
Championships, held in Cleveland, Ohio at the end of 2015.
author of six books, including Thinking With Chess:
Teaching Children Ages 5-14 (Mongoose Press,
Newton Highlands, Massachusetts, 2012). She
teaches college credit courses, available worldwide
via UT Dallas eLearning, about chess in education.

COLONEL DAVID HATER (Military Chess) recently

retired from the U.S. Army after a 27-year career. He is
a three-time Armed Forces Open champion and serves
as the captain of the USAs NATO team.

BOOK REVIEWS
Look for book reviews by Vanessa West on our redesigned website, including Lessons Follow US Chess on Facebook! Get regular updates as
with a Grandmaster Part III by Boris Gulko, Chess Endgames for Kids by Karsten Mller and part of your newsfeed, post comments, and easily
most recently, Karpov: Move by Move by Sam Collins. communicate directly with the editorial staff.

6 January 2016 | Chess Life

 How to Play Chess:
Lessons from an
International Master
E D TIME OF
IT Taught by Jeremy Silman

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INTERNATIONAL MASTER

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70% LECTURE TITLES

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1. The World of Chess
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OR
2. Secrets of the Pawns and Knights

RY
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BY F E B R UA 3. Castling, Checkmate, Chess Engines, Draws
4. Must-Know Tactical Patterns in Chess
5 Chess Combinations and Kings in Check
6. Checkmate! Back-Rank, Smothered, and More
7. Checkmate against a Castled King
8. Legendary Attacking Greats of Chess
9. A Cascade of Short, Brutal Chess Games!
10. Chess Heroes of the Romantic Age
11. Open Files and the Positional Rook
12. Pawns: The Positional Soul of Chess
13. Positional Weaknesses and Targets in Chess
14. Closed and Open Positions on the Chessboard
15. Chess Statics vs. Dynamics: An Eternal Battle
16. Using Chessboard Imbalances to Create Plans
17. Legendary Teachers Who Transformed Chess
18. Chess Endgames and the Kings Magical Powers
19. Kings and Pawns in Next-Level Endgames
20. Triangulation and Two Critical Rook Endgames
21. Chess Openings: The Right and Wrong Way
22. Chess Psychology and the Known Unknown
23. The Chess Amateurs Mind

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Counterplay / Readers Respond
Women in Chess, Finding
Improvements
WOMENS CHESS HISTORY
The World Chess Hall of Fame is currently
preparing for Her Turn: Revolutionary Women of
Chess. This exhibition, which opens on February
4, 2016, will examine both American and interna-
tional womens chess history. The institution is
currently seeking artifacts and stories related to
womens chess. If you have loans, donations, or
stories to share, please e-mail Assistant Curator
Emily Allred at emily.allred@worldchesshof.org.
Emily Allred
Assistant Curator, World Chess Hall of Fame
THOSE PESKY ENGINES
In one of my favorite columns, Bruce Pandolfinis
Solitaire Chess, I want to point out an alternative
to Laskers move 20. Ne6!! from the November
2015 column:
AFTER 19. ... Rh8
Mr. Pandolfini did not mention the move 20.
Nxh6! (instead of Laskers 20. Ne6) with the idea
that if 20. ... gxh6 White can play 21. Rg6!! and
the rook is immune.
I put it into my engine, and the computer
verified with a score of over 19.00, which means
that White is approximately 19 pawns up (or
two queens, for that matter)! If Black takes ...
gxh6, then it is a mate in 7.
Laskers move in the game, 20. Ne6, does give
White a winning advantage, but only 5.14.
Robert Shlyakhtenko
via e-mail
8 January 2016 | Chess Life
WHY WE LIKE CHESS
Regarding the game Semi-Slav Defense (D45) in
Chess to Enjoy in the November 2015 issue: I am
only expert-rated, but I believe I found a much
better 30th move for Black than in the text. In this
position, 30. ... Qf4 was played:
I suggest 30. ... Qf5, which prevents White
from a rook for knight-and-bishop exchange,
stopping Whites offense cold. It also creates a
winning combination for Black to 31. f3:
30. ... Qf5 31. f3 Qc5+
If any passive move by White now, then 32.
... Qxh5 followed by mate on h1.
32. Kxg2 Nf4+ Winning the queen and Black
should subsequently be able to mate with queen
and bishop.
32. Kh2 Qxh5+ 33. Kg1 (33. Kg3 Qg5+ 34.
Kh2 Qh4+ 35. Kg1 Qh1 and mate again.) 33. ...
Qh1 mate.
Gary Lee
via e-mail
GM Andy Soltis responds:
I agree 30. ... Qf5! is betteralthough it's not an easy
win in the queen endgame after 31. Rxd3 Bxd3 32.
Qe3 Bf1.
Send your letters to
letters@uschess.org or post on the
US Chess Facebook group or
the uschess.org Issues Forum.
Letters are subject to editing for
style, length, and content.
POST MORTEM
In the article, Fischer Goes Hollywood,
(September, 2015) the author mentions that
hardcore fanatics will find inaccuracies in
the movie (Pawn Sacrifice) such as that
Fischer never played in Bulgaria. Isnt there
a famous game between Robert Fischer and
Mikhail Botvinnik in 1962 at the Chess
Olympiad in Varna?
Ralph Peters
via e-mail
Mr. Peters is correct. The 15th Chess Olympiad
in Varna, Bulgaria, 1962, was won by the Soviet
Union with the U.S. squad coming in fifth. The
U.S. team was comprised of Fischer, Pal Benko,
Larry Evans, Robert Byrne, Donald Byrne, and
Edmar Mednis. This is the game Mr. Peters
references; Fischer played two others at the event.
GRNFELD DEFENSE,
RUSSIAN SYSTEM (D98)
Mikhail Botvinnik
Robert James Fischer
Varna Olympiad Final (1962)
1. c4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3
Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 0-0 7. e4
Bg4 8. Be3 Nfd7 9. Be2 Nc6 10. Rd1
Nb6 11. Qc5 Qd6 12. h3 Bxf3 13. gxf3
Rfd8 14. d5 Ne5 15. Nb5 Qf6 16. f4
Ned7 17. e5 Qxf4 18. Bxf4 Nxc5 19.
Nxc7 Rac8 20. d6 exd6 21. exd6 Bxb2
22. 0-0 Nbd7 23. Rd5 b6 24. Bf3 Ne6
25. Nxe6 fxe6 26. Rd3 Nc5 27. Re3 e5
28. Bxe5 Bxe5 29. Rxe5 Rxd6 30. Re7
Rd7 31. Rxd7 Nxd7 32. Bg4 Rc7 33.
Re1 Kf7 34. Kg2 Nc5 35. Re3 Re7 36.
Rf3+ Kg7 37. Rc3 Re4 38. Bd1 Rd4 39.
Bc2 Kf6 40. Kf3 Kg5 41. Kg3 Ne4+
42. Bxe4 Rxe4 43. Ra3 Re7 44. Rf3
Rc7 45. a4 Rc5 46. Rf7 Ra5 47. Rxh7
Rxa4 48. h4+ Kf5 49. Rf7+ Ke5 50.
Rg7 Ra1 51. Kf3 b5 52. h5 Ra3+ 53.
Kg2 gxh5 54. Rg5+ Kd6 55. Rxb5 h4
56. f4 Kc6 57. Rb8 h3+ 58. Kh2 a5 59.
f5 Kc7 60. Rb5 Kd6 61. f6 Ke6 62.
Rb6+ Kf7 63. Ra6 Kg6 64. Rc6 a4 65.
Ra6 Kf7 66. Rc6 Rd3 67. Ra6 a3 68.
Kg1, Draw agreed.
Challenge a Grandmaster!

Join Success Academy Charter Schools for

an evening of networking and a chance to
play a simul with Grandmaster Irina Krush!

January 20, 2016, 5:30pm

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www.uschess.org 9
First Moves / Chess news from around the U.S.

2015 National Chess Day

A selection of events from around the U.S. celebrating
US Chess National Chess Day

10 January 2016 | Chess Life

 First Moves / Chess news from around the U.S.

ALABAMA
Space rockets, scholastic chess, and veterans. Read more about this event in Huntsville, FACES
ACROSS
Alabama (Space City) at www.uschess.org/content/view/13226/141/ and also see other
National Chess Day events not included on this page featured in our October archives.

THE BOARD
GM Alexander Stripunsky is pictured conducting the simultaneous exhibition.

By AL LAWRENCE
DR. SUSANA
VILLANUEVA
EGUIA LIS
AUSTIN, TEXAS
I am unable to imagine
my life without chess.
Susana was five in the tiny fishing town of Chelem,
Mexico, when she started playing chess. My parents
had a popular seafood restaurant called Los
Tiburones (The Sharks). At first I just played with
PHOTO, LEFT: SCOTT WILHELM; THIS PAGE, TOP: EVAN HILLIAN; THIS PAGE, BOTTOM: COURTESY OF KENOSHA CHESS ASSOCIATION

my dad. One day they went to the provincial capital

of Merida and noticed a chess tournament. My fa-
ther probably signed me up just to kill time. But
VIRGINIA she took third place in the otherwise all-male event.
On October 10th, the city of Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads Scholastic Chess Club (HRSCC) Curious reporters snapped photos of the little eight-
co-sponsored the Second Annual National Chess Day Festival. The festival was held outdoors in the year-old. Susana went on to win state and national
championships and play in the World Youth in Slo-
Virginia Beach Town Center and included a four round Game/30 d5 Swiss tournament with sections
vakia and the Pan American Championships in Brazil.
for US Chess members and non-members from kindergarten to adult, a giant chess set, a learn-to-play
Eventually, her parents opened the Benito Juarez
area for visitors, a chess vendor, and a simultaneous exhibition (simul) with five-time Virginia State
Chess Club, where Many professional chess play-
Champion Dan Miller. Over 80 people participated in the tournament and simul. The event was run by
ers, like GM Manuel Leon Hoyos, started as children.
HRSCC and fully funded by the city! We plan to run the event again next year and watch it continue to This year Susana earned her Ph.D. from the classical
grow. We are very fortunate to live in a city that supports the game we all love! David Kea, who and modern languages and literature department
finished in eighth (tied for fourth with 212 out of 4 points) out of 17 players in the open rated section of at Texas Tech University. I developed a love for for-
the tournament, is in the photo above. ~Christina Schweiss eign languages because of chess.

DR. BOB
FERGUSON
BRADFORD,
PENNSYLVANIA
Players who endured
hours of matches in a day
thought the SAT was a breeze.
Ferguson is both a pioneering researcher in the
cognitive benefits of chess and an innovative leader
who gets things done. His academic research led
him 35 years ago to create the Castle Chess Camp,
the longest running in the U.S. Bob started teaching
in 1966 and quickly had 10 percent of the school
signed up for chess, a throng that required the school
WISCONSIN cafeteria as the only room large enough. I was more
The Kenosha Chess Association recently celebrated National Chess Day on October 17th with focused on helping kids who were dropping out.
the Kenosha Public Library. The program for the day was designed to provide something for Hired to create a district-wide gifted program, he
everyone. Free chess instruction was provided with several beginners learning how the pieces naturally included chess. Founding and energizing
move and more experienced players learning about openings, strategy and tactics. With strong chess clubs wherever he went, Bob wrote a successful
publicity by both the library and the Kenosha Chess Association, we had a great turnout with grant to bring Alex Dunne to teach at the first Castle
around 80 people participating throughout the day. The highlight of the day was local girls Chess Camp and convinced the local University of Pittsburgh
Champion Anupama Rajendra (photo, above) playing a simultaneous exhibition. Anupama played to begin a master in residence program. His Chess
22 players, including her father. Anu lives in the Kenosha area and is a 10th grader. in Education Research Summary, available on
~Allan Cargille www.uschesstrust.org, remains a crucial resource
for parents and teachers. Bob continues to run clubs
National Chess Day has been around as a concept since 1976 when President Gerald Ford issued a letter in support of National Chess Day.
and to organize the Bradford Businessmens Chess
It became more official on September 29, 2010 when the U.S. Senate, in S Res #672, proclaimed October 9, 2010 as National Chess Day to
encourage the people of the United States to observe National Chess Day with appropriate programs and activities. US Chess has been League, involving 20 sponsoring businesses.
promoting the day ever since, including offering free TLAs to organizers who include National Chess Day in their event title.

www.uschess.org 11
US chess Aairs / News for our Members

US cheSS empowering people through

MiSSiOn chess one move at a time.

2016 Executive Board Election: Register to Vote!

US Chess will hold an election in 2016 for two at-large positions on the
US Chess Executive Board. For full details, please refer to the call for
nominations published in the October and November 2015 issues of Chess
Life. (Note: nominating deadline was December 31, 2015.)
US Chess Members: Don't forget to register as a voting member here so
you can vote in this years Executive Board elections: secure2.uschess.org/
voter-registration.php. Voting members elect the Executive Board. US Chess
members (except those with memberships of less than one year) can
register as a voting member. Voting members must be age 16 or over as
of June 30 of the election year. Eligible members who are not already
registered as voting members must register with the US Chess office by
May 1 to be eligible to vote in that years regular election. All members
who are selected as US Chess delegates, alternate delegates or Executive
Board members are automatically registered as voting members. Once
registered, a members status as a voting member continues as long as he
or she is a member. When a membership lapses, voting member status
ceases and the member must, after rejoining, again register by May 1 to
be eligible to vote in that years regular election. In order to vote in a
regular election, registered voting members must be US Chess members
on May 5th of the election year, for the entire day Central Time. There is
no registration fee.

2015-2016 US Chess Committee Chairs

AUdit: crAMer internAtiOnAl rUleS weBSite AdviSOry
Bill Brock AwArdS AffAirS David Kuhns, Chair cOMMittee (wSAc)
billbrock1958@gmail.com Frank Brady Michael Khodarkovsky e4e5@centurylink.net Boyd Reed
bradyf@stjohns.edu mkhodarkovsky@yahoo.com Kenneth Sloan, Vice-Chair blitzburgh64@gmail.com
AwArdS
kennethrsloan@gmail.com
John Donaldson denKer MeMBer wOMen'S cheSS
imwjd@aol.com invitAtiOnAl AcQUiSitiOn Maureen Grimaud, Co-Chair
Stephen Shutt, Co-Chair SchOlAStic lakeMMo@aol.com
And retentiOn cOUncil/cOMMittee
BArBer K-8 tnMnt stephenshutt@yahoo.com tASK fOrce
Of StAte chAMpiOnS Mike Hoffpauir, Co-Chair Janelle Losoff, Co-Chair
Jon Haskel, Co-Chair John McCrary mhoffpauir@aol.com jlosoff@gmail.com
Jon Haskel, Co-Chair mccrary@nuvox.net
jon@bocachess.com jon@bocachess.com
Beatriz Marinello, Co-Chair
Stephen Shutt, Co-Chair MilitAry Beatriz@chesseducators.com Other liAiSOnS
electiOn Director of Prevention
stephenshutt@yahoo.com Mike Hoffpauir
Ken Ballou SeniOr
Programs
mhoffpauir@aol.com Mike Eberhardinger, Chair
BylAwS ballou@crab.qozzy.com
mikeeberhardinger@att.net Rachel Lieberman
Harold J. Winston, Co-Chair ethicS
OUtreAch queencapa@cox.net
HJWinston@aol.com Myron Lieberman
Hal Terrie III StAteS
azchess@cox.net Chairs of the following
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Looks at Books / Informant #125
ometime after the first few issues were published beginning
S in 1966, Tigran Petrosian famously derided the upcoming
generation of players as mere children of the Informant.
He believed that the explosive popularity of the Chess
Informant series of books, which featured theoretically important
games analyzed by top players, was stripping his beloved game of
creativity and reducing it to a contest of memory.
If the Informant was the first paradigm shift in chess informatics,
the arrival of the Internet, chess engines and databases effected
the second. Few sectors of the chess world have been as disrupted
dramatically by this shift as have periodicals.
When the Informantsand Chess Life, for that matterwere first
published, it was standard for weeks or months to pass between a
game being played and published. Today games from even minor
tournaments are available on the Internet the day theyre played.
How can something like the Informant stay relevant in the age of
the machines?
The latest issue, Informant #125, is an attempt to answer that
question.
My first Informant was #51, published in 1991. It was fairly represen-
tative of the series as a whole. The book began with the announce-
ment of the best games and novelties from the previous issue,
followed by 637 games densely annotated in the trademark Informant
languageless commenting system. It concluded with game and
annotator indices, lists of FIDE rated events and player ratings,
and a selection of interesting combinations and endings played in
the previous six months. (The series was then bi-annual. It now
appears quarterly.)
14 January 2016 | Chess Life
Staying
Relevant
Is the Informant still useful in this
day and Internet age?
By JOHN HARTMANN
Compare this with Informant #125, published this past October. The first thing you notice
is that half the book is written in full, flowing English prose! This is the culmination of a
series of editorial decisions that began with issue #113 and reach their zenith here. Some
of the traditional apparatusthe best game and novelty, the list of major rated tournaments,
the combinations and endings sectionshave been retained. The languageless annotated
games section also remains, and just over 200 games appear in #125.
The bulk of the book consists of English-language articles, and this is where the Informant
brand makes its stand for relevancy. There are plenty of places to find raw game scores
and even annotated games on the web, including The Week in Chess, chessbase.com,
chess24.com, and uschess.org. An ambitious amateur, armed with an engine and a database,
might even do a passable job in answering most of her own questions about specific
moves.
What is missing from most of the reporting found on the Internet is perspective, and
thats exactly what the English-language articles in Informant #125 bring to the table. Its
one thing to let an engine show you better moves and numerical evaluations, and entirely
another to have a grandmaster explain thought processes and key decisions. Periodicals
remain relevant when they do what engines cantthey provide color and context that
only human expertise can deliver.
Typical of this color and context is the coverage of the 2015 Sinquefield Cup in #125.
Three grandmasters treat the tournament in some detail, with seven games from the
event receiving comprehensive annotations. Karsten Mllers endgame column, here
dealing with rook against bishop endings, is always worth reading, and Mauricio Flores
Rios piece on Carlsens problems in the 2015 Stavenger tournament is a gem.
Not every one of the articles in #125 is a hit. While it is interesting to see how a super-
grandmaster like Alexander Morozevich picks apart a line in the Rubinstein French, the
piece feels rather impressionistic despite its length. I also wonder about the overlap
between GM Vasilios Kotronias 2. c3 Sicilian repertoire, the 7th(!) and final installment
of which appears in this issue, and his forthcoming book on the Anti-Sicilians with
Quality Chess.
Perhaps the most glaring weakness of the book can be found in its list of annotators.
Very few top players now annotate their games for the Informant, with the bulk of the
work having been farmed out to in-house analysts. This used to be the main strength of
the seriesthe list of annotators in #51 is a whos who of chess at that timeand while
the in-house staff does fine work, there is no substitute for notes provided by the
combatants themselves.
Informant #125 goes some distance in proving that there is still room for periodicals in the
Internet age. If they manage to bring more top annotators back into the fold, they may
well reclaim their place as the preeminent series in the chess world.
Chess Informant. Informant #125. Sahovski Chess: 2015. 344 pages. Paperback. (Available from
uscfsales.com, catalog number B0125INF, $39.95)
 from the publishers of A Magazine

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Chess to Enjoy / Entertainment
The Secret Handshake
Playing strength matters more than titlesor does it?
By GM ANDY SOLTIS
THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT EACH
international grandmaster learns when he or she
is awarded the grandmaster title.
They are let in on the secret grandmaster
handshake. The lyrics of the grandmaster theme
song are revealed. And, if they havent heard it
before, they are told the Gufeld story:
Eduard Gufeld was a chubby, gregarious 31-
year-old when he earned the grandmaster title
back in 1967. Shortly after that, he approached
his Soviet countryman Viktor Korchnoi at an
international tournament.
Viktor, you can congratulate me. Now I am
your colleague! Gufeld said.
Gufeld was a fine player. But he was not in
Korchnois class. Korchnoi turned away from him
to look around the tournament room. He spotted
a Yugoslav grandmaster of modest achievements,
Mato Damjanovic.
No, Korchnoi replied. You are Damjanovics
colleague.
What Korchnoi was saying is that titles dont
really matter. Only playing strength does.
But anyone who has played tournament chess
long enough knows that titles do matter. We all
care about that word or two that helps define us
as chess players.
I fondly remember how much it meant to me
to say I was a class B player, when my rating went
above 1600. It wasnt until I became a club
champion that I had a title that meant more.
Strangely, the people who get worked up the
most about titles are the people with the highest
titles, the grandmasters.
Nearly 30 years ago the world chess federation,
FIDE, began to promote Active chess, that is,
games played with 30 minutes for each player.
Grandmasters were outraged.
You would have thought FIDE had changed
the rule of how the knight moves. Panicked
grandmasters were certain that a new title, Active
Grandmaster, would be created and cheapen their
own title.
This hysteria helped create a new organization,
the Grand Masters Association (GMA). At its
inaugural meeting in 1987 the members considered
motions to morally condemn anyone who played
in an Active tournament.
16 January 2016 | Chess Life
But then big bucks began to flow into Active the girls under-10 title. Or they played on a gold-
chess events. In 1988 the worlds first Active Chess medal-winning team. Or they won a correspond-
Championship was held in Mazatlan, Mexico. ence or a composing contest or some such.
The winner was the GMA vice president, There are more than 20 Americans who can
Anatoly Karpov. claim the world champion title, including me.
I was on the last U.S. team to win the World
Student Team Championship. (Somehow Bobby
KINGS INDIAN DEFENSE,
Fischer seems more of a world champ than I am.)
CLASSICAL VARIATION (E94)
Eddie Gufeld joked about his world title. In an
GM Anatoly Karpov
article, How I Became World Champion, he
GM Jaan Ehlvest
explained how he became the chess-by-telex champ.
Mazatlan, 1988
Telex? Yes, long before the Internet and e-mail,
two players who were thousands of miles apart
1. c4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. e4 Nf6 5.
could play one another via a teleprinter and a phone-
Nf3 0-0 6. Be2 e5 7. 0-0 Na6 8. Re1 c6 9. like network. In the key game of the 1978 world
Bf1 Qe7 10. h3 Re8 11. Be3 Bd7? 12. c5!
telex championship, Gufeld sent his moves from
Moscow to his East German opponent in Berlin.
KINGS INDIAN DEFENSE (A48)
GM Uwe Boensch
GM Eduard Gufeld
Telex, 1978
1. Nf3 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. e3 Bg7 4. Be2 0-0
5. b3 c5 6. Bb2 cxd4 7. Nxd4 d5 8. 0-0
Re8 9. Nd2 e5 10. N4f3 Nc6 11. c4 d4 12.
exd4 e4! 13. Ne1 Nxd4 14. Nc2 Nxe2+ 15.
Qxe2 Bg4 16. Qe3 Nd5! 17. cxd5 Bxb2 18.
Rab1 Bg7 19. h3 Bf5 20. Rbd1 Qxd5 21.
Black loses a piece on 12. ... dxc5 13. dxe5 Nh5 Nc4 Qd3!
14. g4!.
12. ... exd4 13. cxd6! Qxd6 14. e5! Qc7 15.
exf6 dxe3 16. fxg7 exf2+ 17. Kxf2 Rxe1 18.
Qxe1 Qb6+ 19. Kg3
This is both the winning move and the only
one that doesnt lose.
19. ... Qxb2 20. Bxa6 bxa6 21. Rb1 Qa3 22.
Qe5 Re8 23. Qd4 Bf5 24. Rb7 c5 25. Qf6
Be6 26. Ng5 c4 27. Nxf7, Black resigned.
Some fans complain that there is title inflation:
There are too many grandmasters, over 1,400 of
them. But you can argue that we also have cham-
This forces a favorable endgame because 22.
pion inflation.
Rxd3 exd3 23. Qf3 dxc2 makes the c2-pawn too
There are literally hundreds of people who can
dangerous.
claim they were a world chess champion: They
once held the boys under-14 championship or 22. Nb4 Qxe3 23. fxe3 Be6 24. Nd6 Re7

2015 World
Team
Championship
The United States, being led by
GMs Sam Shankland and Aleksandr
Lenderman, placed fifth in a strong
World Team Championship in
Tsaghkadzor, Armenia. China, a
new super-power in team chess,
took first place in the round-robin
tournament that featured 47 grand-
masters. In each of the six following
positions from Tsaghkadzor you are
asked to find the fastest winning
line of play. This will usually mean
the forced win of a decisive amount
of material, such as a rook or minor
piece. But watch out for forced mates,
too. For solutions see page 71.
25. g4 a5 26. Nc2 h5 27. Nd4 Bxd4 28.
Rxd4 hxg4 29. hxg4 Bxg4 30. Nxe4 Bf5
31. Nd6 Bh3 32. Rf3 Be6 33. Rf2 Rc7 34.
Kg2 Kg7 35. Kg3 Rh8
The game took a curious twist when 36. Rf3
was transmitted and Gufeld replied 36. ... Rc5.
His opponent insisted that he had played 36. Rh2
and the telex operator sent the wrong move. After
considerable debate, the position with 36. Rf3
Rc5 was adjudicated a win for Black by Max Euwe
a real world champion.
Garry Kasparov was another real world
champion. After he lost his title to Vladimir
Kramnik, he said that Kramnik created a title
for himself: World Champion in Classical Chess.
Kasparov ridiculed that title. Will we next have
a World Champion in Rapid Chess ? he asked.
Well, today there is a recognized title of World
Rapid Chess Champion. The first to hold it was
the winner of something called the World Cup
of Rapid ChessGarry Kasparov.
WORLD CUP OF RAPID CHESS
GM Garry Kasparov
GM Evgeny Bareev
World Cup of Rapid Chess, Cannes, 2001
(see diagram next column)
White finished off with 39. Rxg6! fxg6 40.
Nd7+! Bxd7 41. Qf6+, Black resigned (its
mate next move).
You cant blame the holders of the real world
championship for protecting the exact wording
PROBLEM I PROBLEM II
GM Wei Yi
GM Yuri Gonzalez Vidal
GM Lazaro Bruzon Batista
GM Aleksandr Lenderman
WHITE TO PLAY BLACK TO PLAY
PROBLEM IV PROBLEM V
GM Alexander Moiseenko GM Emil Sutovsky
GM Evgeny Postny GM Aleksandr Lenderman
WHITE TO PLAY BLACK TO PLAY
WHITE TO MOVE
of their title. For example, Karpov agreed to play
in Montreal, 1979, one of the strongest events
ever held. But he refused to allow the word
championship to be used in the tournament title. British Master title was createdthen abandoned
Instead, it became the clumsily named Man and
his World Chess Challenge Cup.
Karpov ran into another problem when he and
Fischer secretly met to discuss playing a champi-
onship match. But their negotiations fell apart
when they couldnt even agree on what to call
the title at stake. Fischer wanted it to be the
World Championship of Chess Professionals.
No way, said Karpov.
Chess champs are not the only ones who have
terminology issues. The legendary checkers player
Maurice Tinsley resigned his title as world
champion when the games major organizations
refused to sanction a world title match in 1992
between him and a computer program, Chinook.
So, Tinsley took on Chinook in a non-title Man
Versus Machine World Checker Championship
Chess to Enjoy / Entertainment
PROBLEM III
GM Zoltan Almasi
GM Evgeny Tomashevsky
BLACK TO PLAY
PROBLEM VI
GM Sethuraman P. Sethuraman
GM Yangyi Yu
BLACK TO PLAY
and won. (Chinook got its revenge by solving
checkers in 2007.)
But chess seems to be unique in the way we
try to hype events as world championships,
even when the events arent championshipsand
dont need hyping. For example, when the reigning
computer champion, Deep Junior, took on
Kasparov in 2003 it was a legitimately interesting
match with a huge prize fund of $1 million. In
2016 dollars thats a lot more than for each of
Magnus Carlsens world championship matches.
Yet the match organizers felt compelled to call
it The First Official FIDE World Chess Champi-
onship Man versus Machine. It was also the last
Official FIDE World Chess Championship Man
versus Machine.
A few titles have vanished. In Great Britain a
because it was actually easier to obtain the more
prestigious international master title.
US Chess invented National Grandmaster in
the 1980s for Americans who had failed to earn
the FIDE grandmaster title. It was dropped in
1986 after American masters said the title held
them to ridicule.
There are also some international titles that
are new but virtually unknown. Last year FIDE
created titles for performers in its online arena.
Did you know that there is an Arena Grandmaster
title? Or Arena International Master, Arena FIDE
Master and Arena Candidate Master? Its too
confusing.
But I can pledge to you I will never confuse
titles. Not as long as my name is World Champion
Andy Soltis.
www.uschess.org 17
Back to Basics / Reader annotations
O-Book
Yes, compare openingsbut within reason
By GM Lev aLBurt
SERGIO MADRIGAL FOUND HIMSELF OFF-
book on the second move and lost the opening
battle. Later, he shone. Writes Sergio (my further
comments are in italics):
I had been out of tournament play for decades,
but I had played some chess and read some chess
books in the interim, then I jumped back into
tournaments at the 2014 National Open.
tOrre attack (D03)
Doyle Lobaugh (1585)
Sergio Madrigal (1417)
National Open Championship (5), Las
Vegas, Nevada, 06.15.2014
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3
It appears White has already gone off-book.
Or will this transpose into a Queens Indian if
Black continues 2. e6 and White gets back on
book with 3. c4? [Yes.L.A.] Can Black penalize
White for this move order by 2. d5? That is,
does 2. d5 pre-empt 3. c4? If it doesnt prevent
3. c4, then does 3. c4 c6 transpose to the Semi-
Slav with no damage done?
[After 2. ... d5 3. c4, the game can continue as Slav;
Orthodox, QGA; etc., etc.]
Often times I have thought that openings in
the Under-1600 sections are more treacherous to
maneuver than the conventional openings of
standard opening theory (as in books such as
Modern Chess Openings) because there does not
seem to be any books or discussion of how to
take advantage of the numerous, early off-book
moves commonly encountered in the Under-1600
sections. That is, should the presumption be that
when either side goes off-book, there must be
[could beL.A.] some optimal response that gains
an advantage (that is, more advantage than that
gained by continuing with ones standard on-
book opening moves)? If so, what would the
optimal response be here? Or should you be patient
and see if the play transforms into a named
opening?
I shouldve tried to find out, but I reverted to
the Gruenfeld Defense move order, the Gruenfeld
being one of my preferred responses as Black to
1. d4.
Whites 2. Nf3 is a very common move, second in
popularity only to the classic 2. c4. Thus, for a
18 January 2016 | Chess Life
Gruenfeld player, 2. ... g6 provides a very good solution.
2. g6 3. Bg5
White continues off-book, or does he? I wasnt
sure if 3. Ne4 would gain anything in the long-
term, so I continue with the Neo-Gruenfeld move
order for Black.
While 3. ... Ne4 is playable, 3. ... Bg7 is the most
common (and best) reply here.
3. Bg7 4. Nbd2
Due to 1. d4 and 3. Bg5, my chess engine calls
this a Neo-Kings Indian: Torre Attack, even
though Black has not moved an early e6.
4. d5 5. e3
5. ... a6
Here I am the one going off-book since I like
the a6 move that is typical of the Najdorf Sicilian
(the Najdorf Sicilian being my other favorite
response as Black to 1. e4), because it: a) prevents
Bb5(+), and b) prepares for b7-b5 later on.
In an unfamiliar position, Sergio makes a bad move
(both conceptually and practically). His reasoning is
even worse, as the position on the board bears zero
resemblance to the Najdorf (or any) Sicilian. Chess-
wise, 5. ... a6 is a pure waste of timeand a temptation
to later play the dubious, or even rather bad, ... b7-b5.
While after, say, 5. ... 0-0 6. Bb5?!, Sergio could have
played his ... a7-a6 with a tempo, if he so wished.
6. Bd3 0-0 7. b4
This stops Blacks natural play, with .. c7-c5.
7. ... b5
On the seventh move, both White and Black
go off-book. I am ceding a potential outpost for
White at c5 but also creating one for myself at
c4.
8. c3 Nbd7
9. 0-0
The archetypical 9. a4! successfully exploits weak-
nesses created by Blacks wrongful pawn play.
9. ... Nb6
Heading to my outpost.
In my post-game analysis, it is hard to say who
has gone off-book more often. If we compare the
first nine moves to a minor variation of the Kings
Indian Defense (that is, KID column 79 of MCO-
14), White has gone off-book one time and I have
gone off-book three times. Yikes! But my moves
as Black are the first five moves of the Neo-
Gruenfeld (column 42 in MCO-14). So, I guess its
a Whites Kings Indian Defense against Blacks
Neo-Gruenfeld?
These considerations are totally irrelevant and
highly confusing.
10. Bxf6 Bxf6
An uncalled-for bad exchtange. Even after allowing
9. ... Nb6 (9. 0-0 rather than 9. a4!) White is still better
with 10. e4!.
11. re1 c6 12. h3 Qc7 13. Nb3 e5
Trying to open up the center.
Excellent! White missed an opportunity to expand
in the center (on move 10), but Black didnt.
14. Bc2
White did not care to exchange (e.g. 14. dxe5

Bxe5 15. Nxe5 Qxe5, maintaining a tenuous hold
on c3).
14. e4
15. Nh2 Na4 16. Qd2 Nb2 17. Nc5 Nc4 18.
Qd1 a5
Trying to open up the a-file.
Good ideabut what did the knights wanderings
do to improve the position?
19. a4 Nb2 20. Qb1 Nc4 21. axb5 cxb5 22.
Nf1 a4
Finally achieving an advantage: a passed pawn
and its supported! But I cant push it for a while
since White has more power on the queenside,
so I thought what is called for at this point is some
kingside activity.
23. Re2 Bg7 24. Bd1 h5 25. Nd2
25. ... Nxd2
Here Id seriously consider 25. ... Nd6after all,
White is cramped.
26. Rxd2 h4
Trying to keep his kingside pawns bottled up
until I can marshal my forces to the kingside.
27. Be2 Bd7
Id prefer 27. ... Rb8
28. Qd1 f5 29. f4 exf3 e.p. 30. Bxf3
30. ... Qd6
I needed to move Bc6 (to support b5 and
d5) but if done first, White had Ne6, forking the
queen and rook.
The line 30. ... Bc6!? 31. Ne6 Qe7 32. Nxf8 Qxe3+
favors Black and deserves attention.
31. Qf1
31. Nb7 would have kept Black from Bc6.
31. ... Bc6 32. Rf2 Bh6
Threatening e3.
33. Qd3 Rae8 34. Re2 Re7 35. Rae1 Rfe8
move 22and grabbed it! Thus, the rest of the game
36. Kf1 (?!L.A.)
Black must have had a winning plan now, perhaps
even a couple of them. For instance, 36. ... Qh2, 37. ... Re4
and then either (g6)-g5-g4 or the bishops trek to g3.
36. ... Kf8 37. Kg1 Kf7 38. Kh1
I was pleasantly surprised to see the white king
get farther from the action and thus provide less
support for his rooks.
38. a3
I thought I would try to entice one of Whites
rooks to the a-file to deal with my passed pawn,
so I could break through on the e- and f-files.
An often-useful technique.
39. Nb3 Qg3 40. Nc1 f4
(see diagram top of next column)
Time for fireworks! I thought I would come
out of these exchanges with an advantage, in case
of either 41. exf4 or 41. e4.
41. e4 dxe4 42. Bxe4 Bxe4 43. Qxg3
Back to Basics / Reader annotations
43. Qxb5 would allow 43. Bxg2+.
43. fxg3
The rest is simple.
44. Kg1 Bxc1 45. Rxc1 Bd5 46. Rxe7+ Rxe7
47. Kf1 Bc4+ 48. Kg1 Re2 49. Rf1+ Rf2 50.
Ra1 Rf1+ 51. Rxf1 Bxf1, White resigned.
Black, driven by a wrong analogy (Sicilian Najdorf,
in double-queen-pawn opening) played 5. ... a6 and
then 7. ... b5; White refused to punish this with 9. or
even 8. a2-a4, using the black b5-pawn as a hook to
destroy or at least weaken Blacks queenside pawn
formation. On move 10 White, for no good reason,
gave away (for a knight) his excellent dark-square
bishop, a worthy opponent of Blacks fianchettoed bishop,
missing a chance to expand in the center with e3-e4.
Black, however, did expand in the center (on moves
13 and 14). Later Black was presented with an oppor-
tunity to create a protected passed pawn on a4, on
was played under conditions favorable for Black. After
an interesting, sharp struggle Sergio defeated his
higher-ranked opponent.
Send in your games!
If you are unrated or rated 1799 or below,
then GM Lev Alburt invites you to send
your most instructive game with notes to:
Back to Basics, c/o Chess Life
PO Box 3967 Crossville, TN
38557-3967
Or e-mail your material to
backtobasics@uschess.org
GM Alburt will select the most instruc-
tive game and Chess Life will award an
autographed copy of Levs newest book,
Platonovs Chess Academy (by Lev Alburt
and Sam Palatnik) to the person submitting
the most instructive game and annotations.
Make sure your game (or part of it) and
your notes will be of interest to other
readers. Writing skills are a plus, but
instructiveness is a must! Do not send
games with only a few notes, as they are
of little instructive value and cant be used.
www.ChessWithLev.com
www.uschess.org 19
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www.uschess.org 21
Cover Story / Millionaire Chess 2

Millionaire Chess 2:

HIGH
STAKES
MC2 attracted all three of the
US world-top-ten players,
with GM Hikaru Nakamura
snagging the $100,000
grand prize.
Story by FM ALISA MELEKHINA | Photos by DAVID LLADA

22 January 2016 | Chess Life

 The U.S. number-1 overcame controversy and brutal
competition to win the second edition of Millionaire Chess.

www.uschess.org 23
 Quang Liem Le finished second to Nakamura. The Vietnamese
grandmaster was the Under-14 World Youth Chess Champion
in 2005 and the FIDE World Blitz Champion in 2013.
Immediately after MC2, Le took first at the 2015 SPICE Cup
Open in St. Louis, Missouri.

24 January 2016 | Chess Life


PREPARATION
Keeping with the theme of bringing glamour
to chess, the tournament was once again held at
Planet Hollywood on the Strip in Las Vegas from
October 8-13. The tournament hall was adorned
with purple accents and portraits of past world
champions. While top players still had to pay the
$1,000 entry fee like everyone else, some still
received the VIP treatment in the form of limo
pick-ups from the airport.
The event is one of the few tournaments where
amateurs get the star treatment. Players with
unique stories in the various Under sections are
profiled among the chess elite. Whether youre
playing or not, and whether you agree with the
premise or not, Millionaire Chess has become a
focal point of the US Chess calendar. If I am going
to take time off of work to play in any open event,
it is this one.
As with all sequels, there is pressure to go above
and beyond. A major addition this year was a real
chance to win one million dollars outright. The
top finishers from all of the sections are able to
compete in a language-neutral strategy game. The
winner would then choose from one of the 64
squares on a chess board; one of the squares
contains the $1 million prize.
Matching the Las Vegas atmosphere, the
tournament schedule is a rush. With two rounds
a day at a standard 40/120 plus five second delay
(or 40/90 plus five second delay in the 5-day Under
sections) time control, there is regrettably little
time to appreciate the extravagance of the host
city.
With the pressures of chess magnified by the
pressures of high-stakes payouts, it is easy to lose
sight of the behind-the-scenes work that goes
into hosting a tournament of this scale. Planning
began as soon as the first Millionaire Chess
concluded. Everything from the tournament hall,
to security, to the staff, to the group hotel rates,
and even the water served during the event had
to be re-negotiated.
Organizer Amy Lee reveals some of the
surprising cost breakdowns: The opening day
pool party was $26,600. The five-day schedule
breakfast cost $23,430 ($50 per plate plus 32.1
percent in tax and gratuity). Side events like the
pizza party cost around $2,400. The water on day
one alone cost $9,015 ($5/bottle + 32.1 percent).
The next few days we switched to gallon sizes of
water and that totaled to another $5,107.73, which
means water alone cost us $14,123.56. Neverthe-
less, Amy believes that since our clients paid a
substantial entry fee in order to have a top-notch
experience, we felt it was worth going the extra
mile to make sure they were treated in a first-class
way.
While the $1,000 entry fee seems steep, it is
not nearly enough to cover the million dollar
prize fund, let alone the organizational costs. The
revenue model is based on attracting sponsors.
Conducting outreach to major sponsors is a major
time and financial commitment in and of itself.
As a further means of outreach, this year Sunset
Lane Entertainment productions was overseeing
the broadcast of the event. Commentators GM
Robert Hess and IM Lawrence Trent returned
for this years edition, along with IM Sachdev
Tania. Reporting began two hours into the round
to avoid slow-moving opening battles and cut
right to the action. A new addition this year was
the confessional booth where players had the fun
opportunity to relay their thoughts directly to
viewers while still playing their games.
GAME DAY
Adding to the seriousness of the event, all
players are expected to register in person the
evening before the first round. We receive Mil-
lionaire Chess swag bags as well as wristbands
that must be worn at all times. The entire registra-
tion process lasts several hours. Organizers
Maurice Ashley and Amy Lee personally register
players, field last-minute questions, and scrutinize
late entrants.
It looked like everything was ready. All of the
planning, grand expenditures, and dealing with
chess players gripes came down to the first round.
Unfortunately, thats when one human error
compromised the pairings. The staff member
responsible for generating pairings accidentally
used the wrong databaseone that included players
that had since withdrawn before the tournament.
This resulted in about 30 players getting paired
with someone who definitely was not showing
up, and consequently receiving a forfeit win. This
was not good news for potential norm seekers.
Maurice was disappointed with this organizational
low-point: That one really hurt, and we had to
spend the rest of the tournament dealing with
some of the residual effects.
The Open section featured an almost binary
composition of players. Grandmasters crowded
the field, balanced out by a slew of players 2100
and below at the bottom. After losing my first
round to GM Arun Prasad Subramanian, I found
myself paired against another GM: Varuzhan
Akobian. He was on the short-end of one of the
biggest upsets in round one, losing to FM Vignesh
Panchanatham after the teenager executed an
impressive Exchange sacrifice.
IMPRESSIVE EXCHANGE SAC
FM Vignesh Panchanatham (2378)
GM Varuzhan Akobian (2712)
Millionaire Chess Open 2 (1), Las Vegas,
Nevada, 10.08.2015
WHITE TO PLAY
Cover Story / Millionaire Chess 2
27. d6!
A resourceful way to create counterplay, taking
advantage of Blacks knight which is cut off from
the game. The pawn is difficult to stop, and well
worth the sacrificed Exchange.
27. ... Bxf1 28. Bxf1 b6 29. d7 Rd8 30. Qe5
Re6
Black recoils to go on the defensive. From here,
Whites penetration is methodical.
31. Qc7 Qf6 32. Qxa7 g6 33. Qc7 Kh7 34.
a5 bxa5 35. Nxa5 Nd3 36. Bxd3 Rd6 37.
Be2 R8xd7 38. Rxd6 Rxd6 39. Nc4 Qa1+
40. Kg2 Rf6 41. Qe7 Kg7 42. Nd6, Black
resigned.
Caruana was the next favorite to fall victim to
an upset to another youngster in round two. 14-
year-old and brand-new-IM Ruifeng Li played
none other than the Evans Gambit against
Caruana, achieving a better position but opting
for a practical three-fold repetition.
EVANS GAMBIT ACCEPTED (C52)
IM Ruifeng Li (2550)
GM Fabiano Caruana (2863)
Millionaire Chess Open 2 (2), Las Vegas,
Nevada, 10.08.2015
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4
5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 d6 7. Qb3 Qd7 8. dxe5
Bb6 9. Nbd2 dxe5 10. Bb5
10. Ba3 is the book move.
10. ... f6 11. Nc4 Nge7 12. 0-0 Qe6 13. Qa4
Bd7 14. Nxb6 cxb6 15. Ba3
Black may be up a pawn, but has to find a way
to secure his kingwithout running into the Bc4
pin. The best method is to liquidate with:
15. ... Na5 16. Rfd1 Bxb5 17. Qxb5+ Kf7 18.
Rd7 Rhe8 19. Rad1
White dominates the d-file. R1d6 is an
unpleasant threat.
19. ... Nc4 20. Qb3
Commentator IM Lawrence Trent, who also
doubles as Caruanas manager, quipped that he
hates Blacks position. Trent was disappointed
that his protg struggled to play consistently
throughout the tournament.
20. ... Rab8 21. h3 a6 22. R1d3 b5 23. Rc7
www.uschess.org 25
Cover Story / Millionaire Chess 2
White keeps mounting pressure, inducing the
weakening:
23. ... g6
Caruana now had only six minutes remaining
while Li had 24.
24. Bb4 Rbc8 25. Rxb7 Rb8 26. Rc7 Rbc8
27. Rb7 Rb8 28. Rc7, Draw agreed.
Had Li been playing anyone but the world
number six, he may have been bold enough to refuse
the draw and continue with 28. Rbd7 to maintain
the pressure and advantage. Whites plan is Nf3-d2
to trade off Blacks knight, which seems to be single-
handedly holding Blacks position together.
Caruana explained that I was hoping to win
the event but I didnt have any expectations because
of how strong the field was and the unusual
format. I wasnt used to playing two games a day
and tiredness played a negative role, especially on
the first two days.
The pairing mishaps continued in round two
when GM Yangyi Yu, who finished in the top
four in last years event, had his first-round win
recorded as a loss. He thus played down against a
2180 in round two and ended up 2-0.
Just when things couldnt get any stranger,
former U.S. Champion Gata Kamsky forfeited in
round three when he was to play GM Artur
Jakubiec on board five. The time limit for a forfeit
was 30 minutes. Kamsky, who was staying off-
site, showed up to his round 32 minutes late. In
the same round, one of the top female seeds,
WGM Vita Kryvoruchko from Ukraine mixed
up the round times and also forfeited.
LEADERS EMERGE
By mid-tournament standings were beginning
to stabilize and leaders were emerging. GM Quang
Liem Le and GM Vasif Durarbayli from Webster
University in St. Louis, which sent a strong
delegation to the event, scored 4/4. In round four,
Durarbayli beat former Webster teammate and last
years winner, Wesley So, in a study-like rook
endgame.
STUDY-LIKE
GM Wesley So (2829)
GM Vasif Durarbayli (2706)
Millionaire Chess Open 2 (4), Las Vegas,
Nevada, 10.10.2015
WHITE TO PLAY
26 January 2016 | Chess Life
57. a5?
So had to find the counterintuitive 57. g4+ in
order to hold. Blacks pawns would be disjointed
and he would not be able to make progress after
a continuation such as 57. ... hxg4+ 58. Kg3 Ra3+
59. Kf2 e4 60. Ra8 e3+ 61. Ke2 White can always
check from behind.
57. ... e4 58. Ra8 e3 59. Re8 e2 60. a6 g5
61. g4+
Unfortunately this idea was employed too late
as in this position Blacks king can break through.
61. ... Kf4 62. Rf8+ Ke3 63. Re8+ Kf2 64.
gxh5 Ra4 65. Rf8+ Ke3 66. Re8+ Kf3 67.
Rf8+ Rf4 68. Rxf4+ Kxf4, White resigned.
White resigned in light of the forced mate after
68. ... Kxf4 69. a7 e1=Q 70. a8=Q Qf1+ 71. Qg2
g4+ 72. Kh4 Qxg2 73. h6 Qxh2 mate.
Liem, the top player in Vietnam, continued his
streak to win five in a row after beating Durarbayli
and So in round seven, and then drew Nakamura
in round six, placing him at the top of the pack
to qualify for the Millionaire Monday playoff.
On the last day of the tournament, the top four
finishers play a series of rapid games to determine
the top spots while the remaining players continue
with rounds eight and nine.
DRAW?
Not far behind were eight grandmasters with
5/6, including Nakamura and Luke McShane who
were paired in round seven. The battle to make
it into Millionaire Monday created a game theory
situation among the contenders. A usual solution
to such puzzles is for the players to cooperate. In
chess, this would be tantamount to a draw.
Notwithstanding that Millionaire Chess had in
place a rule that players are not permitted to agree
to a draw before move 30, Nakamura and McShane
may have found one of the few loopholes in what
Maurice thought was an airtight rule. The two
players found themselves in a gridlock situation
on move nine of a Najdorf Sicilian (6. Be3). For
various reasons, neither player wanted to deviate
from the repetition. GM David Smerdon analyzed
the situation from an economic perspective and
concluded that it was in fact in the economic
interest of both players to decline the draw. (See
his analysis at www.davidsmerdon.com/?p=1757)
According to Smerdon, Nakamura had a better
chance of winning than facing off with So and
Caruana in the tiebreaks, and McShane should have
played on to avoid a play-off for the play-off, which
would include Nakamura. However, according to
both players in the post-mortem interview, they
were convinced that it was risky to play on.
top americans
Many of our top players paid the entry fee for Millionaire Chess 2. Clockwise from top left: GM Sam Shankland
(left, playing Polish GM Jacek Stopa in round five), GM Alejandro Ramirez, GM Wesley So, GM Gata Kamsky,
GM Ray Robson, GM Samuel Sevian, GM Fabiano Caruana. So was the defending champion, and Caruana, mere
points behind Nakamura on the top-player list, described his own form in this event as unrecognizable.
SICILIAN DEFENSE,
NAJDORF VARIATION (B90)
GM Luke J. McShane (2797)
GM Hikaru Nakamura (2884)
Millionaire Chess Open 2 (7), Las Vegas,
Nevada, 10.11.2015
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ng4
McShane beat Jakubiec in round five of
Millionaire after 6. ... e5. Nakamura was aware
of the game and didnt want to go with this
alternative. 7. Nf3 Qc7 8. a4 Be7 9. a5 0-0 10. Be2
Nc6 11. Bb6 Qd7 12. Nd2 Nd4 13. Bd3 Qc6 14.
0-0 Bg4 15. Qe1 Bd8 16. Bxd4 exd4 17. Ne2 Bxe2
18. Qxe2 Re8 19. Rfe1 Qc5 20. Ra4 b5 21. axb6
e.p. Bxb6 22. Nf3 Qc7 23. h3 g6 24. Qd2 Rab8 25.
Rxa6 Bc5 26. Qf4 Nd7 27. b3 Kg7 28. Rea1 Ne5
29. Nxe5 Rxe5 30. g3 Qb7 31. R6a5 Qe7 32. Qf3
h5 33. h4 Bb6 34. Ra6 Qb7 35. Kg2 Bc5 36. R6a5
Bb6 37. Rb5 Rbe8 38. Rxe5 dxe5 39. Bc4 Rd8 40.
Bd5 Qc7 41. Qd3 Rd6 42. Ra8 Rd8 43. Ra6 Rb8
44. Qc4 Qxc4 45. Bxc4 Kf6 46. Kf3 Ke7 47. Ke2
f6 48. Kd3 g5 49. Ra1 Kd6 50. Rh1 Rh8 51. b4
Bd8 52. Bf7 Rh7 53. Bg6 Rh6 54. Bf5 Rh8 55. g4
1-0 Luke McShane (2797)-Artur Jakubiec (2592)
Las Vegas, Nevada, 2015.
7. Bc1
7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Although this sharp
line was a possibility, McShane was unwilling to
take the risk. On air he stated, Youve got to know
what youre doing. If youre going into a position
like sic and you dont know what youre doing,
its not pretty ... To take reckless risks, thats not
necessarily for me. I played Bc1 and I certainly
wasnt hoping for a draw. When I played 8. Be3 I
wasnt at all sure he would play 8. ... Ng4 again.
7. ... Nf6 8. Be3 Ng4 9. Bc1, Draw agreed.
According to Nakamura, the only acceptable,
non-dubious continuation at this point is to
retreat the knight to f6.
Regardless of the correct decision from a
theoretical perspective, the draw presented a direct
challenge to the tournament rules. Maurice Ashley
was clearly frustrated with the players for circum-
venting the anti-draw rule designed to encourage
fighting chess. The premise of Millionaire Chess
is to showcase chess at its fiercest, which is nullified
with quick grandmaster draws, or a stain on the
game as Maurice calls them.
Under the rules specific to Millionaire Chess,
the players cannot repeat moves until move 30 to
avoid the move limit, but also cannot be compelled
to play on if doing so would result in a checkmate
or loss of material. However, FIDE rules would
have permitted a draw in the situation. The
resolution turned on which set of rules ruled.
Cover Story / Millionaire Chess 2
This proved to be a more complicated exercise
than the game itself. The draw lasted only a total
of 12 minutes, but the verdict on its propriety
lasted over 90 minutes. Maurice consulted with
on-site Chief Tournament Director IA Francisco
Guadalupe, arbiters from around the world, the
players, and the players representatives before
rendering his decision.
Although Maurice personally abhorred the
draw, he let it stand. Ashley feels strongly about
the issue: I think chess professionals have to
realize that quick draws are profoundly deleterious
to our sport. They turn off sponsors and spectators,
and the act smacks of cowardice at best and
collusion by the players at worst. It doesnt matter
that two high-class fighters like Nakamura and
McShane are the ones who did it or that they did
what they thought was best for their tournament
standings. Ive spoken to TV producers, interested
politicians, and average fans and they all roll their
eyes or scoff at the idea that chess can call itself a
real sport when a game can be cut short by the
players pretty much whenever they like.
Amy Lee adds, I am not a chess player but its
not hard to see that no sponsor would be interested
in putting up good money when things like this
can happen in a sport.
From the point of view of players, Caruana
offered that in a tournament where every player
must pay a large entry fee and cover their travel
and hotel costs, it isnt really up to anyone to tell
them they shouldnt make a quick draw, especially
if the draw might be strategically advisable when
considering the tournament situation.
MILLIONAIRE MONDAY MADNESS
Meanwhile, three grandmasters with 6/7
qualified for the final four: Le, Alex Lenderman,
and Yangyi Yu. Had GM Evgeny Bareev converted
his advantage against GM Sam Shankland, he
would have been the fourth.
FALLING JUST SHORT
GM Evgeny Bareev (2664)
GM Samuel L. Shankland (2725)
Millionaire Chess Open (7), Las Vegas,
Nevada, 10.11.2015
WHITE TO PLAY
20. Qd2
Until this point Bareev played accurately to
exploit the f-file with a well-timed f5 break-
28 January 2016 | Chess Life
through. Everything was poised for the final blow 24. ... Rxb2? 25. Rxb2 Qxb2 26. Rb1!
with 20. Qf3 Black would have to give up a piece
Most likely expecting 26. f4 when after 26. ...
or allow a fatal attack after 20. ... Bg4 21. Qf4 Nh5
f6 27. fxe5 fxe5 28. Qe3 Rxf1+ 29. Bxf1 Nf6 Black
22. Qxf7+ Kh8 23. Bc6! Qxc6 24. Bxe7 After 20.
is doing well with three pawns for a piece.
Qd2, however, Black managed to equalize. Had
Bareev won, Nakamuras gamble with the nine- 26. ... Qa3 27. f4 f6 28. Rxb7 Nd3 29. Nf3
move draw would not have paid off as he would Ra8 30. Kh2 Nxf4 31. g5 Nh5 32. gxf6+
not have been able to qualify for Millionaire Nhxf6 33. Rb1 Nh6 34. Qxc4 Nf5 35. Nd4
Monday. Ne3 36. Qb4 Qxb4 37. Rxb4 Rc8 38. Nc6
Nxg2 39. Kxg2 Nxd5 40. Nxd5 Rxc6 41.
20. ... h6 21. Bxh6 Bg6 22. Bg5 Nh7 23.
Rb7 Rc5 42. Nf4 Kf7 43. h4, Draw agreed.
Bxe7 Qxe7 24. Rf2 Qg5 25. Qxg5 Nxg5
26. Nd5 Kg7 27. Rbf1 Re5 28. Nf4 Rh8,
Draw agreed at move 56. However, fortune was still on Nakamuras side.
In the final, decisive match in the pool Bareev
also blundered a bishop and had to go into a line
The draw meant that Bareev was joined by
where his queen would get trapped (to avoid
nine other grandmasters with 512/7, including
losing the bishop). Nakamura won in 11 moves,
Nakamura and McShane, all vying for the final
his second shortest game of the tournament.
playoff spot. Also among this group were So;
Caruana, who was having a sub-par tournament
due to drawing down several rounds; and Kamsky, QUEENS PAWN OPENING (D02)
who rebounded nicely after his round three forfeit. GM Evgeny Bareev (2664)
The field was pared down to nine after Israeli GM Hikaru Nakamura (2884)
GM Gil Popilski declined the spot to instead be Millionaire Chess Open 2 (Tiebreak 3),
automatically seeded into the Millionaire Monday Las Vegas, Nevada, 10.12.2015
playoff for the U2550 class prize.
Issues with interpreting the rules did not cease 1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 c6 3. Bf4 Qb6 4. b3 Nf6 5.
with the resolution of the Nakamura-McShane e3 Nh5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 Nd7
draw. The rules were ambiguous as to the proper
time control for a tiebreak of this magnitude. Most
of the players read the provision as stipulating a
blitz playoff, but the rules referred to a tiebreak
RR as being subject to an Armageddon. Over
some objections, it was decided that the format
would be the posted G/15 d/5. The players were
divided into two pools of four and five based on
US Chess ratings.
Nakamura had an advantage in the way the
pools were split. Caruana was in the same group
as So, while Nakamura had to deal with Kamsky,
Bareev, and Sergei Azarov. Advantages over the
board were again eclipsed by a strange turn of
events. Kamsky blundered an entire bishop in 8. Ne5? Nxe5 9. Qxh5
round two of the playoff against Nakamura, but
Nakamura was not able to convert and had to 9. dxe5 Qb4+ picking up the bishop.
settle for a draw. Kamsky was beaming after the 9. ... Ng4 10. Bg3 g6 11. Qh4 Bg7, White
draw, while Nakamura was shaking his head in resigned.
disbelief at the upsetting turn of events.
UPSETTING
GM Hikaru Nakamura (2884) NAKAMURA VERSUS SO
GM Gata Kamsky (2752) It was expected that So would be one of the
Millionaire Chess Open 2 (Tiebreak 2), Las favorites in the other pool. Caruana faltered again
Vegas, Nevada, 10.11.2015 in what he said was unrecognizable form. Sos
main rival turned out to be Webster team member
GM Aleksandr Shimanov. Shimanov had scored
2/3 in the rapids, but fell to So in the final game.
It came down to the Nakamura-So match-up
for the final Millionaire Monday spot. It was a
familiar match-up as the two had played each other
over 30 times in quick time controls. After two
draws, the colors for the final game were to be
determined by none other than a coin flip.
Nakamura chose tails and fortune once again smiled
upon him. He got the white pieces and beat Wesley
in his best game of the tournament.
BLACK TO PLAY (see game on page 30)
a stain on the game?
Luke McShane of England (left, here playing Wesley So) figured in a
dispute following his seventh-round game with Hikaru Nakamura.
The two players, notorious for their willingness to fight to the end,
repeated the position a third time after move nine, circumventing the
supposedly airtight no-draws-before-move-30 rule. After a discussion
lasting more than an hour longer than the game itself, the draw was
allowed to stand.
Cover Story / Millionaire Chess 2

the organizers
GM Maurice Ashley (left) and Amy Lee (right) present GM Hikaru Nakamura with his winners check. Their huge financial gamble has now experienced two successful
years of player popularity. Lee observed, It is a matter of exposure now. We know we can put on a world class event.

ENGLISH OPENING,
FLOHR-MIKENAS SYSTEM (A18)
GM Hikaru Nakamura (2884)
GM Wesley So (2829)
Millionaire Chess Open 2 (Tiebreak 8),
Las Vegas, Nevada, 10.12.2015

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. cxd5 exd5

5. e5 Ne4 6. d4 Nc6 7. Bb5

Wesley played the opening quickly but here

sunk into thought as if figuring out the move order.
7. ... Be7 8. Nge2 0-0 9. 0-0 Bf5 10. Be3
Na5
The alternative 10. ... Nb4 would have generated
more threats, taking advantage of Whites weak
white squares and awkward white bishop.
11. Nxe4 Bxe4 12. Ng3 a6 13. Bd3 Bxd3 14.
Qxd3 Nc4 15. Bc1 f6 16. b3 Nb6
(see diagram next column)
17. e6
Going for the win. The g3-knight has great
scope, aiming for the strong f5-square.
17. ... Qd6
Only helps White support the e6-pawn and
practically invites Nf5.
18. Re1 g6 19. Bh6 Rfe8 20. f4
Black played a series of disjointed moves that
left his pieces paralyzed.
20. ... Kh8 21. f5 g5 22. Nh5 Rg8 23. h4
Relentless.
23. ... g4 24. Rf1 Qd8 25. Qe2 Qe8 26. Nf4
Bd6 27. Rae1 c6 28. e7 Nc8 29. Qe6 Bxe7
30. h5 b5
Black collapses under the pressure. White can
now execute a sly plan to blast open the h-file.
31. Ng6+
(see diagram next column)
31. ... hxg6 32. hxg6 Ra7 33. Kf2 g3+ 34.
Kf3 Rxg6 35. fxg6 Qxg6 36. Qxc8+ Kh7
37. Rh1, Black resigned.
Compared to the rest of the tournament,
Millionaire Monday was relatively smooth sailing
for Nakamura. After two draws against Yangyi
in the initial Game/25 matches, he won in the
deciding Game/15 match. He advanced to play
Le for first place, while Yu and Lenderman battled
it out for third. Nakamura beat Le 112- 12 to earn
the $100,000 grand prize. According to Nakamura,
his opponents definitely had chances, but he took
advantage of opportunities when presented with
them. Nakamura credits his spectacular 2015 chess
year to not worrying as much as he used to, and
taking a more relaxed approach to results.

30 January 2016 | Chess Life

 Cover Story / Millionaire Chess 2

MILLION SQUARE CHALLENGE
Nakamura would go on to test his luck in the
Million Square challenge against the other eight
section winners. The questions rotated between
calculating time (e.g. if it is 5:40 what time will it
be in 118 minutes?) and number sequences. The
contestants only had 10 seconds to respond and
were eliminated for an incorrect answer.
After several rounds of players stumbling over
the time calculation questions, U2200 winner P.P.
Prachura emerged as the winner. His prize was a
1-in-64 chance to win a clear million dollars. The
organizers had the payout insured according to the
odds of winning. The winning square was officially
sealed until chosen by the contestant. Prachura
went with c4 in honor of his favorite English
opening. Alas, the million dollar square was ... b1.
ENDGAME is seen as cool, but it will take time and hard effort
to bring on board those all-important sponsors
Thus marked the end of Americas grandest
on board.
open Swiss tournament. For some, Millionaire
If we accept that increasing the appeal of chess
Chess 2 will be defined by the controversy and
will attract mainstream attention, benefit all
missed opportunities. However, as chess players
players, and encourage top talent, then we have
we should take a step back and consider that
a responsibility to face the challenge. Amy knows
Millionaire Chess is meant to do more than merely
that the challenge cannot be taken on alone: We
facilitate a tournament and a hefty payout. How
would love for chess players to try to use their
does the brand help chess advance as a whole?
connections to bring corporate sponsors to the
According to Maurice, although Millionaire
table. It is a matter of exposure now. We know
Chess is one of the biggest chess stories to make
we can put on a world class event.
it into mainstream sources like The New York
Times, we have a long way to go to convince
sponsors that chess is captivating enough to attract See more reporting about Millionaire Chess 2
the attention of a wide-scale audience. Corpora- by GM Cristian Chirila at US Chess News
tions are very conservative with their dollars since on uschess.org, October archives.
they have shareholders to answer to. Our event

At A Glance Millionaire Chess Open 2

Date: October 8-13, 2015 | Location: Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada | 544 players, 6 sections | Top Finishers: Open, Open Semi-
finals: Quang Liem Le 2 Aleksandr Lenderman 0; Hikaru Nakamura 212 Yangyi Yu 112; Open Consolation Match: Yangyi Yu 2 Aleksandr Lenderman 0; Open
Finals: Hikaru Nakamura 112 Quang Liem Le 12; 2400-2549 Semi-finals: Marcin Tazbir 212 Gil Popilski 112; Holden Hernandez 112 Samuel Sevian 12; 2400-2549
Consolation Match: Samuel Sevian 112 Gil Popilski 12; 2400-2549 Finals: Holden Hernandez 212 Marcin Tazbir 112; Under 2400 Semi-finals: Farai Mandizha 112
Ronalld Burnett 12; Kaiqi Yang 2 Rico Salimbagat 0; Under 2400 Consolation Match: Ronald Burnett 112 Rico Salimbagat 12; Under 2400 Finals: Kaiqi Yang 312
Farai Mandizha 212; 1st: Hikaru Nakamura ($100,000); 2nd: Le Quang Liem ($50,000); 3rd: Yangyi Yu ($25,000); 4th: Aleksandr Lenderman ($16,000); 5th-
8th: Wesley So ($7,000), Luke McShane ($7,000), Fabiano Caruana ($7,000), Evgeniy Najer ($7,000); 9th-14th: Evgeny Bareev ($4,000), Gata Kamsky ($4,000),
Ray Robson ($4,000), Gregory Kaidanov ($4,000), Jeffery Xiong ($4,000), Jianchao Zhou ($4,000); 1st 2400-2549: Holden Hernandez ($40,000); 2nd 2400-
2549: Marcin Tazbir ($20,000); 3rd 2400-2549: Samuel Sevian ($11,700); 4th 2400-2549: Gil Popilski ($8,000); 5th 2400-2549: Axel Rombaldoni ($3,150);
6th 2400-2549: Niclas Huschenbeth ($3,150); 1st Under 2400: Kaiqi Yang ($38,000); 2nd Under 2400: Farai Mandizha ($19,000); 3rd Under 2400: Ronald
Burnett ($11,000); 4th Under 2400: Rico Salimbagat ($7,000); 5th Under 2400: Eduardo Rojas Sepulveda ($2,000); 6th Under 2400: Craig Hilby ($2,000);
U2200, Semi-finals: Ted Castro 112 Michael Mahoney 12; P. P. Prachura 3 Davaaochir Nyamdorj 1; Consolation Match: Michael Mahoney 112 Davaaochir Nyamdorj
1
2; Finals: P. P. Prachura 3 Ted Castro 1; 1st: P. P. Prachura ($38,000); 2nd: Ted Castro ($19,000); 3rd: Michael Mahoney ($10,000); 4th: Davaa-Ochir Nyamdorj
($8,000); 5th: John Rosell ($6,000); 6th-7th: Andrew E. Lebovitz ($4,500), Arthur Guo ($4,500); 8th-18th: Nabil Feliachi ($3,273.73), Willi Gross ($3,273.73),
Virgilio T. Reyes ($3,273.73), Jeremy Keller ($3,273.73), Hafez Tari ($3,273.73), Libardo Rueda ($3,273.73), Benjamin Bar Moon ($3,273.73), Vigneshw
Nesamani ($3,273.73), Gunasekaran Dinesh Kumar ($3,273.73), Rafael Rodriguez ($3,273.73), Julio Rebolledo Arias ($3,273.73); U2000, Semi-finals: Ruben
Burciaga 3 Michael Shtabsky 1; Lisandro Geraldo 112 Nicholas Williams 12; Consolation Match: Michael Shtabsky 112 Nicholas Williams 12; Finals: Lisandro
Geraldo 2 Ruben Burciaga 0; 1st: Lisandro Geraldo ($36,000); 2nd: Ruben Burciaga ($18,000); 3rd: Michael Shtabsky ($9,000); 4th: Nicholas Williams ($7,000);
5th-11th: Scott E. Poling ($3,357.14), Richard D. Willis ($3,357.14), Lopez Aristizabal ($3,357.14), Lolomari E. George ($3,357.14), Boyi Gong ($3,357.14),
Courtney Barnes ($3,357.14), Michael D. Higgins ($3,357.14); U1800, Semi-finals: Jamie Lynn Olsen-Mills 2 Jose Castillo 0; Vaibhav Aggarwal 2 George
Terarakelian 0; Consolation Match: George Terarakelian 3 Jose Castillo 1; Finals: Vaibhav Aggarwal 2 Jamie Lynn Olsen-Mills 0; 1st: Vaibhav Aggarwal ($34,000);
2nd: Jamie Lynn Olsen-Mills ($17,000); 3rd: George Terarakelian ($8,500); 4th: Jose Castillo ($6,500); 5th-6th: Sharma Dushyant ($4,500), Novica Kecojevic
($4,500); 7th-17th: Rick Lutzke ($2,681.12), Reinaldo Estrada ($2,681.12), Srihari Nesamani ($2,681.12), Shijil Kundilakkandi ($2,681.12), Artem Verdiyan
($2,681.12), Bhaskar Nagaiah Sanjeevi ($2,681.12), Sheen Kaul ($2,681.12), Christopher Tyau ($2,681.12), Brian Bannon ($2,681.12), W. David Lewis
($2,681.12), Immanuel Singuillo ($2,681.12); U1600, U1600 Semi-finals: David Olea 112 Sundaram Gopikrishnan 12; Khasen Levkin 3 Christian Silvestre 1;
U1600 Consolation Match: Christian Silvestre 3 Sundaram Gopikrishnan 1; U1600 Finals: Khasen Levkin 2 David Olea 0; 1st: Khasen Levkin ($30,000); 2nd:
David Olea ($16,000); 3rd: Christian Silvestre ($8,000); 4th: Sundaram Gopikrishnan ($6,000); 5th: Dmitriy Kovalkov ($4,000); 6th-15th: Mani Terrazas
($2,440), Robert M. Colucci ($2,440), Orrin C. Hudson ($2,440), David Tsay ($2,440), Keith Brown ($2,440), Rushaan Mahajan ($2,440), Timothy Fisher
($2,440), Mark Allan Bateman ($2,440), Sergey P. Lokhov ($2,440), Paul Falbo ($2,440); U1400 Semi-finals: Rigoberto Rodriguez 4 Anton Butenko 3; Jonathan
Barbosa 2 Yehia Massoud 0; U1400 Consolation Match: Anton Butenko 3 Yehia Massoud 1; U1400 Finals: Rigoberto Rodriguez 112 Jonathan Barbosa 12; 1st
U1400: Rigoberto Rodriguez ($24,000); 2nd U1400: Jonathan Barbosa ($12,000); 3rd U1400: Anton Butenko ($6,000); 4th U1400: Yehia A. Massoud ($4,000);
U1200 Semi-finals: Kolya Ludwig 112 Lee Prince 12; Jason Edwards 3 Jonathan Bates 1; U1200 Consolation Match: Jonathan Bates 212 Lee Prince 112; U1200
Finals: Jason G. Edwards 212 Kolya Ludwig 112; 1st U1200: Jason G. Edwards ($20,000); 2nd U1200: Kolya Roy Ludwig ($10,000); 3rd U1200: Jonathan L. Bates
($6,000); 4th U1200: Lee Prince ($4,000); Unrated, 1st: Joel Volotzky ($3,000); 2nd: Kai Wang ($1,500); 3rd: Oluwagbemiga Akingbade ($1,500). | Chief
Tournament Director: Francisco L. Guadalupe.

EF: $1,000 by 3/31, $1,250 by 6/30, $1,500 by 9/30, $2,000 after 9/30 or onsite.

For more details about the Millionaire Chess Open, see https://millionairechess.com/millionaire-chess-2015.

www.uschess.org 31
College Chess / UT Dallas versus U. Belgrade

FIVE TO FIVE
uT Dallas defeats university of belgrade,
ties decade-long Svetozar gligoric Transatlantic cup

By DR. ALEXEY ROOT, WIM

The November 6, 2015 opeNiNg ceremoNy for The 10Th aNNual SveTozar gligoric
Transatlantic cup match between The university of Texas at Dallas (uT Dallas), located in the city of richardson,
and the university of belgrade, located in Serbia, began politely enough at 12:30 p.m. Through video and audio feeds,
dignitaries shared pleasant thoughts about chess and their international opponents. The uT Dallas president ad
interim hobson Wildenthal stated, [chess is] a sport, a real sport, but no traumatic brain injuries associated with it.

referring to the 5-4 series score in favor of his team, the university of
belgrade team captain im ivan J. markovic said, Thank you for constantly
pushing us to our limits. grandmaster ljubomir ljubojevi, a special guest
at the university of belgrade, said the annual match was great but even
better would be to have it twice a year and to also develop a world league
of universities. ljubojevi said that more college chess competitions would
be healthy for the publicity of chess and of studying.
Then the opening ceremony morphed into a pre-game rally that
sounded and looked like a tailgate for one of those brain-injury sports
Wildenthal referenced. The mayor pro Tem of richardson, mark
Solomon, boasted, We prevail in everything that we do, adding that
today uT Dallas would even the series score to 5-5. milos Srecko
Nedeljkovic, mechanical engineering faculty member at the university
of belgrade, shot back, maybe you will, because your first board is from
Serbia. The uT Dallas spectators murmured about trash-talking. The
mascot and cheerleaders danced and chanted, which elicited whoosh
gestures and cheering from the uT Dallas spectators. Nedeljkovic
responded that the cheers transmitted from richardson had fired up his
belgrade team. he suggested a five-minute break, which would begin
the games earlier than their scheduled start at 1:00 p.m. The uT Dallas
chess program Director Jim Stallings confidently replied, lets make
the break shorter and start the match.
i retreated from the playing halls charged atmosphere to the vip room,
where grandmasters Nadezhda Kosintseva and valentin iotov provided
commentary. one of my eD 4358 (using chess in elementary Schools;
offered online via uT Dallas elearning) students asked the grandmasters,
Why arent you playing? Kosintseva replied that they were too old. Stallings
clarified, No titled player over 26 years of age can play.
uT Dallas chess advisory board president rodney Thomas acted as the
vip room emcee, often asking iotov about positions displayed on a giant
screen from the internet chess club feed, is this position pleasant or
unpleasant for the uT Dallas player? iotov usually answered, it is too early
in the game to tell.
The vip room grandmasters showed a position from one game, discussed
it, and then rotated through the other games. by the time the grandmasters
returned to the first game, it had completely changed. The time control of
game in 40 (with a five-second increment) meant that the games progressed
very quickly. it was impossible to follow all 16 games. Sometime after the
match ended, the vip room crowd learned that uT Dallas had won by a
score of 9 to 7.
grandmaster aleksandar indjic, who played first board for uT Dallas,
and grandmaster Sahaj grover, board six, were both enrolled in my eD
4358 course in the fall semester of 2015. Their extra credit assignment was
to annotate their games from the match:

32 January 2016 | Chess Life


The University of Belgrade Team in Serbia competing against the University of Texas at Dallas. The University of Belgrade is the oldest and largest university in Serbia, founded in
1808 as the Belgrade Higher School. The school seal is in the right corner of the photo.
NIMZO-INDIAN DEFENSE (E21)
GM Aleksandar Indjic (2564, SRB)
IM Nikola Nestorovic (2457, SRB)
Notes by Indjic.
This game was not easy for me because I am
from Serbia, so I know all the players who
represented the University of Belgrade. It is never
easy when you are supposed to play against your
friends. Nikola is a very good friend of mine and
a very strong chess player too.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5.
g4
An interesting move, but suspicious. The point
of 5. g4 is to create a highly nonstandard position
with a lot of complications. I am the only one
playing this variation, probably for good reason.
The objective value of my move is not good, but
it has surprise value. 5. Bg5 is more frequently
PHOTO CREDIT: STEVAN EGRT
played.
5. ... Bb7 6. Qd3 d5 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Bg5
0-0 9. h4 Nbd7
Nikola reacted very well to my provocative
fifth move. His position is safe and he can start
taking advantage of my irregular play.
10. a3 Be7
The other option for Black is 10. ... Bxc3+,
followed by 11. bxc3 Re8 12. Nd2 h6 13. Bxf6
College Chess / UTD versus U. Belgrade
Qxf6 14. g5 which is unclear.
11. Bf4 c5
I wanted him to take the g4-pawn to open the
g-file. That variation would give me strong compen-
sation for my sacrificed g-pawn leading to unclear
play after 11. ... Nxg4 12. Rg1 Ndf6 13. Ng5.
12. Bg2?
The follow-up 12. g5 was the better option 12. ...
Ne4 13. Bh3 Re8 14. 0-0 with an almost equal game
but probably slightly preferable for Black.
12. ... Re8?!
Black is better after 12. ... Nxg4 13. Ng5 Ndf6
(The position is equal after all the fireworks 13. ...
Ngf6? 14. Nxd5! Deflection! 14. ... Bxd5 15. Bxd5
Ne5 16. Bxe5 Qxd5 17. Bxf6! Qxh1+ 18. Kd2 Qxh4
19. Bxe7 Rae8! [19. ... Rfe8 20. Qf3! Qxd4+ 21.
Ke1 and White is slightly better] 20. Qxh7+ Qxh7
21. Nxh7 Rxe7 22. Nxf8 Kxf8 23. dxc5 bxc5).
13. Ng5?
Here I got carried away by the possibility of an
attack. Safer and better is 13. g5 Ne4 14. 0-0.
13. ... Nf8?!
The line 13. ... cxd4! 14. Nxd5 Bxd5 15. Bxd5
was my initial idea when I jumped on g5 with the
knight. 15. ... Ne5!! I didnt see this fantastic move.
If he plays something else then he has the worse
position. Then, after 16. Bxe5 Qxd5 17. Nf3 Nxg4
18. Bxd4 Bc5 and my position is very bad.
14. dxc5 Bxc5 15. 0-0-0 Qe7!
Nice move! During the game he was using a
very effective strategy. He was always avoiding
conflict. Because his position is stronger, eventually
I am not going to have any useful moves.
16. Nxd5
I had to play 16. Nxd5, otherwise my position
will collapse soon.
16. ... Bxd5 17. Bxd5 Nxd5 18. Qxd5 h6 19.
Nf3 Rad8 20. Qb3 Qxe2 21. Rxd8 Rxd8
22. Ne5 Ne6 23. Be3 Bd6?
www.uschess.org 33
College Chess / UT Dallas versus U. Belgrade
Back row, left to right: UT Dallas Chess Coach Rade Milovanovic (native of Serbia), GM Aleksandar Indjic (first board in the match for UT Dallas, native of Serbia), GM Denis Kadric
(UT Dallas player, native of Bosnia Herzegovina); front row, left to right: Snjezana Milovanovic (Rade's wife, native of Bosnia Herzegovina) and Katarina Djakovic, UT Dallas grad
student (not on chess team, parents are from Serbia).
Until this moment Nikola played almost a
perfect game. Now both of us were in time trouble
so we had to play the rest of the game instinctually.
24. Qd3 Qxd3 25. Nxd3 Bxa3 26. Kc2
I am a pawn down in the endgame. I think the
chances of my getting a draw are similar to his
chances to win this position.
26. ... Bd6 27. Ra1 Bb8 28. Ra4 Kf8 29. Re4
g5 30. hxg5 hxg5 31. b4 Rd5 32. Kc3 Rd8 33.
Kc4 Bd6 34. Kb5 Be7 35. Ne5 Rd1 36. Nc6
He has lost control over the position. Black is
not better anymore.
36. ... Nc7+ 37. Ka4?
We were both in time trouble and making
serious mistakes. 37. Kc4 would have given me
an equal position.
34 January 2016 | Chess Life
37. ... Bf6 38. Kb3?? Ra1?
The move 38. ... Rd3+! was a winning contin-
uation as after 39. Ka2 Nb5 I am losing material.
39. Bd4 Bxd4 40. Rxd4 a5 41. Rd7 Ne6
42. Ne5 Rb1+ 43. Kc2 Rxb4 44. Rxf7+
Kg8 45. Re7 Nc5 46. f3 a4 47. Ra7 b5 48.
Kc3 Rf4 49. Kc2 b4?! 50. Ra5
50. ... b3+?
Best is 50. ... Ne6! and it turns out the a-pawn
is untouchable because of 51. Rxa4 b3+ 52. Kxb3
Nc5+ with a winning advantage to Black.
51. Kb2 Ne6 52. Ra6 Nc5 53. Rc6 a3+ 54.
Kxa3 Nb7?
The continuation 54. ... Ra4+ 55. Kb2 Ra2+ 56.
Kb1 Na4 57. Rc4 would lead to an equal position.
55. Rc8+ Rf8 56. Rc7 Nd6 57. Kxb3
The situation has changed completely and Im
on top now. We are both playing with seconds
on our clock here.
57. ... Rb8+ 58. Kc2 Rb5 59. Nd3 Rd5 60.
Rc5 Rxc5+ 61. Nxc5 Kf7 62. Kd3
This endgame with a pawn down for Black is
hard, especially when you are playing using the
increment of five seconds after every move.
62. ... Kg6 63. Kd4 Nb5+ 64. Ke5 Na3 65.
Nd7 Nc4+ 66. Ke6 Nd2 67. Ne5+ Kh6 68.
Kf6, Black resigned.
Black resigned because he will lose the pawn
on g5. At the end I can say this game was full of
unexpected turns. Eventually I succeeded in
winning it with some luck for sure.
FRENCH DEFENSE, CLASSICAL
SYSTEM (C13)
IM Vladimir Lukovic (2439, SRB)
GM Sahaj Grover (2498, IND)
Notes by Grover.
1. e4 e6
I am always comfortable playing the French
Defense, one of my main weapons.
2. d4 d5 3. Nc3
 College Chess / UT Dallas versus U. Belgrade

This is one of the main lines against the French

Defense. Other popular lines include the Advance
Variation (3. e5) and the Tarrasch Defense (3.
Nd2).
3. ... Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4!?
The moves 4. ... Be7 and 4. ... Bb4 are two other
ways to continue in this variation.
5. Nxe4 Be7
This line has gained a lot of popularity recently.
6. Bxf6 gxf6
Black damages his own pawn structure for the
pair of bishops. The resulting position is double-
edged. The most current theory in this line seems
to prove that Black is fine.
7. Nf3 f5 8. Nc3!?
The move 8. Ng3 instead seems more logical
and something most people would play, but it
isnt optimal because of 8. ... c5!?. Now White
doesnt have d4-d5, which would have been
possible had the knight been on c3.
8. ... a6 9. g3 b5 10. Bg2 Bb7 11. 00 c5 12.
d5!?
This is something I didnt expect during the
game, as before the game I had prepped mainly
for 12. dxc5.
12. ... b4 13. dxe6 bxc3 14. exf7+ Kf8
(see diagram top of next column)
This position seems like its easy for Black, who
is just a piece up, but practically its very difficult for
Black to continue as most of his pieces are on
their original squares. Development always comes
first! 14. ... Kxf7? is losing for Black as 15. Ne5+!
Kg7 16. Bxb7.
15. Qe2 Bf6!?
The computers first suggestion, and a some-
what safe move. I basically wanted to put my
queen on e7, and the bishop on b7 to e4, so that I
can defend my position.
16. bxc3 Qe7 17. Qc4 Nd7
Never too late to develop pieces!
18. Qf4 Be4 19. Rfe1!
I think this move was pretty good as White is
setting up a trap, which I fell for.
19. ... Bxc3?
I thought my position was completely winning
as both white rooks are attacked. Since White is
already a piece down, taking the rook means I
would be a rook up, which is just too much
material.
20. Rad1!
Now I understood Whites motif, I cannot take
the rook on e1 as 20. ... Bxe1? 21. Qh6+! Kxf7 22.
Rxd7 Qxd7 23. Ne5+ Ke8 24. Qh5+ Kd8 25. Nxd7
Kxd7 26. Bxe4 fxe4 27. Qd5+ Kc7 28. Qxc5+ Kb7
29. Kf1! when I do not have enough compensation
for my queen.
20. ... Ra7?
Suddenly I have to save my position, which in
this time control was difficult to do.
21. Re2!
He was playing very well so far. I had begun to
realize that soon enough I may have big problems.
21. ... Qf6!?
Most of my pieces were paralyzed, so I decided
to advance my queen and make some space in
general. 21. ... Qxf7? is bad due to 22. Ng5! and
White is winning; 21. ... Kxf7? is also a blunder
as 22. Rxe4 Qxe4 23. Ng5+ is winning.
22. Ng5 h6 23. Nxe4 fxe4 24. Qxe4 Qxf7
I had already realized that this position is almost

1950: Yugoslavia defeats USA

In 1950, Yugoslavia defeated the United States of America in a 10-board,
four-day radio match. Steve Pejovich (photo, center left) was then a
high school senior in Belgrade. Before he left Yugoslavia in 1957 for a career
culminating as professor emeritus at Texas A&M University, Steve was
known by his given name of Svetozar. Svetozar Pejovich and other Belgrade
high school chess players volunteered as match assistants. Pejovich
remembers, We got permission to miss four days of school to relay the
moves that one of his fellow volunteers recalled were radio-received.
Three volunteers were assigned to each game. A first volunteer took each
move from the radio room to a second volunteer, who sat across from the
Yugoslavian player. That second volunteer made the Americans move on
the board and started the Yugoslavs clock. Pejovich was a third volunteer.
His job was to update his assigned games demonstration board. I asked
Pejovich if he remembered who played that game. He said that Ivkov played
for Yugoslavia and asked, A fellow named Bisguier played for the American
PHOTOS ALEXEY ROOT

side. Is he still alive? I assured Pejovich that Grandmaster Arthur Bisguier

(born 1929) is still alive. Bisguiers opponent, Grandmaster Borislav Ivkov
(born 1933), is also alive. Pejovich could not remember the result of the two
games between Ivkov and Bisguier, but the Yugoslavians defeated the
Americans 1112 to 812 . (Bisguier defeated Ivkov in their first game; they drew
their second game. ~ed.) ~Alexey Root

www.uschess.org 35
College Chess / UT Dallas versus U. Belgrade

UT Dallas cheerleaders with (left to right) Rodney Thomas (UT Dallas Chess Advisory Board President), Mark Solomon (Richardson, Texas Mayor Pro Tem), Will Brugge
(UT Dallas Chess Advisory Board Member), Jim Stallings (UT Dallas Chess Program Director).

losing for me. I was also low on time. From this 36. Qc7+ Kg6 37. Rxe6 Qxg4+ 38. Qg3 was
moment onward, I was 110 percent focused on winning for him, and its forced as well. But when
defending my position. it comes to a matter of seconds its difficult to GLIGORIC
make the best choice.
25. Bh3 Nf6!? 26. Qf3 Ba5
35. ... Kf7 36. Qc7+ Kg6 37. Rxe6
TRANSATLANTIC
The move 26. ... Bd4? just loses a piece because
of 27. c3! And now I missed a winning opportunity. I CUP MATCH
27. Be6 Qg6 28. Bf5 Qf7 29. Be6 Qg6 encourage the readers of Chess Life to think about
how Black can continue. HISTORY
I was ready to take the draw here as this is
nearly losing for me, but deep inside I knew that 37. ... Qxg4+??
my opponent will not repeat such a position three In time pressure, I missed 37. ... Rxd8! 38. Qxd8 Year Winning Team Final
times. Qxg4+ 39. Kf1 Qxe6 and White can resign. Score
30. Qc6! Qh5 38. Kf1 Qh3+ 2006 Belgrade 812 -712
Protecting the c5-pawn. Now its not possible for Black to play as he 2007 Dallas 11-5
31. g4! Qg5 did in the previous line as 38. ... Rxd8 39. Rxf6+!
2008 Dallas 1212 -312
Kxf6 40. Qxd8+ and its White who will play for
The only move, as 31. ... Nxg4? loses to 32.
Qc8+! Kg7 33. Rd7. a win. 2009 Dallas 812 -712
PHOTO CREDIT: ALEXEY ROOT

39. Kg1 Qg4+ 40. Kf1 Qh3+, Draw agreed. 2010 Belgrade 1112 -412
32. h4?
My opponent is now in time trouble and this So I decided to just repeat the moves and take
2011 Belgrade/Dallas 8-8
is the first of his several inaccuracies which lead a draw. This was a difficult game for me. I could
to me having a winning position. The most have improved in the opening and could have 2012 Belgrade 912 -612
effective (and winning) continuation is 32. f4! been more prepared for it. Our team nevertheless
Qxf4 33. Qxc5+ Re7 34. Rf1. won 9-7, which is pretty awesome. The Gligoric 2013 Belgrade 9-7
Cup was a great experience for me!
32. ... Qxh4 33. Qxc5+ Re7 34. Qxa5 Rxe6 2014 Belgrade/Dallas 8-8
See more information about the Gligoric Cup at
35. Rd8+??
chessclub.com and www.chessdom.com/10th- 2015 Dallas 9-7
And here is Whites blunder! 35. Qc5+ Kg7 annual-svetozar-gligoric-transatlantic-cup/.

36 January 2016 | Chess Life

Military Chess / 2015 Armed Forces Championship

Ocers Pay Double

Larry Larkins wins 56th Armed Forces
Championship, and our correspondent examines
how chess helped our overseas forces.
By COlOnel DaviD a. Hater

38 January 2016 | Chess Life


obby Fischer said, Chess is war over the
B board. The object is to crush the
opponents mind. Over Columbus Day
weekend, Retired Petty Officer First
Class Larry R. Larkins accomplished this mission
and won the 56th Armed Forces Championship
scoring 4-.
The first Armed Forces Championship was
held in 1960 and the event continued uninter-
rupted through 1993 sponsored by the Depart-
ment of Defense (DoD). During these glory years,
active duty military members were paid to attend
the tournament. Obviously, it drew the best
players available and the late IM Emory Tate
won the tournament a total of five times. During
this time period, Larry Larkins played in the
tournament once in the 1980s as a last-minute
replacement player.
Because DoD was no longer holding the
tournament, the American Chess Foundation
(ACF) and the U.S. Chess Center collaborated to
hold an open Swiss as a replacement event.
SICILIAN DEFENSE (B31)
Larry Larkins (2015)
Wesley Loudon (1676)
56th U.S. Armed Forces Open (1),
10.11.2015
Notes by Larkins.
Sometimes not making a big mistake is enough
for a win.
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. 0-0 Bg7
5. c3 e6 6. Na3
6. d4 can be played but White will have to part
with his bishop for a slight edge due to develop-
ment and Blacks light-square bishop difficulty in
finding a useful square. 6. d4 cxd4 7. cxd4 Qb6 8.
Bxc6 bxc6.
6. ... Nge7 7. Re1 0-0 8. d4 cxd4 9. cxd4
a6 10. Bf1 b5 11. Nc2 d6 12. a4 bxa4 13.
Rxa4 Bb7 14. Bg5 Qd7 15. Qa1
The rook needs protection, but 15. Ra3 or 15.
b3 are better options.
15. ... Rfb8
Willing to trade the a-pawn for the b-pawn.
Military Chess / 2015 Armed Forces Championship
Because expenses were no longer paid and the
event was not official, the tournament was hit or
miss in terms of attendance and strength. This
format started in 1994 and lasted until 2001 when
DoD started funding the tournament again. Since
there was no need to continue the Swiss as an
Armed Forces Championship, ACF and the U.S.
Chess Center ceased holding the event. Not
wanting to lose the open Swiss, the military
committee of US Chess took over the open Swiss
and continues to hold it today.
During the second time period of official DoD
tournaments, Larkins was able to play once in San
Diego in 2002, which was the year before he retired
from a 20-year Navy career. Larkins only played
in the funded DoD tournaments twice, but he has
enjoyed considerably more success in the US Chess
National Armed Forces Championships winning
the event a record four times (2015, 2010, 2008,
2007). Retirees were not allowed to play in DoDs
tournaments, but are allowed to play in the US
Chess National Armed Forces Championships. In
16. Bd2 Nc8 17. Bc3 Nb6 18. Ra3 d5 19. e5
Bf8 20. Ra2 Ra7 21. h3 Be7
Not sure if the bishop should be here.
22. Qc1 f5
No need for this. White is only slightly better
because of the passive black bishop on b7.
23. exf6 e.p. Bxf6 24. Qf4
24. Ne3 with idea of Ng4 looks better.
24. ... Rf8 25. Qg4 Bc8 26. Ne5 Bxe5 27.
dxe5 Qf7 28. Bd4
Both 28. f3 and 28. Qg3 were better.
28. ... Nxd4 29. Qxd4 Rc7
Not an exclam move, but a good move which
keeps Whites advantage minimal.
30. b3 Nd7 31. Ne3 Nc5 32. Ng4
Ok, how do you deal with the threat of 33.
Nh6+ or the positional 33. Nf6+?
32. ... Qf4
The big mistake. 32. ... Kg7 Whites edge
2007, Larkins stopped Cadet David Jacobs who
had won the last three years in a row.
Larkins served 20 years in the United States
Navy, retiring as a Petty Officer First Class in
2003. His job involved working on sensitive
communication encrypting equipment. I asked
him about the similarities between chess and his
Navy job. While Larry said there may not be a
direct correlation, he did recognize overlap. As a
communications technician, he was often called
upon to solve problems and repair equipment.
This type of work often involved recognition of
patterns and themes. The other similarity Larkins
mentioned was the ability to form a plan in
furtherance of an objective. Larkins isnt sure
whether his job made him a better chess player
or his chess playing made him a better crypto
repairman, but he is sure chess helps develop skills
that are very useful in other areas of life.
Here are two of his annotated games. In round
one, he methodically builds an advantage against
U.S. Military Academy Cadet Wesley Loudon:
increases, but not to a winning advantage.
33. Qxf4 Rxf4 34. Rc2
The winning pin.
34. ... Rff7 35. Nh6+, Black resigned.
In his third round, Air Force Staff Sergeant
Kiel Russell gets too ambitious by sacrificing a
piece, which is quickly refuted by Larkins.
ALEKHINES DEFENSE (B04)
Larry Larkins (2015)
Kiel Russell (2000)
56th U.S. Armed Forces Open (3),
10.11.2015
Notes by Larkins.
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 dxe5
5. Nxe5 c6
Definitely unusual. I have no games in my
database against this setup.
6. Be2 Bf5 7. 0-0 e6 8. a3 Bd6 9. c4 Ne7
10. Nc3 Ng6
www.uschess.org 39
Military Chess / 2015 Armed Forces Championship
Trying to tempt me to weaken my kingside.
11. g4 Qh4
Looks more dangerous than real.
12. gxf5 exf5 13. f4
Lets close that diagonal!
13. ... f6 14. Nd3 0-0
14. ... Nd7 or 14. ... Na6 needed to be played.
15. c5 Bc7 16. Qb3+ Kh8
16. ... Rf7 does not help when 17. Qxb7 still
works due to 17. ... Bxf4 18. Qc8+ Rf8 19. Qe6+.
17. Qxb7 Na6 18. Qxa6 Rae8 19. Qxc6 Re7
20. Qg2
White is up two pieces and goes on to win.
Second place in the tournament was shared by
Air Force Captain Gordon Randall and Air Force
Retired Master Sergeant Leroy Hill, who was a
protg of Emory Tate (see sidebar). Randall took
second on tiebreaks. He drew Larkins and Hill,
while Hill drew Larkins and Navy retired Captain
Tom Belke. Immediately following the tournament
Gordon departed the U.S. for a tour of duty in
Germany, and prior to that he had deployed to
Afghanistan as a finance officer in the Air Force.
He noted the significance of chess in a deployed
environment. Gordon stated, In Afghanistan, I
played chess regularly in my downtime as a way
to relax. There are always application of the
ideologies of chess to nearly any activity. The
main principles that I always try to use are thinking
ahead, attention to detail, and second- and third-
order effects and these certainly were applicable
as a finance officer downrange. Another interest-
ing take on it is the ability to take many different
routes to reach the same end goal.
There were several other notable players in
the tournament this year. Navy retired Captain
Tom Belke is the current chair of the US Chess
military chess committee. He relayed to me the
story of the Talibans animosity toward chess.
The Taliban considered chess as a form of
gambling and Afghanistan was the only country
in the world where chess was illegal from 1994
to 2002. In one publicized account, Taliban police
found a shopkeeper playing chess. The Taliban
jailed the players and burned the board and pieces.
After the U.S. drove the Taliban from power, the
first tournament in Kabul drew 138 players. There
were so many more players than expected that
there were not enough tables and chairs and many
40 January 2016 | Chess Life
were forced to play on the floor!
Another participant also played in Afghanistan.
Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Jon
Middaugh served in Afghanistan in 2011.
Middaugh is now a Ph.D. working as a historian
at the United States Army Center of Military
History at Fort McNair. In 2011, he was a major
serving as the executive officer of an engineer
battalion building roads in eastern Afghanistan.
Middaugh recalls how chess built bridges between
allies, I asked the Czech soldiers if any of them
played chess. They directed me to their command-
er, a Czech Colonel who was a strong player
(probably 2100 FIDE) and who headed the rotary
airlift unit called TF Hippo. He and I would often
play on Sunday nights and it was always a nice
respite to have the chess camaraderie in a war
zone. The meetings brought home the interna-
tional aspect of the game, and they seemed to
reinforce the bond with a fellow NATO member.
Middaugh still keeps in touch with now retired
Czech Colonel Vaclav Vales. Colonel Vales is
currently 2179 FIDE and Middaugh estimates he
scored maybe 40 percent in their weekly games.
I was unable to attend the Armed Forces Open
this year due to other commitments, but I would
also like to share my memories of chess in a war
zone. I deployed to Iraq several times. My second
deployment was in 2005. By that time, the United
States military had been there a little while (over
a year) and were now focused on providing the
deployed service members some opportunities
for recreation. As the 3rd Infantry Divisions
Deputy Personnel officer, one of my responsi-
bilities was MWRMorale Welfare and Recrea-
tion. Of course I was responsible for all recreation.
I wont say chess was more important than other
recreation On second thought I will say chess
was more important! We had makeshift recreation
centers at every base. Virtually all donations came
through my office and I and my staff were
responsible for distributing them. We would hold
weekly tournaments of all typeschess, poker,
ping pong, spades, etc. I used donated items such
as DVDs, CDs and books as prizes for the
tournaments. We also got donated chess sets and
clocks. Some of these came from people who
knew me, but, some just showed up in the mail.
I did a promotion where I would give a clock and
set to anybody who would join US Chess. I was
able to sign up a dozen or so new members and
held two rated events in Baghdad (on the base).
As far as I know these are the only two US Chess
events to be held in Iraq.
Another retired participant in the Armed Forces
Open is long time player retired Air Force Major
Zachary Kinney. Kinney not only sees a direct
relationship between chess and his job, he is
writing a book about it. Kinney served as an Air
Force Attorney Judge Advocate General (JAG).
Kinney relayed to me, I integrated the themes
of timing and tempo as well as maneuvering
against weaknesses, two time tested chess
principles, to put on my court-martials when I
was prosecuting and defending in the U.S. Air
Force. I found my chess experience to be most
helpful to me in the court room. I could predict
my opponents moves in the court room just like
I was able to do so on the chess board. He is
going to share his experiences in the forthcoming
book: War in the Court Room which he hopes to
publish in 2016.
The Armed Forces Open is also a team tourna-
ment. The top players determine the team cham-
pion. When DoD funded the tournament, each
service only brought six players. In the open
format, it is not a level playing field. Services that
bring more players (or stronger players) have an
advantage. As an example, this year the Navy and
the Marines had less than the six players needed
for a full team. Because the Marines only had
three players, they were essentially eliminated
from the competition before it even started. The
Army had the most players with nine, but it was
the Air Force that was the clear pre-tournament
favorite. Even though Air Force only had seven
players, they had four of the top 10 players by
rating, while each other service had two in the
top 10. True to form, the Air Force won the
tournament. Their top six players scored 19
points. Navy had 17 points, Army had 13 points,
and the three Marines with no supporting cast
scored eight points. The tournament actually uses
the Rollins system which results in different
numbers for the teams, but has no impact on the
order of the final standings.
The 2015 Armed Forces Championship were
ably directed by National Tournament Director
and FIDE Arbiter Mike Hoffpauir, himself a 27-
year veteran of the U.S. Army. Mike retired from
active duty as a colonel at the end of 2005 and
continues supporting the Army as a defense
contractor. This was his fifth time directing the
event. This year the tournament was FIDE-rated.
This new initiative will help U.S. military players
get FIDE ratings, and may help us in future NATO
Championships!
I would be remiss if I did not mention the
sponsorship of Booz-Allen. The Armed Forces
Open has no entry fee for any of the players,
although as Tom Belke likes to joke officers pay
double the free entry fee! None of this would be
possible without sponsorship and Booz-Allen has
been generously supporting this tournament since
2002. Mike Hoffpauir, a current Booz-Allen
employee (and former US Chess military chess
committee chair), and Tom Belke, a former Booz-
Allen employee (and current US Chess military
chess committee chair), have done yeomans work
in obtaining this sponsorship. Many of us know
how difficult it is to obtain and retain sponsorship
and these two individuals are to be highly com-
mended for their efforts.
In 2016 the U.S. Navy will be the hosting
military service. Captain (retired) Tom Belke is
planning for the event to be held at the U.S. Naval
Academy (his Plan A), in Norfolk either aboard a
ship (Plan B), or in another Norfolk Navy facility
(Plan C). As you can see, even in planning for the
tournament we have variations after all, this
is war on 64 squares!
See more about this event on US Chess News at
www.uschess.org/content/view/13227/141/
and the full crosstable at www.uschess.org/assets/
msa_joomla/XtblMain.php?201510125302.
 Military Chess / 2015 Armed Forces Championship

Unmatched
Perspicacity
IM Emory Tate,
1958-2015
Self-taught and utterly self-confident,
IM Emory Tate was equal parts brilliance
and braggadocio. With brash h-pawn
thrusts and confounding sacrifices, he
was a knockout-puncher capable of
flooring any opponent with a sudden, The 1987Armed Forces Championship Air Force team, left to right: Brian Lankey, Bobby Moore, Greg Vitko,
Martin Dean, Emory Tate, and Leroy Hill
incisive blow, a trait that made him
the bane of grandmaster opponents. coast-to-coast playing in tournaments one would watch a play in a theater.
The five-time Armed Forces champion and spent months abroad competing.
was also a pioneering black chess While he collected an estimated 100 Tates son Andrew is a four-time
master who inspired a generation. A grandmaster scalps, his hammer-and- kickboxing world champion who now
warrior in chess and in life, he sought tongs attacking style prevented the lives in Bucharest with his younger
and gave no quarter. His legendary consistent results necessary to reach brother Tristan, himself a former British
career came to an end on October 17, the very top. But he finally clinched kickboxing champ. Dad trained me.
as he collapsed in the middle of a the international master title shortly And commanded me to fight without
tournament game. a defense, hands down, as he did,
before his 50th birthday. He played in Andrew said. I remember when he
Tate was playing his third-round game one U.S. Championship, in 2006, scoring bench-pressed 160 kilos (353 pounds),
at the GM Sam Shankland Champi- a respectable middle-of-the-pack out- the same as me. I was a 22-year old
onship chess tournament in San Jose, come, but with the rare distinction of kick boxer. He was a 51-year-old. I said,
California. Emory had one and a half finishing without a draw. Youre more than just a chess player!
points and seemed normal. He was Fellow Air Force veteran and 2003 He said, My unmatched perspicacity,
being himself, Abel Talamantez, Armed Forces Champion Leroy Hill coupled with my sheer indefatigability,
Director of Enrichment for Bay Area bunked with Tate during a number of make me a feared opponent in any
Chess, said. Tate was returning from a annual military chess championships realm of human endeavor. That was a
break. I heard him mumble, Call 911, at Fort Meade in the 1980s and hung favorite saying.
Then I heard a thud. Tate had fallen out with him at the nearby chess haunts
to the floor. Despite immediate aid of Baltimore and the boards on D.C.s I last saw my dad two months before
from a spectator and the quick arrival Dupont Circle. I never saw him study he died. He was struggling to breathe.
of paramedics, Tate was unresponsive. a chess book, he agreed. On the I told him I was worried, and he told
me that he refused to let some doctor
Born in Chicago in 1958, young Tate streets, there was always lots of trash control his life. He started buying bottles
learned how the pieces moved from talk and slamming pieces, Hill said. of oxygen from Walgreens and walked
his father. After that, Emory was charac- Tate destroyed strong players with around holding them. He was afraid of
teristically his own mentor. I never sacs, taking our money, giving our top nothing, even death. He was an alpha
saw him study chess books, ever, his master 5-2 time odds. Wed never seen male in all respects.
oldest son Andrew said. He also hated anything like him. We thought him
chess computers and never used them. unbeatable, a semi-god. All the players Tate is survived by two sons, Andrew,
He just sat down and played. Emory had street names. Emorys was 28, and Tristan, 27, a daughter Janine,
joined the Air Force, and excelled as a Extraterrestrial, because we thought 25, his former wife, Eileen, and his
linguist. The military taught him his play was out of this world. mother Emma Cox Tate, eight siblings
Russian. He picked up Spanish and Whether in a tournament skittles room and a large extended family.
German by accident, Andrew said. or on the street, spectators would
TOP TATE TACTICS
Tate rose through the enlisted ranks crowd around Tate, often standing on
IM Emory Tate played for the spec-
from airman to staff sergeant as he chairs or tables, craning their necks to
tacular against any and all opponents.
won the Armed Forces Championship watch one of his legendary post-
PHOTO CREDIT: ARCHIVAL

Following is a sampling of his brilliant

in back-to-back victories in 1983 and
1984 and then won three in a row, 1987-
1989an unequaled record. In 1985 he
married Englishwoman Eileen Ashleigh
and soon started a loving family, who
inherited his film-star good looks. After
the Air Force, he traveled the U.S. from
mortems. Emory was not merely a
blows. Many of us would be thrilled
chess player, but a chess performer,
to find one such move in a lifetime
Daaim Shabazz of The Chess Drum
against our club champ. But all these
said. The way he expressed chess over
bamboozled opponents are top
the board stretched artistic boundaries,
grandmasters!
but his post-mortems were melodra-
matic. They were performances as if (see next page)

www.uschess.org 41
Military Chess / 2015 Armed Forces Championship
1. TOPPING A 3-TIME U.S.
CHAMPION
GM Nick de Firmian (2663)
FM Emory Tate (2424)
New Jersey Open (3), 2001
AFTER 26. Rg1
Tate has already sacked a piece
against the three-time U.S. champ.
What is his follow-up?
26. ... Qg2+ 27. Rxg2 hxg2+ 28. Kg1
Rh1+ 29. Kf2 Rxa1 30. Nd1 Kg7 31.
Ne2 Rc8 32. b3 f6 33. Ng1 Rh8 34.
Bc4 Rh1 35. Be2 Rxa2 36. Ne3 Ra1
37. Nd1 Neg6 38. Bc4 Nh4 39. Be2
Rxg1 40. Kxg1 Nh3+, White
resigned.
2. TOPPING A 4-TIME U.S.
CHAMPION
FM Emory Tate (FIDE 2380)
GM Alexander Shabalov (FIDE 2604)
Curacao Festival 2006
AFTER 33. Qe6
GM Shabalov, a four-time U.S. Champ,
had already collected two of those
titles when Tate reached this position
against him. Granted, Black is tied up
in knots. But whats the finisher?
34. Rxf7!!, Black resigned.
3. TRAMPLING YUDASIN
FM Emory Tate (2499)
GM Leonid Yudasin (2671)
1997 U.S. Masters (5)
42 January 2016 | Chess Life
AFTER 18. Na4
Blacks position may seem more
sensible than Whites hyper-aggres-
sive deployment. But Tate gets a
better game by force and musters a
brutal attack in a few more moves.
19. Nf5! exf5 20. Nd5! Qd8 21. exf5
Re8 22. Qh5 Nab6 23. Rh3! Nf8 24.
f6 Nxd5 25. fxg7 Kxg7 26. Bb2+
Kg8 27. g6! Bf6 28. gxf7+ Kh8 29.
Rg1 Re1 30. Rxe1 Bxb2 31. Re8 Nf6
32. Rxd8 Rxd8 33. Qh6 Ne4 34.
Qh4 Nf6 35. Rg3 N8d7 36. Qh6,
Black resigned.
4. RED ROVER, BRING TATE OVER
FM Emory Tate (2431)
GM Varuzhan Akobian (2658)
2006 U.S. Championship (1)
AFTER 28. Bf8
Tate has employed a favorite attacking
tactic, a rook liftcreating what Jennifer
Shahade calls a roverbringing his
queen rook all the way over to g3.
29. Bxh6!
Playing in his only U.S. Championship,
Tate plays as he always does, even
against a medal-winning Olympian.
29. ... gxh6 30. Nxf6+ Ke7 31. Ng4+
Ke8 32. Re3 Kd7 33. Nxe5+ Kc7 34.
Nxf7 Re8 35. Qe1 Qxe1 36. Rfxe1
Rxe3 37. Rxe3 h5 38. g4 hxg4 39.
hxg4 Bd6 40. Nxd6 Kxd6 41. g5,
Black resigned.
5. TATES TRUMP
IM Emory Tate (2407)
GM Artur Chibukhchian (2512)
North American Open, 2013
AFTER 19. ... Rfc8
The Armenian grandmaster seems to
be organizing a queenside attack, so
its time for White to play a trump card.
20. Nxg7!! Kxg7 21. Qf6+ Kf8 22.
e6!! Bd4 23. Qxd4 fxe6 24. Rf1+
Kg8 25. Rf3 e5 26. Qg4+ Qg7 27.
Bxh7+ Kxh7 28. Qh5+ Kg8 29. Rg3,
Black resigned.
6. TATE BEING TATE
FM Emory Tate (2449)
GM Gennady Sagalchik (2548)
2nd Annual PCA/Intel NY Qualifier
(6), New York, 1995
AFTER 22. ... Rg8
By now, youll think, Of course, Emory
sacrifices his queen in this position.
23. Qxd7+ Rxd7 24. Rxd7 Qc5+ 25.
Kb1 Qe7 26. Rxe7+ Kxe7 27. Bg5+
f6 28. Bxg8 fxg5 29. fxg5 Bxh2 30.
Bxh7 e3 31. Bxf5 Bg3 32. Bg4,
Black resigned.
~ Al Lawrence
We will have another article later this year by
Dr. Daaim Shabazz that goes more deeply into
Tates games.
Solitaire Chess / Instruction

Sac, Sac, and Sac

Austrian Rudolf Spielmann specialized in sacrifices leading to a
mating attack. See if you can match wits with him.
By BRUCE PANDOLFINI

IF ANYONES NAME IN CHESS IS SYNONY- thanks to the pawn at d4 holding back the pawn 11. Be7
mous with sacrifice its Rudolf Spielmann at e6.
It looks risky, but 11. ... Bd4 was worthy of
(1883-1942). His play was characteristic of sacri-
6. c5 consideration.**
fices of all kinds, and he even wrote a wonderful
book about it. His celebrated The Art of Sacrifice Black counters, trying to swap c-pawn for d- 12. Bb2 Par Score 5
in Chess defines various types of sacrificial offerings pawn. Once the d4-pawn disappears, the pressure
Aligned bishops: probably, Spielmann assailing
by theme and result. If he specialized in any against Blacks center will be reduced.**
juices were beginning to flow as his spatial edge
particular kinds of sacrifice, it was those producing
7. Bd3 Par Score 5 increased.
mating attacks. In a match game played in Vienna
against Baldur Hoenlinger (Black) in 1929, This is an excellent diagonal for the bishop. If 12. Qc7
Spielmann nicely maneuvered his forces into a Black castles kingside, the bishop is poised for
Black could have played 12. ... Bb7, and another
surprising mating force. The contest began: attack.
try was 12. ... a5, hoping for counterplay.**
7. Nc6
CARO-KANN DEFENSE (B15) 13. b5 Par Score 5
With this developing move, Black continues
Rudolf Spielmann White drives away the knight, though this does
his assault against Whites center pawn. Give
Baldur Hoenlinger surrender the squares a5 and c5. Perhaps Black
yourself 1 bonus point if you realized that 7. ... cxd4
Vienna, 1929 will be able to take advantage of those invitations.
8. Nxd4 Qxd4 loses the queen to 9. Bb5+.**
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 13. Na5
8. dxc5 Par Score 4
5. Ng3 e6 To be sure, Blacks knight would love to come
This ends the threat altogether. The center is
into c4 someday.**
now open, which is right up Spielmanns aggres-
sive alley. 14. Ne5 Par Score 5
8. Bxc5 Spielmann occupies a strong post and prevents
... Na5-c4. Give yourself 1 bonus point if you played
Black recaptures and develops a piece in the
13. b5 with 14. Ne5 in mind.
bargain.**
14. Bb7
9. a3 Par Score 5
Black completes his minor piece development
White stops an eventual ... Nc6-b4, while
and fights back for central activity.**
preparing to advance the b-pawn. Add 1 bonus
point if you saw that 9. Bg5 could be answered by 15. Ng4 Par Score 5
9. ... Qb6.
Whites threat is obvious: to mess up Blacks
Now make sure you have the above position 9. 0-0 kingside pawn structure. Give yourself 1 bonus
set up on your chessboard. As you play through point if, in playing 15. Ng4, you analyzed 15. ...
Black gets ready for business.**
the remaining moves in this game, use a piece of Nc4 16. Nxf6+ Bxf6 (or 16. ... gxf6 17. Qg4+,
paper to cover the article, exposing Whites next 10. 0-0 Par Score 5 hitting the knight at c4) 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Qg4+,
move only after trying to guess it. If you guess winning a knight.
White gets ready for business, too. Let the
correctly, give yourself the par score. Sometimes games and sacrifices begin! 15. Qd8
points are also awarded for second-best moves,
and there may be bonus pointsor deductions 10. b6 Black tries to strengthen f6. Nevertheless, White
for other moves and variations. Note that ** means has a pronounced initiative.**
Black is planning to develop his queen-bishop
that Whites move is on the next line.** to b7.** 16. Ne3 Par Score 5
6. Nf3 Par Score 4 11. b4 Par Score 5 Its not time to trade pieces yet. Meanwhile,
White develops a piece, secures d4, and observes this opens the d1-h5 diagonal for Whites queen.
Surely, Black was expecting this move. White
e5. For now, Whites spatial advantage is clear, hopes to post his queen-bishop on b2. 16. Nd5

44 January 2016 | Chess Life

 Solitaire Chess / Instruction

PROBLEM I PROBLEM II PROBLEM III

ABCs of Chess Discovery Fork Mating net

These problems are all related to key

positions in this months game. In each
case, Black is to move. The answers
can be found in Solutions on page 71.

January Exercise: Select a game

between strong players. It should
be a game without notes, but one
for which you can track down
analysis afterward. Play through
it one time to get a sense for its PROBLEM IV PROBLEM V PROBLEM VI
flow and its main ideas. Then play Mating Net Mating Net Mating Net
through it a second time, this time,
creating a kind of narrative to
explain what youve just reviewed.
Unquestionably, not every game
has a story to elucidate everything
that happens. But by you getting
training connecting moves into an
overall account, you will begin to
think more logically and your
planning abilities should improve.

Black hopes for 17. Nxd5 Qxd5, with a counter- Who knows? Maybe Black will actually get his then 26. Qxh7+!! Kxh7 27. Rh5+ Kg8 28. Rh8
threat.** knight to c4 yet.** mate (2 bonus points).
17. Qh5 Par Score 5 21. Rad1 Par Score 5 25. Black resigned.
One doesnt have to be Rudolf Spielmann to Give yourself 1 bonus point if you played this
perceive the mate threat at h7 (though it cant move with a discovery in mind, say 22. Bxg6.
hurt).
21. Qe7
17. g6
Well, that ends the blatant threat, but theres
The threat has to be stopped, and thats what more coming.**
this move does. Nonetheless, Blacks dark squares
on the kingside are now greatly exposed.** 22. Rfe1 Par Score 5

18. Ng4 Par Score 5 Now both Whites rooks are stationed for
central activity. Black seems to be in big trouble.
OK! Time for a little funand a Spielmannic
(Spielmannian?) sacrifice. Give yourself 1 bonus 22. Ne8
point if you figured out ahead of time that 18. ... This retreat does guard g7, but it opens the
gxh5 allows 19. Nh6 mate. diagonal of that mean dark-square bishop.**
18. Bf6 23. Nf5 Par Score 6
Black had to bolster his dark squares.** Time for another Spielmann-like sacrifice.
19. Nxf6+ Par Score 4 TOTAL YOUR SCORE TO
23. Qc5
DETERMINE YOUR
With two pieces hanging (the queen and bishop Give yourself 1 bonus point if you saw that 23.
at b2), White decides to keep control of the APPROXIMATE RATING BELOW:
... gxf5 is met by 24. Bxf5 f6 25. Bxe6+.**
situation.
24. Re5 Par Score 5 Total Score Approx. Rating
19. Nxf6 95+ 2400+
Take that! Black now must make sure that he
Black could have tried to be cute with 19. ... keeps control of e7. 81-94 2200-2399
Qxf6, but White still keeps the advantage after 66-80 2000-2199
20. Bxf6 gxh5 21. Nxh5. 24. Bd5
51-65 1800-1999
20. Qh6 Par Score 5 At least e7 remains under Blacks control, or
36-50 1600-1799
does it?**
Ah yes, lets not forget the queen was still 21-35 1400-1599
hanging. But h6 was so inviting, how could we 25. Ne7+ Par Score 7
06-20 1200-1399
blame White for wanting to occupy it?
Anyway! Black is mated no matter what. If 25. 0-05 under 1200
20. Rc8 ... Qxe7 (or 25. ... Kh8 26. Rh5+ and mate next),

www.uschess.org 45
The Practical Endgame / Instruction
Keeping a Clear Head
How to use common sense, intuition, and calculation when you
dont know the theory.
By GM DANIEL NARODITSKY
A SIMPLE CHESS BASE SEARCH REVEALS
an intriguing statistic: before 1850, only 15 recorded
games reached an opposite-colored bishop endgame.
As an endgame fanatic, I find this data appalling,
but perfectly explicable: chess games in the
romantic era seldom reached the endgame! Even
disputes between world-class players frequently
ended in a sanguinary middlegame battle, with
sacrifice upon sacrifice leading to a dazzling mating
combination (think Steinitz-Von Bardeleben).
It is particularly fascinating, then, to observe
how early maestros approached the final stage of
the game. Theoretical knowledge was scant, and
players who felt perfectly comfortable among epic
tactical complications were often lost at sea in an
outwardly simple endgame. To this end, I would
like to examine a wonderfully-instructive instance
of an opposite-colored bishop endgame arising
in nineteenth-century tournament practice. The
point of this somewhat unconventional exercise
is not to denigrate or belittle the players. Rather,
we will try to understand how we can use our
common sense, intuition, and calculation to
compensate for a deficiency in theoretical
knowledge. And unless you have read and
memorized Dvoretskys Endgame Manual as well
as Averbakhs five-volume monograph, this is a
problem that you will most certainly face!
ACCURACY NEEDED
Louis-Charles Mah de Labourdonnais
Alexander McDonnell
London (3), 1834
BLACK TO MOVE
By the early nineteenth century, Labourdonnais
46 January 2016 | Chess Life
and McDonnell had established total dominance It appears that White is on the verge of breaking
over the burgeoning European chess scene, and throughthat he needs only one more timely
played a staggering six matches (45 games total) check to set his pawns in motionbut there is
between June and October of 1834. Labourdonnais little he can do:
emerged supreme in four of the matches (with A. 47. b4 Be7! and White has nothing better than
the last one being retired), but his victories did to permanently cement the queenside with 48.
not come easy. This game is most certainly a case b5, since 48. h5 fails to impress after 48. ...
in point. Bxb4 49. h6 Bc5+ 50. Kg2 Bf8 51. h7 Bg7.
On paper, Whites material advantage is
decisive: he is two pawns up, and is the proud
owner of connected passers that are itching to
crown their bare heads. However, things are far
from decided. Black has a far-advanced passer in
his own right, and his pieces are ridiculously
active. Indeed, the king is only a few paces away
from reaching ultimate paradise on e3. Further-
more, the presence of opposite-colored bishopsas
we have already witnessed multiple times in this
columnconsiderably increases Blacks drawing
chances. To this end, if he could eliminate Whites
passers and give his d- and b-pawns in return,
the position would still be utterly drawn.
B. 47. Kg2! is the only serious winning attempt,
It is clear, then, that McDonnell is on the verge
and it requires Black to act with tremendous
of holding his own, but he must still demonstrate
precision. In order to draw, he must do
a great deal of accuracy.
everything in his power to mount enough
45. ... Kb4? counterplay to halt the progress of Whites
pawns: 47. ... Ke3 48. Kh3 Kd2 49. Bh5 (49.
The right idea, but a fatally misguided execution!
Bf3 Bd4! and 50. g4 meets with 50. ... Ke3,
McDonnell is right to mobilize his king, but he must
when the king returns to f4 and stops the pawns
do so while keeping Whites own monarch from
for good) 49. ... Kc3 and it suddenly transpires
reaching the center. Even without any calculation,
that 50. g4 loses to the spectacular 50. ... Bg5!!.
it is intuitively clear that 45. ... Kd4! is superior in
every respect. The king can still access c3 if necessary,
but the crucial difference is that 46. Kf2 is powerfully
met with 46. ... Ke4!, sealing off Whites king and
securing a positional draw.
White must burn a valuable tempo to bring
his bishop back to f3, and this allows Black to
save the day: 50. Bf3 Kxb3 51. g4 Kxc4 52. g5 Bd4
53. h5 b5 54. h6 Be3 55. Kg4 b4 56. Kh5 b3 57.

Play Like the
Romantics!
Each month GM Naroditsky will present
two problems taken from actual games
that illustrate the theme of this months
column. Your task is to find the best line
of play. Problem I should be solveable by
a player at roughly a 1500 rating and
Problem II by a player roughly at a 2000
rating.
See the solutions on page 71.
g6 b2 58. g7 b1=Q 59. g8=Q+ Kc3 and against all
odds, Black seems to be holding on. He will give
up his bishop for Whites h-pawn, but the d-pawn
should give him just enough to make the draw.
Make no mistake: neither McDonnell, nor any
modern grandmaster has the mental capacity to
calculate a variation of this length and complexity.
However, 45. ... Kd4 can be arrived at through
simple process of elimination: it has all of the
benefits of 45. ... Kb4, while maintaining the
possibility of shifting to the kingside. Common
sense is a powerful tool in the endgame!
46. Kf2! Kc3 47. Ke3!
Labourdonnais pounces immediately. Blacks
king looks intimidating, but it is sealed off from
Whites pawns by its bloodthirsty vis--vis.
Perhaps McDonnell was counting on his d-pawn
to provide sufficient counterplay, but Whites
bishop is always ready to sacrifice itself if the
occasion calls for it.
47. ... Bd4+ 48. Ke4?!
This move does not throw the win away, but
it unnecessarily complicates the situation. 48. Kf4
would have won on the spot, since Black cannot
stop the pawns from reaching pay dirt and beyond.
For instance, the computer initially asserts that
48. ... Kd2 maintains drawing chances, but this is
nothing more than an illusion: 49. Ke4! Bf6 50.
h5! puts an end to Blacks resistance. After 50. ...
Kxd1 51. Kxd3, White will simply create a passer
on the queenside (with b4-c5) and Blacks bishop
will be utterly helpless.
48. ... Bf2
There was no need to allow this move, which
forces White to reposition his king and slows
down the movement of his pawns.
49. Kf4 Kd2 50. Bf3 Kc3
(see diagram next column)
In the vast majority of endgames, there eventually
comes a point that GM Edmar Mednis referred to
as the the moment of truth: the point when you
must lay your intuition aside, hunker down, and
calculate. The most tempting course of action is
obviously 51. h5, but it is a move that should be
The Practical Endgame / Instruction
PROBLEM I: 1500 LEVEL PROBLEM II: 2000 LEVEL
Carl Mayet Moheschunder Bannerjee
Tassilo von Heydebrand und der Lasa John Cochrane
Berlin, 1839 Calcutta, 1850
WHITE TO MOVE
BLACK TO MOVE
calculated to the end. In all likelihood, Labour- Labourdonnais desperately tries to regroup,
donnais fell into a psychological trap that catches but McDonnell spears off one of his passers with
players to this day: he assumed that, for one reason a cute little tactic. Can you find it?
or another, pure calculation is invalid in an
54. ... d2 55. Ke2 Bf2!
unbalanced endgame of this sort. This is obviously
far from the truth: no matter how little material
is left on the board, calculation is always a valid
method of resolving a dilemma and finding the
correct path. Instead, Labourdonnais begins to
doubt himself, and goes terribly astray.
51. Bd1?
Technically speaking, this is not a mistake, since
White can simply repeat moves and get back on
the right track. However, it is already a step in the
wrong direction, and Labourdonnais follows up
with a disastrous blunder. In fact, the compli-
cations following 51. h5 were quite easy to
calculate: after 51. ... Kxb3 52. g4 Kxc4 53. g5, it Boom! Just like that, White loses one of his
becomes clear that Blacks counterplay is a day late pawns, andwith his king immobilized as well
and a dollar short. One particularly grotesque finale he is left with nothing more than a symbolic
would be 53. ... b5 54. g6 Bd4 55. h6 and Black is advantage.
clearly not in time. As you can see, the simple act 56. h5 Bxg3 57. Kd1 Bf4 58. Be6 Bh6 59.
of maintaining a clear head is in itself a very big Bf5 Bg5, Draw agreed.
step toward mastering the practical endgame!
As we have already discussed multiple times,
51. ... Kd2 52. Bg4?? endgames are not inherently special. True, they
require a great deal of theoretical knowledge, but
After this, there is no going back. The bishop
the skills that allow you to succeed in any middle
obstructs the g-pawn, and White will no longer
game positioncommon sense, self-composure,
be in time to promote.
and above all, accurate calculationare very much
52. ... Kc3 53. Kf3 applicable in the endgame.
There is no going back: 53. Bd1 would lead to
Register to vote in the 2016 US Chess Executive
a three-time repetition after 53. ... Kd2.
Board election here: secure2.uschess.org/voter-
53. ... Bd4 54. Bf5 registration.php
www.uschess.org 47
 2015 Trophies Plus Grand Prix Summary
Trophies Plus to award $12,500 in cash prizes in the 2015 Grand Prix!
2015 TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX STANDINGS
The following point totals reflect all rated event information as of December 9 for the 2015 Grand Prix. All Grand
Prix updates are unofficial and subject to change during the year or until year-end tabulation is complete.

OVERALL STANDINGS
PHOTO: COURTESY OF CHESS CLUB AND SCHOLASTIC CENTER OF SAINT LOUIS

NAME STATE PTS.

1 GM Gata Kamsky NY 388.31

2 GM Aleksandr Lenderman NY 282.52

3 GM Alexander Ivanov MA 222.56

4 GM Jeffery Xiong TX 199.50

5 GM Sergey Kudrin CT 194.51

6 GM Illia I. Nyzhnyk MO 176.47

7 IM Andrey Gorovets TX 166.73

8 GM Sergey Erenburg VA 162.93

9 IM Ruifeng Li TX 140.92

10 GM Ashwin Jayaram MO 139.20

11 GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami CA 124.98

12 GM Enrico Sevillano CA 124.56

13 IM Priyadharshan Kannappan MO 123.09

GM GATA KAMSKY 14 IM John Daniel Bryant CA 118.31
maintains his first place spot
as we near the end of the 15 GM Ioan Cristian Chirila CA 115.86
2015 Trophies Plus Grand Prix race.

CATEGORIES AND PRIZES

Trophies Plus:
ITS NOT JUST A TROPHY.
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8th: $500 | 9th: $300
10th: $200
315 W. 1st St., Templeton, Iowa 51463 | 800.397.9993 | www.trophiesplus.com

48 January 2016 | Chess Life

2015 US CHESS JUNIOR GRAND PRIX TOP OVERALL STANDINGS
Official standings for events received
and processed by December 8, 2015 Name State Pts. Name State Pts.
are unofficial and subject to change SILVER, JACK NJ
GA 10111
9236 ARAYATH, NIKHIL NJ
IL 6248
5520
during the year or until year-end
SGUO, ARTHUR GA
NJ 9502
8170 TDEVALAPALLI, PRANAV GA
NY 6233
5512
tabulation is complete.
NNAIR, SIDDHANT VA 8434
8100 PBOJJA, DINESH OH
NJ 6189
5500
The top prize for 2015 will be a Chess.com
one-year Diamond membership valued at TCHINNAMBETI, ABHINAV SAI NJ
PA 7620
7306 KGADI, VARUN GA
NY 6123
5486

$100, a Chess.com gear/merchandise SSINGHAL, SANAT CA-N

CA-S 7343
7288 KWANG, ALEX PA
GA 6119
5468
package valued at $100, a US Chess plaque, CTRIFALE, SHARVIL PA
NJ 7306
6737 HKRUNZ, EYAD AZ
NY 6106
5352
free entry into the 2016 U.S. Open, and CKONDAKOV, ADRIAN CA-N 7263
6619 NLALWANI, JAY VA
MI 6044
5351
$1,000 of expense money from US Chess OCHANG, ELIAM HUAI-YANG CA-N
FL 7136
6556 YRAO, VARUN NJ
NE 6003
5347
to offset the trip. For the top five players
KORTEGA, VALENTINA LARA FL
NJ 6778
6147 LKRISHNAKUMAR, SRIRAM CA-N
TX 5916
5337
on the overall list and to each state winner,
KPATEL, ANUJ CA-N
AZ 6699
6106 PGHATTI, SANJAY GA
CA-N 5912
5315
Chess.com will also award a choice of a
one-year ChessKid.com gold membership DDOMMALAPATI, AASA VA 6575
6060 VLE, COLLIN KHOI TX
CA-N 5896
5289
(valued at $50/annually) or a one-year LGORTI, AKSHITA VA 6567
6043 GARAYATH, ATHIRA NJ
GA 5858
5281
Chess.com Gold membership (valued at GVONTERU, VARUN REDDY VA
GA 6539
5912 PTAKAHASHI, MICHAEL JOHN IA
OH 5791
5224
$40/annually). US Chess gratefully acknowl- GKUMAR, ARAVIND NJ
VA 6452
5785 APOLAVARAM, RITHIK SAI TX
NJ 5780
5204
edges the participation of Chess.com!
KTIEN, SOPHIE WA
CA-N 6425
5771 ZXU, ARTHUR ZIHAN IL 5736
5193
PWANG, JASON YUYANG OH
CA-N 6377
5726 EJACOBSON, BRANDON NJ
CA-S 5713
5190
BDEDONA, MARK NY
OH 6348
5635 NARAYANAN, AKASH L
W MI
OH 5692
5185
JVALLABHANENI, SUNITH CA-N
NJ 6295
5612 CKATZ, JORIS NY
CA-N 5634
5183
TRAO, PATRICK IL
IA 6282
5601 KAKULAMARRI, PRANAV
W CA-N
TN 5546
5161
PLI, RUIFENG TX 6276
5551 RCAO, YUTONG OH
NJ 5539
5150

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Seven-player class-level pairings, one game with each
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These US Chess Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all US Chess members with e-mail access. Your US Chess membership must
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www.uschess.org 49
Tournament Life / January
National Events
Note: Tournament memberships not valid for National events
See TLA in this issue for details
2016 U.S. Junior Chess Congress January 23 and/or 24 Livermore, California
2016 U.S. Amateur Team Championship - South February 12-14 or 13-14 Tampa,
Florida
2016 U.S. Amateur Team Championship - West February 13-15 or 14-15 Santa Clara,
California
2016 U.S. Amateur Team Championship - East February 13-15 Parsippany, New Jersey
2016 U.S. Amateur Team Championship - North February 19-21 Schaumburg, Illinois
2016 National High School (K-12) Championship April 1-3 Atlanta, Georgia
2016 National Junior High School (K-9) Championships April 15-17 Indianapolis,
Indiana
2016 All-Girls National Championships April 22-24 Chicago, Illinois
2016 National Elementary School (K-6) Championships May 6-8 Nashville,
Tennessee
2016 U.S. Amateur Championship - West May 28-30 Tucson, Arizona
2016 U.S. Womens Open June 22-23 Las Vegas, Nevada
2016 National Open June 24-26 or 25-26 Las Vegas, Nevada
2016 U.S. Game/10 Championship June 27 Las Vegas, Nevada
FUTURE EVENTS (Watch for details)
2016 U.S. Senior Open Championship June 16-19 Kenner, Louisiana
2016 U.S. Junior Open Championship June 17-19 Kenner, Louisiana
2016 U.S. Girls Junior Championship (Closed) June 23-27 Manchester,
New Hampshire - contact: Alex Relyea relyea@operamail.com
117th annual (2016) U.S. Open July 30-August 7 Indianapolis, Indiana
2016 K-12 Grade Championships December 16-18 Nashville, Tennessee
2016 Pan American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship
December 26-29 Kenner, Louisiana
2017 SuperNationals VI May 12-14 Nashville, Tennessee
118th annual (2017) U.S. Open July 29-August 7 Norfolk, Virginia
2017 K-12 Grade Championships December 8-10 Lake Buena Vista, Florida
2018 National Elementary (K-6) Championships May 11-13 Nashville, Tennessee
119th annual (2018) U.S. Open July 28-August 5 Middleton, Wisconsin
2018 K-12 Grade Championships December 14-16 Orlando, Florida
2019 National Elementary (K-6) Championships May 10-12 Nashville, Tennessee
2019 K-12 Grade Championships December 13-15 Lake Buena Vista, Florida
2020 National Elementary (K-6) Championships May 8-10 Nashville, Tennessee
2020 K-12 Grade Championships December 11-13 Orlando, Florida
2021 SuperNationals VII May 7-9 Nashville, Tennessee
50 January 2016 | Chess Life
Bids
Note: Organizers previously awarded options
for US Chess National Events must still submit
proposals (including sample budgets) for their
events.
OVERDUE BIDS
Please contact the National Office if you are
interested in bidding for a National Event. US
Chess recommends that bids be submitted
according to the following schedule. However,
bids may be considered prior to these dates.
US Chess reserves the right to decline all bids
and organize the event itself.
For our expanded list of national events
available for bid, see: www.uschess.org/con
tent/view/12116/705/.
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Rating supplements will be updated EACH
MONTH on the US Chess website, and each
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most tournaments do not use them for pairing
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at their discretion, even without advance publicity
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NOTE
The TLA pages Information for Organizers,
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ers can now be found online at main.uschess.org/
go/tlainfo.
PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS HEALTH AND
BENEFITS FUND
Many Grand Prix tournament organizers will
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entitled to be promoted to the next higher
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moted 50%.
ATTENTION AFFILIATES
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Associates Insurance Brokers, Inc. to provide
US Chess affiliates with affordable annual lia-
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Also available is contents property and bonding
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www.rvnuccio.com/chess-federation. html. For event
insurance, please go to www.rvnuccio.com.

Nationals
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 23 AND/OR 24, CALIFORNIA, NORTHERN
2016 U.S. JUNIOR CHESS CONGRESS
Livermore Community Center, 4444 East Ave., Livermore, CA 94550.
Experience Early Spring in California! 8 sections based on age: 6 &
under, 8 & under, 10 & under, 12 & under, 14 & under, 16 & under, 18 &
under, 20 & under.Individual Trophies: All (6 & under), Top 20 (8 &
under, 10 & under, 12 & under, 14 & under), Top 5 (16 & under, 18 &
under, 20 & under). Super Performance trophies to players tied for
last place with a trophy award and the top player(s) in each rating class
who did not get a place trophy. Winning record required for all place
trophies. Commemorative participation medals to all entrants. Team
Trophies: Top 10 (6 & under, 8 & under, 10 & under, 12 & under, 14 &
under) or Top 5 (16 & under, 18 & under, 20 & under) based on section.
Time control: G/90 d5 (except G/30 d5 for Ages 6 & under and Ages 8
& under) Schedule: Onsite Registration: Saturday & Sunday 7:30-8:15am.
Rounds: Saturday 9am, 1pm, 5pm, and Sun 9am, 12:30pm. (Ages 6 &
under and Ages 8 & under: Sunday 9:00am, 10:45am, 12:30pm, 2pm,
3:30pm). Byes: Rd. 4&5 byes must be requested before Rd. 1. Entry
Fees by 1/9: 1-day sections (Ages 6/8 & under): $48, 2-day sections
(Ages 10/12/14/16/18/20 & under): $63, Add $5 (1/10-16), Add $10
(1/17-19), Add $25 (1/20-22), Add $40 (1/23 & onsite). A change fee
equal to the late fee will apply for any changes, other than bye requests
with less than one week before the tournament. Out of state entries
20% off (mail entry or email ask@bayareachess.com with USCF ID for
online entry coupon code). Blitz: Onsite Registration: Sunday 5-5:15pm,
Games 5:45-7:45pm. 2 sections (10 & under, 20 & under). Side Event
Fees: Blitz $14. Onsite +$2. Side Event Prizes: Trophies to Top 5 indi-
vidual players including ties and Top 3 teams including ties in each
section. Jan 2016 Supplement & TD discretion to place players accurately.
Commemorative T-shirts: $16 pre-order, $20 onsite. Chief Organizer:
J. Sztaray. Organizers/TDs: , T. Langland , R. Koepcke, J. McCumiskey,
S. Mason. Sponsored by CalChess and Bay Area Chess. More info &
flyer: BayAreaChess.com/usjr. Register online at BayArea
Chess.com/my/usjr. Mail entries to Bay Area Chess, 1639A S. Main St.,
Milpitas, CA 95035. Register early to save. Questions: ask@BayArea
Chess.com, 408-409-6596. W.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 12-14 OR 13-14, FLORIDA
2016 U.S. AMATEUR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP SOUTH
5SS, G/120 d5 (2-day Option Rd. 1 G/60 d5). Ramada Westshore Tampa
Airport, 1200 North Westshore Blvd., Tampa, FL 33607. 4-player teams
(with one optional alternate). Two sections (each paired separately &
with their own prizes). Team average (4 highest ratings - January Sup-
plement) must be under 2200 for Open section & under 1500 for U1500
section. Winning team in Open section qualifies for National playoff
online. EF: per player: $49 by 2/5, $58 later. SPECIAL EF: Team (one
entry must be made for all players) $180 by 2/5, $210 later (any team
changes $10). Teams from outside Florida will receive $25 off team
entry fee. Scholastic teams receive $10 off team entry fee. PRIZES: Top
1-3rd place teams & Top Boards 1-4 in each section; Top teams: Open
section: U2000 & U1800; U1500 section: Top U1300 & U1100. Also in
Open section: Top Senior team (all 50 & above as of 2/12), Top College
team (same school), Top High School team (same school). Also in U1500
section: Top Female team, Top Middle School team (same school, grades
6-8), Top Elementary School team (same school). Schedule: 3-day: 1st
Rd. Fri. 7:30, 2-Day 1st Rd. Sat. 10; Rds. 2-5 Sat. 1:30, 6:45, Sun. 9:30,
2:45. Blitz Tourn.: G/5 d0, Sunday at 8:00 p.m.; EF $15 for those in
main event, $25 for all others. HR: $99 until cut-off date, 813-282-3636,
ext. 0. Free parking, Internet, refrigerator & Free Airport shuttle. Ent:
Boca Raton Chess Club, 2385 Executive Ctr. Dr., Ste. 100, Boca Raton,
FL 33431. Online entry & addl info: www.bocachess.com, 561-479-
0351.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 13-15 OR 14-15, CALIFORNIA, NORTHERN
32ND ANNUAL U.S. AMATEUR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP WEST
Scholastic on Feb. 13 only, Blitz on Feb. 15 only. Santa Clara Con-
vention Center, 5001 Great America Pkwy. Free Parking! Teams:
Four-player teams plus optional alternate, average rating of four highest
must be under 2200, difference between ratings of board 3 & 4 must be
less than 1000. January 2016 Supplement, CCA min, & TD discretion
used to place players accurately. Main Event Prizes:Special 4 com-
memorative clocks (trophy for the reserve) and team trophy to the team
for Top 3 overall teams, top team u2000, u1800, u1600, u1400, and
u1200. Trophies to all players of the top industry team (currently at
the same company), top female team, top college team Open: 5SS, G/90+30/increment, 2-day: rd.1-2 G/60 d5. Hyatt Regency
(students/alumni of a college), top high school team (students/alumni
of a 7-12 school), top elementary school team (students/alumni of a
K-6 school), top club team, and top family team (related by blood or included with Room! Please reserve early. Open to 4 player teams with
marriage within 3 generations). Clocks to top scorer on each board (1-
4), trophy to top reserve as well as second and third scorers on each
board (1-4). Gift certificates for best 3 team names. Main Event EF:
$243/team or $63/player by 2/8. 2/9-11: $10 extra per player or team.
Onsite or after 2/11: $20 extra per player ($80 extra per team). 3-day
Sched: Onsite Registration at Sat 9:30-10:30a, Round Times at Sat &
Sun 11:30a 5:30p, Mon 10a 3:30p. Time Control: 40/120 SD/30 d5. 2-
day Sched: Onsite Registration at Sun 8:30-9a, Round Times at Sun
10a 12:30p 2:50p 5:30p, Mon 10a 3:30p. Time Control: G/61 d5 in Rounds
1-3, 40/120 SD/30 d5 in Rounds 4-6 (merge in Round 4 with 3-day sched-
ule). Info/flyer: www.BayAreaChess.com/usatw. Scholastic Event
Prizes: Trophies to each player in Top 3 teams overall, Top u800 team,
u600 team, u400 team, and u200 team. Trophies to top female team,
top academic team, and top club team. Trophies to top two scorers board. Prizes are players choice of a selected clock or equivalent book
on each board (1-4). Commemorative medals to all participants. Scholastic
Event EF: $149/team or $39/player by 2/8. 2/9-11: $10 extra per player
or team. Onsite or after 2/11: $20 extra per player ($80 extra per team).
Discount: $10/player ($40/team) if registering for 2-day schedule and
See previous issue for TLAs appearing January 1-14
The Tournament Announcements on the following pages are provided for the convenience of US Chess members and for
informational purposes only. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, neither US Chess nor Chess Life warrants the accuracy
of anything contained in these tournament announcements. Those interested in additional information about or having
questions concerning any of these tournaments are directed to contact the organizer listed. Chess Life will exercise all due
diligence in providing accurate typesetting of non-camera-ready copy but assumes no responsibility for errors made in
such work.
Effective with TLAs submitted after November 10, 2010, the following additional rules apply to Grand Prix
tournaments: 1) The guaranteed first prize must be at least $150. 2) No more than one prize under $100 may
count towards the Grand Prix point total. 3) Prizes below the maximum entry fee do not count towards the
Grand Prix point total. Also include full time control noting increment or time delay even if delay is zero (d0).
US Chess Junior Grand Prix: A Junior Grand Prix event must have four or more rounds with a time control
greater than 65 min. Please see: www.uschess.org/data page/JGP-Rules.php for complete Rules.
SUBMISSIONS: E-mail your tla to: tla@uschess.org (Joan DuBois). For tla deadline schedule, formatting help and Grand
Prix information check www.uschess.org/go/tlainfo and Advertising at uschess.org. Payment can be done online through
the TD/Affiliate area or sent to: US Chess, TLA Dept., PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557.
scholastic event. Sched: Onsite Registration: Sat 8:30-9a | Games at on Saturday night, $25 by 2/13 USPS or on-line, $30 at site. First round
Sat 10a 11:30a 1p 2:30p 4:15p. Info/flyer: www.BayAreaChess.com/ 8 PM, 2 games with each opponent, 5 rounds, see www.chessweekend.
usatws. Blitz Event: Registration Mon 7-8pm, Rounds 8:30-10:30pm. com for details. All: Checks made payable to and sent to: ChessWeekend,
EF: $14, $16 onsite. 75% of entry fees returned as prizes. Contact: 21694 Doud Ct., Frankfort, IL 60423. Please include Teams name and
Organized by Judit Sztaray. Directed by Tom Langland, John McCumiskey, roster (plus ID#), captains email and phone number, and desired sched-
Jordan Langland, and others. Sponsored by Bay Area Chess. Online ule. Info: www.chessweekend.com, 815-955-4793 before 8 PM. ChessIQ
entry at www.BayAreaChess.com/my/usatw or mail to Bay Area Chess, will provide Sets-Boards-Clocks.
1639A South Main St., Milpitas, CA 95035. For questions or help in
forming teams email ask@BayAreaChess.com. W.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
APR. 1-3, GEORGIA
A Heritage Event! 2016 NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (K-12) CHAMPIONSHIP
US Chess Junior Grand Prix! 7SS, G/120 d5. Hyatt Regency Atlanta, 265 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta,
FEB. 13-15, NEW JERSEY GA 30303. Hotel Chess Rate $125. Guest rooms may be booked, NLT
WORLD AMATEUR TEAM & U.S. TEAM EAST 3/9/2016 by calling (404) 577-1234 or (888) 421-1442, mention US
CELEBRATE JAZZ AND CHESS. 6SS, 40/2, SD/1 d5. Parsippany Hilton, Chess. 6 Sections: K-12 Championship, K-12 U1900, K-12 U1600, K-12
1 Hilton Ct., Parsippany, NJ 07054. Chess Rate valid until 1/16. Reserve U1200, K-12 U800 and K-12 Unrated. March Rating Supplement will be
early 973-267-7373 or 1- 800-HILTONS. Morris/Essex train to Morris used. One1/2-point bye available (limit one) any round (except Round 7)
Plains 1.5 miles. Open to 4- player teams with one optional alternate. if requested prior to the start of Rd. 1. Team score = total of top four
Team average (4 highest ratings2016 January Rating list) must be (minimum two) finishers from each school per section. K-12 Championship
under 2200. EF: $160 postmarked by 2/5/16. ALL-$200 after or at door. first place individual and team, including ties, will be the National High
all teams, any changes at site $25 charge. FREE ENTRY TEAMS from School Champion. Schedule: Opening ceremony Fri. 12:45 pm. Rds.:
West Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina. Check out official Fri. 1 pm and 7 pm, Sat. 9 am, 2 pm and 7 pm, Sun. 9 am-2 pm. Awards
website www.njscf.org. Prizes: 1-5th Place teams, plaque and 4 digital Ceremony Sun., approx. 7 pm. EF: $50/participant postmarked or online
clocks; Top Team (Denis Barry Award) U2100, 2000, 1900, 1800, 1700, by 2/29, $70 postmarked or online by 3/21, $85 online by 3/30, $90 on
1600, 1500, 1400, 1300, 1200, 1000 each plaque and 4 Digital Clocks; site; $5.00 extra for all phone registrations; $20 fee for roster or section
Top college team (same school) 4 Digital Clocks & plaque; Top HS changes after 3/21 or any onsite changes. Onsite registration Thurs. 9
team (grades 9-12 same school), Top Middle School (grades 5-9 same AM - 9 PM & Fri. 8 AM -11 AM. Players who register or change sections
school), Top Elementary School (grades K-6 same school), Top 2 Scholastic after 11 am on Friday will receive a 1/2-point bye for Rd. 1. Players
Teams (mixed schools okay) (Collins Award), Mixed Doubles (2 males, must disclose any other, non-USCF, over-the-board (OTB) ratings. Awards:
2 females-no alternates), Seniors (all players over age 50), Military, Trophies to top individuals & top teams in each section. Every player
each plaque & 4 Digital Clocks to top team; Company Team (same receives a commemorative item! Full list of trophies on tournament Info
employer), Family (4 family members), State teamsCT, DE, MD, MA, Page. Side Events: Bughouse: Thurs. 11 am, Reg. onsite only Thurs. 9 -
NJ, NY (Benjamin Award), PA, VA, NC, RI each plaque top team; Special 10 am, $25/team. Blitz Section: K-12, Thurs. 5 pm, Reg. onsite until 4
Plaque: Top Future team, (all players under age 10), Top Military Col- pm. Blitz EF: $15 by 3/21, $20 after or at site. Class trophies will be
lege, Top Parent/Child (2 pairs, one parent, one child), Best Player awarded in main event and in Blitz. Full list of trophies on tournament
1-4 and top alternate, All 6-0 scores each Digital clock. Biggest Individual Info Page. Team Rooms are limited. Contact Susan Kantor at 931.787.1234
upset each round Engraved Cross pen; Entry fee refunded to team with ext. 136 or by email: skantor@uschess.org. Questions: Susan Kantor
Best Chess related name, Sunday night Best Chess Related cos- at 931.787.1234 ext. 136. Entries: US Chess Federation, Attn.: 2016 HS
tumes or gimmick1st-gourmet dinner for four. 2ndGourmet dinner Championship, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557 or online at
for 4. Reg.: 9-12. Sat 2/13: Rds. 1-7:30, 11-6, 9-3:30. Special Events!! www.uschess.org/tournaments/2016/hs/. See web site for additional
Surprises and special give-aways each round. Sunday nightBug- information about the event, advance entries, awards, meetings, updates,
house $20 per team. Cash prizes. HR: Parsippany Hilton NEWLY corrections, and registration forms.
RENOVATED! NEW LIGHTS! HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING! Chess
rates expire 1/16/2016. Rates $119 (single double) $121 (Triple , Quad)
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
2nd hotel attached to Hilton $126 per night (single-double) $128 (triple, APR. 15-17, INDIANA
Quad)-Hampton Inn-includes breakfast each day. For help forming 2016 NATIONAL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (K-9) CHAMPIONSHIP
teams and more information contact: noreen@deanofchess.com. Chks 7SS, G/120 d5. Indianapolis Marriott East, 7202 East 21st St., Indianapolis,
payable to NJSCF, mail by 2/05 to: E.Steven Doyle, 17 Stonehenge IN 46219. Hotel Chess Rate $119. Guest rooms may be booked, NLT
Rd., Morristown, NJ 07960. (Include Team name, Captain, players full 3/18/2016 by calling (800) 228-9290 or (317) 352-1231, mention US
names, USCF Expiration, ID numbers and ratings in board order). No Chess. 6 Sections: K-9 Championship, K-9 U1250, K-9 Unrated, K-8
Championship, K-8 U1000 and K-8 U750. April Rating Supplement will
team can include more than two GMs. Include SASE for confirmation if
be used. One1/2-point bye available (limit one) any round (except Round
wanted, No registered or certified mail accepted. W. 7) if requested prior to the start of Rd. 1. Team score = total of top four
US Chess Junior Grand Prix! (minimum two) finishers from each school per section. K-9 Championship
FEB. 19-21, ILLINOIS first place individual and team, including ties, will be the National Junior
2016 U.S. AMATEUR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP NORTH High School Champion. Schedule: Opening ceremony Fri. 12:30 pm.
Rds.: Fri. 1 pm and 7 pm, Sat. 9 am, 2 pm and 7 pm, Sun. 9 am-2 pm.
Schaumburg, 1800 E. Golf Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173. 847-605-1234 Awards Ceremony Sun., approx. 7 pm. EF: $50/participant postmarked
$89.00 chess rate single-double-triple-quad until 2/5/15, Free WiFI or online by 3/21, $70 postmarked or online by 4/4, $85 online by 4/13,
$90 on site; $5.00 extra for all phone registrations; $20 fee for roster
one optional alternate. Team average (4 highest ratings - January or section changes after 4/4 or any onsite changes. Onsite registration
Rating List) must be under 2200. EF: 3-day $160, per team if received Thurs. 9 AM - 9 PM & Fri. 8 AM -11 AM. Players who register or change
USPS or on-line 6 PM by February 5th, $180 if received USPS or on-line sections after 11 am on Friday will receive a 1/2-point bye for Rd. 1.
6 PM by Feb. 14th, $200 on-line until Feb. 19th 6 PM and at door. Indi- Players must disclose any other, non-USCF, over-the-board (OTB) ratings.
viduals wishing to play, send $50 and request to be put on a team by Awards: Trophies to top individuals & top teams in each section. Every
USPS and on-line by 2/14 6 PM, $60 thereafter. Team changes on site player receives a commemorative item! Full list of trophies on tournament
or after 2/19 6 PM $20. Check out official website www.chess- Info Page. Side Events: Bughouse: Thurs. 11 am, Reg. onsite only Thurs.
weekend.com for more info and complete prize list. Prizes: Awards 9 -10 am, $25/team. Blitz Section: K-9, Thurs. 5 pm, Reg. onsite until 4
to top two teams, top teams with average rating u1900, u1600, and pm. Blitz EF: $15 by 4/4, $20 after or at site. Class trophies will be
u1300. Winning team qualifies for national play-offs. Awards for Best awarded in main event and in Blitz. Full list of trophies on tournament
Team Name, best team composed of juniors (high school and younger), Info Page. Team Rooms are limited. Contact Susan Kantor at 931.787.1234
Top College team, Top HS team, Top Senior team (50 and over),Best ext. 136 or by email: skantor@uschess.org. Questions: Susan Kantor
Coach and Students team, Best costume. Prizes to top score on each at 931.787.1234 ext. 136. Entries: U.S. Chess Federation, Attn.: 2016
JHS Championship, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557 or online at
store credit. Event will be FIDE rated. Rounds: 3-day: on-site registra- www.uschess.org/tournaments/2016/jhs/. See web site for additional
information about the event, advance entries, awards, meetings, updates,
tion/check-in 5:30-6:30pm, rds.: 7pm, 10:00am & 4:00pm, 10:00am &
corrections, and registration forms.
3:30pm. 2-day: on-site registration/check-in from 8:00-9:30am, rds.
10:00am & 1:00pm then merge with 3-day. Midwest Blitz Championship US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
www.uschess.org 51
Tournament Life / January
APR. 22-24, ILLINOIS
2016 ALL-GIRLS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS PRESENTED BY
THE KASPAROV CHESS FOUNDATION IN ASSOCIATION WITH
THE RENAISSANCE KNIGHTS CHESS FOUNDATION & US CHESS
First place winners of each section will qualify to represent the
USA at the 2016 World Youth/Cadets Championships. 6SS, G/90
d5. Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, 2233 S. Martin Luther King Dr.,
Chicago, IL 60616, (free Wi-Fi). 6 Sections: Under 8, Under 10, Under
12, Under 14, Under 16 & Under 18. Age as of 1/1/2016. EF: $55
mail/online by 3/28, $75 by 4/11, $95 after. Do not mail after 4/15. $20
fee for roster or section changes after April 15. $10 fee for refunds.
Opening Ceremony: 2:30pm, Friday. Rounds: Rd. 1 3:00pm Fri;
Rounds 2-4 Sat 10am, 2:30pm, 6:30pm; Rounds 5-6 Sun 9am & pm.
Awards Ceremony: Sun. 5pm. Trophies top 15 individual players and
top 4 teams in the Under 8, 10, 12 & 14 Sections; top 8 individual players
and top 3 teams in the Under 16 & 18 Sections. (top 3 players added for
team scores). Bye: One 1/2-pt bye available, any round, if requested
before end of Rd. 2 and if player has not received a full-point bye. Side
Events: Bughouse Tournament Fri. 11:00 am, EF $30/team. Blitz
Tournament Fri. 7pm, G/5 d0, EF $20 by 4/11, $25 after or on site.
HR: single - quad $149 Reservations: (888) 421-1442. Reserve early
rate may increase. Entries: online/info at: www.rknights.org/registra-
tion/tournaments/all-girls-nationals/ or mail to RKnights, Attn: All-Girls,
PO Box 1074, Northbrook, IL 60065, include name, section, rating, USCF
ID#, date of birth, grade, school name city & state.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAY 6-8, TENNESSEE
2016 NATIONAL ELEMENTARY (K-6) CHAMPIONSHIP
7SS, G/120 d5 (K-1 G/90 d5). Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention
Center, 2800 Opryland Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. Hotel Chess Rate $148.
Guest rooms may be booked, NLT 4/11/2016 by calling (888) 777-6779 or
(615) 889-1000, mention US Chess. 9 Sections: K-6 Championship, K-6
U1000, K-6 Unrated, K-5 Championship, K-5 U900, K-3 Championship, K-3
U800, K-3 Unrated, K-1 Championship. April Rating Supplement will be
used. One1/2-point bye available (limit one) any round (except Round 7)
if requested prior to the start of Rd. 1. Team score = total of top four
(minimum two) finishers from each school per section. K-6 Championship
first place individual and team, including ties, will be the National Elementary
School Champion. Schedule: Opening ceremony Fri. 12:30 pm. Rds.: Fri.
1 pm and 7 pm, Sat. 9 am, 2 pm and 7 pm, Sun. 9 am-2 pm. Awards
Ceremony Sun., approx. 7 pm. Special Schedule for K-1 Rounds: Fri.
1:30 pm and 6:30 pm, Sat. 9:30 am, 1:30 pm and 6:30 pm, Sun. 9:30 am
and 1:30 pm. Awards Ceremony Sun., approx. 5:30 pm. EF: $50/participant
postmarked or online by 4/4, $70 postmarked or online by 4/25, $85
online by 5/4, $90 on site; $5.00 extra for all phone registrations; $20 fee
for roster or section changes after 4/25 or any onsite changes. Onsite
registration Thurs. 9 AM - 9 PM & Fri. 8 AM -11 AM. Players who register
or change sections after 11 am on Friday will receive a 1/2-point bye for
Rd. 1. Players must disclose any other, non-USCF, over-the-board (OTB)
ratings. Awards: Trophies to top individuals & top teams in each section.
Every player receives a commemorative item! Full list of trophies on tour-
nament Info Page. Side Events: Bughouse: Thurs. 11 am, Reg. onsite
only Thurs. 9 -10 am, $25/team. Blitz Sections: K-6 and K-3, Thurs. 5 pm,
Reg. onsite until 4 pm. Blitz EF: $15 by 4/25, $20 after or at site. Class
trophies will be awarded in main event and in Blitz. Full list of trophies on
tournament Info Page. Team Rooms are limited. Contact Susan Kantor at
931.787.1234 ext. 136 or by email: skantor@uschess.org. Questions:
Susan Kantor at 931.787.1234 ext. 136. Entries: U.S. Chess Federation,
Attn.: 2016 Elem Championship, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557 or
online at www.uschess.org/tournaments/2016/elem/. See web site for
additional information about the event, advance entries, awards, meetings,
updates, corrections, and registration forms.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAY 28-30, ARIZONA
2016 U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP WEST
Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, 10000 N. Oracle Rd.,
Tucson, AZ 85704, 1-800-325-7832. SECTIONS: Championship (U2200),
Reserve (U1600), Booster (U1200), SCHEDULE: (Championship & Reserve)
6/SS; 40/90, G/30, Inc/30; Rds.: 10-4, 10-4, 9-3. (Booster) 6/SS, Game/60,
Inc/30; Rds.: (Sat) 10-1:30-5, (Sun) 10-1:30-5 PRIZES: (Championship)
Digital Clock + plaque to Top 3; Digital clock to 1st + Plaque to Top 2
1800-1999, 1600-1799, and U1600; Plaque to top Senior 50+, Junior U20
and Junior U14. (Reserve) Digital clock + plaque to Top 3, Digital clock
to 1st + Plaque to Top 2 1200-1399 and U1200; Plaque to top Senior
50+ and Junior U14. (Booster) Digital clock + trophy to 1st; Trophy to
2nd - 5th, Top Unrated and Junior U11. SPECIAL PRIZES: 1st Place in
Championship and Reserve will receive a FREE ENTRY to the 2016 National
Open. Top 2 Family Pairs in combined sections. Biggest Upset of each
round (Rds. 1-5). EF: (Championship & Reserve) $60 if recd by 5/25, $70
if after 5/25. (Booster) $40 if recd by 5/25, $50 if after 5/25. SIDE
EVENTS: Blitz tournament Friday 5/22 at 6:00pm, Reg. 5:00 - 5:45 at
site, G/5 d0, 5 Rounds, Double SS; Entry Fee: $10 ($15 to non-tournament
players); Saturday Scholastic tournament (K-6 and U1000 rating), Sat-
urday 5/28 at 10:00am, Reg: 8:30 - 9:30, GAME/40 d5; 4 rounds, Entry
fee $15; Sunday Scholastic tournament (K-6 and U1000 rating), Sunday
5/29 at 10:00am, Reg: 8:30 - 9:30, GAME/40 d5; 4 rounds, Entry fee $15;
Quick tournament Monday 5/30 at noon, Reg: 10:30 - 11:30, GAME/10
d2; 5 rounds, Entry Fee: $10 ($15 to non-tournament players). ENTER:
www.events 4chess.com or mail to (make checks payable to Rookery
Chess): 2016 US Amateur West, PMB 215, 4729 E. Sunrise Dr., Tucson,
AZ 85718 or at site. HR: 1-800-325-7832, $99 (2 Queen), $139 (jr. suite),
or $179 (casita), mention Amateur West. INFO: Karen Pennock, 520-
261-3176, email: kpennock_83@yahoo.com. W.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 22-23, NEVADA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30 (ENHANCED)
2016 U.S. WOMENS OPEN
5SS, G/90 +30. Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, 3000 Paradise
Rd., 89109. $$2,000 Guaranteed Prize Fund. $500-300-200, U2000 $200,
U1800 $200, U1600 $200, U1400 $200, U1200 $200. EF: $50 by 6/3, $70
52 January 2016 | Chess Life
later. REG.: 9-9:30 a.m. RDS.: 10-2:30-7, 10-2:30. 1/2 point bye available
in any round (limit 1). HR $69 ($89 Friday and Saturday nights). (800) 732-
7117 be sure to ask for the CHESS rates. This event kicks off the LAS
VEGAS INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL on Wednesday before the
National Open. ENT Vegas Chess Festivals, PO Box 90925, Henderson,
NV 89009-0925 or www.VegasChessFestival .com. FIDE.
An American Classic!
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 24-26 OR 25-26, NEVADA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 300 (ENHANCED)
2016 NATIONAL OPEN
6-SS, 40/90, SD/30 +30 (2-day rounds 1-3 and unrated G/40 +5).
Westgate Resort & Casino, 3000 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas 89109. $100,000
Guaranteed Prize Fund will not be reduced! In 8 sections, top 2 FIDE
rated. Open: $8,000-4,000-2,000-1,000-600-500-400-300-300-300, top
under 2500 $2,500, top under 2400 $2,400, EXTRA $2,500 for perfect
score. The winner of the Open section also receives a replica of the
Edmondson Cup. Under 2300: $6,000-3,000-1,500-750-400-350-300-
250-250-250. Under 2100: $6,000-3,000-1,500-750-400-350-300-250-
250-250. Under 1900: $5,000-2500-1250-600-350-300-250-250-250-250.
Under 1700: $4,000-2,000-1,000-500-300-250-250-250-250-250. Under
1500: 3000-1500-700-350-300-250-250-250-250-250. Under 1300: $2000-
1,000-500-300-250-250-250, top under 1000 (no provisional) $900.
Unrated or Provisional Under 1000: 3 schedules with 6 rounds per
day $200-125-75 each day plus $300 overall (best 2 results). Plus Score
Bonus ($12,000 guaranteed) in addition to any other prizes, every player
with 3-1/2 points or more wins a $50 gift certificate. Plus score certificates
will be awarded on site only. Players age 14 and under are eligible for
best game prizes including the Freddie Award and $400 in cash prizes
(donated by Fred Gruenberg). Mixed Doubles: best male/female com-
bined 2-player team score: $1,500-750-350-250-150. Teammates may
play in different sections but must have average rating below 2200. The
Freddie: Players age 14 and under are eligible for best game prizes
including the Freddie Award and $400 in cash prizes (donated by Fred
Gruenberg). Unrated players may play only in Unrated or Open Section.
Provisionally rated players may not win more than 40% of top prize in
any under section; balance goes to next player(s) in line. CCA minimum
ratings or other ratings may be used if higher than US Chess June Sup-
plement. EF: $199 by 1/31, $225 by 6/3, $250 by 6/22, $280 later. $40
less for seniors 65 and over. $125 less for players in only 1 unrated
schedule, $60 less for 2 schedules. Add $125 for adults rated under
2200 or juniors under 2100 playing in the Open Section. Reg 2 p.m.-10
p.m. Thursday, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Friday. Rds.: 11-5:30, 10-4:30, 10-4:30.
2-day schedule: Reg.: 8:30-9 a.m. Saturday. Rds.: 10-12-2 then merge
with 3-day in round 4 at 4:30. Half point byes available in any round;
round 5 or 6 byes must be requested before the start of round 2 and
may not be cancelled. Chess sets and boards provided for tournament
play only, not for skittles. Please bring digital chess clocks! The LAS
VEGAS INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL features the National Open,
the U.S Game/10 Championship, the U.S. Womens Open, the International
Youth Championship, and other events. Many free extras and surprises!
Free parking. Free raffles with great prizes. Free GM Lectures. Free
GM analysis of your games. Free Daily Bulletins and free commemorative
DVD mailed to all participants. Grandmaster Simuls and Chess Camp
for all ages on Thursday. U.S. Womens Open Wednesday and Thursday.
Walter Browne Memorial Blitz Thursday 7:30 p.m. U.S. Game/10
Championship Monday morning. Youth Tournaments Friday, Saturday
& Sunday. Blitz Tournaments Saturday & Sunday. Poker Tournament
Thursday afternoon. Dont be shut out make your reservations
early and be sure to ask for the CHESS rates $69 single or double
($89 Friday and Saturday nights) guarantees a premium room with new
furniture, refrigerator, flat screen TV and more. The optional resort
package including access to the Fitness Center, free WI-FI, and more is
substantially discounted for our group. Cutoff for special hotel rate is
June 3rd. (800) 732-7117 or www.VegasChessFestival.com/hotel.
ENT Vegas Chess Festivals, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0925,
on line at www.VegasChessFestival.com. Info: (702) 930-9550 and
leave a message. FIDE.
JUNE 27, NEVADA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 60 (ENHANCED)
2016 U.S. GAME/10 CHAMPIONSHIP (QC)
8SS, G/10 +2. Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, 3000 Paradise
Road, 89109. $7,500 Prize Fund based on 100 paid entries, $5,000
Guaranteed. $1800-900-600, U2400 575, U2250 550, U2100 525, U1950
500, U1800 475, U1650 450, U1500 425, U1250 400, U1000 300. Must
be 3 players eligible for each prize awarded. EF: $69 by 6/3, $79 by
6/22, $100 later. REG.: 8:30-9 a.m. Rd. 1 at 10 a.m. finish by 2:30
p.m. Higher of regular or quick rating used. 1/2 point bye available in
any round (limit 2). HR: $69 single or double ($89 Friday and Saturday
nights). (800) 732-7117 be sure to ask for the CHESS rates. ENT:
Vegas Chess Festivals, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0925 or
www.VegasChessFestival.com. FIDE.
Grand Prix
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 8-10 OR 9-10, MASSACHUSETTS
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 50 (ENHANCED)
4TH ANNUAL BOSTON CHESS CONGRESS
5SS, 40/110, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Hyatt Boston
Harbor, 101 Harborside Dr., Boston, MA 02128. Free parking, free airport
shuttle. Prizes $12,000 based on 220 paid entries (U1300 & re-entries
count 60%), minimum $8000 (2/3 each prize) guaranteed. In 6 sections.
Premier: Open to 1900/over. $1200-600-400, clear or tiebreak 1st $100
bonus, top U2300 $500-250. Under 2100: $1000-500-300. Under 1900:
$1000-500-300. Under 1700: $900-500-300. Under 1500: $800-400-300.
Under 1300: $400-200-150. Unrated may not win over $200 in U1300,
$400 U1500 or $600 U1700. Top 5 sections EF: $87 online at
chessaction.com by 1/6, $95 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/4, 3-day $93,
2-day $92 if check mailed by 12/29, $100 at site, or online until 2 hours
before round 1. GMs free; $80 from prize. Under 1300 Section EF: All
$40 less than above. Mixed doubles bonus prizes: best male/female
2-player team combined score among all sections: $800-400-200. Team
average must be under 2200; teammates may play in different sections;
teams must register at site (no extra fee) by 2 pm 1/9. All: Online EF $5
less to MACA members; may join/renew at masschess.org. Re-entry $50,
not available in Premier. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Unofficial
uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year
USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chessaction.com
by 12/31, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Online after 12/31,
Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or at site,
Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. 3-Day Schedule: Reg. ends
Fri 6 pm. Rds. Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:30. 2-Day Schedule: Reg.
ends Sat 10 am. Rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:30. Half point byes
available all rounds, limit 2 byes, Premier must commit before rd. 2,
others before rd. 3. HR: $99-99, 617-568-1234, request chess rate,
reserve by 12/25 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600,
use AWD #657633. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, PO Box
249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions:
chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269. Advance entries
posted at www.chesstour .com (online entries posted instantly). Blitz
tournament Sat. 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 15-17 OR 16-17, GEORGIA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 40
GT MLK CHAMPIONSHIP
6-SS. 3day: Fri 6, Sat: 11, 3:30, 7 G/90 d/5. 2day: Saturday: 10, 1 G/60
d5 3:30, 7 G/90 d5. Rds. 5&6 Sunday: 11, 4:30, G/90 inc 30.(3Day merges
with 2Day with Rd. 3 at 3:30.) Championship: (Perfect Score $100
sponsored by KidChess) $1000-600-300-100 U2100: $400,200. U1900:
$700-400-200-100. U1600: $500-300-150-75. U1300: 300,150-75-50.
Unrated: Max earning $300. EF-$75 All sections but U1300, U1300-$50.
Register online + More Info at www.gtchess.com/. 3Georgia Tech
Student Center, 50 Ferst Drive, NW, Atlanta, GA 30332.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 15-18 OR 16-18, MARYLAND
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30
CHESAPEAKE OPEN
7SS, 40/90, SD/30 + 30 incr, (Rnd. 1 G/90 +30 incr) (3-day schedule:
rds. 1-2 G/45+30incr); U1300 & U1000 G/120 d/5 (rds. 1&2 G/60
d5)(U1300 4-day schedule all rds. G/120 d/5)(U1000 2-day schedule,
rds. 1-4 G/30 d/5). Rockville Hilton, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD
20852. $$Based on score. 7 sections: Championship (min. rating of 2000)
FIDE: 7.0 =$2200, 6.5 =$1600, 6.0=$1100, 5.5=$700, 5.0=$350,
4.5=$125, 4.0=$50 [min $1500 payout, top score group raised if less
than $1500]. U2200 FIDE: 7.0 =$2100, 6.5 =$1400, 6.0=$1000,
5.5=$600, 5.0=$300, 4.5=$100, 4.0=$30. U2000: 7.0 =$2000, 6.5
=$1300, 6.0=$800, 5.5=$500, 5.0=$275, 4.5=$100. U1800: 7.0=
$2000, 6.5 = $1200, 6.0= $750, 5.5= $450, 5.0=$225, 4.5=$100.
U1600: 7.0= $1800, 6.5= $1000, 6.0= $600, 5.5= $400, 5.0=$200,
4.5=$80. U1300: 7.0= $1200, 6.5= $700, 6.0= $350, 5.5= $225,
5.0=$120, 4.5=$50. U1000: 7.0=$1000, 6.5=$700, 6.0=$350,
5.5=$200, 5.0=$110, 4.5=$50. Additional prizes to clear 1st place,
if no 7.0 in section (added to score prize) - Championship: $400;
U2200 $300, U2000 $250, U1800 & U1600: $200; U1300 $150, U1000
$100. Unrated may not win over $100 in U1000, $200 U1300, or $400 in
U1600. Boards and pieces provided. Clocks provided in the Cham-
pionship U1800 sections. Optionally, pairings can be texted to
your phone. Free Monday morning continental breakfast for players.
Free parking for day guests. EF: $109 by 12/30, $114 by 1/12, and $119
online only by 1/14, $130 at the door. Special EFs: $35 less for U1300 &
U1000; GMs free, $50 deducted from prize; IMs $45 less, $20 deducted
from prize. HR: $89, ($5 EF discount if staying at hotel). Rooms may not
be avail after 12/30. 4-day schedule (Champ-U1600): Reg. ends Fri 7pm,
rds. Fri 8, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 9:30 & 3:30. 3-day schedule
(Champ-U1600): Reg. ends Sat 10am rds. 11, 2:15 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon
9:30 & 3:30. U1300 4-day schedule Reg. ends Fri 7 pm, rds. Fri 8, Sat 11
& 4:00, Sun 11 & 4, Mon 9:30 & 1:30. U1300 & U1000 3-day schedule
Reg. ends Sat 10am rds 11, 1:15 & 4:00, Sun 11 & 4:00, Mon 9:30 &
1:30. U1000 2-day schedule: reg ends Sun 10am rds. Sun 11, 12:15,
1:30, 2:45, 4:00, Mon 9:30 & 1:30. Ent: Michael Regan, 1827 Thornton
Ridge Rd., Towson, MD 21204. Detailed rules, more information and
registration at website: www.thechesapeakeopen.com.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 15-18, 16-18 OR 17-18, CALIFORNIA, NORTHERN
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 150 (ENHANCED)
7TH ANNUAL GOLDEN STATE OPEN
7SS, 40/110, SD/30 d10 (3-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10, 2-day option
except in Open Section, rds. 1-4 G/30 d10). Crowne Plaza Hotel, 45 John
Glenn Dr., Concord, CA 94520 (free BART shuttle often available). Free
parking. $25,000 prize fund unconditionally guaranteed. In 7 sections.
Open, open to all. $3000-1500-800-500-300, clear or tiebreak winner
$100, top U2300/Unr $1000-500. FIDE. Under 2200: $1500-800-400-
300-200. Under 2000: $1500-800-400-300-200. Under 1800:
$1500-800-400-300-200. Under 1600: $1300-700-400-300-200. Under
1400: $900-450-300-200-100. Under 1200: $500-250-150-100-50. Unrated
(0-3 lifetime games rated) may enter any section, with maximum prize
U1200 $200, U1400 $350, U1600 $500, U1800 $700, U2000 $900. Mixed
doubles bonus prizes: best male/female 2-player team combined
score among all sections: $1000-500-300. Team average must be under
2200; teammates may play in different sections; teams must register at
site (no extra fee) before both players begin round 2; teammate pairings
avoided but possible. Top 5 sections EF: $133 online at chessaction.com
by 1/13, $140 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/11 (entry only, no questions),
4-day $139, 3-day $138, 2-day $137 mailed by 1/6, all $150 at site, or
online until 2 hours before game. GMs free; $120 deducted from prize.
U1400 Section EF: $40 less than top 5 sections entry fee. U1200 Section
EF: $80 less than top 5 sections entry fee. All: Special 1 yr USCF dues

with paper magazine if paid with entry. Online at chessaction.com by
12/31, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Online after 12/31,
Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or at site,
Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Re-entry (except Open) $60.
Online EF $5 less to CalChess members. 4-day schedule: Late reg. ends
Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 12 & 6, Sun 12 & 6, Mon 10 & 3:30. 3-day
schedule: Late reg. ends Sat 11 am, rds. Sat 12, 3 & 6, Sun 12 & 6, Mon
10 & 3:30. 2-day schedule: Late reg. ends Sun 9 am, rds. Sun 10, 12, 2,
3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 3:30. Byes: OK all, limit 2; Open must commit before
rd. 2, others before rd. 4. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used
if otherwise unrated. Foreign player ratings: See chesstour.com/for-
eignratings.htm. HR: $109-109-119, 877-286-8389, 925-825-7700, reserve
by 1/1 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD
#D657633. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577.
Questions: chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269. $15 service
charge for refunds. Bring set, board, clock if possible; none supplied.
Advance entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly).
Blitz tournament Sun 10 pm, enter by 9:45 pm.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 15-18, 16-18 OR 17-18, PENNSYLVANIA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 100 (ENHANCED)
48TH ANNUAL LIBERTY BELL OPEN
7SS, 40/110, SD/30 d10 (3 day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10, 2-day option
in U2100 to U1250, rds. 1-4 G/30 d10). Sonesta Hotel, 1800 Market
St., Philadelphia 19103. $$20,000 b/320 paid entries (re-entries, GMs
& U1250 section count 70%), else in proportion, except minimum 75%
of each prize guaranteed. In 2006 to 2015, the tournament had over
320 paid entries each year and the $20,000 projected prize fund was
increased in proportion. In 6 sections. Open: $2000-1000-600-400-300,
1st clear or on tiebreak $100 bonus, top Under 2300/Unr $800-400.
Under 2100: $1200-600-400-300-200. Under 1900: $1200-600-400-300-
200. Under 1700: $1200-600-400-300-200. Under 1500: $1000-600-400-
300-200. Under 1250: $700-500-300-200-100. Unrated may enter any
section, but may not win over $300 in U1250, $600 U1500, or $900
U1700. Mixed doubles bonus prizes: best male/female 2-player team
combined score among all sections: $1000-600-400. Team average must
be under 2200; teammates may play in different sections; teams must
register at site (no extra fee) before both players begin round 2. Top 5
sections EF: $108 online at chessaction.com by 1/13, $120 phoned by
1/11 (406-896-2038, entry only, no questions), 4-day $114, 3-day $113,
2-day $112 if check mailed by 1/6, $130 (no checks, credit cards OK) at
site, or online until 2 hours before rd 1. GMs free, $100 deducted from
prize. U1250 Section EF: All $30 less than top 5 sections EF. All:
Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special
1 yr USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry: Online at
chessaction.com by 12/31, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15.
Online after 12/31, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed,
phoned or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Re-entry
See previous issue for TLAs appearing January 1-14
(no Open to Open) $70. 4-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7
pm, Sat 12 & 6, Sun 12 & 6, Mon 10 & 3:30. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends
Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 12 & 6, Mon 10 & 3:30. 2-day
schedule (no Open Section): Reg. ends Sun. 9 am, rds. Sun 10-12-2-
3:45-6, Mon 10-3:30. Bye: all, limit 3, Open must commit before rd. 2,
others before rd. 4. HR: $101-101-101-101, 1-800-SONESTA, 215-561-
7500, request Continental Chess rate, reserve by Jan 1 or rate may
increase. Parking: Chess rate at Sonesta approx. $20/day (half of
normal rate). Much lower rates Fri night & all day Sat & Sun at 1818
Market, 1815 JFK Blvd. & 1540 Spring. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600,
use AWD#D657633 or reserve through chesstour.com. Ent: chess
action.com or Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577.
Questions: DirectorAtChess.US, www.chesstour.com, 347-201-2269. $15
service charge for refunds. Advance entries will be posted at
chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Blitz tournament
Sun. 10 pm, enter by 9:45 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 16-17, CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
2016 KINGS MEMORIAL
(A sponsored event) 6SS, G/61 d5. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA 90025,
2nd fl. 1 Open section. EF: $75; $55 LACC members; No prizes 1/2,
spouses/siblings 1/2, new members 1/2, Free new LACC Life members.
Reg.: Sat 11-11:45 am. Rds.: 12, 2, 4 pm each day. Byes: Up to three
1/2-point byes available. 1-Day option I: Play 1 day- no 1/2 pt. byes-
1/2 EF. 1-Day option II: Play 1 day & receive three 1/2 pt. byes- Full
EF. Prizes: $$1,500 (b/45) $750 Gtd. 1st-3rd $400-200-100 U2000: $100.
U1800: $200-100-$50; U1600: $100-50-25; U1400: $100-50-25. Info:
Mick Bighamian: (310) 795-5710; Mick@LAChessClub.com or www.LA
ChessClub.com. Parking: Free on streets, BoA, or basement.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 16-17, FLORIDA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
PALATKA WINTER OPEN (MLK WEEKEND)
Quality Inn Hotel, 201 N. 1ST St., Palatka, FL 32177. 5 Round Swiss
System Tournament in 2 Sections: Open Section and Reserve (Under
1500). Round 1 G/90 d5, Rounds 2-5 G/120 d5. Open to all with USCF
membership, please join or renew your USCF membership online before
tournament. Entry fee is $60 at the tournament or $50 with early mail-in
entry (Please mail no later than 1/8). Free entry to GMs and IMs ($50
deducted from any prize). Early entries are encouraged. Make checks or
money orders payable to: Tim Staley. Mail early entries to Tim Staley:
10520 NW 28th Pl., Gainesville, FL 32606. Please include USCF ID number,
current rating, byes and section. No credit cards accepted on site.
Register online at chessregister.com. Prize fund is $2100 based
on a minimum of 50 entries. Open Section: 1st $500 and 2nd $250.
Class prizes: U1900 $225 and U1700 $200. Reserve Section: 1st
$400, 2nd $200. Class prizes: U1300 $175 and U1100 $150. Unrated
players can play in either section and are not eligible for class prizes.
Rounds Times: Sat. 10:00 AM, 2:00, 6:30. Sun. 10:00 AM, 2:30. Reg-
istration is 9:00 - 9:45. Byes: (2) 1/2 point byes available (must request
before start of 2nd round). Children under 13 must have adult supervision
at the tournament site. Please bring clock, set and board. None are
provided. Hotel Info: Call (386) 328-3481. Group rate $69.99 plus
tax. Must reserve before 01/08/2016. Mention Chess rate. Info: Tim
Staley staleytimothy@hotmail.com
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 16-17, ILLINOIS
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
TIM JUSTS WINTER OPEN/RESERVE XXXIII
Chicagolands longest continuously run chess tournament organized
by the same organizer!, 5SS, G/90 inc 30. NEW SITE: Hyatt Regency
Schaumburg, 1800 East Golf Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173, (847) 605-1234.
For a limited time: $89 Single/Double room rate. group code: Tim Just
Winter Open, or on-line hotel reservations at: https://resweb.
passkey.com/go/timjustwinteropen2016. $$ ($4,175 b/125 pd players,
$$$ increased to maximum ($4175) as attendance increases!). 2 Sections
Only: Open Section: open to all, FIDE rated thanks to ChessIQ, Open
Prizes: $$ 700-300-200; U2200, 300-150; U2000 $300-125; Unr. can win
top three only. Reserve Section: open to U1800, USCF rated. Reserve
Prizes: $700-300-200; U1600, $225-150; U1400. $200-100; U1200, 150-
75, Unr. can win top three only. Both: EF: Discounted $69 (add $10 if
playing up from Reserve into Open section) USPS with name, id, e-
mail/phone, to current/renewing USCF if recd by 1/12/16, $69 on-line
until 1-15 6PM, all $90 after that. Rds: 9-2-7; 10-3. Re-Entry $45 with
1/2 pt Bye round 1, Byes Rds. 1-4, unretractable rd. 5. Registration,
Ent: Tim Just, 37165 Willow, Gurnee, IL 60031. Info only 847-773-7706
before 6 PM. E-mail for info only (sorry, e-mail & phone entries not avail-
able): timjust@chessforlife.com, Checks payable to: Chess For Life, LLC,
info and PayPal discounted entries until 6 PM 1-15-16: www.chess-
forlife.com. ChessIQ will supply clocks-sets-boards! An Illinois Chess
Association ICA TOUR tournament. Scholastic side event 1-16-16. W.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
A State Championship Event!
JAN. 16-17, MICHIGAN
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
2016 MICHIGAN MASTER/EXPERT & CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS
5-SS. Radisson Hotel Lansing, 111 N. Grand Ave., (517) 482-0188. HR:
$108.95+tax by 1/4/16, after if space available. www.radisson.com/ lans-
ingmi - Code: CHES16. 8 Sections: M/X, A, B, C, D, E (U1200), Novice
(Sat)/Fun Swiss (Sun): Both U1000/Unr. M/X Section will be FIDE rated.
Most recent USCF rating supplement used for ratings. Players must play
in class of their rating. Unrated players must play in Novice sect. Players
may request to play up in class (or unrated players may request being
seeded into a class) if their recent tournament history shows achievement
into that class. TD must approve all requests and will assign a rating to
the player within the rating window of that class. EF: M/X $45 (U18 $5
www.uschess.org 53
Tournament Life / January
off), Free entry to GM, IM, FM, & 2200+, advanced entry fee deducted
from prize. A, B, C, D, E: $42 (U18 $5 off); Novice: $25. Advance entries
must be received by 1/14/16, after $10 more. Fun Swiss: $15. Make
checks payable to MCA. MCA memb reqd for Michigan residents, other
states OK. TL: M/X & Class: G/115 d5, Novice/Fun Swiss: G/30 d5.
Reg.: Online: https://onlineregistration.cc/. Sat, 8-9am; Fun Swiss: Sun,
8:30-9:30am. Rds.: Sat 10am-2:30pm-7pm; Sun 10am-2:30pm. $$Gtd:
$2850; M/X: $300-$200, X: $230 U2100: $120; Class A, B, C, D, E: $180-
$120; U1900/U1700/U1500: $100; Novice/Fun Swiss: Trophies to Top
5 Overall, Top U800, Top U700, Top 600, Top Unr. State Champions (Top
Michigan Resident): Master/Expert, Expert, and Each Class plus Novice.
Trophies for all place-winners listed above. Ent & Info: Jeff Aldrich,
P.O. Box 40, Flint, MI 48501; jeffchess64@gmail.com; (810) 955-7271.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 16-17, NEW HAMPSHIRE
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)
PORTSMOUTH OPEN
Holiday Inn Portsmouth, 300 Woodbury Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801. In
2 Sections, Open: 4SS, 40/90, SD/30 + 30 Sec. Increment. Analog
clocks not allowed in this section. FIDE rated. $$GTD: $550-300. U2250
$150, U2000 $150. U1750: 4SS, 40/90, SD/30 + 30 Sec. Increment,
Analog clocks play 40/90, SD/60, Open to 1749 & under. $$GTD: $450-
250. U1500 $100, U1250 $100. ALL: EF: $55 in advance, $60 at site.
Reg.: Registration 9:00-9:45. Advance entries must be postmarked by
1/9/2016. Rds.: 10-4, 10-4. Accelerated pairings may be used. ENT:
Alex Relyea, 49 Technology Dr. #89, Bedford, NH 03110. INFORMATION:
Alex Relyea relyea@operamail.com. www.relyeachess.com. HR: $79
until 18 December, (603) 431-8000, mention Relyea Chess. W.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 16-17, TENNESSEE
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
TENNESSEE WINTER OPEN
5SS, G/120 d5. Henry Horton State Park, Chapel Hill, TN. $$Gtd. $2000
Prize fund. Sections: Kings (Open) $325-225-125, 1st 2000-2199 $125,
Top U2000 $100, Queens (U1800) $225-125-75, T1500-1599 $100, Top
U1500 $75, Rooks (U1400) $150-100-75, T1000-1199 $75, Top U1000
$50, Top UNR $50, Pawns (U1000) Trophies top 5 Top 600-799, Top
U600. Adult UNR must play in Rooks* or Open section. (Dec. 15 sup).
EF: $50 by 01/13($60 at site), UNR $25 ($35) *(UNR eligible for UNR
prize in Rooks only), Pawns $15 ($25), youth and school members for
trophy only $25 ($35). IM and GM Free entry ($50 taken from prize of
200 or more). On site reg. Sat 8:00-9:15 CST, USCF and TCA Dues req.
OSA. Rds.: Sat. 10:00, 2:30, 7:00, Sun. 9:00, 2:00. Hotel: Henry Horton
State Resort Lodge. Enter on-line at TNCHESS.ORG (by 01/13)or mail
to: Chris Prosser, 733 Long Hunter Ct., Nashville, TN 37217 or
RegionIII@aol.com, 615-426-7105.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 16-17, WISCONSIN
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
51ST NORTHEASTERN OPEN
20th annual MID-AMERICA OPEN
March 18-20 or 19-20, 2016 - Clayton (Saint Louis), Missouri
$20,0 00 GUAR ANT EED P R IZE FUND!
CLAYTON PLAZA HOTEL (formerly Crowne Plaza) in the upscale suburb of Clayton, near Saint Louis
5 rounds, 40/100, SD/30, d10 (2-
day option, rds 1-2 G/60, d10).
Clayton Plaza Hotel, 7750 Carondelet
Ave, Clayton MO 63105 (I-64 W/US 40-W
Exit 32B, 1.2 miles N on Hanley Rd).
Prizes $20,000 unconditionally
guaranteed.
In 7 sections- you face only those in
your section. Unrated will obtain ratings.
Open: $2000-1000-500-300, clear win
or 1st on tiebreak bonus $100, top
U2300/Unr $800-400. 120 GPP.
Under 2100: $1400-700-400-200.
Under 1900: $1400-700-400-200.
Under 1700: $1400-700-400-200.
Under 1500: $1200-600-300-200.
Under 1300: $1000-500-300-200.
Under 1000: $500-300-200-100,
plaques to first 3, top Under 800, Under
600, Unrated.
Unrated prize limits: U1000 $200,
U1300 $300, U1500 $500, U1700 $700.
Balance goes to next player(s) in line.
54 January 2016 | Chess Life
Riverwalk Hotel Downtown Neenah, 123 E. Wisconsin Ave., Neenah, WI
54956. HR: $79 (1-bed king or 2-bed double) 920-725-8441 (Mention
Chess). In 3 Sections, Open: 5SS, 35/90, SD/60 d5, EF: $40 by 1/12;
$47 at site. $$b/50: $300-200-150. 1900-$190, 1800-$180, 1700-$160,
1600-$150, U1600-$120. Rds.: 10-2:30-7:30;10-3. Reserve: 5SS, 35/90,
SD/60 d5, Open to U1500. EF: $25 by 1/12; $32 on site. $$b/40: $120-
100-80. U1200-$80. Rds.: 10-2:30-7:30;10-3. Novice: 6SS, G/60 d5,
Open to U1000. EF: $15 by 1/12; $22 at site. Prizes: Trophies to 1st,
2nd, 1st 600-799, 1st U600, 1st Unrated. Rds.: 10-1-3:30-6:30;10-1.
ALL: Reg: 1/16 - 8:45-9:30 am. One 1/2-point any Rd. Full-pt bye to
2100+ in Rd.1 if requested before Late Reg ends. Checks payable to
Mike Nietman. ENT: Mike Nietman-Organizer, 2 Boca Grande Way, Madi-
son, WI 53719, 608-467-8510 (before 1/15). INFO: mike.nietman@
charter.net. NEWCA Procedural Rules. W.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 16-18, TEXAS
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 50 (ENHANCED)
TEXAS MASTERS
5SS, G/90 inc/30. Dallas Chess Club, 200 S. Cottonwood Dr. #C, Richard-
son, TX 75080. FIDE and US Chess rated but uses FIDE rules. Will use
US Chess ratings and rules for awarding prizes. Default late forfeiture
time is one hour. TD may extend this time at TDs discretion. EF: US
Chess +2400 $90, US Chess 2200-2400(or if you ever been rated 2200
US Chess) $105, Fide rated 2000 and above is $140, U2200US
Chess/U2000Fide $175. US Chess Membership Required. $$b/25: 70%
Guaranteed. $1600-800-400-200. U2400 $500. Reg.: 1/16: 10:00-10:55
am. Rds.: Sat 11:30am, 5 pm ; Sun 11:30am, 5 pm; Mon 10 am. One bye
if requested before end of round 2 and before given a full point bye or
forfeit win. Players who withdraw or take a last round zero point bye
are ineligible for prizes. ENT: Make/mail Checks payable to Dallas Chess
Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036-
4719. INFO: Barb Swafford, 214-632-9000, info@dallaschess.com,
www.dallaschess.com. FIDE.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 16-18 OR 17-18, CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 150 (ENHANCED)
DREAMING KING OPEN
6-SS, 5 Sections, G/100 +30 (2-day schedule rds. 1 - 3 are G/45 d5).
Marriott San Diego Airport/Liberty Station, 2592 Lanning Rd., San Diego,
CA 92106. $$13,000 Guaranteed prize fund. Prizes: Open Section
(FIDE rated except for 3 fast games in the 2- day): $1,800-1,300-900-
600-400-200, U2300 $800-500. U2100, U1900, U1700 Sections, all
$800-500-300-200, U1500 Section: $300-200, BU1300 $300-150, BU1100
$100, Book Prize for Best Unr in each section. Plus Best Game Prize: $50.
Dec official rating list will be used. Fines: $5 for ringing cell phone violations
and $25 for forfeits at TD discretion; also no headsets or earbuds, etc.
Reg.: 3-day: 8:30 - 9:30 AM on Sat, 2-day: 8 - 9 AM on Sunday. Rds.: 3
day: 10 AM & 4 PM all 3 days. 2- day: 9:30 AM, 11:30, 1:30 PM & 4:00
PM (merged) on Sunday, then 10 AM & 4 PM on Monday (Martin Luther
King, Jr. Holiday). EF: $90 if received by 11/30/15 (Early Bird Special), or
Mixed doubles bonus prizes: best
male/female 2-player team combined
score among all sections: $800-400-200.
Team average must be under 2200;
teammates may play in different sections;
register at site (no extra fee) by 2 pm 3/19.
Top 6 sections entry fee: $109
online at chessaction.com by 3/16, $115
phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/14 (entry
only, no questions), 3-day $113, 2-day
$112 mailed by 3/9, $130 at site or online
until 2 hours before game. No checks at
site, credit cards OK.
Under 1000 Section entry fee: All
$50 less than above.
Online entry fee $3 less to Missouri
Chess Association members.
Special 1 year USCF membership
with magazine if paid with entry. Online at
chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult
$22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or
paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25,
Scholastic $17. USCF membership required.
$100 between 12/01/15 and 1/08/16, $120 after 1/08/16 and $140 late
registration at door on 1/16/16. No credit cards at door, checks or cash
only. Special rate of only $75 if U1500 or unrated. Special rate for GMs,
WGMs, IMs and WIMs: $20. Re-entry from 3-day to 2-day: $75, for players
rated U2300 only. SCCF membership reqd ($18 Adult, $13 Jr, or $3 for Jr
w/o mag) for all So Cal residents. Two byes allowed, but must be requested
at least 1 hour before rd. Sorry, no last round byes. Ent: SDCC, PO Box
120162, San Diego, CA 92112 or enter online at www.scchess.com. For
more info call Chuck Ensey at (858) 432-8006, or email me at
chucnglo@aol.com Hotel Rates: Special rate of only $129 (with free park-
ing!) if booked by 1/05/16, book early as rates will go up and rooms will
definitely sell out (only 200 rooms), so it is critical to book EARLY for this
great hotel. Also separate one day Scholastic event on 1/18, $15 EF, 5
rounds G/30 d5, starts at 10 AM, register 9 to 9:50 AM.
JAN. 19, NEW YORK
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
MARSHALL MASTERS
4-SS, G/25 d5. Open to 2000+ players. FIDE Rapid rated. $750 GTD:
250-150-100. Top U2400 125, Top U2300 100, Biggest upset $25. EF:
$40, MCC Mbrs $30. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-
10:45pm. Max one bye, for round 1 or 4 only. Request at entry. 23 W.
10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. www.marshallchessclub.org.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 22-24 OR 23-24, ARIZONA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 40 (ENHANCED)
TUCSON OPEN AND SCHOLASTICS
Doubletree Reid Park, 446 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85711, 520-
881-4200. SECTIONS: Championship, Reserve (U1800), & Booster (U1400).
Scholastic tournament held the same weekend (K-6/U1000) & (K-6/U600)
visit sazchess.org for more info! SCHEDULE: (3-day) 5/SS, 40/90 SD/30
+ 30 inc. Reg.: 1/22 5:30-6:30 PM; Rds.: 7, 10-5, 9:30-3:30. (2-day)
5/SS, Rds.: 1-2 G/60 + 30 inc. Rds: 3-5 40/90 SD/30 + 30 inc. Reg.:
1/23 8:30-9:30 AM; Rds: 10-1:30-5, 9:30-3:30. (Booster 2-day only)
5/SS, G/90; d/5. Reg.: 1/23 8:30-9:30 AM; Rds: 10-1:30-5, 9:30-1.
PRIZES: (Championship) $$Gtd: $700+Plaque-500-300; $$b/4 X, A,
B/below $150 ea. $25 SACA gift certificate to Top Jr. U18, Sr. 50+;
(Reserve) $$b/38: $250-150; $$b/4 C, D/below $100 ea. $25 SACA gift
certificate to Top UNR, Jr. U14, Sr. 50+; (Booster) Trophy + $50 SACA
gift certificate to 1st Place, Trophy to 2nd - 5th Place, Top E, U1000/Unr.
EF: GM/IM FREE! (Championship) $60 additional $20 if U1800; (Reserve)
$45; (Booster) $30. LATE FEE: Additional $10 if entry received after
1/14, $20 after 1/21. ALL: 1/2 pt. byes all rounds but must be requested
prior to start of Round 2 (max 2). Re-entries $40. HR: $99 if by 12/23,
use code CHS. Info: Lee LaFrese, 520-906-7305, email: sazchess.
events@gmail.com. Ent: Events4Chess.com; postal registration available
if postmarked by 1/15 (checks payable to SACA) at SACA, Attn: 2016
Tucson Open, PO Box 40663, Tucson, AZ 85717. W.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 6 pm,
rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15.
2-day schedule: Reg. Sat. to 10 am,
rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15.
Half point byes OK all, limit 2; Open
must commit before round 2, others
before round 3.
All: Bring sets, boards, clocks if
possible- none supplied. Unofficial web
ratings usually used if otherwise unrated.
Junior Grand Prix Points available.
Hotel rates: $97-100-105-110,
includes free full hot buffet breakfast &
free parking, 888-303-1746, 314-726-
5400, request chess rate, reserve by 3/4 or
rate may increase.
Entry: chessaction.com or Continental
Chess, Box 8482, Pelham NY 10803. $15
service charge for refunds. Questions:
director@chess.us, chesstour.com, 347-
201-2269.
Entries posted at chessaction.com
(online entries posted instantly).
 See previous issue for TLAs appearing January 1-14

JAN. 23, ILLINOIS
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
BRADLEY WINTER OPEN
4 SS, G/80 d5. Robert Michel Student Center, 915 N. Elmwood, Peoria,
IL 61625. 2 Sections: Open & Reserve (1400). EF: $30 by 1/21, $35 at
site. Free to Masters. $$Gtd: $620 (1st, 2nd 3rd & Upset in Open & 1st,
2nd & Upset in Reserve). Class prizes are based on b/3 for X, A, B, & C
for Open section & D & E for Reserve section. Open: 1st $240, 2nd $120,
3rd $60, X, A, B & C $60 & $30 each, Upset $25. Reserve (1400): 1st
$90, 2nd $60, Classes D & E $60 & $30 each, Upset $25. Reg.: 8-8:45.
Rds.: 9,12, 2:45, 5:30. Bye: 1-4,www.bradleywinteropen.com. Ent: Murrel
Rhodes, 1116 N. Parkside Dr., Peoria, IL 61606, 309-682-0675 day, mur-
rel@gmail.com.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 24, NEW JERSEY
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15 (ENHANCED)
DR. DAVID OSTFELD MEMORIAL ICA OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Site: Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601.
Open to All Ages With Rating above 1400. 4SS, G/61 d5. Prize Fund 1st -
3rd $300, $250, $200, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600 each $100 Best Under
13 Years Old $75, Best Over 55 Years Old $75. Reg Ends at 9 AM Only one
1/2-point bye allowed, if requested before the start of round two. EF: Adv
(pmk. By Jan 20th) $40, AT Site $45. GMs Free Entry. INFO 201 287 0250
or chessdirector@icanj.net. $$b/40: Prize Fund Will Not Be Reduced
Below 70%. Rds.: 9:30 AM, 11:45 AM, 2:15 PM, 4:30 PM. ENT: Make EF
payable to: International Chess Academy. Mail To: Diana Tulman, 28 Can-
terbury Ln., New Milford, NJ 07646. INFO: www.icanj.net. W.
JAN. 25, FEB. 1, 8, NEW YORK
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
27TH NASSAU G/60 CHAMPIONSHIP
6-SS, G/55+5sec or G/60. 1st Presbyterian Church, 1st & Main Sts.,
Mineola. EF: $39 by 1/22, $46 at site, non-memb $10 more. $$ (700
b/20, top 2 G) 180-120, U2100, 1850, 1600, 1350/UR each 100. 3 byes
1-6. Rds.: 7:15-9:25 each Mon. Rule 14H not used. Captnhal@opt
online.net. Ent: Harold Stenzel, 80 Amy Dr., Sayville, NY 11782.
JAN. 29, NEW YORK
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
MARSHALL $500 FIDE BLITZ (BLZ)
9-SS, G/3 d2. FIDE Blitz rated. $500: $200-100, top U2400/unr, U2200,
U2000, U1800: $50. Highest rating (regular, quick or blitz) used for
pairings & prizes. EF: $30, MCC Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45.
Rds.: 7-7:30-7:50-8:10-8:40-9-9:20-9:40-10pm. Max three byes. Request
at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 29-31 OR 30-31, FLORIDA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15
CENTRAL FLORIDA CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS
5SS, G/120 d5 (2-day: Rd.1 G/60 d5). International Palms Resort, 6515
International Dr., Orlando, FL 32819. $$7,500 b/150, 60% Guaranteed.
6 Sections: Mast/Exp: $1000-400-200,U2200 $350.Class A: $700-300,
U1900 $150. Class B: $700-300, U1700 $150. Class C: $700-300, U1500
$150. Class D: $700-300, U1300 $150. U1200: $500-300, U1000 $100,
U800 $50. Rated players may play up one class only. Unrateds limited
to $100 unless Place prize in Mast/Exp. Event part of CFCC GP with
$600 additional prizes.Trophies to top in each section (& Class X),
also Class F, G, H, I, J & Unr in U1200 having more than one entry. Tro-
phies/Titles to Rated Florida residents. Special OCA Random Awards
TBD. EF: $80 by Jan 22, $90 later; plus $5 if paid on-site. $20 less to
students in grades K-8 in U1200 section. CFCC memb discount:
$10 ($5 for Jr/Sr memb). Re-entry $40. Reg.: ends 1/2 hr before 1st
rd. Rd.1: 7pm Fri (2-day: 10am Sat at G/60 d5). Rds.: 2-5: Sat 1 & 6,
Sun 9 & 2. 1/2-pt. byes if commited before rd. 2 (max 2). HR: $84 (No
Resort Fee) (407) 351-3500; (Mention Chess); or at www.tinyurl.
com/Jan2016Hotel. ( 1-day Cancellation fee.) Reserve by Jan 10.
Free Parking & WiFi. Ent: CFCC, c/o Harvey Lerman, 921 N. Thistle Ln.,
Maitland, FL 32751; or online at website: https://onlineregistration.
cc/CFCC/CFCL16 by Jan 28. Info: Call 407-629-6946, (407-670-9304
for onsite cell) or www.centralflchess.org.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 29-31 OR 30-31, OHIO
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 80 (ENHANCED)
39TH CARDINAL OPEN, COLUMBUS
5-SS, 40/110 SD/30 d10 (2-day rds. 1&2 G/75 d10). Sets provided, bring
clocks. 1 bye any round. Open section FIDE rated & Laws of Chess,
others US Chess only. Re-entry any section. $10,000 in 5 sections, top
4 prizes guaranteed, rest b/200 paid entries, prizes added if more!
OCA Grand Prix. Open $1200-800-500-350, $100 bonus clear 1st or on
tiebreak, all gtd; U2300 $450-300; U2100 $900-450-200-100; U1800
$900-450-200-100; U1500 $700-350-170-100; U1200 $700-350-170-
100; top female any section $110; upset $50/section. Unrateds limited
to 3rd prize except in Open. EF $90 if recd by 1/21, then $100 in advance
or $105 on site; no checks onsite. Free to IM/GM, $90 deducted from
winnings. OH residents OCA membership reqd. 3-day: Reg Fri 5-6:30pm,
Rds. 7:15; Sat 10-5; Sun 9-3:15. 2-day: Reg Sat 8:15-9:15, Rds. 10-1:30
then merge w/3-day. Blitz Sat eve, G/5 d0, FIDE rated! Enter online or
FOTK Chess Club, 2720 Airport Dr., Columbus, OH 43219. Embassy
Suites Hotel, 2886 Airport Dr., Columbus, OH 43219, 614-536-0500,
$114/night chess rate thru Jan 22. Full details, entry form and online
entry at website: www.neilley.com/chess/. Info: grant@neilley.com,
614-314-1102. W.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 29-31, NORTH CAROLINA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 100 (ENHANCED)
LAND OF THE SKY XXIX
5SS, 40/120, SD/30 d5 (U12 is G/90 d5). Crowne Plaza Resort Asheville,
One Resort Dr., Asheville, NC 28806. Weekend before Super Bowl.
$14,000 b/225 fully paid, $9,000 gtd. Open (FIDE-rated, 100% gtd):
$1600-750-400-300-250. U2300 $450-250. Asheville (FIDE-rated, Under
2200): $1000-500-250. 1999-1900,1899-1800, U1800 $ 450-250 each;
Unrated: $100. Buncombe (Under 1700): $1000-500-250. 1599-1500,
1499-1400, 1399-1300, Under 1300 $450-250 each; Unrated: $100. U12
(Under 1200): $500-250-125. U900: $225-125 Unrated: $100. Biggest
Upset in Tmnt: $50-25. EF (Open, Asheville, Buncombe): $84 by 1/22.
GMs/IMs free ($94 deducted from prize). EF: (U12): $42 by 1/22. No-
prize EF for under age 18 in Asheville, Buncombe, U12: $21 (no
discounts). Unrated EF in Asheville, Buncombe, U12: $21 (no discounts,
eligible for unrated prize only). ALL: On-site entries $10 more. Discounts
(pre-reg or on-site, one per player): $10 off for players new to Land of
the Sky, 2nd family member, or Under 18. Add $42 to play in a section
more than 200 points above your rating, 1 section max. Rds.: 1st rd.
either Fri 7pm or Sat 9am (G/90 d5), then Sat 1pm - 7pm, Sun 9am -
3pm. One 1/2 pt bye avail rds. 1-4, declare by rd. 2. BLITZ: Sat 10 am
EF: $20. 100% of entry fees paid in prizes. ENT: WW, PO Box 1123,
Weaverville, NC 28787, 828-645-4215, fax: 828-645-4216. HR: $92 dbl.
Reserve early at 828-254-3211 or 800-733-3211 and mention tournament.
INFO: Wilder Wadford, wwadford48@gmail.com www.ncchess.org
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 29-31 OR 30-31, CALIFORNIA, NORTHERN
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30 (ENHANCED)
BAY AREA CHESS CM AZHAR MEMORIAL CHAMPIONSHIP
1639A S. Main St., Milpitas, CA 95035. 5SS, G/90+30 2-day rds. 1-2 G/60
d5. Park free. Prize: 5,000 b/90 (60% guar). 3 sects: 2000+ (FIDE) $1,000-
500-200, u2300: 250-125-100. 1600-1999: $700-300-100, u1800: 200-100,
u1600: $700-300-100 u1400: 125-100, u1200: 100. Unr max $100 exc
Open. Jan 16 Supp & TD disc. Reg.: F 6:30-6:45p & Sa 9:30-9:45a .Rds.:
F 7p, Sa 10a, 3p Su 10a 2:30p. (2-day Sa 10a 12:30 & merge). EF: 99, Econ
EF: 79 w 60% prz, after 1/25 +20. Playup +35. Rated 2250+ $0 by 1/18
(prize - EF). Info: www.BayAreaChess.com/champs.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 29-31 OR 30-31, MARYLAND
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30
54TH ANNUAL BALTIMORE OPEN
5SS, 40/90, SD/30 + 30 incr, (Rnd. 1 G/90 +30 incr) (2-day schedule:
rds. 1-2 G/45+30incr) U1250 & U1000 G/120 d/5 (rds. 1-2 G/60 d5),
(U1250 3-day option rds. 1&2 G/120 d5) Sheraton BWI, 1100 Old Elkridge
Landing Rd., Linthicum Heights, MD 21090. $$Based on score. 7 sections:
Championship (min. rating of 1900) FIDE rated: 5.0 =$1600, 4.5 =$800,
4.0=$450, 3.5=$175, 3.0=$50 [min $1500 payout, top score group
raised if less than $1500]. U2100 (FIDE rated): 5.0 =$1500, 4.5 =$700,
4.0=$350, 3.5=$150, 3.0=$40. U1900: 5.0 =$1200, 4.5 =$650,
4.0=$350, 3.5=$125. U1700: 5.0= $1200, 4.5 = $600, 4.0= $300, 3.5=
$100. U1500: 5.0= $1000, 4.5= $500, 4.0= $250, 3.5= $100. U1250 &
U1000: 5.0= $500, 4.5= $250, 4.0= $125, 3.5= $50. If no 5-0 in section,
then sole 1st at 4.5 or shared 1st at lower score receive bonus
(added to score prize) - Championship: $300; U2100 $200, U1900 $150,
U1700 & U1500: $100; U1250 & U1000: $50. Unrated may not win over

10th annual PHILADELPHIA OPEN

March 23-27, 24-27, 25-27 or 26-27, Easter weekend at luxurious Philadelphia Marriott
Prizes $80,000 based on 500 paid entries, $60,000 minimum, IM and GM norms possible!
Open: 9SS, 40/2, SD/30, d10.
Other sections: 7SS, 40/2, SD/30,
d10 (3-day option, rds 1-2 G/60, d10; 2-
day option, rds 1-4 G/30, d10). All
merge & play for same prizes.
Marriott Hotel, 1201 Market St,
directly across street from famous
Reading Terminal Market (over 100 food
vendors). Chess rates $104-104-124,
215-625-2900, reserve by 3/11.
Parking: Marriott valet about $20.
Gateway Garage, 1540 Spring St (3/5
mile from Marriott, 1 block from Sheraton
Hotel) about $5 Sat & Sun, $18/day
other days.
7 sections. Prizes based on 500 paid
entries, else proportional (seniors, re-
entries, GMs, IMs, WGMs count half,
U1100 Section 40%), with 75% minimum
($60,000) guaranteed.
Open: $7000-4000-2000-1000-800-
600-500-500-400-400, clear/tiebreak 1st
$200, FIDE U2400/Unr $2000-1000. FIDE
rated, 200 Grand Prix points.
Under 2200, Under 2000, Under
1800 Sections: $5000-2500-1200-800-
600-500-400-300-300-300.
Under 1600 Section: $4000-2000-
1000-700-500-400-300-300-300-300.
Under 1400 Section: $3000-1500-
1000-700-500-400-300-300-300-300.
Under 1100 Section: $1000-700-
500-400-300-300-200-200-100-100.
Unrated not allowed in U1400, U1600
or U1800. Maximum prize for unrated in
U1100 Section $300, in U2000 Section
$2000.
Mixed doubles: $1000-500-300-200.
2-player male/female teams averaging
under 2200, may play in different sections;
see TLA or chesstour.com.
Prize limits: 1) If post-event rating
posted 3/22/15-3/22/16 is more than 30
pts above section max, limit $1500. 2)
Players with under 26 lifetime games as of
3/16 official list cannot win over $500 in
U1100, $1000 in U1400, $1500 in U1600,
or $2000 in U1800.
Open entry fee:
GMs/IMs/WGMs $125 online by
3/21, $150 at site.
US player not FIDE or USCF 2200/
over: $355 online at chessaction.com by
1/14, $375 by 3/21, $400 at site.
Others: $205 at chessaction.com by
1/14, $225 online by 3/21, $250 at site.
M inim um prize guarantees for GMs
& foreign FIDE: see TLA or chesstour.com.
U2200 to U1400 Section: $205
online by 1/14, $225 by 3/21, $250 at site.
U1100 Section entry fee: $75 online
by 3/21, $100 at site.
Online late entry: available until 2
hours before round 1; same fee as at site.
Phone or mail entry: see Chess Life or
chesstour.com.
Senior 65/over in U1400/up, $100
less.
Re-entry (no Open to Open) $100.
5-day Open schedule: Reg. ends
Wed 6 pm, rds. Wed 7, Thu 12 & 7, Fri 11
& 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4.
4-day: Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds. Thu
7 pm, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4.
3-day: Reg. ends Fri 10 am, rds. Fri
11, 2:30 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4.
2-day: Reg. ends Sat 9 am, rds Sat
10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 4.
Half point bye OK all, limit 3 (limit 2
last 4 rounds). Open must commit before
round 2, others round 4.
All: FIDE ratings used for Open, USCF
March for others, unofficial usually used if
otherwise unrated. Bring set, board, clock
if possible- not supplied. USCF
membership required; see Chess Life or
chessaction.com for special dues rates.
Entries posted at chessaction.com
(online entries posted instantly). $15
charge for refunds.
Blitz tournament Sat 10 pm, enter
by 9:45 pm.

www.uschess.org 55
Tournament Life / January
$100 in U1000, $200 U1250, or $400 in U1500. Sets and boards provided.
Clocks provided in the Championship through U1700 sections.
Optionally, pairings can be texted/emailed to your phone. Free
Sunday morning continental breakfast for players. Free parking. EF:
$97 by 1/15, $102 by 1/26, and $107 online only by 1/28, $110 at the
door. Special EFs: $35 less for U1250 & U1000; GMs free, $50 deducted
from prize; IMs $45 off EF, $20 deducted from prize. HR: $79, ($5 EF
discount if staying at hotel). Rooms may not be avail after 1/15. 3-day
schedule: Reg. ends Fri 7pm, rds. Fri 8, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 9 & 3. 2-day
schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10am rds. 11, 2:15 & 6, Sun 9 & 3. U1250 &
U1000 schedule Reg. ends Sat 10am rds. 11, 1:15 & 4:00, Sun 9 &1:00.
U1250 3-day schedule Reg. ends Fri 7 pm, rds. Fri 8, Sat 11 & 4:00, Sun 9
& 1:00. Ent: MCA, 1827 Thornton Ridge Rd., Towson, MD 21204. Detailed
rules, more information and registration www.thebaltopen.com.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 30-31, CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
2016 PAUL KERES MEMORIAL
(A sponsored event) 6SS, G/61 d5. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA 90025,
2nd fl. 1 Open section. EF: $75; $55 LACC members; No prizes 1/2,
spouses/siblings 1/2, new members 1/2, Free new LACC Life members.
Reg.: Sat 11-11:45 am. Rds.: 12, 2, 4 pm each day. Byes: Up to three
1/2-point byes available. 1-Day option I: Play 1 day- no 1/2 pt. byes-
1/2 EF. 1-Day option II: Play 1 day & receive three 1/2 pt. byes- Full
EF. Prizes: $$1,500 (b/45) $750 Gtd. 1st-3rd $400-200-100 U2000: $100.
U1800: $200-100-$50; U1600: $100-50-25; U1400: $100-50-25. Info:
Mick Bighamian: (310) 795-5710; Mick@LAChessClub.com or
www.LAChessClub.com. Parking: Free on streets, BoA, or basement.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 30-31, IOWA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10 (ENHANCED)
2ND ANNUAL PORT OF BURLINGTON OPEN FIDE AND US CHESS
RATED
2016 Iowa State GP Qualifier Event. 5SS , G/90 i30. The Loft of Burlington,
416 Jefferson St., Burlington, IA 52601. $500 Guaranteed. Open
$150+Trophy-100-75 U2000 $100 U1800 $75 Chess Book for top three
Upsets; EF: $45 till Jan 28th then $55; $20 extra for players u1600 to
play in open section. IM and GM free with ($45 deducted from prize).
Iowa State Membership (if resident of Iowa) Reqd, Other States Welcome.
Reg.: Ends 15 min before round 1. No electronic devices in the playing
hall. Rds.: Sat 10:00am; 2:30pm; 7:30pm; Sun 9:00am; 2:00pm. All
Sections One half point bye if requested before round1. Ent: Eric Vigil,
445 Galway Dr., Iowa City, IA 52246. evigil@gmail.com, 319-621-3116
or online at https://www.onlineregistration.cc/ Additional Info: US
Chess and FIDE Rated. Jan 2016 US Chess Rating supplement will be
used for Pairing Purposes. FIDE rules will be used. Port of Burlington
Reserve Jan 30th 2016: 4 round Swiss, G/60 d5. EF $25, $30 After
Jan 28th or onsite Rounds 10AM, 12:30pm, 3:45pm Asap. EF $25 before
Jan 28, $30 after or onsite, Prizes $100 1st place, $75 second, $50 3rd
based on 15 entries. (60% payout), Chess Book for U1400 1st and 2nd.
Chess Book for best upset and Board Raffle Prizes! Free regular Scholastic
membership if expired or new member for all sections. Port of Burlington
RBO Jan 30th 2016: 5 round Swiss, G/30 d5. EF $15, $20 After Jan
28th or onsite. 5 Rounds: Sat 10, 11, 1pm, rounds 4 and 5 ASAP. Prizes:
Trophies 1-5th place U1000, U800, U600 1st and 2nd U400 1st and 2nd,
U200 1st and Unrated 1st and 2nd, Board Raffle Prizes!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 30-31, NEW YORK
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
MARSHALL NO-DRAWS WEEKEND!
6-SS, G/75 d10. No Draws! If a game ends in a draw by any means, the
players will switch colors and play another game with the remaining
time on the clock. This continues until there is a winner. *Only the first
game will be counted for USCF rating* Prizes: ($875 b/35) $300-200,
U2300: $125, U2000: $125, U1700: $125. EF: $80, MCC Mbrs $40. GMs
Free, Mbr EF reduced from prizes. Reg.: Ends 15 min before round start.
World Open returns to Philadelphia!
9 rounds, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - $225,000 GUARANTEED PRIZES
Open Section: June 30-July 4, GM & IM norms possible
Under 2200 to Under 1200: June 30-July 4, July 1-4 or 2-4
Under 900 Section, Unrated Section: July 2-4
5-DAY SCHEDULE: all 40/2, SD/30, d10.
4-DAY SCHEDULE: rounds 1-2 G/60, d10, then merges.
3-DAY SCHEDULE: rounds 1-5 G/35, d10, then merges.
U900 SCHEDULE, UNRATED SCHEDULE: all G/60, d10.
All schedules merge and compete for same prizes.
Also Philadelphia International July 5-10 and many side events. See Tournament Life or chesstour.com for details.
56 January 2016 | Chess Life
Rds.: Sat. & Sun. 12:30-3:45-7:00pm. Two byes available, request at
entry. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. www.marshallchessclub.org.
FEB. 6, CONNECTICUT
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15
2016 GREATER NEW HAVEN WINTER OPEN!
at Foote School. Open, U1700: 4/SS, G/60 d5, Rds.: 9-11-1:30-3:30,
Rds. 1 & 2 acclrtd prngs. U1200, U1000, U800/UNR: 5SS, G/30 d5,
Rds.: 10am then ASAP. Open: $300 + trophy, $200, $100, $100, 2 x
$50. U1700 $100 + trophy, $50, $50 b/30. Trophies to top 5 U1200,
U1000, U800/Unrated, top 3 school teams. EF: $40 Online, $50 by 3/4
or mail, $80 on site. Reg.: 8:30-9:30. EF: Educational Technologies, 343
Beach St. #404, West Haven, CT 06516. Register Online and save!
www.edutechchess.com or www.CTChess.com.
FEB. 6, MISSOURI
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20
8TH ANNUAL METRO SAINT LOUIS CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP
3SS, G/85 d5. Chess Club & Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657
Maryland Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108. Free entries for GMs and IMs.
EF: $50, $40 for annual members of the club if registered by 2/5. PF:
$2050 UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED!! Master/Expert Section $450-
$350-$250. $200 for 1st in each Section: A, B, C, D, U1200/UNR. Players
must compete in their own class. Reg.: 10-10:45. Rds.: 11, 2:30, 6. One
1/2 point bye if declared before round 1. Ent: 4657 Maryland Ave., Saint
Louis, MO 63108, or online at saintlouischessclub.org. Info: 314-361-
CHESS, info@saintlouischessclub.org.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 6-7, WISCONSIN
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
UW WINTER OPEN
5-SS, TC rds. 1-3 G/120 d5; rds. 4-5 45/2 d5, SD/1 d5. Howard Johnsons,
3841 East Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53704, 608-244-2481. HR: $79
1-4 guests includes breakfast. Ask for chess tournament. Reg.: 9-9:30.
Rds.: 10, 2:30, 7:30; 10, 3:30. EF: $25 if received by 2/4, $30 at site. $$
$1000 GTD. 1st $200, 2nd $165, 3rd $135, A $100, B $90, C $80, D $70,
E $60, U1000 $50, Unr $50. Entries: Guy Hoffman, 1305D Tompkins Dr.,
Madison, WI 53716-3279. Schachfuhrer@hotmail.com. Phone: 920-279-
0701. WI Chess Tour Event.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 6-7, PENNSYLVANIA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
2ND ANNUAL DR. WINSOR C. SCHMIDT MEMORIAL TOURNA-
MENT
5-SS, G/90 d10. EF: $50 online, $60 on-site. $$1250 b/40 else in pro-
portion Open/Unrated: $500-$200-$100 U1800: $200-$100 U1400:
$100-$50 Classes may convert to sections as appropriate. Rds.: 2/6:
10:00am, 2:00pm, 6:00pm 2/7: 9:00am, 1:00pm (early for Superbowl)
Byes: Limit 2, Must be requested at registration or before end of Round
1. Reg.: Online at www.lancasterchess.com. On-site Ends 9:45am on
2/6. Site: Lancaster Elks Lodge, 219 N Duke St., Lancaster, PA 17602.
Hotel Rates available! Contact: Jere Cassidy, www.lancasterchess.com,
717-431-0199. Email: jere@lancasterchess.com.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 11-15, 12-15, 13-15 OR 14-15, TEXAS
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 150 (ENHANCED)
7TH ANNUAL SOUTHWEST CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS
9SS (Master Section), 7SS (other sections), DFW Airport Marriott South,
4151 Centreport Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76155. Free parking, free airport
shuttle. 5-day schedule, Feb 11-15: Master Section only, GM & IM
norms possible, 40/2, SD/30 d10. 4-day schedule, Feb 12-15: Expert
through Class E, 40/2, SD/30 d10. 3-day schedule: Expert through
Class E, Feb 13-15, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10, then merges with 4-day. 2-day
schedule: Class B through E, Feb 14-15, rds. 1-4 G/30 d10, then merges
with others. $30,000 prize fund unconditionally guaranteed. FIDE
ratings used in Master Section, USCF February official in others. In 7
sections; rated players may play up one section; foreign FIDE rated
1800/up may enter Master. Master (2200/up): $3000-1500-1000-600-
400, clear or tiebreak winner $200, top FIDE U2300 $1400-700. FIDE.
Expert (2000-2199): $2000-1000-500-300-200. Class A (1800-1999/Unr):
$2000-1000-500-300-200. Class B (1600-1799/Unr): $2000-1000-500-
300-200. Class C (1400-1599/Unr): $1200-600-400-300-200. Class D
(1200-1399/Unr): $1200-600-400-300-200. Class E (Under 1200/Unr):
$800-400-300-200-100. Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) may enter
A through E, with maximum prize E $200, D $300, C $400, B $600, A
$800. Mixed doubles bonus prizes: best male/female 2-player team
combined score among all sections after 7 rounds: $1000-600-400. Team
average must be under 2200; teammates may play in different sections;
teams must register (no extra fee) before both players begin round 2;
prize limits do not apply to mixed doubles. Top 4 sections EF: $158
online at chessaction.com by 2/10, $180 at site, or online until 2 hours
before game. $170 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 2/8 (entry only, no ques-
tions); no phone entry after 2/8. 5-day $165, 4-day $164, 3-day $163,
2-day $162 mailed by 2/3. GMs, foreign IMs, foreign WGMs in Master
Section free; $150 deducted from prize. US IMs, foreign FIDE rated
players in Master Section, EF $50 less. Class C or D Section EF: All
$60 less than top 4 sections EF. Class E Section EF: All $100 less than
top 4 sections EF. Re-entry (no Master to Master) $50. All: Special 1 yr
USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chessaction.com,
Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at
site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. 5-day schedule: Late
reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds. Thu 7, Fri 12 & 7, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon
10 & 4. 4-day schedule: Late reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11
& 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4. 3-day schedule: Late reg. ends Sat 10
am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4. 2-day schedule:
Late reg. ends Sun 9 am, rds. Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 4. Byes:
OK all, limit 2; Master must commit before rd. 2, others before rd. 4.
Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. For-
eign player ratings (Expert & below): See chesstour.com/
foreignratings.htm. HR: $100-100, 817-358-1700, reserve by 1/29 or
rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633.
Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions:
chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269. $15 service charge
for refunds. Bring set, board, clock if possible; none supplied. Advance
entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Blitz
tournament Sun 10 pm, enter by 9:45 pm.
FEB. 13, GEORGIA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
2016 A.C.P. G/90 CHAMPIONSHIP
3-SS, G/90 d5. Interactive College of Technology, 5227 New Peachtree
Rd., Chamblee, GA 30341. $1500 b/55, 60% guaranteed. In 3 sections:
Championship: $300-200-100; u2000- $100. Under 1900: $200-100;
u1700- $100. Under 1500: $200-100; u1200- $100. Entry Fee: $35 by
2/11; $40 at site. Reg.: 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Rounds: 10:30-2-5:30. Bye:
1, commit before 1st round. Info: info@americanchesspromotions.com
or (478)-973-9389. Enter: American Chess Promotions, 3055 General Lee
Rd., Macon, GA 31204-1517 or www.americanchesspromotions.com. W.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
A State Championship Event!
FEB. 13, PENNSYLVANIA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
2016 PA STATE GAME/75 CHAMPIONSHIP
4SS, G/75 d5. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pitt., 5th & Bigelow, Pittsburgh,
PA 15213. 3 Sections, $$ (695G): Championship: EF: $30 by 2/5, $40
later. $200-100, U2000 $75, U1800 $50. Premier: U1600. EF: $25 by
2/5, $35 later. $90-60, U1400 $50, U1200 $40, U1000 $30; Trophies to
Top 2, Top 2 U1400, Top 2 U1200, Top 2 U1000. Scholastic: Grades K-
12 U900. EF: $15 by 2/5, $25 later. Trophies to Top 7, 1-3 U600. ALL:
Teams of 4 to 7 combined from all sections, Trophies 1st-2nd schools,
clubs. PSCF $5, OSA. Reg ends: 9:30am. Rds.: 10-1-4-7. Ent/Info: PSCF,
c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223, 412-908-0286.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 13-14, OKLAHOMA

TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
7TH JERRY HANKEN WINTER FIDE OPEN
5-SS; G/90+30 spm; $$G $1,300. Trade Winds Central, 3141 E. Skelly
Dr. (NW corner of 51st & Harvard), Tulsa, OK 74105; (918) 749-5561;
Free-WIFI. www.tradewindstulsa.com; Hotel rates: $55 $65; EF: Open
$50; Reserve $40 (deduct $10 from either if envelope postmarked on or
before Feb 10th; OCF $10 required if not current); Reg.: 9-9:45 Sat AM;
Rds.: 10-2:30-7; 9-1:15; Two Sections: Open - FIDE $G 1st $300 U-
2100 $150-100; U-1900 $150-100; U-1700 - FIDE $G: 1st: $200-100;
U-1400 $100; U-1100 + UNR $100; more $$ if entrees permit; 1 half pt
bye rds. 1-5; commit before Sat 9 PM. Frank Berry, 402 S. Willis St.,
Stillwater, OK 74074. FKimBerry@AOL.com, OCFChess.org.
FEB. 16, NEW YORK
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
MARSHALL MASTERS
4-SS, G/25 d5. Open to 2000+ players. FIDE Rapid rated. $750 GTD:
250-150-100. Top U2400 125, Top U2300 100, Biggest upset $25. EF:
$40, MCC Mbrs $30. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-
10:45pm. Max one bye, for round 1 or 4 only. Request at entry. 23 W.
10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. www.marshallchessclub.org.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 19-21 OR 20-21, GEORGIA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30
GEORGIAN PEACH OPEN
5SS, (Open Section is G/90, i30, and FIDE rated; All other Sections are
G/120 d5). Free entry for GMs,IMs,WGMs and WIMs (EF deducted from
winnings). SIDE EVENTS: (Schol. USCF-RATED Team & Ind., 4SS, G/30
d5, 1-day only, Sat. Feb. 20th; Schol. NON-RATED Team & Ind., 4SS,
G/30 d5, 1-day only, Sun. Feb. 21st); 5-min. Blitz CAJUN KNOCK-OUT
(Sat. night after Rd. 3). Separate room for schol. events - A trophy or
medal will be awarded to each schol. player. Wyndham Atlanta Galleria,
6345 Powers Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, GA (770-955-1700; free parking
and free basic internet in each room). 5 Sects. PRIZES: $10,000 b/200
full-paid ent. OPEN: $1400-800-500-300-200; U2200: $700-400; U2000:
$800-400-200-100-50; U1800: $800-400-200-100-50; U1600/Unr*: $800-
400-200-100-50; U1300: $400-300-200-100-50. *Unrated players may
only win 50% of the prize fund except in the Open Sect. where they must
pay full EF and are eligible for full prize fund. USCF-RATED Schol. Sects.
(Team & Individual play Saturday at 10am): OPEN, U1300, U900,
U500. Prizes: Trophies to top 5 individuals & top 3 teams in each section
(more ind. trophies depending on pre-entries). NON-RATED Schol. Sects.
(Team & Individual play Sunday at 1pm): K-2, K-5, K-8, K-12. Prizes:
Trophies to top 5 individuals & top 3 teams in each section (more ind.
trophies depending on pre-entries). Every non-trophy winner receives a
souvenir chess medal. Teams may have as many players as they wish
from the same school in the same section but must have a minimum of
3 players to be considered a team; the top 4 scores will count for final
team score. USCF-Rated Scholastic Players may play in both Scholas-
tic and OPEN Tournaments if desired by registering for the Scholastic
Tournament on Saturday AND the 3-day OPEN Tournament Schedule
with a 1/2-point Bye in the 2nd Round of the 3-Day Schedule.
USCF-recommended computer tiebreaks will decide trophy and medal
placements for winners of all schol. sections. Free chess gift to oldest
player and to player who travels farthest to OPEN tourn. CAJUN BOUNTY:
Defeat the top ranked player in the Main Event and win free entry to our
next tournament! Byes: Avail. all Rds. (must commit before Rd. 3). EF:
$89 by 2/12; $99 thereafter and at site; Unr. (U1600) and Jrs. (under
19 yrs of age and playing in U1300 or U1600 Sections) $59 by 2/12; $69
thereafter and at site. Schol. EF: $20 by 2/12; $25 thereafter and at
site; Re-Entry Fee: $25 (avail. up to Rd. 4 but no Re-entry in OPEN Sect;
3 re-entries or 2 Jr. entries count as one additional entry for prize fund).
3-day Sched: Reg. Fri. 5:30-7pm, Rds. Fri. 8pm; Sat. 2-7, Sun. 10-3. 2-
day Sched: Reg. Sat. 7:45-8:30am, Rds. Sat. 9-2-7, Sun. 10-3. Both
schedules merge at Rd. 2. Schol. Sched: (For USCF-Rated players) - all
4 rds. G/30 d5 - one day only, Sat., Feb. 20, with on-site Reg. from
8:30am-9:30am and Rd. one at 10am. Other Rds. will immediately follow.
(For NON-Rated players) - all 4 rds. G/30 d5 - one day only, Sun., Feb.
21, with on-site Reg. from 11:30am-12:30pm and Rd. one at 1pm. Other
Rds. will immediately follow. HR: $105 (770-955-1700), reserve by Jan.
18 and mention Cajun Chess tournament to assure group rate. ENT: On-
line registration, printable entry form, and more detailed info at
www.cajunchess.com, or mail entry form to Cajun Chess, 12405 Hillary
Step Dr., Olive Branch, MS 38654. Info or Phone Ent: 504-208-9596 or
504-905-2971. Major credit cards accepted (no checks at site). FIDE.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 19, 26, MAR. 4, 11, 18, NEW YORK
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
QUEENS LATE WINTER OPEN
5-SS, G/90 (G/85 d5). All Saints Lutheran Church, 164-02 Goethals Ave.,
Jamaica, NY 11432. EF: $40, $35 QCC. $200-$100 gtd to top 2, more per
entries. Up to two 1/2 pt byes ok (declare before Rd. 3) REG.: 7-7:45
pm, Rds. 8:00 each Fri. ENT (mail by 2/13/16): Ed Frumkin, 445 E. 14th
St., #10D, New York, NY 10009.
FEB. 26, NEW YORK
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
MARSHALL $500 FIDE BLITZ (BLZ)
9-SS, G/3 d2. FIDE Blitz rated. $500: $200-100, top U2400/unr, U2200,
U2000, U1800: $50. USCF regular rating used for pairings & prizes. EF:
$30, MCC Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-7:30-7:50-8:10-
8:40-9-9:20-9:40-10pm. Max three byes. Request at entry. 23 W. 10th
St., NYC. 212-477-3716. www.marshallchessclub.org.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 26-28 OR 27-28, VIRGINIA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 100 (ENHANCED)
GEORGE WASHINGTON OPEN
5SS, 40/110, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Hyatt Dulles,
2300 Dulles Corner Blvd., Herndon, VA 20171. Free parking, free airport
shuttle, indoor pool, free wireless in guest room. From north or east, VA-
267 to VA-657 to Sunrise Valley Drive; from south or west, VA-28 to
See previous issue for TLAs appearing January 1-14
Frying Pan Rd to Sunrise Valley Drive. 35 minutes drive from Washington,
1 hour from Baltimore, 2 hours from Harrisburg. $13,000 guaranteed
prizes. In 5 sections. Open: $1500-800-500-300, clear/tiebreak win $100
bonus, top Under 2300/Unr $600-300. Under 2100: $1200-600-300-200,
top U1900/Unr $500-250. Under 1800: $1000-500-300-200, top U1600
(no unr) $400-200. Under 1500: $600-300-200-100, top U1300 (no unr)
$240-120. Under 1200: $300-150-100-50, top U1000 (no unr) $120-70,
plaques to top 3, 1st U800, U600, Unr. Mixed doubles bonus prizes:
best male/female 2-player team combined score among all sections:
$600-300. Team average rating must be under 2200; teammates may
play in different sections; teams must register (no extra fee) by 2 pm
2/27. Unrated may enter any section, with prize limit U1800 $500, U1500
$300, U1200 $150; balance goes to next player(s) in line. Top 3 sections
EF: $98 at chessaction.com by 2/24, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 (no
questions) by 2/22, 3-day $108, 2-day $107 if check mailed by 2/17, all
$120 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site, or online until 2 hours before
game. GMs free; $90 from prize. Under 1500 Section EF: all $30 less
than top 3 sections EF. Under 1200 Section EF: all $60 less than top 3
sections EF. Re-entry $50, not available in Open. No checks at site,
credit cards OK. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise
unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry.
Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15.
Mailed, phoned or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. 3-
Day Schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm. Rds. Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:30.
2-Day Schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10 am. Rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 &
3:30. Half point byes available all rounds, limit 2 byes, Open must commit
before rd. 2, others before rd. 3. HR: $95-95, 1-800-223-8585, reserve
by 2/12 or rate may increase, chess block may sell out before 2/12. Ent:
chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15
service charge for refunds. Questions: chesstour.com, chesstour.info,
DirectorAt Chess.US, 347-201-2269. Advance entries posted at chessac-
tion.com (Online entries posted instantly). Blitz tournament Sat 9:30
pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
FEB. 27, NEW HAMPSHIRE
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
3RD QUEEN CITY TORNADO
4SS, G/60 d5. Radisson Hotel, 700 Elm St. (Granite St. exit off I-293),
Manchester, NH. $$G 1,100. Three sections. Open, open to all. EF: $35
if recd by 2/25, $40 at site; free to GMs and IMs. $$G: $180-120-90,
top U2000 $100. Under 1800, open to U1800 or Unr. EF: $35 if recd by
2/25, $40 at site. $$G: $140-80-60, top U1500 $75. No Unr. may win
over $80. Under 1300, open to U1300 or Unr. EF: $31 ($27 to jrs. U21)
if recd by 2/25, $36 at site ($32 jrs. U21). $$G: $100-60-40, top U1100
$55. No Unr. may win over $50. All, Online advance entry available at
www.nhchess.org until 6 p.m. on 2/26. NHCA membership reqd of rated
NH residents; dues $8 adult, $6 under 19. Reg.: 8:30-9:35 a.m. Sat.
2/27. Rds.: 10-1-3:30-6. Half-point bye okay for any rd. (limit 1), must
commit before Rd.2. No half-point byes for players receiving full-point
byes. Ent: NHCA, c/o Hal Terrie, 377 Huse Rd. #23, Manchester, NH
03103. Information: halterrie@comcast.net or (603) 668-8368.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 27-28, FLORIDA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
CENTRAL FLORIDA CHESS CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
5SS, G/120 d5. University Unitarian Universalist Society, 11648
McCulloch Rd., Orlando 32817. EF: $40. CFCC mem req at $20($10
Jr/Sr). $$GTD 800: 250-150-100, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400 each
75; Plaques (if mem as of Jan 31) to Club Champion, U2000, U1800,
U1600, U1400, & top under age 16. Reg.: Sat 9:30am. Rds.: 10-2:30-
7, 10:30-3. CFCC elections 2:30pm Sun. Adv Ent: CFCC, 921 N. Thistle
Ln., Maitland, FL 32751. Info: (407) 629-6946 (407-670-9304 on site), or
www.centralflchess.org.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 4-6 OR 5-6, CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 100 (ENHANCED)
23RD ANNUAL WESTERN CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10),.Ontario Airport
Hotel & Conference Center, 700 N. Haven Ave., Ontario, CA 91764 (I-10
to N. Haven Ave). Free parking, free shuttle to Ontario Airport or Ontario
Mills Mall, free wireless, heated pool, restaurants within walking distance.
$16,000 guaranteed prizes. 7 sections. Master (over 2199): $1500-
800-500-300, clear or tiebreak winner $100 bonus, top U2300 $600-300.
Expert (2000-2199): $1200-600-400-200. Class A (1800-1999/Unr):
$1200-600-400-200. Class B (1600-1799/Unr): $1200-600-400-200.
Class C (1400-1599/Unr): $800-400-200-100. Class D (1200-1399/Unr):
$800-400-200-100. Class E (Under 1200/Unr): $400-200-120-80, plaques
to first 3, top U1000, U800, U600, Unr. Rated players may play up one
section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise
unrated. Prize limits: Unrated may not win over $100 in E, $200 D,
$300 C, $500 B, or $700 A. Mixed doubles bonus prizes: best
male/female 2-player team combined score among all sections: $600-
300. Team average must be under 2200; teammates may play in different
sections; teams must register at site (no extra fee) by 2 pm 3/5, prize
limits do not apply to mixed doubles. Top 4 sections EF: $115 online at
chessaction.com by 3/2, $120 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 2/29, 3-day
$118, 2-day $117 mailed by 2/24, $130 online until 2 hours before game
or at site. Class C or D EF: all $30 less than top 4 sections EF. Class E
EF: all $60 less than top 4 sections EF. GMs free; $100 deducted from
prize. No checks at site; credit cards OK. SCCF memb. ($18, under 18
$13 with magazine, $3 without) required for rated Southern CA residents;
join/renew at scchess.com. All: Special 1 yr USCF dues with magazine
if paid with entry: Online at chessaction.com. Adult $35, Young Adult
$22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young
Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Re-entry (except Master) $60. 3-day schedule:
Reg. Fri to 6 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-day schedule:
Reg. Sat to 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. Byes: OK all rds.,
limit 2; Master must commit before rd. 2, others before rd. 3. HR: $95-
95, 909-980-0400, reserve by 2/19 or rate may increase. Car rental:
Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Questions: chesstour.com,
347-201-2269, DirectorAtChess.US. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental
Chess, PO Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge for with-
drawals. Advance entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries
posted instantly). Blitz tournament Sat 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 4-6 OR 5-6, OHIO
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30
2016 ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER OPEN
Arnold Sports Festival 2016 - 18,000 Athletes - from over 80 coun-
tries competing in over 50 sporting events; Arnold Schwarzenegger
should stop by our venue at some point during the tournament.
5SS, 30/90 SD 60 d5 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/90 d5 schedules merge
starting round 3 for all sections). The Greater Columbus Convention
Center, 400 North High St., Columbus, OH 43215. Playing hall in rooms
A102 A104, Skittles area in room A101. For hotel information or parking
go to: www.arnoldsportsfestival.com/visitor-info/ find-a-hotel/ or
www.arnoldsportsfestival.com/visitor-info/parking/. Over 185,000 spec-
tators at this sports festival so make your accommodations early. Your
entry fee gets you a wristband that gives you access to all the sporting
events and EXPO. 8 DGT Boards will be used to broadcast games from
top boards in multiple sections live on-site and on the website. Prizes
$7000 based on 100 paid entries in 3 sections: Open Section $1200-
$900-$700-$500, U2100 - $400-$200. Premier Section U1900 -
$700-$500 U1700 - $600-$400 U1550 - $300. Reserve Section U1350
- $400-$200. Unrated players and provisional rated players only qualify
for 25% of any prize. Open & Premier EF: Online - $90 by February 14,
2016 after that EF is $105, Mail - $95 by February 14, 2016 after that EF
is $110, On-site EF $105. Reserve EF: Online - $70 by February 14, 2016
after that EF is $85, Mail - $75 by February 14, 2016 after that EF is $90,
On-site EF $85. All: No checks at site credit cards are ok. Re-Entry all
sections - $20. GM & IM free entry if schedule is completed, $90 deducted
from prize. $15 service charge for refunds. 3-day Schedule: Reg. ends
Fri 6:30pm, rds. Fri 7pm, Sat 12:30pm & 6:30pm, Sun 10:30am & 5:30pm.
2-day Schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10am, rds. Sat 10:30am, 2:30pm, &
6:30pm, Sun 10:30am & 5:30pm. Byes: all sections, limit 1 - 1/2 point
bye, must commit before round 3. Side Events: Sun 3:30pm 5:30pm
Blitz (G/5 d0) 9 rounds entry fee $20, 80% entries= prize fund. Grand
Master Simul (Limit 30) GM Vladimir Georgiev Sun 3:30 5:30pm EF:
$20, Location: Room A102 at the Columbus Convention Center. Scholastic
Chess Gauntlet (Not Rated) - Arnold SportsWorld Kids & Teen EXPO
(Bricker Building Fairgrounds) 3 each Mate in one 2 min, 3 each Mate
in two 3 min, 3 each random tactics 3 min, Plunder chess game 5 min,
Snowball chess game 5 min, Loser chess game 5 min, Fisher Random
chess game 5 min, Beat the expert game 5 min, Big Board chess game
2 min, Bigger Board chess game 5 min. Time remaining after each station
is your score (time will be deducted for wrong answers on puzzles and
tactics; should take about an hour to run the gauntlet, all stations will
be hosted by students from The Ohio State University Chess Club.
Trophies and prizes based on age group 8 yrs and under, 9-12 yrs, 13-
15 yrs, 16-18 yrs. Entry Fee: $20 Service charge of $5 for refunds,
Pre-register only! Times: Sat 10- 11am, 11am-12pm, 2-3pm, or 3-4pm;
Sun 1-2pm, 2-3pm, or 3-4pm; Awards Sun 4:30pm. Check out the other
CONTINENTAL CHESS SCHEDULE
Visit www.chesstour.com for late news, hotel
availability, results, games, minimum ratings, etc.
Enter tournaments at chessaction.com.
To receive our free email newsletter, see
chess calendar.com or chesstour.com.
Most tournaments have alternate schedules
with less or more days than below.
Asterisk means full details in this issue-
otherwise, see future issues or our website.
Events in red offer FIDE norm chances.
1/8-10: Boston C hess C ongress, Boston M A*
1/15-18: Liberty Bell O pen, Philadelphia PA*
1/15-18: G olden State O pen, C oncord C A*
2/12-15: Southwest C lass, F ort W orth T X *
2/26-28: G eorge W ashington O pen, Herndon V A*
3/4-6: W estern C lass C hampionships, O ntario C A*
3/11-13: Pittsburgh O pen, Pittsburgh PA*
3/12-13: N Y State Scholastics, Saratoga Springs N Y *
3/18-20: M id-America O pen, Saint Louis M O *
3/25-27: P hiladelphia O pen, P hiladelphia PA *
4/22-24: Eastern C lass C hampionships, Sturbridge M A*
5/20-22: N ew Y ork State O pen, Lake G eorge N Y
5/26-30: C hicago O pen, W heeling IL *
6/17-19: C ontinental C lass, Herndon V A
6/30-7/4: W orld O pen, P hiladelphia P A *
7/5-10: P hiladelphia International, Philadelphia P A *
7/15-17: C hicago C lass, W heeling IL
7/22-24: Southern O pen, O rlando FL
7/22-24: Bradley O pen, W indsor Locks C T
8/12-14: C ontinental O pen, Sturbridge M A
8/12-14: C leveland O pen, C leveland O H
8/12-14: Pacific C oast O pen, O ntario C A
8/26-28: Atlantic O pen, Arlington V A
8/26-28: Indianapolis O pen, Indianapolis IN
9/3-5: N ew Y ork State C hampionship, Albany N Y
10/5-10: W ashington C hess C ongress, A rlington V A
10/7-9: M idw est C lass, W heeling IL
10/28-30: Eastern C hess C ongress, Basking R idge N J
F or later events, see chesstour.com .
www.uschess.org 57
Tournament Life / January

sports: Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey, Obstacle Course, Archery,
Fencing, Jump Rope, Rowing, Tennis, Gymnastics, Break Dancing, Martial
Arts, Golf, Lacrosse, Disc Golf, and Soccer. Live Stage performances
and come try the indoor or outdoor Zip Lines. Entry or more information:
www.buckeyechess. com/Arnold or www.arnoldsportsfestival. com/chess
or mail to: Buckeye Chess Club, 6321 E. Livingston Ave. Suite E, Reynolds-
burg, OH 43068. Questions: Chairman of Chess Mr. Kelly M. Bloomfield
Bloomfield.40@gmail.com or 614- 668-5588.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 5-6, MARYLAND
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15
UMBC OPEN - ALVIN S. MINTZES CHESS TOURNAMENT
5SS, G/90, +30incr. University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000
Hilltop Circle, Baltimore (in Commons, 3rd floor). Held concurrently with
Maryland Sweet 16 (Invitational)winner to receive in-state fixed-
dollar tuition scholarship to UMBC. Open: (All) $$1260: $400-300-200
Gtd., Class prizes $120 ea. to top U2300, U2100, U1900. Free ent. to
GMs, $50 deducted from any prizes. U1800: (U1800/Unr.) $$1080 b/40:
$350-250-150, Class prizes $110 ea. to top U1600, U1400, U1200 (b/4).
No Unr. player may win more than $250 in this section. All: EF: $50 if
postmarked by 2/19, $60 later, $10 less if under age 20. Reg.: 8:30-
9:30am Sat., Rds: 10-3-7:30pm Sat, 10:30-3:30pm Sun. Byes: Up to
three 1/2-pt. byes avail. in Rds. 1-5 if reqd at least 1 hr. before Rd.
(before Rd. 2 for any Rd. 4-5 bye), but only at most one 1/2-point bye in
Rds. 4-5. HR: La Quinta Inn and Suites, 1734 West Nursery Road,
Linthicum, MD 21090, 410-859-2333, www.lq.com (From I-95, take Exit
47A onto I-195 towards BWI Airport. Take Exit 2A onto 295 north towards
Baltimore; take first exit, bearing right onto West Nursery Road.) Direc-
tions to UMBC: Take Exit 47B off I-95 & follow signs to UMBC. Park in
Commons Drive garage. Ent: NEW! Register online at www.mdchess.com
(email questions to dewyerj@umbc.edu), or mail to Dr. Alan T. Sherman,
Dept. of CSEE, UMBC, Attn: Open, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD
21250. Make out check to UMBC. For more information: ChessClub@
umbc.edu, www.umbc.edu/chess. W.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 11-13 OR 12-13, GEORGIA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15
2016 BORIS KOGAN MEMORIAL
5-SS. Interactive College of Technology, 5227 New Peachtree Rd., Cham-
blee, GA 30341. In 3 sections: $3350 Guaranteed. Championship:
FIDE and USCF rated. Must be 1900 USCF and above. $400-300-200;
under 2200 and under 2050 each $200-100. Amateur: Under 1900:
$350-200-170; under 1750 and under 1600 each $160-100. Reserve:
Under 1400: $200-105; under 1200: $200-105. Unrated: Trophies to top
5. Time Controls: Championship: G/100 inc 30, 2-day G/90 d5. Others:
G/120 d5, 2-day G/90 d5. Entry Fee: $59 3-day, $58 2-day by March
10th; $63 at site. GMs and IMs Free. Reentry except Championship $30.
Bye: all rounds (limit 2), must commit before 1st round. 3-day schedule:
Reg.: ends 6:30 p.m. 3/11. Rounds: 7, 2-7, 10-3:30. 2-day schedule:
Reg.: ends 10 a.m. Rounds: 10:30, then merges with 3-day. Info:
info@americanchesspromotions.com or (478)-973-9389. Enter: ameri-
canchesspromotions.com or American Chess Promotions, 3055 General
Lee Rd., Macon, GA 31204. FIDE. W.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 11-13 OR 12-13, PENNSYLVANIA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 80 (ENHANCED)
17TH ANNUAL PITTSBURGH OPEN
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Wyndham
Garden Pittsburgh Airport Hotel, One Industry Ln., Pittsburgh 15275. Free
parking, free airport shuttle, free internet in guest rooms and skittles
room. $10,000 guaranteed prizes. In 5 sections. Open: $1400-700-400,
clear or tiebreak winner $100 bonus, top Under 2300/Unr $500. Under Under 1700: $1400-700-400-200. Under 1500: $1200-600-300-200.
2100: $1000-500-300, top Under 1900/Unr $400. Under 1800: $1000-
500-300, top Under 1600 (no unr) $300. Under 1500: $600-400-200, top
Under 1300 (no unr) $200. Under 1200: $300-200-100. Mixed doubles
bonus prizes: best male/female 2-player team combined score among
all sections: $400-200. Team average must be under 2200; teammates
may play in different sections; teams must register (no extra fee) by 2 pm
3/12; teammate pairings avoided but possible. Unrated may not win over
$200 in U1200, $400 U1500 or $600 U1800. Top 3 sections EF: $95 online
at chessaction.com by 3/9, $100 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/7, 3-day
$103, 2-day $102 mailed by 3/2, all $110 (no checks, credit cards OK) at
site, or online until 2 hours before game. GMs, IMs & WGMs free; $90
deducted from prize. U1500 Section EF: all $30 less than top 3 sections
EF. U1200 Section EF: all $60 less than top 3 sections EF. Unofficial
uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year
USCF dues with paper magazine if paid with entry. Online at
chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed,
phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Re-
entry $60; not available in Open Section. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri
6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg.
ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. All: Half point byes OK
all, limit 2, Open must commit before rd. 2, others before rd. 3. HR: $99-
99, 1-800-996-3426, 724-695-0002; reserve by 2/26 or rate may increase.
Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633, or reserve car online
through chesstour.com. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box
8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions:
www.chess tour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269. Advance entries
posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Blitz tour-
nament Saturday 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
MAR. 15, NEW YORK
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
MARSHALL MASTERS
4-SS, G/25 d5. Open to 2000+ players. FIDE Rapid rated. $750 GTD:
250-150-100. Top U2400 125, Top U2300 100, Biggest upset $25. EF:
$40, MCC Mbrs $30. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-
10:45pm. Max one bye, for round 1 or 4 only. Request at entry. 23 W.
10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. www.marshallchessclub.org.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 18-20 OR 19-20, MISSOURI
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 120 (ENHANCED)
20TH ANNUAL MID-AMERICA OPEN
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Crowne Plaza
Hotel St. Louis-Clayton, 7750 Carondelet Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105 (I-64
W/US 40-W Exit 32B, 1.2 miles north on Hanley Rd). $$ 20,000 GUAR-
ANTEED PRIZE FUND. In 7 sections: Open: $2000-1000-500-300, clear
winner or 1st on tiebreak $100 bonus, top U2300/Unr $800-400. FIDE.
Under 2100: $1400-700-400-200. Under 1900: $1400-700-400-200.
Under 1300: $1000-500-300-200. Under 1000: $500-300-200-100,
plaques to first 3, top U800, U600, Unrated Prize limits: Unrated may
not win over $200 in U1000, $300 U1300, $500 U1500, or $700 U1700.
Mixed doubles bonus prizes: best male/female 2-player team com-
bined score among all sections: $800-400-200. Team average must be
under 2200; teammates may play in different sections; teams must
register at site (no extra fee) before 2 pm 3/19; teammate pairings
avoided but possible. Top 6 sections EF: $109 online at chessaction.com
by 3/16, $115 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/14 (entry only, no questions),
3-day $113, 2-day $112 mailed by 3/9, $130 online until 2 hours before
game or at site. GMs free; $100 deducted from prize. U1000 Section
EF: all $50 less than above. Online EF $3 less to MCA members. No
checks at site, credit cards OK. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually
used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues with magazine if
paid with entry: Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22,
Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult
$25, Scholastic $17. Re-entry $60; not available in Open Section. 3-
day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 &
3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10
& 3:15. Byes: OK all, limit 2; Open must commit before rd. 2, others
before rd. 3. HR: $97-100-105-110, includes free full hot buffet breakfast
and free parking, 888-303-1746, 314-726-5400, request chess rate,
reserve by 3/4 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600,
use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent:
chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803.
Questions: DirectorAtChess.US, chesstour.com, chesstour.info, 347-201-
2269. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries posted at
chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Blitz tournament
Saturday 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 19-20, NEW YORK

GOLD & SILVER AFFILIATES

GOLD Any affiliate that has submitted at least 50 US Chess memberships during SILVER Any affiliate that has submitted at least
the current or previous calendar year, or is the recognized State Affiliate, is eligible to 50 US Chess memberships during the current or
become a Gold Affiliate. Gold Affiliates are honored in a special list in larger type in Tour- previous calendar year, or is the recognized State Af-
nament Life each month, giving the affiliate name, address, phone number, e-mail ad- filiate, is eligible to become a Gold Affiliate. Gold Af-
dress, and website. Gold Affiliation costs $350 per year, and existing affiliates may filiates are honored in a special list in larger type in
subtract $3 for each month remaining on their regular affiliation, or $20 for each month Tournament Life each month, giving the affiliate
remaining on their Silver Affiliation. As of August 6, 2007, by paying an annual payment name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and
of $500 (instead of $350), Gold Affiliate status may be obtained with no minimum re- website. Gold Affiliation costs $350 per year, and ex-
quirement for memberships submitted. isting affiliates may subtract $3 for each month re-
maining on their regular affiliation, or $20 for each
month remaining on their Silver Affiliation. As of Au-
Cajun Chess Eagle Chess PaperClip Pairings
12405 Hillary Step Drive, Olive Branch, Academy, Inc. c/o J. Houghtaling Jr & Remy Ferrari, gust 6, 2007, by paying an annual payment of $500
MS 38654 504-208-9596 PO Box 6141, Largo, MD 20774 6005 Forest Blvd., Brownsville, (instead of $350), Gold Affiliate status may be ob-
cajunchess@yahoo.com 301-467-5024 TX 78526 956-459-2421 tained with no minimum requirement for member-
www.cajunchess.com tedfagan@eaglechessacademy.com jejrhoughtaling@bisd.us ships submitted.
www.eaglechessacademy.com
Chess Club and Scholastic San Diego Chess Club
Center of St. Louis Marshall Chess Club 2225 6th Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
4657 Maryland Avenue, 23 W. 10th St., New York, 619-239-7166 Bay Area Chess (CA) www.BayAreaChess.com
St. Louis, MO 63108. NY 10011 212-477-3716 sandiegochessclub@gmail.com
314-361-CHESS admin@marshallchessclub.org www.sandiegochessclub.org
info@stlouischessclub.org The Berkeley Chess School (CA) www.berkeleychessschool.org
www.marshallchessclub.org
www.stlouischessclub.org Shore HS Chess League
PO Box 773, Lincroft, NJ 07738 En Passant Chess Club (TX) edguetzow@sbcglobal.net
ChessNYC.com
Continental Chess c/o Russell Makofsky & shorehschessleague@yahoo.com
Association Michael Propper, PO Box 189, Long Island Chess Nuts (NY) 516-739-3907
PO Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. 1710 1st Ave, New York, Shining Knights, Ltd.
201-347-2269 NY 10012, 212-475-8130 P.O. Box 545, Glenmoore, PA 19343 Los Angeles Chess Club (CA) www.LAChessClub.com
director@chess.us info@chessnyc.com 484-228-8457
www.chesstour.com www.chessnyc.com cindy@shiningknights.com Michigan Chess Association www.michess.org
www.shiningknights.com
Dallas Chess Club ChessIQ Oklahoma Chess Foundation OCFChess.org
200 S. Cottonwood Dr. Suite C, 4957 Oakton Street, Suite 113, Silver Knights Chess
Richardson, TX 75080 Skokie, IL 60077, 701 W. Broad Street, Suite 308, Falls
Church, VA 22406, 703-574-2070 Sparta Chess Club (NJ) www.spartachessclub.org
972-231-2065 847-423-8626
info@dallaschess.com sevan@chessiq.com chess@silverknightschess.com
www.dallaschess.com www.chessiq.com www.silverknightschess.com Success Chess School (CA) www.successchess.com

58 January 2016 | Chess Life

 See previous issue for TLAs appearing January 1-14

TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 150 (ENHANCED)
38TH ANNUAL MARCHAND OPEN
Dr. Erich Marchand requested that his friends play chess in his memory.
5SS, G/115 d5. Location: Strong National Museum of Play, One Manhattan
Square, Rochester, NY 14607. $16,440 Gtd. Open Section: $3000-2000-
1300-800-500-300. Under 2200 & U2000 each $750-450. FIDE Rated. EF:
$85. U1800 Section: $1100-750-450. Under 1600 $750-450. EF: $70.
U1400 Section: $500-300-200. Under 1200 $300-200. EF $60. U1000
Section: $400-250-160. Under 800 $200-130. EF: $50. Unrated players in
the U1800 section can only win $375, in U1400 $175 & U1000 $125. No
limit in Open. Balance to next prize winners. EF refunded and $100 appear-
ance award to all GM and IM if paid by 3/5/2016. All EF add $20 after
3/5/2016. NYSCA members deduct $3. All sections USCF rated. Ratings
as in March Supplement. Bring sets, boards, and clocks none provided.
Food court and chess books & equipment sales available on-site. No
smoking allowed on The Strong campus. Free parking. Reg.: 8:30-9:15am.
Rds.: Sat. 10-2:15-6:30, Sun. 10-2:15. One 1/2 point bye available in rd.
1, 2, 3, or 4 if requested at entry. Optional first round Friday, 3/18/2016
at 7pm played at Rochester Chess Center (register by 6:30pm). Info: 585-
442-2430. Mail entry to: Rochester Chess Center, 221 Norris Dr., Rochester,
NY 14610. Website: nychess.org. Store: chessset.com.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 23-27, 24-27, 25-27 OR 26-27, PENNSYLVANIA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 200 (ENHANCED)
10TH ANNUAL PHILADELPHIA OPEN
OPEN SECTION, MAR 23-27: 9SS, 40/2, SD/30 d10. GM & IM norms
possible, FIDE rated. OTHER SECTIONS, MAR 24-27, 25-27 OR 26-
27: 7SS, 40/2, SD/30 d10 (3-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10; 2-day option,
rds. 1-4 G/30 d10). At the luxurious Philadelphia Marriott Downtown,
1201 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, directly across the street from
the world famous Reading Terminal Market with over 100 food vendors.
Prizes $80,000 based on 500 paid entries (seniors, re-entries, GMs,
IMs, WGMs count as half entries, U1100 Section as 40% entries), else
proportional, minimum $60,000 (75% of each prize) guaranteed. In 7
sections: Open: $7000-4000-2000-1000-800-600-500-500-400-400, clear
or tiebreak first $200 bonus, FIDE Under 2400/Unr $2000-1000. Under
2200/Unr, Under 2000/Unr, Under 1800: each $5000-2500-1200-800-
600-500-400-300-300-300. Unrated may not win over $2000 in U2000
Section. Under 1600: $4000-2000-1000-700-500-400-300-300-300-300.
Under 1400: $3000-1500-1000-700-500-400-300-300-300-300. Under
1100/Unr: $1000-700-500-400-300-300-200-200-100-100. Unrated may
not win over $300 in U1100 Section. Unrated not allowed in U1800,
U1600 or U1400 sections. Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes: best
male/female combined 2-player team score: $1000-500-300-200. In
Open Section, only the first 7 rounds are counted. Team average must
be under 2200; teammates may play in different sections; teams must
register (no extra fee) before both players begin round 2; prize limits do
not apply to mixed doubles. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually
used if otherwise unrated. Prize limits: 1) If post-event rating posted
3/22/15-3/22/16 is more than 30 points over section maximum, prize
limit $1500. 2) Players with under 26 lifetime games as of 3/16 official
cannot win over $500 in U1100, $1000 in U1400, $1500 U1600, or $2000
U1800. 3) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line.
Open EF, for GMs, IMs & WGMs: $125 online by 3/21, $150 at site.
Minimum prize guarantees in Open Section, to players who play all 9
games with no byes: US GM $300, foreign GM $600 (limited to first 5 to
enter, others $300), foreign IM/WGM $300, foreign FM/WIM $200,
foreign FIDE rated $100. Open EF, for US players who are not USCF
or FIDE rated 2200/over: $355 online at chessaction.com by 1/14,
$375 online by 3/21, $400 at site. Open EF, for others: $205 online at
chessaction.com by 1/14, $225 online by 3/21, $250 at site. Open mailed
or phoned entries: all $10 more than online entry, mail by 3/14, phone
to 406-896-2038 by 3/18. U2200 through U1400 Sections EF: $205
online at chessacton.com by 1/14, $225 online by 3/21, $250 at site.
Mailed EF: 4-day $214, 3-day $213, 2-day $212 mailed by 1/14, all $20
more mailed by 3/14. U1100/Unr Section EF: $75 online at
chessaction.com by 3/21, 4-day $84, 3-day $83, 2-day $82 mailed by
3/14, $100 at site. Phoned EF: All $10 more than online EF, 406-896-
2038 (entry only, no questions), available only through 3/18. Online
late entry after 3/21: available until 2 hours before your first game,
same price as entry at site. EF $100 less to seniors 65/over in Open
through U1400. Special 1 year USCF membership with magazine if
paid with entry: Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22,
Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult
$25, Scholastic $17. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Re-entry: $100,
no re-entry from Open Section to Open Section. 5-day schedule (Open
only): Reg. ends Wed 6 pm, rds. Wed. 7 pm, Thu 12 & 7 (corrected), Fri
11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4. 4-day schedule (except Open): Reg.
ends Thu 6 pm, rds. Thu 7 pm, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4. 3-day
schedule (except Open): Reg. ends Fri 10 am, rds. Fri 11, 2:30 & 6, Sat
11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4. 2-day schedule (except Open): Reg. ends Sat. 9
am, rds. Sat. 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 4. 4-day, 3-day, & 2-day
merge & compete for same prizes. Byes: Half point byes OK all rounds,
limit 3 byes, limit 2 in last 4 rounds. Open Section must commit before
rd. 2, other sections before rd. 4. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possi-
ble- none supplied. HR: $104-104-124, 215-625-2900, reserve by 3/11
or rate may increase. Parking: Marriott valet parking, about $20/day
(60% off regular rate) for first 100 valet parking spaces sold. Park
America, 25 S. 12th St (12th & Clover), 1 block from Marriott, about
$19/day each day, or $10 for 12 hrs Sat & Sun. Gateway Garage, 1540
Spring St. (3/5 mile from Marriott, 1 block from Sheraton Hotel), about
$5/day Sat & Sun, $18/day other days. Car rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600,
use AWD #D657633 or reserve car online at chesstour.com. Ratings:
FIDE March used for Open, USCF March official for U2200 & below; note
that USCF ratings after the March list (see above) may result in a $1500
prize limit. Foreign player ratings: see www.chesstour.com/foreign-
ratings.htm. Cellphone & anti-cheating rules: see www.chesstour.com/
devices.htm. Players must submit to a search for electronic devices if
requested by Director. Ent: chess action.com or Continental Chess, Box
8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions:
DirectorAtChess.us, 347-201-2269, chesstour.com. Advance entries
posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Blitz tour-
nament Sat 10 pm, enter by 9:45 pm.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
APR. 1-3 OR 2-3, OHIO
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15
52ND CINCINNATI OPEN
Hilton Garden Inn, 5300 Cornell Rd., Blue Ash, OH 45242. 4SS, Sections:
Open, U2100, U1700, U1300. Players may choose to play up one section
only. Time Control: G/150 d10 except 2-day rds 1&2 G/75 d5. Prizes:
Open: $600-450-350-250, top under 2200 $225-175; U2100: $450-350-
250-180; U1700: $350-250-180-140; U1300: $225-150-125-100; prizes
based on 100 paid entries, else proportional. (No unrated may win more
than the third-place prize amount except in Open.) Entry fee: Advance
$99, must be received by March 30; onsite $110; re-entry $50. $10 loyalty
discount for those who played in 2015 Cincinnati Open; $3 discount for
current Ohio Chess Association members. Free entry to GMs/IMs; $99
deducted from prize. Advance registration: Mail entries to Cincinnati
Open, 9180 Pinewood Dr., Loveland, OH 45140 or enter online at
www.chesscincinnati.com. Onsite registration: Friday, April 1 5:30-6:30;

Membership Appreciation Program (MAP)

The MAP program continues in 2015. See details at main.uschess.org/go/MAP. Top standings will appear every two months in Chess Life.

Overall Affiliate Standings Adult Membership Standings

Name State Count Name State Count
CONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN NY 1103 CONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN NY 872
PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 891 MARSHALL CHESS CLUB NY 177
BAY AREA CHESS CA 540 CHESS CLUB AND SCHOLASTIC CTR MO 136
SILVER KNIGHTS CHESS VA 385 SAN DIEGO CHESS CLUB CA 117
BOCA RATON CHESS CLUB FL 285 PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 95
SUCCESS CHESS SCHOOL CA 267 DALLAS CHESS CLUB TX 90
THE BERKELEY CHESS SCHOOL CA 243 BOCA RATON CHESS CLUB FL 74
DALLAS CHESS CLUB TX 214 ROCHESTER CHESS CENTER NY 74
CHESS CLUB AND SCHOLASTIC CTR MO 210 BAY AREA CHESS CA 70
SACRAMENTO VALLEY SCH CL CA 201 LOS ANGELES CHESS CLUB CA 69
Small State Affiliate Standings Scholastic and Youth Membership Standings
Name State Count Name State Count
MAINE ASSOC OF CHESS COACHES ME 100 PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 796
TOURNAMENT IN A BOX NH 48 BAY AREA CHESS CA 470
DELAWARE YOUTH CHESS ORG DE 46 SILVER KNIGHTS CHESS VA 384
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL CC ME 31 SUCCESS CHESS SCHOOL CA 263
WVSCA WV 30 CONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN NY 231
METRO CHESS DC 27 THE BERKELEY CHESS SCHOOL CA 228
MESA CHESS CLUB NM 23 BOCA RATON CHESS CLUB FL 211
GREAT PLAINS CHESS ASSOCIATION SD 22 SACRAMENTO VALLEY SCH CL CA 190
NEW MEXICO SCHOL CHESS ORG NM 22 WESTERN PA YOUTH CHESS CLUB PA 177
AIRLINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL ME 17 LONG ISLAND CHESS NUTS NY 166
State Chapter Affiliate Standings Member Standings
Name State Count Name State Count
MARYLAND CHESS ASSOCIATION MD 417 WOLF, TODD W ND 64
MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION MI 259 NAVARRO, DANIEL A TX 31
PENNSYLVANIA ST CHESS FED PA 150 KRANICH RITTER, TANIA FL 10
WASHINGTON CHESS FEDERATION WA 147 BRACKENRIDGE, KEITH OH 6
MASSACHUSETTS CHESS ASSOC MA 102 TUSING, TIMOTHY A FL 5
MINNESOTA ST CHESS ASSN MN 102 FERGUSON, HERBERT IL 5
NEW JERSEY ST CHESS FED NJ 64 ACOR, COREY FL 5
TENNESSEE CHESS ASSOCIATION TN 18 DEAN, JOSEPH A SC 5
VERMONT CHESS ASSOCIATION VT 16 SETSER, BRADY SC 5
KANSAS CHESS ASSOCIATION KS 15 SYGIEL, CHET KY 4

PCT Gain Standings

State Dec14 Nov15 PCT State Dec14 Nov15 PCT State Dec14 Nov15 PCT State Dec14 Nov15 PCT
HI 138 292 111.6 KS 344 479 39.2 DE 238 292 22.7 NV 741 881 18.9
WY 109 166 52.3 SC 658 889 35.1 SD 192 233 21.4
MS 259 383 47.9 ND 99 133 34.3 NE 289 345 19.4

www.uschess.org 59
Tournament Life / January
Saturday, April 2 9:00-9:30. 3-day schedule: Friday 7:00, Saturday 10:00
and 5:00, Sunday 9:00 and 3:00. 2-day schedule: Saturday 10:00 and
1:00, then merge with 3-day. Byes: Maximum two half-point byes, must
commit before 4:30 pm Saturday. HR: $99/king bed, $105/two queen
beds. Reserve by Friday, March 18, 2016 to ensure rate and room. For
reservations, call 513-469-6900, reference code CSC, or use link on
our website to book online. Bring sets and clocks. Complete information,
including online and mail registration forms, at www.chesscincinnati.com.
Questions: Alan Hodge 513-600-9915, a.hodge195@gmail.com.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
APR. 21, 28, MAY 5, 12, 19, 26, NEW YORK
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20
LONG ISLAND ILAN KREITNER MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT
6SS, G/90 d5. United Methodist Church, 470 East Meadow Ave., East
Meadow, NY 11554. Open to all: $2000 GTD: $600-$400. Top U-2000,
U-1750, U-1500, U-1250/unr. $250 ea. EF (cash only): $50 LICC Members,
$60 Non-LICC members. Reg.: 6:45 7:25 PM. Adv. Ent: Cash only in
person at the LICC any Thursday evening prior to rd. 1 (NO adv entry via
mail, e-mail, or online). Rds.: 7:30 PM SHARP ea. Thursday. 2 byes 1-6
(rd. 6 bye decl. before rd. 3), No draws by agreement prior to Blacks
25th move, Rdm. pairings var. (within each score group) of the SS used.
Info: www.lichessclub.com.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
APR. 22-24 OR 23-24, MASSACHUSETTS
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 120 (ENHANCED)
25TH ANNUAL EASTERN CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Host Hotel at
Cedar Lake, 366 Main St., Sturbridge, MA 01566 (I-84 Exit 3, near I-90).
Free parking. $$20,000 guaranteed prizes. In 7 sections: Master
(2200/up): $2000-1000-500-300, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak $100
bonus, top U2300 $800-400. Expert (2000-2199): $1500-700-500-300.
Class A (1800-1999/Unr): $1500-700-500-300. Class B (1600-1799/Unr):
$1500-700-500-300. Class C (1400-1599/Unr): $1000-500-300-200.
Class D (1200-1399/Unr): $1000-500-300-200. Class E (Under 1200/Unr):
$500-250-150-100, trophies to first 3, top U1000, U800, U600, Unrated.
Rated players may play up one section. Prize limits: Unrated may not
win over $150 in E, $300 D, $450 C or $600 B. Mixed doubles bonus
prizes: best male/female 2-player team combined score among all
sections: $600-300. Team average must be under 2200; teammates may
play in different sections; teams must register at site (no extra fee)
before both players begin round 2; teammate pairings avoided but
possible. Top 4 sections EF: $115 online at chessaction.com by 4/20,
$120 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 4/18 (entry only, no questions), 3-day
$118, 2-day $117 mailed by 4/13, $130 at site, or online until 2 hours
before game. GMs free, $100 deducted from prize. Class C or D EF: All
$30 less than top 4 sections EF. Class E EF: all $60 less than top 4
RBO Open to Under 1200/Unr. or
Under 1000/Unr. Tournament name
must include Rated Beginners Open
or RBO.
BLITZ Time control of Game/5. TLAs
such as US Chess-rated Blitz every
Friday 7 pm are accepted.
www.uschess.org/forums
60 January 2016 | Chess Life
sections EF. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Online EF $5 less to
MACA members; may join/renew at masschess.org. Unofficial
uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr
USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry: Online at chessaction.com,
Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at
site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Re-entry $60; not avail-
able in Master Section. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7
pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am,
rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. Byes: OK all, limit 2; Master must
commit before rd. 2, others before rd. 3. HR: $96-96-106, 800-582-3232,
508-347-7393, request chess rate, reserve by 4/8 or rate may increase.
Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car
online through chesstour.com. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental
Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. Questions: DirectorAtChess.us,
chesstour.com, chesstour.info, 347-201-2269. $15 service charge for
refunds. Entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly).
Blitz tournament Saturday 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
APR. 29-MAY 1 OR APR. 30-MAY. 1, MICHIGAN
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15
13TH ANNUAL GREAT LAKES CHESS OPEN - BATTLE CREEK,
MICHIGAN
at the McCamly Plaza Hotel, 50 Capital Avenue, SW, Battle Creek, MI
48017. 3 Sections OPEN, U1800, U1400, (Merge after Round 2) Up to
two 1/2pt byes-must be requested prior to the start of Rd.3. *OPEN
section FIDE rated. USCF & State Membership required (can be pur-
chased on site) PRIZE FUND: $4,500 OPEN Section $2,250 (B/38, min.
6per prize section): 1st, $900, 2nd $500, 3rd $350, Top X, Top A,
U1800/UNR $250 each. U1800 Section $1200 (B/34, min. 6 per prize
section): 1st $500, 2nd $300, Top U1600, U1400/UNR $200 each. U1400
Section $800 (B/34, min. 6 per prize section): 1st $300, 2nd $200,
Top E, U1000, U800/UNR $100 each. *UNR eligible for TOP or UNRATED
prizes ONLY. ENTRY FEES: Due by April 22, 2016 (After April 22nd add
$10) OPEN: 3 Day- $83, 2 Day- $82 (no Re-entries) IMs/GMs FREE! ($80
EF deducted from prize) U1800 3 Day- $63, 2 Day- $62, Re-Entry $40.
U1400 3 Day- $53, 2 Day- $52, Re-Entry- $35. TIME LIMITS: (Merge
after Rd. 2) 3 Day-RDs 1-3 G/120 d5; RD. 4-5, 40/120, SD30 d5 2 Day-
Rds 1-2, G/60 d5; RD. 3 G/120 d5; 4-5 40/120, SD30 d5. REGISTRATION
TIMES: 3 Day Fri. April 29- 4:30pm-6:00pm, 2 Day Sat. April 30-
9:00am-11:00am ROUNDS: (Merge after Rd. 2) 3 Day- Fri. 7pm, Sat.
12:00pm & 4:30pm, Sun. 10am & 3:30pm. 2 Day- Sat. 11:30, 2:00pm &
4:30pm, Sun.10:00am, 3:30pm. ONLINE REGISTERATION: Online:
www.bccfoundation.org/glopen (beginning December 1st) or through
The Battle Creek Community Foundation, 32 W. Michigan Ave., Suite 1,
Battle Creek,Michigan 49017 (269) 962-2181 contact Holly Munsch. Lodg-
ing: McCamly Plaza Hotel 50 Capital Avenue SW, Battle Creek, MI
49017 *Ask for the Great Lakes Open Chess rate of $94. (Special chess
rate available until April 22, 2016.) Parking is $8 per day w/unlimited in
Categories
Added
& out privileges. Free parking is available in local lots on weekends. To
reserve a room at the hotel: www.mccamlyplaza.com or to reach hotel
reservations call (888) 622-2659. *NOTE: Room block is limited, so
PLEASE reserve your room at the hotel promptly! CONTACT: For tour-
nament registration questions contact Holly Munsch at the Battle Creek
Community Foundation (269) 962-2181 or holly@bccfoundation.org. All
chess related questions may be directed to Tony Nichols, Tournament
Director at sensie 48910@yahoo.com.
An American Classic!
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, ILLINOIS
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 200 (ENHANCED)
25TH ANNUAL CHICAGO OPEN
Open Section, May 26-30: 9SS, 40/2, SD/30 d10, GM & IM norms
possible, FIDE rated. Under 2300 through Under 1300 Sections, May
27-30, 28-30 or 29-30: 7SS, 40/2, SD/30 d10 (3-day option, rds 1-2
G/60 d10; 2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/30 d10). Under 1000 Section, May
28-30 or 29-30: 7SS, G/90 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/30 d10).
Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave., Wheel-
ing, IL 60090 (from Chicago, I-294 north to US-45 north; from Milwaukee,
I-94 east to Lake Cook Rd. to US-45 south.) Free parking. Free lectures
and analysis of your games by GM John Fedorowicz. $100,000 guar-
anteed prize fund. In 8 sections (unrated allowed only in Open, U2300,
U2100 or U1000). Open: $10000-5000-2500-1300-1000-800-600-500-
400-400, clear or tiebreak winner bonus $300, top FIDE Under 2400/Unr
$2000-1000. FIDE rated, GM and IM norms possible. Under 2300: $5000-
2500-1200-800-600-500-400-300-300-300. Under 2100: $5000-2500-1200-
800-600-500-400-300-300-300; unrated limit $1000. Under 1900: $5000-
2500-1200-800-600-500-400-300-300-300. Under 1700: $5000-2500-1200-
800-600-500-400-300-300-300. Under 1500: $4000-2000-1000-700-500-
400-300-300-300-300. Under 1300: $4000-2000- 1000-700-500-400-
300-300-300-300. Under 1000: $1000-500-300-200-200-150-150-100-
100-100, unrated limit $200, trophies to first 10, top U800, U600, U400,
Unrated. Prize limits: 1) If any post-event rating posted 5/25/15-
5/25/16 was more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit
$1500. 2) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated as of 5/16 official
list cannot win over $1000 in U1300, $1500 U1500, $2000 U1700, or
$2500 U1900. 3) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in
line. Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes: best male/female combined 2-
player team score: $2000-1000-500-400-300. For Open Section, only
rounds 1-7 counted towards mixed doubles. Team average must be
under 2200; teammates may play in different sections; teams must
register (no extra fee) before both players begin round 2; teammate
pairings avoided but possible; prize limits do not apply to mixed doubles.
Open EF for titled players: GMs free; $200 deducted from prize.
IMs/WGMs $100; another $100 deducted from prize. Open entry fee,
if rated 2200/over by USCF or FIDE or foreign FIDE rated: $207 online
Chess Life
Only $49 for Premium Membership,
which includes a copy of Chess Life
every month. Regular Memberships
are available for $40 and give
online-only access to Chess Life.
(Note to affiliates: If you collect a
$49 membership, you may submit
it online to US Chess for $46.)

at chessaction.com by 3/21, $227 by 5/24, $250 at site, or online until 5
pm 5/26. Mailed by 3/21 $215, mailed by 5/13 $235. Phoned to 406-
896-2038 by 3/21 $215, by 5/23 $235. US players not rated 2200/over
by USCF or FIDE: $100 more. U2300 to U1300 Sections EF: $207
online at chessaction.com by 3/21, $227 by 5/25, $215 phoned to 406-
896-2038 by 3/21, $235 phoned by 5/23 (entry only, no questions), 4-day
$214, 3-day $213, 2-day $212 mailed by 3/21, all $20 more mailed by
5/13. All $250 online until 2 hours before game or at site until 1 hour
before game. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Do not mail entry after
5/13. EF $100 less to seniors age 65/over, except in U1000 Section.
Under 1000 Section EF: $57 online at chessaction.com by 5/25, $65
phoned to 406-896-2038 by 5/23 (entry only, no questions), 3-day $63,
2-day $62 mailed by 5/13, all $80 online until 2 hours before game or at
site until 1 hour before game. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Online
or mailed EF $5 less to ICA members; join at il-chess.org. An ICA Tour
Event. Special 1 yr US Chess dues with magazine if paid with entry:
Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15.
Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic
$17. Re-entry: $100, no re-entry from Open to Open. 5-day schedule
(Open only): Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds. Thu 7 pm, Fri 12 & 7, Sat 11 & 6,
Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4. 4-day schedule (U2300 to U1300): Reg. ends
Fri 6 pm, Rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4. 3-day
schedule (U2300 to U1300): Reg. ends Sat 10 am, Rds. Sat 11, 2:30 &
6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4. 2-day schedule (U2300 to U1300): Reg.
ends Sun 9 am, Rds. Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 4. 3-day U1000
schedule: Reg. ends Sat 1 pm, Rds. Sat 2 & 6, Sun 10, 2 & 6, Mon 10 &
2. 2-day U1000 schedule: Reg. ends Sun. 9 am, Rds. Sun 10, 12, 2,
3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 2. 4-day, 3-day & 2-day schedules merge & compete
for same prizes. Byes: OK all, limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4 rds.), Open must
commit before rd. 2, others before rd. 4. Hotel rates: $107-107-107-
107, 800-937-8461, 847-777-6500, reserve by 5/12 or rate may increase.
Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online
through chesstour.com. Foreign player ratings: See www.chesstour.
com/foreignratings.htm. US player ratings: May official ratings used;
FIDE ratings used for Open Section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually
used if otherwise unrated. Special rules: 1) Players must submit to a
search for electronic devices if requested by Director. See also
chesstour.com/devices.htm. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham,
NY 10803. Questions: chesstour.com, chesstour.info, DirectorAtChess.US,
347-201-2269. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries posted
at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Bring set, board,
clock if possible- none supplied.
JUNE 22-23, NEVADA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30 (ENHANCED)
2016 U.S. WOMENS OPEN
See Nationals.
JUNE 23, NEVADA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 50 (ENHANCED)
WALTER BROWNE MEMORIAL NATIONAL OPEN BLITZ CHAM-
PIONSHIP (BLZ)
7 D-SS (14 games), G/3 +2. Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, 3000
Paradise Road, 89109. $5,000 Guaranteed Prize fund! Open: $1000-
500-300. U2400 300, U2300 275, U2200 250, U2100 225, U2000 200.
Reserve (U1900): $500-300-150, U1700 250, U1600 200, U1500 175,
U1400 150, U1200 125, U1000 100. Open section FIDE blitz rated. Must
be 3 players eligible for each prize awarded. Unrated eligible for under
prizes in open section only. EF: $40 by 6/3, $60 later. REG.: by 6:00
p.m. Rd. 1 at 7 p.m. www.VegasChessFestival.com.
JUNE 24-26 OR 25-26, NEVADA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 300 (ENHANCED)
2016 NATIONAL OPEN
See Nationals.
JUNE 27, NEVADA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 60 (ENHANCED)
2016 U.S. GAME/10 CHAMPIONSHIP (QC)
See Nationals.
An American Classic!
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, PENNSYLVANIA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 300 (ENHANCED)
44TH ANNUAL WORLD OPEN
9SS at luxurious Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market St.,
Philadelphia, PA 19107, directly across the street from the world famous
Reading Terminal Market with over 100 food vendors. In 9 sections.
$225,000 guaranteed prizes. Unrated may enter only Open, U2200,
U2000, or Unrated Sections. Free analysis of your games by GM Sam
Palatnik 6/30-7/4, free GM lectures 9 am 7/2 & 7/3. Open Section,
June 30-July 4 only: 40/2, SD/30 d10. Under 2200 to Under 1200
Sections, June 30-July 4, July 1-4 or 2-4: 40/2, SD/30 d10 (4-day
option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10; 3-day option, rds. 1-5 G/35 d10). Under 900
Section & Unrated Section, July 2-4 only: G/60 d10, play separate
schedule. Open: $20000-10000-5000-2500-1300-1000-800-700-600-500,
clear winner bonus $500, top FIDE 2300-2449 $5000-2500-1500, top FIDE
2200-2299 $5000-2500-1500. Top FIDE U2200/Unr $5000-2500-1500. If
tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game 10 pm 7/4 for title &
bonus prize. GM & IM norms possible. FIDE rated. Under 2200/Unr:
$12000-6000-3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400-400, top U2100 (no unr)
$2000-1000, unrated limit $2000. Under 2000/Unr: $12000-6000-3000-
1500-1000-800-600-500-400-400, top U1900 (no unr) $2000-1000, unrated
limit $1000. Under 1800: $12000-6000-3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-
400-400, top U1700 $2000-1000. Under 1600: $10000-5000-2500-1300-
900-700-600-500-400-400, top U1500 $2000-1000. Under 1400: $8000-
4000-2000-1300-900-700-600-500-400-400, top U1300 $1600-800. Under
1200: $4000-2000-1000-800-600-500-400-400-300-300, top U1000 $1000-
500. Under 900: $600-400-300-200- 100, plaques to top 10. Unrated:
$600-400-300-200-100, plaques to top 10. Prize limits: 1) If any post-
event rating posted 6/26/15-6/26/16 was more than 30 points over
section maximum, prize limit $2000. 2) Players with under 26 lifetime
See previous issue for TLAs appearing January 1-14
games rated as of 7/16 official list cannot win over $1000 in U1200,
$2000 U1400, $3000 U1600 through U2000. Games rated too late for
7/16 official list not counted toward 26 game total. 3) Balance of any
limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes:
best male/female combined 2-player team score: $3000-1500-700-
500-300. Team average must be under 2200; teammates may play in
different sections; teams must register (no extra fee) before both players
begin round 2; teammate pairings avoided but possible; prize limits do
not apply to mixed doubles. Entry fee for U2200 through U1400 sections,
and Open Section if USCF or FIDE 2200/over: Online at chessaction.com:
$308 by 4/15, $318 by 5/15, $328 by 6/27, $350 until 2 hours before
first game. Phoned to 406-896-2038: $315 by 4/15, $325 by 5/15,
$335 by 6/25. Mailed by 4/15: 5-day $315, 4-day $314, 3-day $313.
Mailed by 5/15: 5-day $325, 4-day $324, 3-day $323. Mailed by 6/15:
5-day $335, 4-day $334, 3-day $333. Do not mail entry after 6/15. At
site until 1 1/2 hours before first game: all $350; no checks, credit
cards OK. GMs in Open: free; $200 deducted from prize. IMs & WGMs
in Open: EF $100 less. Open Section EF $100 more if not rated 2200
or over by USCF or FIDE. Under 1200 Section EF: all $100 less than
above. Seniors 65/up: all EF $100 less in U1400 or above sections. U900
Section or Unrated Section EF: $68 online at chessaction.com by 6/27,
$73 mailed by 6/15 or phoned by 6/25, $80 at site until 1 hour before
game or online until 2 hours before game. No checks at site; credit
cards OK. Re-entry: $160, no re-entry from Open to Open. $20 fee for
switching section after 6/29. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine
if paid with entry: Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22,
Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult
$25, Scholastic $17. 5-day schedule: Thu 7 pm, Fri 11 am & 6 pm, Sat
11 am & 6 pm, Sun 11 am & 6 pm, Mon 10 am & 4:30 pm. 4-day schedule:
Fri 11, 2:30 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule:
Sat 11, 1:30, 3:30, 6 & 8:30, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. U900 Section,
Unrated Section schedule: Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 11, 2:30 & 6, Mon 10,
1:30 & 4:30. All schedules merge & compete for same prizes. Half point
byes OK all, limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd. 2,
others before rd 5. Entries, re-entries close 1 1/2 hours before your
first game. HR: $115-115-135, 215-625-2900, reserve early as chess
block may sell out by early June. Parking: Marriott valet parking, about
$20/day (60% off regular rate) for first 100 valet parking spaces sold.
Park America, 25 S. 12th St. (12th & Clover), 1 block from Marriott, about
$19/day each day, or $10 for 12 hrs Sat & Sun. Gateway Garage, 1540
Spring St. (3/5 mile from Marriott, 1 block from Sheraton Hotel), about
$5/day Sat & Sun, $18/day other days. Special car rental rates: Avis,
800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through
chesstour.com. Foreign player ratings: See www.chess tour.com/for-
eignratings.htm. US player ratings: Official July ratings used; June FIDE
ratings used for Open Section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used
if otherwise unrated. Special rules: Players must submit to a search for
electronic devices if requested by Director. See also chesstour.com/devices.
htm. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. Questions:
chesstour.com, chesstour.info, DirectorAt Chess.US. $15 service charge
for refunds. Advance entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries
posted instantly). Awards: Open through U1800 prizes & all plaques
awarded 7/4, others mailed by 7/18. Bring set, board, clock if possi-
ble- none supplied.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 5-10, PENNSYLVANIA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 200 (ENHANCED)
10TH ANNUAL PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL
9SS, 40/2, SD/30 d10, open to all. GM & IM norms possible, satisfies
FIDE requirement that one GM norm be in an event with only one round
per day for a minimum of 3 days. FIDE rated. Philadelphia Marriott Down-
town, 1201 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19107 (see World Open for rates
& parking info). $$G 10,000: $3000-1500-1000-700-600-500-400-300-
200, top FIDE under 2300 or unrated $1200-600. Minimum prize
guarantees: $700 to foreign GMs with FIDE ratings 2500/over, $500 to
foreign GMs with with FIDE ratings under 2500, $300 to foreign IMs/WGMs
(all must complete all 9 games with no byes; limited to first 5 foreign
GMs & first 5 foreign IMs/WGMs to enter by 6/24 at chessaction.com).
Minimum prize $300 to other GMs (including US) who complete all 9
games with no byes. Players who have forfeited without notice in past
CCA Internationals are not eligible for minimum prizes. EF: GMs, IMs,
WGMs $50 online at chessaction.com by 6/1, $75 online at chessaction.com
by 6/28, $100 at site; $100 deducted from prize (no deduction from min-
imum prize). Foreign FIDE rated players: $100 online at chessaction.com
by 6/1, $125 online by 6/28, $150 at site. USA players FIDE rated
2200/up: $200 online by 6/1, $225 online by 6/28, $250 at site. Others:
$300 online by 6/1, $325 online by 6/28, $350 at site. All: Phoned entry
(406-896-2038) all $10 more; no phoned entry after 6/28. Mailed entry
(Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803) all $10 more; do not mail entry after 6/15.
No checks at site, credit cards OK. Special 1 year USCF dues with mag-
azine: see World Open. Schedule: Late reg. ends Tue 5 pm, rds. Tue 6
pm, Wed 11 & 6, Thu 6, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 am. Two half point
byes available (must commit before rd. 2); norm not possible if taking
bye. HR: see World Open. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none
supplied. Ent: chess action.com. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions:
www.chess tour.com, DirectorAtChess.us, 347-201-2269. Online entries
posted instantly at chessaction.com. Invitations: GoAtChess.us. Use @
symbol instead of At in email addresses.
Regional
ALABAMA
FEB. 19-21 OR 20-21, Georgian Peach Open (GA)
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 27, Tom Nard Memorial II
4SS, Game/45 + 10 second increment per move. Round times: 9:30,
11:30, 2:30, 4:30. Location: Evangel Church, 3975 Vaughn Rd., Mont-
gomery, AL. Three sections: OPEN (prizes b/20): 1st $250 (60% GTD),
2nd $150, U2000/unrated $100. U1800 (prizes b/20): 1st $225 (60%
GTD), 2nd $125, U1500/unrated $100. U1200 (prizes b/20): 1st $200
(60% GTD), 2nd $125, U1000/unrated $100. EF: $30 by February 19,
$35 thereafter. Registration: Send name, USCF ID, section, and EF
(payable to Evangel Church) to Doug Strout, 6000 Camelot Ct., Mont-
gomery, AL 36117 (email: dtstrout@bellsouth.net).
ARIZONA
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
Tuesday Night Open
4 or 5 round, USCF rated tournament. ROUND TIMES: 7:00pm. One game
every Tuesday of the month: Time Control: 40/120,SD/60 d5. PRIZES:
1st Place and Class Prizes based on number of entries. ENTRY FEE: $45.
TO REGISTER: chessemporium.com, call 602-482-4867. SITE: 10801 N.
32nd St., Suite 6, Phoenix, AZ 85028.
JAN. 22-24 OR 23-24, Tucson Open and Scholastics
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 23 AND/OR 24, 2016 U.S. Junior Chess Congress (CA-N)
See Nationals.
FEB. 11-15, 12-15, 13-15 OR 14-15, 7th annual Southwest
Class Championships (TX)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 4-6 OR 5-6, 23rd annual Western Class Championships
(CA-S)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 28-30, 2016 U.S. Amateur Championship West
See Nationals.
JUNE 22-23, 2016 U.S. Womens Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 24-26 OR 25-26, 2016 National Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 27, 2016 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC) (NV)
See Nationals.
ARKANSAS
FEB. 19-21 OR 20-21, Georgian Peach Open (GA)
See Grand Prix.
CALIFORNIA, NORTHERN
JAN. 15-18, 16-18 OR 17-18, 7th annual Golden State Open
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 17, Bay Area Cupertino Quads (PK-12; 3xG/30 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, Cupertino, CA 95014. Trophies: Players w + score.
Sched: Reqrd. Check-in 1:30-2p. Games: 2:15-5p. EF: 29, 44 after 1/15.
Info: www.BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
JAN. 17, Bay Area Cupertino Swiss (PK-12; 4SS, G/30 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, Cupertino, CA 95014. Trophies: players w + score.
Sched: Reg. 9:30-9:45a. Games: 10a - 1:30p. EF: 34, 49 after 1/15.
Info: www.BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
JAN. 23 AND/OR 24, 2016 U.S. Junior Chess Congress
See Nationals.
JAN. 24, Cupertino DuperSwiss75 (3SS, G/75 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, Cupertino, CA 95014. Prizes: $1,300 b/50. 60%
guar. 1900+: $200-100-100, u2000 50-50. 1500-1899: $200-100, u1600
50-50. u1500: $200-100, u1200 50-50. Jan 16 Supp & TD disc. Reg.: 8-
8:45. Rds.: 9-11:45-2:40. EF: 48 Econ 33 w 1/2 prz. after 1/22 +15,
playup +25, Rtd 2200+ $0 by 1/14. Info: www.BayAreaChess.com/
grandprix. W.
JAN. 29-31 OR 30-31, Bay Area Chess CM Azhar Memorial
Championship
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 30, Bay Area KIPP Heartwood Quads (PK-12; 3xG/30 d5)
KIPP Heartwood Academy, 1250 S. King Rd., San Jose, CA 95122. Trophies:
Players w + score. Sched: Reqrd Check-in 9:30-10a. Games: 10a-2p.
EF: 25, 40 after 1/28. Info: www.BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
JAN. 31, Bay Area San Ramon Quads (PK-12; 3xG/30 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, 18090 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon, CA 94583.
Trophies: Players w + score. Sched: Reqrd Check-in 1:30-2p. Games:
2:15-5p. EF: 29, 44 after 1/29. Info: www.BayAreaChess.com/ signature.
W.
JAN. 31, Bay Area San Ramon Swiss (PK-12; 4SS, G/30 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, 18090 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon, CA 94583.
Trophies: players w + score. Sched: Reg. 9:30-9:45a. Games: 10a-
1:30p. EF: 34, 42 after 1/29. Info: www.BayAreaChess.com/signature.
W.
FEB. 7, Bay Area Cupertino Quads (PK-12; 3xG/30 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, Cupertino, CA 95014. Trophies: Players w +score.
Sched: Reqrd. Check-in 1:30-2p. Games: 2:15-5p. EF: 29, 44 after 2/5.
Info: www.BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
FEB. 7, Bay Area Cupertino Swiss (PK-12; 4SS, G/30 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, Cupertino, CA 95014. Trophies: players w + score.
Sched: Reg. 9:30-9:45a. Games: 10a - 1:30p. EF: 34, 49 after 2/5. Info:
www.BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
FEB. 7, Foster City LuperSwiss90 (3SS, G/90 d5)
Courtyard Foster City, 550 Shell Blvd., Foster City, CA 94404. Prizes:
$1,300 b/50. 60% guar. 1900+: $200-100-100, u2000 50-50. 1500-
1899: $200-100, u1600 50-50. u1500: $200-100, u1200 50-50. Jan 16
Supp & TD disc. Reg.: 8-8:45. Rds.: 9-11:45-2:40. EF: 48, Econ 33 w 1/2
prz. after 2/4 +15, playup +25, Rtd 2200+ $0 by 1/27. Info:
www.BayAreaChess.com/grandprix. W.
www.uschess.org 61
Tournament Life / January

FEB. 13-15 OR 14-15, 32nd Annual U.S. Amateur Team Cham-
pionship West
See Nationals.
FEB. 15, Bay Area Fremont Quads (PK-12; 4SS, G/30 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, Fremont, CA 94538. Trophies: Players w + score.
Sched: Reqrd. Check-in 1:30-2p. Games: 2:15-5p. EF: 29, 44 after 2/13.
Info: www.BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
FEB. 15, Bay Area Fremont Swiss (PK-12; 4SS, G/30 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, Fremont, CA 94538. Trophies: players w + score.
Sched: Reg. 9:30-9:45a. Games: 10a - 1:30p. EF: 34, 49 after 2/13.
Info: www.BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
FEB. 27 OR 27-28, 11th SPF Nationwide Open for Girls and
Boys
6SS, G/60 d5. Official Qualifier for the SPF Girls Invitational & FIDE
World Youth 2016. MAIN EVENT: San Mateo Event Center, 1346 Saratoga
Dr., San Mateo. Free Parking. $100,000+ in prizes (lots of trophies,
chess prizes & scholarships). $1,000 Triple Crown Bonus! All details
on www.SPFNO.com. CHAMPIONSHIP SECTIONS: U8, U10, U12, U14,
U16/18 in separate sections for Girls and Boys. TIME CONTROLS: All
games will be G/60 d5. ROUND TIMES: Sat & Sun 9am, 11:30am, 2:30pm.
EF: $39 UNTIL 12/1, $59 until 1/20, $69 until 2/20, $89 after. Unrated
Reserve Sections: K-2 < 500 or UNR / 3-6 < 800 or UNR Rds. 2/27:
9, 10:30, 1, 3:30 & 5. Reserve Sections Time Control: G/25 d5 EF:
$29 UNTIL 2/20, $49 after. ADDITIONAL EVENTS: Q & A and 25 board
Simul against GM Susan Polgar 2/26 6:30pm (venue TBA) EF $29 UNTIL
12/1, $49 after. 2/27- Puzzle Solving Championship (one section) 5-
5:30pm. EF $19 UNTIL 12/1, $29 until 2/20, $39 after. Blitz
Championship. G/5+0 starts at 5:45pm. EF $19 UNTIL 12/1, $29 until
2/20, $39 after. USCF Membership required for all championship sections
& blitz. January 2016 Supplement used. TD discretion to place players
accurately. HOTEL: Special Room Rate. Sofitel San Francisco Bay, 223
Twin Dolphin Dr., Redwood City. Call (650) 598-9000 for reservations.
ORGANIZER: Chris Torres chesslessons@aol.com Or mail to: TCAMA,
16691 Colonial Trail, Lathrop, CA 95330. More Info & Flyer or
Register Online: www.SPFNO.com
NOTE
Players who qualify for the World Youth Cham-
pionship but represent a FIDE Academy are not
included in the official US Chess Federation
Delegation.
MAR. 4-6 OR 5-6, 23rd annual Western Class Championships
(CA-S)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 22-23, 2016 U.S. Womens Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 24-26 OR 25-26, 2016 National Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 27, 2016 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC) (NV)
See Nationals.
CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN
THE LOS ANGELES CHESS CLUB
The Most Active Club on the West Coast! (310) 795-5710. *
LACC: www.LAChessClub.com; VCC: www.ValleyChessClub
.com; Contact email: Mick@LAChessClub.com; Saturdays:
10am-10 pm (Beg & Interm. classes + 3 Tournaments). Sundays:
11 am -7 pm (Junior class + 2 Tournaments) Details on our
web site. Tuesdays: 7:30-9:30 pm (Advance Lecture). 11514
Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025. (4 blocks W of
405, SW corner of Santa Monica & Butler * 2nd Floor above
Javan Restaurant) Group Classes * Tournaments * Private (1:1)
Lessons. Note: We added a new club in the valley!
JAN. 1, NYD Rapid & Blitz Championships (BLZ)
Rapid: 5SS, G/25 d5. Blitz: 7DSS, G/5 d0. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd.,
LA 90025, 2nd fl. 1 Open section each, EF: Rapid $40; Blitz $20; (LACC
members ($30/15). NYD Special: All Free for new LACC members. Reg.:
10-11 am. Rapid Rds. 11, 12, 1, 2. Up to two 1/2 pt. byes available.
Blitz Rds: 3, 3:30, 4, 4:30, 5, 5:30, 6 pm. Rapid Prizes: $$ 1,000 (b/40
- 50% Gtd). 1st-4th: $300-150-50 U2000: $100. U1800: $100-50; U1600:
$100-50; U1400: $100-25. Blitz Prizes: 1/2 collections. Ent: LACC, Box
251774, LA, CA 90025. Info: Mick Bighamian: Cell (310) 795-5710; email:
Mick@LAChessClub.com or www.LAChessClub.com. Parking: Free
St./BoA/building basement.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 2&3, 9&10, 23&24, LACC - Saturday & Sunday G/61
6SS, G/61 d5. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA 90025, 2nd fl. EF: $60 ($40
LACC memb; No prizes 1/2; second child 1/2). Reg.: 11-12 pm. Rds.: 12,
2, 4 pm each day. 1-day option: $30/$20. Prizes: 1/2 collections. Parking:
Free at BoA & basement. Info: 310/795-5710 or www.LAChessClub.com.
JAN. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, LACC - Every Saturday Chess 4 JRS
5 separate events- 5SS, G/30 d0. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd. & Butler
LA, 90025, 2nd fl. 4 blocks West of 405. EF: $30 ($20 LACC memb, No
prize 1/2, siblings 1/2, Free new LACC members). Reg.: 12-1 pm. Rds.:
1pm & asap; done by 4. Prizes: Trophies & medals. All players receive
prizes! Parking: Free on streets & BoA. Free pizzas & juices. Info: (310)
795-5710 or www.LAChessClub.com or Mick@LAChessClub.com.
JAN. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, LACC - Saturday Nite Blitzathon (BLZ)
5 separate events- 7DSS, G/5 d0 (14 Games). 11514 Santa Monica
Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd fl. 4 blks W of 405. EF: $20 ($15 LACC memb).
Blitz-rated. No prizes $10. Reg.: 6-6:30 pm. Rds.: 6:30, 6:55, 7:20, 7:45,
8:10, 8:35, 9 pm. Prizes: 1/2 collections. Parking: Free on streets &
BoA. Info: 310/795-5710 or www.LAChessClub.com.
JAN. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, LACC - Every Sunday Chess 4 JRS
5 separate events- 5SS, G/30 d0. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd. & Butler
LA, 90025, 2nd fl. 4 blocks West of 405. EF: $30 ($20 LACC memb, No
prize 1/2, siblings 1/2, Free new LACC members). Reg.: 12-1 pm. Rds.:
1pm & asap; done by 4. Prizes: Trophies & medals. All players receive
prizes! Parking: Free on streets & BoA. Free pizzas & juices. Info: (310)
795-5710 or www.LAChessClub.com or Mick@LAChessClub.com.
JAN. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, LACC - Sunday Nite Blitzathon (BLZ)
5 separate events- 5DSS, G/5 d0 (10 Games). 11514 Santa Monica
Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd fl. 4 blks W of 405. EF: $20 ($15 LACC memb).
Blitz-rated. No prizes $10. Reg.: 6-6:30 pm. Rds.: 6:30, 6:55, 7:20, 7:45,
8:10 pm. Prizes: 1/2 collections. Parking: Free on streets & BoA. Info:
310/795-5710 or www.LAChessClub.com.
JAN. 15-18, 16-18 OR 17-18, 7th annual Golden State Open
(CA-N)
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 16-17, 2016 Kings Memorial
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 16-18 OR 17-18, Dreaming King Open
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 23 AND/OR 24, 2016 U.S. Junior Chess Congress (CA-N)
See Nationals.
JAN. 30-31, 2016 Paul Keres Memorial
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 4-6 OR 5-6, 23rd annual Western Class Championships
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 22-23, 2016 U.S. Womens Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 24-26 OR 25-26, 2016 National Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 27, 2016 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC) (NV)
See Nationals.
COLORADO
FEB. 11-15, 12-15, 13-15 OR 14-15, 7th annual Southwest
Class Championships (TX)
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 12-13, Colorado Springs Open - Manitou Springs, CO
5-SS. Time Control: Rds. 1-2 G/90 with 5 seconds delay; Rds. 3-5 G/90

23rd annual WESTERN CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS

March 4-6 or 5-6 - Ontario , South ern Califor nia
Ontario Hotel & Conference Center- free parking, free airport shuttle, $16,000 guaranteed!
5 rounds, 40/100, SD/30, d10 (2-day
option, rds 1-2 G/60, d10). Both
schedules merge & play for same prizes.
Ontario Hotel & Conference Center,
700 N Haven Ave, Ontario CA 91764 (I-
10 to N Haven Ave). Free parking, free
Ontario Airport shuttle.
$16,000 guaranteed prizes. In 7
sections:
Master Section (over 2199): $1500-
800-500-300, clear/tiebreak 1st $100,
top U2300 $600-300. 100 GPP.
Expert Section (2000-2199):
$1200-600-400-200.
Class A Section (1800-1999/Unr):
$1200-600-400-200.
Class B Section (1600-1799/Unr):
$1200-600-400-200.
Class C Section (1400-1599/Unr):
$800-400-200-100.
Class D Section (1200-1399/Unr):
$800-400-200-100.
Class E Section (Under 1200/Unr):
$400-200-120-80, plaques to first 3, top
U1000, U800, U600, Unrated.
Rated players may play up one
section. Unrated must play in A or below
with prize limit E $100, D $200, C $300.
B $500, A $700. Balance goes to next
player(s) in line.
Mixed doubles bonus prizes: best
male/female 2-player team combined
score among all sections: $600-300.
Team average must be under 2200;
teammates may play in different
sections.
Top 4 sections entry fee: $115
online at chessaction.com by 3/2, $120
phoned to 406-896-2038 by 2/29, 3-day
$118, 2-day $117 if check mailed by
2/24, all $130 online until 2 hours before
round 1 or at site. No checks at site,
credit cards OK.
Class C or D Section entry fee: all
$30 less. Class E Section entry fee: all
fees $60 less.
All: Special USCF dues if paid with
entry fee: see Chess Life TLA or
chesstour.com. Re-entry $60 (except
Master Section to Master Section).
SCCF membership ($18, under 18
$3) required for rated So. CA residents.
3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 6 pm,
rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 5 pm, Sun 10
am & 3:15 pm.
2-day schedule: Reg Sat to 10 am,
rds Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15.
Half point byes OK all rounds; limit
2, Master must commit before rd 2,
others before rd 3.
All: Bring sets, boards, clocks if
possible- none supplied.
Hotel rates: $95-95, 909-980-0400
or use link at chesstour.com, reserve by
2/19 or rate may increase.
March official ratings used (web
unofficial ratings usually used if
otherwise unrated).
E n t r y: c hessaction. c o m o r
Continental Chess, PO Box 8482,
Pelham NY 10803. $15 service charge
for refunds. Advance entries posted at
chessaction.com (online entries posted
immediately).

62 January 2016 | Chess Life


with 30 seconds increment. Manitou Springs City Hall, 606 Manitou
Avenue. One open section. EF: $35 if recd by 3/9, $40 at site. $5 discount
for juniors, seniors, unrateds. Additional $5 discount for Supporting
Members of Colorado Springs Chess Club. Cash prizes per entries. Reg-
ister: 8:309:30 AM. Rounds: 10 AM, 2:30 PM, 7:00 PM Saturday; 9
AM, 3 PM Sunday. Entries to: Richard Buchanan, 1 Sutherland Rd.,
Manitou Springs, CO 80829. Information: (719) 685 1984 or
buckpeace@pcisys.net. CSCA membership required: $15, juniors &
seniors $10. OSA Colorado Tour Event.
JUNE 22-23, 2016 U.S. Womens Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 24-26 OR 25-26, 2016 National Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 27, 2016 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC) (NV)
See Nationals.
CONNECTICUT
JAN. 8-10 OR 9-10, 4th annual Boston Chess Congress (MA)
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 9 OR 10 OR 9-10, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents
the 50th Annual Greater NY Scholastic Championships - Since
1966, US Chess Longest-Running Scholastic! (NY)
See New York.
FEB. 6, 2016 Greater New Haven Winter Open!
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 26-28 OR 27-28, George Washington Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 5, 2016 Fairfield County Scholastic Championships! (K-8,
K-12, K-1)
Parkway School, 141 Lower Cross Rd., Greenwich, CT. Sections K-8, K-12:
4-SS, G/45 d5; K-1: 5-SS, G/30 d5. Top 5 individual trophies all sections,
Top 3 teams each section. EF: $40 online by 2/13. $60 thereafter or mail,
onsite $100 9-9:30. Rd.1 10am then asap. More info and Register online:
www.edutechchess.com. Edutech, 343 Beach St., West Haven, CT 06516.
MAR. 6, 2016 Fairfield County Scholastic Championships! (K-3, K-6)
Parkway School, 141 Lower Cross Rd., Greenwich, CT. Sections K-3, K-6, 5-
SS, G/30 d5, Top 5 trophies all sections, Top 3 teams. Chess medals all
entries. EF: $40 online by 2/13, $60 thereafter or mail, onsite $100 9-9:30.
Rd.1 10am then asap. More info and Register online www.edutechchess.com,
or Edutech, 343 Beach St., West Haven, CT 06516 .
MAR. 12-13, 49th annual New York State Scholastic Champi-
onships (out of state welcome) (NY)
See New York.
MAR. 23-27, 24-27, 25-27 OR 26-27, 10th annual Philadel-
phia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
APR. 22-24 OR 23-24, 25th annual Eastern Class Champi-
onships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 5-10, 10th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
DELAWARE
JAN. 9 OR 10 OR 9-10, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents
the 50th Annual Greater NY Scholastic Championships - Since
1966, US Chess Longest-Running Scholastic! (NY)
See New York.
FEB. 26-28 OR 27-28, George Washington Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 23-27, 24-27, 25-27 OR 26-27, 10th annual Philadel-
phia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 16-17, DC Junior Open
U.S. Chess Center, 410 8th St. NW, Washington, DC 20004 Open to all in
K-12. 4-SS. EF: $20 if by 1/9, $30 at door. 7 Sections, Open, Under 1400,
Under 1000, Under Age 13 and rated Under 800, Under Age 13 and rated
Under 600, Under Age 13 and rated Under 400 & Under Age 13 and
rated Under 200. $100 prize for Open Champion. Trophies in all sections.
Reg.: 12-12:45. Top Section: G/85 d5 (games eligible for US Chess Junior
Grand Prix). Rds.: 1 - 4, 12:30 - 3:30 This section determines the DC
Scholastic male and female Champions. Other 6 Sections TC: G/25 d5
with all games played on Saturday. Info: (202) 857-4922. Website:
www.chessctr.org/DCJunior.php.
FEB. 26-28 OR 27-28, George Washington Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 12, DC Girls Open
4-SS, G/25 d5. US Chess Center, 410 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC
20004. EF: $20 if by 3/5, $30 at site. Open to any girl in K-12, not only
from DC. $100 to first place in top section, trophies to top 5 in each of 2
sections by age. Reg.: 12-12:45. (202) 857-4922. www.chessctr.org/girls.php.
See previous issue for TLAs appearing January 1-14
FLORIDA
South Florida Grand Prix Series
This is the former Epicure Grand Prix that took place at Miami Country
Day. Scholastic and Non-Scholastic sections. More information at website:
www.bocachess.com or call 561-479-0351.
The Stormont Kings Chess Center in Miami, FL
Conducts Private and Group Lessons, Homeschool Activities, Tournaments,
Camps, Family Game Nights, Parents Night Out, Casual Chess Play and
more! Complimentary Refreshments, Ample Parking, Comfortable Waiting
Room, and more! Located at 8353 SW 124 St., Suite 201-A, Miami, FL
33156. Contact Chris Stormont, Phone: 786-303-2437, Email: chris@stor-
montkingschess.com, Web: www.StormontKingsChess.com.
JAN. 16-17, Palatka Winter Open (MLK Weekend)
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 29-31 OR 30-31, Central Florida Class Championships
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 12-14 OR 13-14, 2016 U.S. Amateur Team Championship
South
See Nationals.
FEB. 19-21 OR 20-21, Georgian Peach Open (GA)
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 20, Cagan Crossings Community Library
5-SS, G/50 d5. Cagan Crossings Library, 16729 Cagan Oaks Blvd., Cler-
mont, FL. Off of U.S. Hwy 27/S.R. 25. Across Hwy from Lowes; Diagonal
across from Walmart. Bring set and clock if possible. ENTRY FEE: $30.
Mailed or brought to library. $40 cash at door. GM fees waived. USCF
rtg & conf ID# req. for cash prize. Unrated tournament being run con-
currently. No fees for unrated. PRIZES: Guaranteed $150/75/55 after
10 registrations pro-rated. Prizes then increase by $50/25/10 after
every 5 paid registrations. Unrated winners awarded chess medals.
9AM - 5PM Arrive by 8:45 to register. CONTACT: Herb Pilgrim: Library
#352-243-1840; Cell: 352-396-1006; email: librarychessclub@yahoo.com.
FEB. 27-28, Central Florida Chess Club Championship
See Grand Prix.
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 5-10, 10th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
GEORGIA
Georgia Chess - Every Friday Knight Face-Off
3SS, G/30 d5. Georgia Chess Club - Hampton Inn & Suites, 16785 Old
Morris Rd., Alpharetta, GA 30004. Registration: Online $15.00 GCC Mem-
bers; $20.00 Non-Members. www.GeorgiaChess.Club. Onsite 6:00PM to
6:45PM $5.00 more. Sections: Open/Reserve (may change at TDs dis-
cretion). Rds.: 7:00, 2nd and 3rd round will start immediately after, (1/2
point byes available).
JAN. 15-17 OR 16-17, GT MLK Championship
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 12, 2016 A.C.P. Blitz Championship (BLZ)
5-SS, G/5 d0, double round, 10 games. Interactive College of Technology,
5227 New Peachtree Rd., Chamblee, GA 30341. Prizes: $300 based on
20 entries, else promotionally raised or lowered. $100-50, u2100 $60,
u1800 $50, u1500 $40. EF: $20 at site only, no checks. Bye: 1. Reg.:
ends 7:00 p.m. Rounds: 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9, 10:30. Blitz rated, but higher of
blitz or regular rating used for pairings and prizes. Info: 478-973-9389
or americanchesspromotions.com.
FEB. 12-14 OR 13-14, 2016 U.S. Amateur Team Championship
South (FL)
See Nationals.
FEB. 13, 2016 A.C.P. G/90 Championship
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 14, 2016 Atlanta February Quads
3-SS, G/75 d5. Interactive College of Technology, 5227 New Peachtree
Rd., Chamblee, GA 30341. 4-player sections starting from highest rating
down. Entry Fee: $35 by 2/12; $40 at site. Prizes: $125 1st each quad.
Reg.: 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Rounds: 10:30-2-5. No Byes. Info: info@amer-
icanchesspromotions.com or (478)-973-9389. Enter: americanchess
promotions.com. W.
FEB. 19-21 OR 20-21, Georgian Peach Open
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 11-13 OR 12-13, 2016 Boris Kogan Memorial
See Grand Prix.
APR. 1-3, 2016 National High School (K-12) Championship
See Nationals.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 5-10, 10th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
ILLINOIS
JAN. 16, Winter Open Individual Scholastic Tournament
Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, 1800 East Golf Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173,
(847) 605-1234. Discounted early EF $25, $30 at door by 11:30 am, $35
after that, Rnds: 12 (noon)-1-2-3-4, G/25 d0, Open to under 18 years of
age, 2 sections: U1200, U700, 10 individual trophies per section (team
trophies not available), Participation award to each player. Bring sets-
boards-clocks, none provided. January Regular ratings may be used
for pairings/prizes; however, tournament is Quick Rated only. All rules,
regulations, and procedures may be superseded by announcements/post-
ings at the site. Ent: Tim Just, 37165 Willow, Gurnee, IL 60031. Info
only 847-773-7706 before 6 PM. E-mail for info only (sorry, e-mail &
phone entries not available): timjust@chessforlife.com, Checks payable
to: Chess For Life, LLC, info and Discounted PayPal early entries until
6 PM 1-15-16: www.chessforlife.com. W.
JAN. 16-17, Tim Justs Winter Open/Reserve XXXIII
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 23, Bradley Winter Open
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 6, Greater Chicago K-12 Championship!
Chicagos Official Scholastic Championship* 5-SS, G/30 (G/25 d5), open
to all grades 12 & below. McCormick Place - West Building 2301 S. Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Chicago, IL. PRIMARY (K-3): Varsity: open
to all. Trophies: top 5 players, top rated Under 800, top 2 schools. Junior
Varsity: open to Under 600. Trophies: top 15 players, top Unrated & top
kindergartner, top 4 schools. ELEMENTARY (K-6): Varsity: open to all.
Trophies: top 5 players, top rated Under 1000, top 2 schools. Junior
Varsity: open to Under 800. Trophies: top 15 players, top Unrated, top 4
schools. JUNIOR HIGH (K-9): Varsity: open to all. Trophies: top 4 players,
top rated Under 1200, top school. Junior Varsity: open to Under 1000.
Trophies: top 8 players, top Unrated, top 2 schools. HIGH SCHOOL (K-
12): Varsity: open to all. Trophies: top 4 players, top rated Under 1400,
top school. Junior Varsity: open to Under 1200. Trophies: top 8 players,
top Unrated, top 2 schools. Entry Fee: $40 by 1/18; $50 by 2/1; $60
after 2/1. On-site entries receive 1/2 point bye for round 1. All entries
$5 off when siblings & team members register together. Check-In/Onsite
Reg.: 8:30 - 9:15. RDS.: 10:00, 11:30, 1:00, 2:30 & 4:00. Awards Cer-
emony: 5:30pm. Byes: One 1/2-pt bye available, any round, if requested
before end of Rd.2 and if player has not received a full-point bye. Entries:
mail to RKnights, PO Box 1074, Northbrook, IL 60065, include name,
section, rating, USCF ID#, grade, school name city & state. Online/
Info at: www.rknights.org/greaterchicago. Questions: info@renais-
sanceknights.org or 773.844.0701. * The City of Chicago will recognize
the top individual & team from Chicago in each Varsity section as the
City Champions.
FEB. 14, 122nd Knights Quest
NEW HOTEL NOW WITH 5 SECTIONS (U600, U1000, U1400, U1700 &
OPEN). Hyatt Hotel, 1750 Lake Cook Rd., Deerfield, IL (free Wi-Fi). USCF
Rated Sections: U600 (K-8), U1000 (K-8), U1400 (K-12 & Adults) U1700
(K-12 & Adults) & Open (K-12 & Adults). Awards: Top 6 U600, U1000 &
U1400 Sections, $60 40 U1700, $75 - 50 Open Sections (based on 6
players). Top Team U600 & U1000. Players in U600 receive participation
award. Time Control: U600 & U1000 4 Rounds Game 30 (G/25 d5);
U1400, U1700 & Open 4 Rounds Game 45 (G/40 d5). Reg.: 11:00-11:30
am. Rds.: 1 at 12:00 pm, rest ASAP. EF: $30 early, $35 after Monday
before, $45 after Friday before. $5 discount to siblings and team members
when registering together. Online Registration: www.rknights.org/reg-
istration/tournaments/ Mail-in Reg: Renaissance Knights, PO Box 1074,
Northbrook, IL 60065. Info: www.rknights.org, 773-844-0701.
FEB. 19-21, 2016 U.S. Amateur Team Championship North
See Nationals.
MAR. 12, 14th Annual Mark Oestreich Memorial Tournament
Time control 30/70, then 40/60 d0. No sudden death. Salem Community
Center, 416 Oglesby St., Salem, IL. EF: $15.00. Prize fund: $360.00,
based on 30. 1st $80, 2nd $40. A,B,C, D/E/Unr $60.00 each. Reg.: 8:00-
9:15. Rounds: 9:30, 1:00, 5:00. Entries: Jim Davies 314-721-4967, 7358
Shaftesbury, St. Louis, MO 63130. jandadavies@sbcglobal.net.
MAR. 18-20 OR 19-20, 20th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
APR. 22-24, 2016 ALL-GIRLS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
PRESENTED BY THE KASPAROV CHESS FOUNDATION IN
ASSOCIATION WITH THE RENAISSANCE KNIGHTS CHESS
FOUNDATION & US CHESS
See Nationals.
APR. 29-MAY 1 OR APR. 30-MAY. 1, 13th Annual Great Lakes
Chess Open - Battle Creek, Michigan (MI)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual Chicago
Open
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 5-10, 10th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
INDIANA
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 13, 2016 Southern Indiana Open
4SS, G/60 d10. Holiday Inn, 1710 N. Kinser Pike, Bloomington, IN 47404.
EF: $40 in Advance (cut off date Feb. 11), $55 at site. Reg.: 8:15-9:00AM,
Rds.: 9:30, 12:30, 3:00, 6:00. Prizes: $1080, b/40, 1st $250, 2nd $170,
A, B, C, D/E, each $100, $65. Entries in Advance at: Indianachess.org
or mail to Craig Hines, 613 North Park Dr., Evansville, IN 47710, email:
Mrsci2740@hotmail.com. ph# 812-423-2996, cell 812-618-8700, ISCA
membership rqrd/OSA, 1 bye if before RD. 2, NO LAST RD. BYES. W.
MAR. 18-20 OR 19-20, 20th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
APR. 15-17, 2016 National Junior High School (K-9) Champi-
onship
See Nationals.
www.uschess.org 63
Tournament Life / January
APR. 29-MAY 1 OR APR. 30-MAY. 1, 13th Annual Great Lakes
Chess Open - Battle Creek, Michigan (MI)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
IOWA
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 23, 2016 Winter Open
An IASCA Mini Qualifier. Open to all. 4-SS, G/45;i30. Accelerated pairings
will likely be used. Physician Clinic of Iowa, Community Room (3rd Floor)
202 10th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403. Reg.: On site 8:30-9:30am.
Rds.: Sat: 10, (Lunch) 1:15, 4:15, & 7:30. EF: $30 if postmarked by 1/18;
$40 at Site; Jrs, Srs, and Out of State $5 Off. Prizes: $760 Based on 30
Entries: 1st = $200; 2nd = $125; 3rd = $75; U2000, U1800, U1600,
U1400, U1200, & Unrated = $60, each. US Chess Federation (USCF)
membership required. On-Site Available. IASCA membership required,
$10. On-Site Available, OSA. Send Entry Fee to: IASCA, c/o Mark Capron,
3123 Juniper Dr., Iowa City, IA 52245 or register online at https://
onlineregistration.cc/ Additional Info: Byes: Late on-site registrations
from 9:30 am to noon will be offered a 1/2 point bye. Only one 1/2 point
bye available per player for the tournament. Byes for rounds 1-3 may
be requested 30 minutes prior to round start time. Fourth round byes
available during registration only. Free parking in ramp across street
(park and enter directly on third floor).
JAN. 30-31, 2nd Annual Port of Burlington Open FIDE and US
Chess Rated
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 18-20 OR 19-20, 20th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
KANSAS
FEB. 11-15, 12-15, 13-15 OR 14-15, 7th annual Southwest
Class Championships (TX)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 18-20 OR 19-20, 20th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
KENTUCKY
JAN. 30, 2016 Benjamin Franklin Open - NEW!
4/SS, G/60 d5. MSU Crisp Center, 2nd floor, 4430 Sunset Ave., Paducah,
KY 42001. Open: EF: $25. Rds.: 9, 12, ASAP thereafter. $300 Guaranteed!!
$100-$50. Top U1800-$25. Top U1500-$25. Top U1200-$25. Top U900-
$25. Top U600-$25. Top U300-$25. Two 1/2 point byes if declared before
round 2. Unrated: EF: $15. Prize 50% Returned EF. Prizes: 1st 25%, 2nd
15%, and 10% of entry fees collected. All: EF $10 more on site. Reg.: 8-
8:45. West Kentucky Chess, PMB 166, 3240 Lone Oak Rd., Paducah, KY
42003 or westkychess.com. Info: 270-933-8228, westkychess@gmail.com.
FEB. 19-21 OR 20-21, Georgian Peach Open (GA)
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 27, Chess 4 Charity - The Urban Chess Team Challenge!
St. Vincent de Paul, 1029 South Preston St., Louisville, KY. This is a 2
person chess team competition and a 3 person chess team competition.
Sections: 2 person chess team sections. K/3, K/5: each member
must compete in different sections, Quads, round robin, 3 rounds, G/30
d3, the overall top 4 teams with the most points earns a team trophy.
The pre-registration fee is $30 dollars per team. The on-site entry fee is
$40 dollars per team. Sections: 3 person chess team sections K/8,
K/10 and K/12: each member must compete in different sections, Quads,
round robin, 3 rounds, G/30 d3, the overall top 3 teams with the most
points earns a team trophy. The pre-registration fee is $30.00 dollars
per team. The on-site entry fee is $45 dollars per team. Our objective is
to raise money for an after school chess program and a summer chess
camp for St. Vincent de Paul homeless youth. Affordable snacks and food,
including fruit and water will be available at the tournament. Registration
time is: 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The first round starts by 10: 15 a.m. All sub-
sequent rounds are soon as possible. The tournament director(s) reserves
the right to make changes based on entries received. www.hfschess-
marketing.com. www.facebook.com/ hfschessmarketing.
MAR. 18-20 OR 19-20, 20th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
LOUISIANA
FEB. 11-15, 12-15, 13-15 OR 14-15, 7th annual Southwest
Class Championships (TX)
See Grand Prix.
64 January 2016 | Chess Life
FEB. 19-21 OR 20-21, Georgian Peach Open (GA)
See Grand Prix.
MAINE
APR. 22-24 OR 23-24, 25th annual Eastern Class
Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
MARYLAND
MARYLAND CHESS ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENTS
MCA runs scholastic tournaments (almost every other Saturday
from mid-September to late May) & open tournaments (usually
10+ annually) throughout Maryland. Listings & online regis-
tration at www.MDChess.org. Maryland scholastic players who
compete in the Varsity section (which has a floor of 1600) of a
Maryland-Sweet-16 Qualifier can qualify for the $44,000 schol-
arship to UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County)
awarded each year.
JAN. 15-18, 16-18 OR 17-18, 48th annual Liberty Bell Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 15-18 OR 16-18, Chesapeake Open
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 29-31 OR 30-31, 54th Annual Baltimore Open
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 6, Kasparov Chess Foundation Presents 8th Annual Greater
Mid-Atlantic Scholastic Chess Championships
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute & Western High School, 1400 W. Cold
Spring Ln., Baltimore, MD 21209. Open to K-12 players. 122 Trophies:
93 Individual & 29 Team. 8 Sections. 4 sections are 4-SS, G/45 d5:
Championship K-12 (1000+, K-12, trophies to top 8 players & 2 teams),
Championship K-8 (1000+, K-8, trophies to top 10 players & 3 teams),
Championship K-5 (600+, K-5, trophies to top 10 players & 3 teams),
Championship K-3 (600+, K-3, trophies to top 4 players & 1 team). 4
sections are 5-SS, G/30 d5: U1000 K-12 (under 1000 or unrated, K-12,
trophies to top 14 players & 5 teams), U800 K-8 (under 800 or unrated,
K-8, trophies to top 16 players & 5 teams), U600 K-5 (under 600 or
unrated, K-5, trophies to top 20 players & 7 teams), U400 K-3 (under
400 or unrated, K-3, trophies to top 11 players & 3 teams). Rounds:
Round 1 for all sections: 9:30 AM; subsequent rounds ASAP. # of rounds,
# of sections, time control, & # of trophies might change, based on #
of players. EF: $30, by 11:59 PM, 01.31 (online or received mail); $40,
by 7 PM, 02.04 (online); $60, by 6 AM, 02.06 (online) (half-point bye
possible in Round 1); $70, 8:30 - 9 AM, 02.06 (only if space available;
half-point bye likely in Round 1). Entry: Online registration at
www.mdchess.com/tourneyreg. Mail registration: include players name,
US Chess ID #, US Chess exp. date, section, grade, school, mobile
phone #, email address, & check (in ink & made payable to MCA). Mail
to: MCA, 1827 Thornton Ridge Rd., Towson, MD 21204. Sets, boards, &
scoresheets provided; bring chess clock & pencil. Food available for
purchase. Information website & email: www.md chess.com, tourna-
ments@mdchess.com.
FEB. 26-28 OR 27-28, George Washington Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 5-6, UMBC Open - Alvin S. Mintzes Chess Tournament
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 11-13 OR 12-13, 17th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 23-27, 24-27, 25-27 OR 26-27, 10th annual Philadel-
phia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 5-10, 10th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
MASSACHUSETTS
JAN. 8-10 OR 9-10, 4th annual Boston Chess Congress
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 31, Northeastern University Open
4SS, G/60 d5. Curry Student Center, Northeastern University, 360 Hunt-
ington Ave., Boston, MA 02115. Open: $250,125; U1800: $150,100;
U1400: $100, 50. Prizes based on 35 people. Entry Fee: $25 if mailed
by 01/26 to Brian Dobosh, 1197 Commonwealth Ave., Apt. 1, Allston,
MA 02134. $30 onsite. Registration from: 10:15-10:45. Rounds: 11:00,
1:00, 3:00. 5:00. Byes: limit 1, must commit before round 2. Any questions,
email northeasternchessclub@gmail.com. Park at Renaissance Garage
for $8 a day at 835 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA 02120. Follow directions
to Curry Student Center; McLeod Suites Food Vendors available on site.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 31, West Newbury Class Clash
Open to U2200. Town Hall Annex, 381 Main St., West Newbury, MA
01985. In 2 Sections, U2200: 4SS, G/65 d5, Open to 2199 & under.
$$GTD: $250-$125. U2000 $75. U1800: 4SS, G/65 d5, Open to 1799 &
under. $$GTD: $200-$100. U1500 $75 U1100 $60. Best Game $50 Best
Game Runner-Up $25. ALL: EF: $35 by 24 Jan. $39 at site. No refreshments
available onsite - Bring your own snacks/drinks. Maps for dining provided.
Reg.: 9:00-9:45. Advance entries must be postmarked by 1/24/2016.
Rds.: 10-1:00-3:30-6:00. ENT: Alex Relyea, 49 Technology Dr. #89, Bed-
ford, NH 03110. INFO: Alex Relyea relyea@operamail.com.
www.relyeachess.com.
FEB. 6, 2016 Greater New Haven Winter Open! (CT)
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 17, 24, MAR. 2, 9, 16, George E. ORourke Memorial
5SS, G/100 d5. Wachusett CC, McKay Complex, Fitchburg State University,
67 Rindge Rd., Fitchburg, MA 01420. EF: $20 annual club dues or $1 per
game. Reg.: 6-7:15 p.m. Rds.: 7:15 p.m. each Wed. Byes: 1-4, limit 2.
Prizes: books to 1st, 2nd, top U1850, U1650, U1450, U1250. Info: George
Mirijanian, 176 Oak Hill Rd., Fitchburg, MA 01420, miriling2@aol.com,
978-345-5011. Website: www.wachusettchess.org. Free parking. W.
MAR. 5, 2016 Fairfield County Scholastic Championships! (K-8,
K-12, K-1) (CT)
See Connecticut.
MAR. 6, 2016 Fairfield County Scholastic Championships! (K-3,
K-6) (CT)
See Connecticut.
MAR. 12-13, 49th annual New York State Scholastic
Championships (out of state welcome) (NY)
See New York.
APR. 22-24 OR 23-24, 25th annual Eastern Class
Championships
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 5-10, 10th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
MICHIGAN
JAN. 16-17, 2016 Michigan Master/Expert & Class
Championships
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 11-13 OR 12-13, 17th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
APR. 29-MAY 1 OR APR. 30-MAY. 1, 13th Annual Great Lakes
Chess Open - Battle Creek, Michigan
See Grand Prix.
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 5-10, 10th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
MINNESOTA
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 5-10, 10th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
MISSISSIPPI
FEB. 19-21 OR 20-21, Georgian Peach Open (GA)
See Grand Prix.
MISSOURI
JAN. 16, 2016 Open and Youth City Championship
Liberty United Methodist Church, 1001 Sunset Ave., Liberty, MO 64068.
Reg.: 10:30AM. Rd. 1 11AM. Open 3SS, G/60 d5. Youth U1300 3SS, G/30
d5. EF: $20 by Jan 15th at www.Reg4chess.com. $25 Onsite. Q: Ken Fee,
816-446-3550. Req. Memb: USCF & KC Chess Assoc.Sold onsite. Free
Entry For ALL Unrated Players! Flyer at: www.kansascitychessclub.com.
JAN. 30, Chess Like It Oughta Be
5SS, G/45 d5. Chess Club & Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657
Maryland Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108. Free entries for GMs and IMs.
EF: $10, $5 for annual members of the club if registered by 1/29. One
section: $205 Unconditionally Guaranteed! $50-$30. $25 for 1st in each
Section: A, B, C, D, U1200/UNR. Reg.: 10-10:45. Rounds: 11, 12:45,
3:00, 4:45, 6:30. Two 1/2 point byes if declared before round 2. Info:
314-361-CHESS. info@saintlouischessclub.org.
FEB. 6, 8th Annual Metro Saint Louis Class Championship
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 19-21 OR 20-21, Georgian Peach Open (GA)
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 20, Saturday Night Blitz (BLZ)
7SS, G/5 d0. Chess Club & Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657 Maryland
Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108. EF: $10. PF: $160 UNCONDITIONALLY
GUARANTEED!! $50-$40-$30. Top U1800: $20. Top U1400/UNR: $10.
Biggest Upset: $10. Blitz Ratings will be used as event is USCF Blitz
Rated. Reg.: 5-5:45. 1st Round starts at 6:00 with event finishing by
8:00. Info: 314-361-CHESS, info@saintlouischessclub.org.
MAR. 18-20 OR 19-20, 20th annual Mid-America Open
See Grand Prix.
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.

JULY 5-10, 10th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
MONTANA
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 30-31, January Thaw
Open. 5 SS, G/90 d5. Holiday Inn, 22 N. Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT
59601. Phone (406) 443-2200. EF: $30, Jrs-$15. USCF & MCA membership
required, OSA. Reg.: 10-10:40. Rds.: 11, 2:30, 6:00/9AM, 12:30. $$:
1st-$75, 2nd-$50, biggest upset $35 (nonprovisional). Contact: Murray
Strong, 406-459-6684. murstrong1958@gmail.com, www.montana
chess.org.
NEBRASKA
MAR. 18-20 OR 19-20, 20th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
NEVADA
JAN. 15-18, 16-18 OR 17-18, 7th annual Golden State Open
(CA-N)
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 23 AND/OR 24, 2016 U.S. Junior Chess Congress (CA-N)
See Nationals.
MAR. 4-6 OR 5-6, 23rd annual Western Class Championships
(CA-S)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 22-23, 2016 U.S. Womens Open
See Nationals.
JUNE 23, Walter Browne Memorial National Open Blitz
Championship (BLZ)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 24-26 OR 25-26, 2016 National Open
See Nationals.
JUNE 27, 2016 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC)
See Nationals.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
JAN. 16-17, Portsmouth Open
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 27, 3rd Queen City Tornado
See Grand Prix.
APR. 22-24 OR 23-24, 25th annual Eastern Class
Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
NEW JERSEY
JAN. 9, Central Jersey Chess Tournament
Princeton Academy, 1128 Great Rd., Princeton. 4 rated & 2 unrated sec-
tions. Open, U1200: K-12, 3 rds., G/40 d5. U900, U600: K-12, 4 rds.,
G/25 d5. Intermediate (K-6), Beginners (K-2): 4 rds., not rated. Trophies
to 1st-3rd & top school/club team per section, medals to all! $35 pre-
reg online by 1/7. $45 on-site 1:15-1:45. Rd.1 - 2:00. njchess.com.
JAN. 9 OR 10 OR 9-10, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents
the 50th Annual Greater NY Scholastic Championships - Since
1966, US Chess Longest-Running Scholastic! (NY)
See New York.
JAN. 15-18, 16-18 OR 17-18, 48th annual Liberty Bell Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 15-18 OR 16-18, Chesapeake Open (MD)
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 17, Westfield Winter Scholastic
Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. K-12. 3 Sections: Open,
U1250, U750. Open: 3-SS. G/40 d5. Rounds: 2:00, 3:45, 5:30 p.m. U1250
& U750: 4-SS. G/25 d5. Rounds: 2:00, 3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. EF: $25, $20
members. Prizes: Trophies to Top 5 in each section. Tiebreaks used.
See USCF Rule 34E. Register: 1:15-2:00 p.m. Information: John Moldovan:
westfieldchessclub@gmail.com, Bill Cohen: 732-548-8432 or 848-219-
1358, www.westfieldchessclub.com and westfieldchess club.blogspot.com.
JAN. 21, 3rd Thursday Quads
3 RR, G/30 d5. Effects Quick/Reg Rating. Quads grouped by Quick Rating.
All the Kings Men Chess & Games Center (Just 22 mins. from Phila/NJ
bridges), 62 S. Broadway, Pitman, NJ. 856-582-8222. Prizes: $25 1st
per quad. Unr. cannot win more than $10. EF: $12.50, members $10.
Reg.: 6 -7:15 pm. Rds.: 7:30-8:30-9:30 pm. All: Visa/MC/Disc/Amex OK
w/$1surcharge. Info: cs@ATKMchessSets.com. Bring a clock!
JAN. 23, Hamilton Chess Club Quads
3RR, 40/80 15/30 15/30 d0. Full K. McManimon Hall, 320 Scully Ave.,
Hamilton Twp., NJ 08610. Quads open to all. EF: $10. Prizes: $25 per
Quad. Reg.: 9-10:30am. Rds.: 10:30am-1:30pm-4:30pm. OSA. Contact
email: hamiltonchessclub.com. W.
JAN. 23, Princeton Charter School
Princeton Charter School at: 100 Bunn Dr., Princeton, NJ 08540. TIME
CONTROL: G/30 d0 Swiss to 4 rounds. SECTIONS: Open above 1000;
U1000; U700; U500/Unrated (sections might be combined when necessary
See previous issue for TLAs appearing January 1-14
for pairings). Parental Supervision Required: The parents or another
adult must be designated to supervise the student player between
rounds. Schedule (will be accelerated if possible). First Round: 12:01
PM; Second Round: ASAP; Third Round: ASAP; Fourth Round: ASAP;
Award Ceremony: ASAP (4:05 the latest). Schedule will be accelerated
if possible (*) Online Registration $30 Only if register one week
before: www.ChessKidsNY.com/PCSChessProgram.htm (*) Fee
will increase automatically to $35 if register later. On site registration
the date of the event: $40 from 11:45 am to 12:00 noon. Information:
email to Miguel Iniguez at: migini@gmail.com Results will be posted
online the same day of the event!
JAN. 24, Dr. David Ostfeld Memorial ICA Championship in 5 Sec-
tions
SITE: BERGEN ACADEMY, 200 HACKENSACK AVE., HACKENSACK, NJ
07601. 4SS, EVERYONE PLAYS 4 GAMES, ALL PLAYERS WITH 2.5 PTS
OR MORE WILL RECEIVE A TROPHY! USCF Memb Reqd For Sections 3,
4 AND 5. Info: 201 287 0250 or chessdirector@icanj.net. ADV EF (pmk
by Jan 20th) $25 At Site $30 Reg ends 1/2 hr before 1st rd. Late entrants
will receive a 1/2 pt bye for rd. 1. In 5 Sections, Section 1 Junior
Novice (not USCF rated): Open to unr players K thru 2nd grade. Rds.:
First Round 10:15 AM then ASAP. Section 2 Novice (not USCF rated):
Open to unr players K thru 4th grade. Rds.: First Round 10:00 AM then
ASAP. Section 3 G/45 d5 U800: Open to players rated below 800 and
unr players K thru 12th grade. Rds.: 9:45 AM, 11:30, 1:15, 3:00 PM.
Section 4 G/45 d5 U1200: Open to players rated below 1200 and unr
players K thru 12th grade. Rds.: 9:45 AM, 11:30, 1:15, 3:00 PM. Section
5 G/60 d5 U1400: Open to All Ages rated below 1400 or unrated. Rds.:
9:30 AM, 11:45, 2:00, 4:30 PM. ENT: Make EF payable To: International
Chess Academy. Mail. To: Diana Tulman, 28 Canterbury Ln., New Milford,
NJ 07646 . INFO: www.icanj.net. W.
JAN. 24, Dr. David Ostfeld Memorial ICA Open Championship
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 24, Dr. David Ostfeld Memorial ICA U1600 Championship
Site: Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601.
Open To All Ages With Rating below 1600. 4SS, G/60 d5. Prize Fund ($$
b/25): 1st - 3rd $200, $150, $100, TU1400 $50, TU1200 $50. INFO: 201
287 0250 or chessdirector@icanj.net. ADV EF (pmk by Jan 20th) $30 At
Site $35. Reg ends 1/2 hr before 1st rd. Late entrants will receive a 1/2
pt bye for rd 1. Rds.: 9:30 AM, 11:45 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM. ENT: Make
EF payable to: International Chess Academy. Mail To: Diana Tulman, 28
Canterbury Ln., New Milford, NJ 07646. INFO: www.icanj.net. W.
JAN. 24, Westfield G/60 Quads
3-RR. G/55 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25,
$20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in each section. Register: 11:45 a.m.
to 12:20 p.m. Rounds: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00 p.m. Information: John Moldovan
westfieldchessclub@gmail.com, Bill Cohen: 732-548-8432 or 848-219-
1358, www.westfieldchessclub.com and westfieldchessclub.blogspot.com.
JAN. 29-31 OR 30-31, 54th Annual Baltimore Open (MD)
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 31, Thomas Elberling Memorial Quads
3-RR. G/40 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25,
$20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in each section. Register: 1:15-1:45
p.m. Rounds: 2:00, 3:45, 5:30 p.m. Information: email John Moldovan
westfieldchessclub@gmail.com, Bill Cohen: 732-548-8432 or 848-219-
1358, www.westfieldchessclub.com and westfieldchessclub.blogspot.com.
FEB. 7, Super Sunday Quads
3-RR. G/40 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25,
$20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in each section. Register: 10:00-10:30
a.m. Rounds: 10:35 a.m., 12:20 & 2:05 p.m. Information: John Moldovan
westfieldchessclub@gmail.com, Bill Cohen: 732-548-8432 or 848-219-
1358, www.westfieldchessclub.com and westfieldchessclub.blogspot.com.
FEB. 13-15, World Amateur Team & U.S. Team East
See Nationals.
A State Championship Event!
FEB. 21, New Jersey Junior High School Championships
5SS, G/30 d5. Brookdale College, 765 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft, NJ
07738. Student Life Center, use Parking Lot #7 or #6; 5 minutes from
Garden State Parkway exit 109. Section: JHS (K-9). ALL: Trophies to
top 15 individuals, top 5 teams. Rds.: 10am then ASAP. Top 4 scores
constitute team score. EF: $30 before 2/14, $45 at site. USCF memb.
reqd. Reg.: 8-9:00 am. After 9:00 am, half-point bye for round one.
INFO: 732-259-3881, hsprechman@characterkings.org. ENT: Hal Sprech-
man, 66 Cromwell Ln., Jackson, NJ 08527 or online by Feb 19 at
www.NJSCF.org. Entries must include name, grade, school,date of birth,
USCF ID #, & expiration date, mailing address, phone number & entry
fee. Checks made out to NJSCF.
A State Championship Event!
FEB. 21, New Jersey State Elementary Championships
5SS, G/30 d5. Brookdale College, 765 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft, NJ
07738. Student Life Center, use Parking Lot #7 or #6; 5 minutes from
Garden State Parkway exit 109. 2 Sections: Elementary (K-6) & Primary
(K-3). All: Trophies to top 15 individuals, top 5 teams. Elementary &
Primary: Top 5 in each grade. Rds.: 10am then ASAP. Top 4 scores con-
stitute the team score for Elementary; top 3 for Primary. EF: $30 before
2/14, $45 at site. USCF memb. reqd. Reg.: 8-9:00am After 9:00am 1/2
point bye for round 1. Info: 732 259-3881, Ent: Hal Sprechman, 66
Cromwell Ln., Jackson, NJ 08527 or online by Feb 19 at www.NJSCF.org.
Entries must include name, grade, school, date of birth, USCF ID and
expiration date, mailing address, email address, phone number and
entry fee. Checks made out to NJSCF.
FEB. 21, Westfield G/45 Quads
3-RR. G/40 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25,
$20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in each section. Register: 1:15-1:45
p.m. Rounds: 2:00, 3:45, 5:30 p.m. Information: email John Moldovan
westfieldchessclub@gmail.com, Bill Cohen: 732-548-8432 or 848-219-
1358, www.westfieldchessclub.com and westfieldchessclub.blogspot.com.
FEB. 26-28 OR 27-28, George Washington Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 28, Westfield $-Per-Point Octos
3-SS. G/40 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. Prizes
per 8-player section: 1st $40, 2nd $20, $5 per point to all. EF: $25,
$20 members. Register: 1:15-1:45 p.m. Rounds: 2:00-3:45-5:30 p.m.
Info: John Moldovan: westfieldchessclub@gmail.com, Bill Cohen: 732-
548-8432 or 848-219-1358. www.westfieldchessclub.com.
MAR. 6, Westfield G/45 Quads
3-RR. G/40 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25,
$20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in each section. Register: 1:15-1:45
p.m. Rounds: 2:00, 3:45, 5:30 p.m. Information: email John Moldovan
westfieldchessclub@gmail.com, Bill Cohen: 732-548-8432 or 848-219-
1358, www.westfieldchessclub.com and westfieldchessclub.blogspot.com.
MAR. 12-13, 49th annual New York State Scholastic
Championships (out of state welcome) (NY)
See New York.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
A State Championship Event!
MAR. 12-13, New Jersey High School Chess Championship
5SS, G/90 d5. Union County Vocational-Technical School, 1776 Raritan
Rd., Scotch Plains, NJ 07076. 3 sections: Varsity Championship (9-
12): 5 player teams with one alternate allowed. Coaches set order by
player strength. Order must not be changed. Team avg. based on top 5
highest ratings. Trophies to top 10 NJ teams. Trophies for top three
players, boards 1-5. Rds.: Sat. 10-2-6, Sun. 10-2. EF: $150-/team before
3/2. $185/team at site. $5 per change on site. Junior Varsity (9-12): 4
player teams with one alternate allowed. Team avg. based on top 4
highest ratings. Trophies to top 10 NJ teams. Trophies for top 3 players,
boards 1-4. Rds.: Sat. 10-2-6, Sun. 10-2. EF: $120/team before 3/7,
$150/team on site. $5 per change on site. Booster (K-12): Trophies to
top 15 individuals. Rds.: Sat. 10-2-6, Sun 10-2. EF: $30 before 3/7, $37
at site. All: USCF memb. required. Reg.: Sat. 8-9:00am. After 9:00am,
1/2 Point bye for round one. Ent: Noreen Davisson, 6 Red Barn Ln., Ran-
dolph, NJ 07869. Entries must include name, grade, school, date of birth,
USCF ID and expiration date, mailing address, email address, phone
number and entry fee. Checks made out to NJSCF. Email inquiries:
Noreen@deanofchess.com.
MAR. 13, Westfield G/45 Quads
3-RR. G/40 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25,
$20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in each section. Register: 1:15-1:45
p.m. Rounds: 2:00, 3:45, 5:30 p.m. Information: email John Moldovan
westfieldchessclub@gmail.com, Bill Cohen: 732-548-8432 or 848-219-
1358, www.westfieldchessclub.com and westfieldchessclub.blogspot.com.
MAR. 23-27, 24-27, 25-27 OR 26-27, 10th annual
Philadelphia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
APR. 22-24 OR 23-24, 25th annual Eastern Class
Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 5-10, 10th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
NEW MEXICO
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 30-31, 2016 New Mexico Bryan McNiece Memorial Senior
Open
Open to all ages. 4/SS, G/120 d10. Meadowlark Sr. Center, 4330 Mead-
owlark Ln. SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. Co-sponsored by the Meadowlark
Chess Group and the New Mexico Chess Organization. Sections: Open:
EF $40. Reserve U1800: EF $35, Fischer U1500; EF $30; Marshall U1200:
EF $25 Prizes commensurate with entry fees. Unrated only eligible for
50% of prize in Reserve, Fischer, Marshall Rds.: Sat: 9am, 2pm, Sun:
9am, 2 pm. No 1/2 pt. Byes. $15 late fee if entry not recd by 10:00 p.m.
Jan 28. $5 family discount after 1 full price entry. ENT: checks payable to
NMCO, mailed to NMCO, P O Box 4215, Albuquerque, NM 87196. Paypal
accepted. See www.nmchess.org. For more details and entry form. Or
Call Tournament Organizer Larry Kemp at 505 292 5447. W.
FEB. 11-15, 12-15, 13-15 OR 14-15, 7th annual Southwest
Class Championships (TX)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 4-6 OR 5-6, 23rd annual Western Class Championships
(CA-S)
See Grand Prix.
NEW YORK
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 7, 14, 21, 28, FEB. 4, 2nd Long Island CC Jan. Open
5SS, G/90 d5. United Methodist Church, 470 East Meadow Ave., East
Meadow, NY 11554. Open to all. $(b/20 pd. ent.): $100-80. Top U-
2000, U-1500/unr. $50 ea. EF(cash only): $35. Non-LICC members
+$10. UNRATED FREE! Reg.: 7:15 7:30 PM, no adv. ent., Rds.: 7:30
PM ea. Thursday. 2 byes 1-5. Skittles rm. Info: www.lichessclub.com.
JAN. 8, Greater NY Scholastics Friday Night Blitz Booster! (BLZ)
4SS, G/5 d0, double-round, 8 games. NY Marriott At Brooklyn Bridge,
333 Adams St., Brooklyn (see Greater NY Scholastics: 1/9-10). EF: $30,
parents, alumni & those with Greater NY Scholastics $20. Trophies: top
3, Top U1800, U1500, Unr. Reg. on-site 6-6:45 pm. Rds.: 7-7:30-8-8:30
pm. Bye OK rd. 1. Blitz-rated, but higher of regular or blitz used for
pairings, prizes. W.
JAN. 8-10 OR 9-10, 4th annual Boston Chess Congress (MA)
See Grand Prix.
www.uschess.org 65
Tournament Life / January
An American Classic!
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 9 OR 10 OR 9-10, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents
the 50th Annual Greater NY Scholastic Championships - Since
1966, US Chess Longest-Running Scholastic!
Beautiful hotel site: NY Marriott Hotel At Brooklyn Bridge, 333 Adams
Street (near Borough Hall), Brooklyn, NY. Nearby subway stations: Jay
Street Metrotech (A, C, F & R trains), Hoyt Street (2 & 3 trains), Borough
Hall (4 & 5 trains), Court Street (R train). HR $149, call 877-513-6305 or
718-246-7000 by 12/18 (rooms may sell out early), mention chess. In 14
sections! Each section has its own age, grade and rating requirements
(Championship sections open to all who are under grade and age limits).
The 5 Championship sections are each 2 days, 6-SS, G/60 d/10,
Rounds 10 am-1-4 pm Sat-Sun. Awards ceremonies about 6:30 pm Sun.
The 9 non-Championship sections are each 1-day, G/30 d10: Junior
High Under 1000, Primary Under 1000, Primary Under 500, and K-1 Under
400 are Saturday: 10 am-12-1:30-3-4:30 pm; Awards ceremonies about
6 pm. High School Under 1900, High School Under 1200, Elementary
Under 1400, Elementary Under 1000 and Elementary Under 600 are Sun-
day: 10 am-12-1:30-3-4:30 pm, Awards ceremonies about 6 pm. All 3
Primary sections open to grades 3/below born after 1/9/06. 1. Primary
Championship (Sat-Sun), EF $58.30 postmarked by 12/18/15. 2. Primary
Under 1000 (Sat), EF $58.20 postmarked by 12/18/15. 3. Primary Under
500 (Sat), EF $58.10 postmarked by 12/18/15. Both K-1 sections open
to grade 1/below born after 1/9/08. 4. K-1 Championship (Sat-Sun),
EF $59.30 postmarked by 12/18/15. 5. K-1 Under 400 (Sat), EF $59.20
postmarked by 12/18/15. Both Junior High sections open to grades
9/below born after 1/9/00. 6. JHS Championship (Sat-Sun), EF $56.30
postmarked by 12/18/15. 7. JHS Under 1000 (Sat), EF $56.20 postmarked
by 12/18/15. All 4 Elementary sections open to grades 6/below born
after 1/9/03. 8. Elementary Championship (Sat-Sun), EF $57.40 post-
marked by 12/18/15. 9. Elementary Under 1400 (Sun), EF $57.30
postmarked by 12/18/15. 9. Elementary Under 1000 (Sun), EF $57.20
postmarked by 12/18/15. 11. Elementary Under 600 (Sun), EF $57.10
postmarked by 12/18/15. All 3 High School sections open to grades
12/below born after 1/9/96. 12. High School Championship (Sat-Sun),
EF $55.30 postmarked by 12/18/15. 13. High School Under 1900 (Sun),
EF $55.20 postmarked by 12/18/15. 14. High School Under 1200 (Sun),
EF $55.10 postmarked by 12/18/15. Trophies each section to Top 12,
top 3 Unrateds and Top 6 teams (top 4 scores from same school = team,
all on team must attend same school: no combined teams, even if one
school feeds another). In High School U1200, plaques also to top 2
each grade: 7-9. In Junior High U1000, plaques also to top 2 each grade:
4-6. In K-1 Championship, plaques also to top 6 K/below (you can win
both plaque + trophy). All players scoring 4 or more (5 or more in Cham-
pionship) who dont win a trophy receive a medal! Speed playoff for 5-0
or 6-0. Individual free entry prizes (each Championship section): Free
entry to specified Continental Chess tournaments thru 1/20/17 to 1st,
thru 10/10/16 to 2nd, thru 8/25 to 3rd, thru 6/15 to 4th. Individual free
entry prizes (each non-Championship section): Free entry to specified
Continental Chess tmts. thru 12/1/16 to 1st, thru 8/25 to 2nd, thru 6/15
to 3rd, thru 4/25 to 4th. Team free entry prizes: free entry to specified
CCA tmts. thru 8/25/16 to 1st team, thru 6/15 to 2nd team each section!
Free entries courtesy of Continental Chess and are valid for CCA tmts.
with 100% unconditionally guaranteed prize funds. Free entries do not
include NYS Scholastics in Saratoga. See www.chesscenter.cc or
www.gnyscc.com or www.chesstour.com for complete details and restric-
tions. High School Mixed Doubles (best male/female 2-player team
combined score among all 3 High School sections after 5 rounds) Bonus
Prizes: free entry to specified CCA tmts. thru 8/25/16 to 1st team, thru
6/15 to 2nd. Team average must be under 2200; Mixed Doubles teammates
may play in different sections and may attend different schools; teams
must register on-site (no extra charge!) before rd. 2; teammate pairings
avoided but possible. All: January 2016 official ratings used, except unof-
ficial ratings at uschess.org usually used if otherwise unrated. TD reserves
right to assign estimated ratings to players with non-USCF ratings. EFs
$10 extra per player postmarked 12/19-26. Entries $5 less per player
if 4 or more from same school in SAME ENVELOPE! Mailed entries:
list name, rating, ID# (non-USCF members enclose dues), school, grade,
DOB, address, (specify section!). Checks to: Chess Center of NY, PO
Box 4615, New Windsor, NY 12553. If necessary to confirm receipt,
enclose SASE. No mail postmarked after 12/26/15! All substitutions
from advance entry list charged late fee. Switching sections subject to
$15 extra charge. $15 service charge for each player refund. TD reserves
right to reassign sections for advance entries with incorrect or unclear
registrations. Limit 2 byes (limit 3 in Championship), commit before rd. 3.
Phone entries: $74 by credit card thru 1/4: 406-896-2191 (24 hours:
entries only, no questions), no phone entries after 1/4. Online entries
at www.gnyscc.com: $55 thru 12/26/15, $65 12/27-1/4, $75 1/5-1/7.
Online team entry discounts thru 1/4 only, no team discounts by phone
or at site. On-site entry fee: $85 until 8:30 am, $100 after 8:30 am;
after 9 am you risk not playing rd. 1. Good luck attempting to change
entries after 9am. Help with parking: www.nyc.bestparking.com/neigh-
borhoods/downtown-brooklyn-parking and https://www.parking
panda.com/brooklyn-parking Questions, team rooms: chesscentr@
gmail.com, littlehouseofchess@gmail.com or 347-201-2269 (leave mes-
sage, email is better). Jan 9-10 only: 718-246-7000. Sets provided by
Little House of Chess bring clocks! W. Info: www.chesscenter.cc,
www.gnyscc.com. Note: Only Championship Sections qualify for US
Chess Junior Grand Prix.
JAN. 9 AND/OR 10, Greater NY Scholastic Parents & Friends
Tournament!
2 separate tmts, each 4SS, G/30 d10. NY Marriott At Brooklyn Bridge,
333 Adams St., Brooklyn (see Greater NY Scholastics: 1/9-10). EF each
day: $30, parents, alumni & those with Greater NY Scholastics $20. Tro-
phies: top 3 each day. Reg. on-site until 20 min before game. Rds.:
12-1:30-3-4:30 pm. Limit 2 byes, commit by 1:30. W.
JAN. 15-18 OR 16-18, Chesapeake Open (MD)
See Grand Prix.
66 January 2016 | Chess Life
JAN. 15-18, 16-18 OR 17-18, 48th annual Liberty Bell Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 16, Marshall Saturday U1800
4-SS, G/40 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1500: $75. EF: $40, MCC Mbrs
$20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45pm. One bye available,
request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-
477-3716.
JAN. 16, TRM 100
Albany HS, 700 Washington Ave., 12203. Free. 8 sections 4SS, G/30 d5.
Pre-register by Thur at www.chesstrm.org.
JAN. 17, TRM 211
Riverbank State Park, 145th St. & Riverside Dr., NYC 10025. Free. 6 sec-
tions 4SS, G/30 d5. Pre-register by Fri 8:00 PM at www.theright move.org.
Check-in by 9:15.
JAN. 18, Marshall MLK Day Action!
6-SS, G/25 d5. ($525 b/25) $200-100. U2300: $75, U2000: $75, U1700:
$75. EF: $50, MCC Mbrs $30. GMs Free. Reg.: 10:15-10:45am. Rds.:
11am-12:15-1:30-3:00-4:15-5:30pm. 2 byes available, request at entry.
www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
JAN. 19, Marshall Masters
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 21, Marshall Thursday Action!
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($375 b/25): $150-100, U2200: $75, U1900: $50. EF: $40,
MCC Mbrs $25. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm.
Max one bye, for round 1 or 4 only. Request at entry. www.marshallchess-
club.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
JAN. 22, Marshall Fischer Random Tournament!
4-SS, G/25 d5. Fischer Random (Chess 960) rules. Not rated. ($450
b/35): $200-100, top U2200/unr, U1900: $75. USCF regular rating used
for pairings & prizes. EF: $30, MCC Mbrs $20, GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-
6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, Request at entry. 23
W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716, www.marshallchessclub.org.
JAN. 23, Marshall Saturday G/60 (Open & U1700)
4-SS, G/55 d5. Two sections: Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2300: $75,
U2000: $75. U1700 ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1400: $75. EF: $40, MCC
Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg:. 11:15-11:45am. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7pm.
One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W.
10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
JAN. 23, TRM 101
ML King Magnet, 918 Stanley St., Schenectady 12307. 8 sections 4SS,
G/30 d5. Pre-register by Thur at www.chesstrm.org.
JAN. 24, Marshall Scholastic Action! (U1300)
3-SS, G/25 d5. Open to youth K-12. ($225 b/25): $100-50, U1000: $75.
EF: $30, MCC Mbrs: $15. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am. Rds.: 9-10:10-11:20am. No
byes. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
JAN. 24, Marshall Sunday G/45 (Open & U1500)
4-SS, G/40 d5. Two sections: Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2100: $75,
U1800: $75. U1500: ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1200: $75. EF: $40, MCC
Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 12:15-12:45pm. Rds.: 1-2:45-5:00-6:45pm.
One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W.
10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
JAN. 25, FEB. 1, 8, 27th Nassau G/60 Championship
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 28, Marshall Thursday Action!
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($375 b/25): $150-100, U2200: $75, U1900: $50. EF: $40,
MCC Mbrs $25. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm.
Max one bye, for round 1 or 4 only. Request at entry. 23 W. 10th St.,
NYC. 212-477-3716. www,marshallchessclub.org.
JAN. 29, Marshall $500 FIDE Blitz (BLZ)
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 29-31 OR 30-31, 54th Annual Baltimore Open (MD)
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 30-31, Marshall No-Draws Weekend!
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 3, 10, 17, 24, Community Chess Club of Rochester Wed
Night Chess!
Note: 1 game rated per night, G/80 d5. Rochester Chess Center, 221
Norris Dr., Rochester, NY 14610. 585-442-2430. EF: $5, CCCR members
$3. Reg.: 7-7:25 pm. Rd.: 7:30pm. www.rochesterchessclub.org.
FEB. 4, Marshall Thursday Action!
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($375 b/25): $150-100, U2200: $75, U1900: $50. EF: $40,
MCC Mbrs $25. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm.
Max one bye, for round 1 or 4 only. Request at entry. 23 W. 10th St.,
NYC. 212-477-3716. www.marshallchessclub.org.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 4, 11, 18, 25, MAR. 3, 10, Marshall Thursday Open
6-SS, G/90 +30. FIDE Rated. ($600 b/25): $250-150, U2100: $100.
U1800: $100. EF: $60, MCC Mbrs $40. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7pm
each Thurs. Limit two byes; request by rd. 4. www.marshallchessclub.org.
23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
FEB. 5, Marshall U2200 Friday Night Action!
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($300 b/25): $150-75, U1900: $75. EF: $40, MCC Mbrs
$20. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, for
round 1 or 4 only. Request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W.
10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 5-7, Marshall Weekend FIDE
5-SS, 40/90 SD/30 +30. FIDE Rated. ($600 b/25): $250-125. U2200:
$125; U1900 $100. EF: $60, MCC Mbrs $40. GMs Free. Reg.: Ends 15
min before round start. Rds.: Fri. 6pm, Sat. & Sun. 12:30-5:30pm. Max
2 byes, request by round 3. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th
St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
FEB. 6, 2016 Greater New Haven Winter Open! (CT)
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 6, Marshall Saturday U1700
4-SS, G/40 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1400: $75. EF: $40, MCC Mbrs
$20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45pm. One bye available,
request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-
477-3716.
FEB. 6, 13, 20, 27, Rochester Chess Center Saturday Tournaments!
3-SS, G/60 d5. Rochester CC, 221 Norris Dr., Rochester, NY 14610. 585-
442-2430. Prizes based on entries. EF: $15, RCC members $13. $2 less
for HS and Pre-HS. Reg.: 1-1:45 pm. Rds.: 2-4-6. One bye available,
request at entry. www.nychess.org. Also, Youth tournament, G/30 d5,
every Saturday morning 10am-1pm, trophies and prizes. EF: $5.
FEB. 7, Marshall Morning Action!
3-SS, G/25 d5. ($225 b/25): $100-50, U1900: $75. EF: $30, MCC Mbrs
$15. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am. Rds.: 9-10:10-11:20am. No byes. 23 W. 10th
St., NYC. 212-477-3716. www.marshallchessclub.org.
FEB. 7, TRM 212
Riverbank State Park, 145th St. & Riverside Dr., NYC 10025. Free. 6 sec-
tions 4SS, G/30 d5. Pre-register by Fri 8:00 PM at www.theright move.org.
Check-in by 9:15.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 8, 15, 22, 29, MAR. 7, 14, Marshall FIDE Mondays/U1800
6-SS, G/90 +30. Two sections. Open: Open to all players 1600+. FIDE
Rated. ($600 b/25) $200-150-100. U2000: $100-50. U1800: ($600 b/25)
$200-150-100. U1500: $100-50. EF: $60, MCC Mbrs $40. Reg.: 6:15-
6:45pm. Rd: 7pm each Mon. Limit two byes; request by rd. 4. 23 W. 10th
St., NYC. 212-477-3716. www.marshallchessclub.org.
FEB. 11, Marshall U2400 Action
4-SS, G/25 d5. Open to players rated below 2400 USCF. ($375 b/25): $150-
100, U2100: $75 U1800: $50. EF: $40, MCC Mbrs $25. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm.
Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, for round 1 or 4 only. Request at
entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 11, 18, 25, MAR. 3, 10, 5th Long Island CC Late Winter
Open
5SS, G/90 d5. United Methodist Church, 470 East Meadow Ave., East
Meadow, NY 11554. Open to all. $(b/20 pd. ent.): $100-80. Top U-
2000, U-1500/unr. $50 ea. EF (cash only): $35. Non-LICC members
+$10. UNRATED FREE! Reg.: 7:15 7:30 PM, no adv. ent., Rds.: 7:30
PM ea. Thursday. 2 byes 1-5. Skittles rm. Info: www.lichessclub.com.
FEB. 12, Marshall Friday Night Blitz (BLZ)
9-SS, G/3 +2. ($500 b/35): $200-100, top U2400/unr, U2200, U2000,
U1800: $50. Highest rating (regular, quick or blitz) used for pairings &
prizes. EF: $30, MCC Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-7:30-
7:50-8:10-8:40-9-9:20-9:40-10pm. Max three byes. Request at entry. Blitz
rated. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
FEB. 12-14 OR 13-14, 2016 U.S. Amateur Team Championship
South (FL)
See Nationals.
FEB. 13, Marshall Saturday G/60 (Open & U1800)
4-SS, G/55 d5. Two sections: Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2400: $75,
U2100: $75. U1800 ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1500: $75. EF: $40, MCC
Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg:. 11:15-11:45am. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7pm.
One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W.
10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
FEB. 13, TRM 102
Albany HS, 700 Washington Ave., 12203. 8 sections 4SS, G/30 d5. Pre-
register by Thur at www.chesstrm.org.
FEB. 14, Marshall Sunday G/45 (Open & U1600)
4-SS, G/40 d5. Two sections: Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2200: $75,
U1900: $75. U1600: ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1300: $75. EF: $40, MCC
Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45pm.
One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W.
10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
FEB. 16, Marshall Masters
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 18, Marshall Thursday Action!
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($375 b/25): $150-100, U2200: $75, U1900: $50. EF: $40,
MCC Mbrs $25. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm.
Max one bye, for round 1 or 4 only. Request at entry. 23 W. 10th St.,
NYC. 212-477-3716. www.marshallchessclub.org.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 19-21, 20-21 OR 21, Marshall Monthly U2300
5-SS, 40/90 SD30 +30. Open to players rated below 2300 USCF. $800
Gtd: $300-150-100. U2100: $125; U1800 $125. EF: $60, MCC Mbrs $40.
Reg.: Ends 15 min before round start. Rds.: 3-day: Fri. 6pm, Sat. & Sun.
12:30-5:30pm. 2-day: Sat. 11am (G/25 d5) then merge with 3-day in
round 2. 1-day: Sun. 9-10:10-11:20am (G/25 d5) then merge in round 4.
Max two byes. SIDE EVENT: February 19, Marshall Bughouse Tour-
nament! 5-SS, G/5 d0. Bughouse. Not rated. Players register in teams
of two. Each round is a 2 game match. ($450 b/35 players): $200-100,
top U2200/unr & U1900 team average: $75. USCF regular rating used
for pairings & prizes. EF: $30, MCC Mbrs & GMs $20. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm.
Rds.: 7-7:40-8:10-8:40-9:10pm. Max one bye, Request at entry. www.mar-
shallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
FEB. 19, 26, MAR. 4, 11, 18, Queens Late Winter Open
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 20, Marshall Saturday U1500
4-SS, G/40 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1200: $75. EF: $40, MCC Mbrs
$20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45pm. One bye available,
request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-
477-3716.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 24, MAR. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Marshall Weekly Wednesdays
6-SS, G/90 +30. Two sections. U2000: ($600 b/25) $250-150-100.
U1700: $100. U1400: ($600 b/25) $250-150-100. U1100: $100. EF: $60,
MCC Mbrs $40. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7pm each Wed. Limit two
byes; request by rd. 4. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC.
212-477-3716.
FEB. 25, Marshall Thursday Action!
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($375 b/25): $150-100, U2200: $75, U1900: $50. EF: $40,
MCC Mbrs $25. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm.
Max one bye, for round 1 or 4 only. Request at entry. 23 W. 10th St.,
NYC. 212-477-3716. www.marshallchessclub.org.
FEB. 26, Marshall $500 FIDE Blitz (BLZ)
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 26-28 OR 27-28, George Washington Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 27, Marshall Saturday G/60 (Open & U1700)
4-SS, G/55 d5. Two sections: Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2300: $75,
U2000: $75. U1700 ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1400: $75. EF: $40, MCC
Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7pm.
One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W.
10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
FEB. 28, Marshall Scholastic Action! (U1300)
3-SS, G/25 d5. Open to youth K-12. ($225 b/25): $100-50, U1000: $75.
EF: $30, MCC Mbrs: $15. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am. Rds.: 9-10:10-11:20am.
No byes. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
FEB. 28, Marshall Sunday G/45 (Open & U1500)
4-SS, G/40 d5. Two sections: Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2100: $75,
U1800: $75. U1500: ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1200: $75. EF: $40, MCC
Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 12:15-12:45pm. Rds.: 1-2:45-5:00-6:45pm.
One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W.
10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
MAR. 3, Marshall Thursday Action!
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($375 b/25): $150-100, U2200: $75, U1900: $50. EF: $40,
MCC Mbrs $25. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm.
Max one bye, for round 1 or 4 only. Request at entry. 23 W. 10th St.,
NYC. 212-477-3716. www.marshallchessclub.org.
MAR. 4, Marshall U2200 Friday Night Action!
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($300 b/25): $150-75, U1900: $75. EF: $40, MCC Mbrs
$20. Reg:. 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, for
round 1 or 4 only. Request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W.
10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 4-6, Marshall Weekend FIDE
5-SS, 40/90 SD/30 +30. FIDE Rated. ($600 b/25): $250-125. U2200:
$125; U1900 $100. EF: $60, MCC Mbrs $40. GMs Free. Reg.: Ends 15
min before round start. Rds.: Fri. 6pm, Sat. & Sun. 12:30-5:30pm. Max
2 byes, request by round 3. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th
St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
MAR. 5, 2016 Fairfield County Scholastic Championships! (K-8,
K-12, K-1) (CT)
See Connecticut.
MAR. 5, Marshall Saturday U1700
4-SS, G/40 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1400: $75. EF: $40, MCC Mbrs
$20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45pm. One bye available,
request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-
477-3716.
MAR. 6, 2016 Fairfield County Scholastic Championships! (K-3,
K-6) (CT)
See Connecticut.
MAR. 6, Marshall Morning Action!
3-SS, G/25 d5. ($225 b/25): $100-50, U1900: $75. EF: $30, MCC Mbrs
$15. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am. Rds.: 9-10:10-11:20am. No byes. 23 W. 10th
St., NYC. 212-477-3716. www.marshallchessclub.org.
MAR. 10, Marshall U2400 Action
4-SS, G/25 d5. Open to players rated below 2400 USCF. ($375 b/25):
$150-100, U2100: $75 U1800: $50. EF: $40, MCC Mbrs $25. Reg.: 6:15-
6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, for round 1 or 4 only.
Request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-
477-3716.
MAR. 11, Marshall Friday Night Blitz (BLZ)
9-SS, G/3 +2. ($500 b/35): $200-100, top U2400/unr, U2200, U2000,
U1800: $50. USCF regular rating used for pairings & prizes. EF: $30,
MCC Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds:. 7-7:30-7:50-8:10-8:40-
9-9:20-9:40-10pm. Max three byes. Request at entry. Blitz rated. 23 W.
10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. www.marshallchessclub.org.
MAR. 11-13 OR 12-13, 17th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 12, Marshall Saturday G/60 (Open & U1800)
4-SS, G/55 d5. Two sections: Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2400: $75,
U2100: $75. U1800 ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1500: $75. EF: $40, MCC
Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7pm.
One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W.
10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
A State Championship Event!
MAR. 12-13, 49th annual New York State Scholastic Champi-
onships (out of state welcome)
Note corrected time control and schedule. 6SS, G/60 d10, open to
grades K-12; top NYS player & team in each section are NY champions.
In 10 sections. HS & JHS Championships at Courtyard by Marriott, 11
Excelsior Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (2/5 mile from Saratoga
See previous issue for TLAs appearing January 1-14
Hilton). Other sections at Saratoga Hilton, 534 Broadway (I-87 Exit 13-
N, 4 miles north on US 9), Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Team prizes
based on top 4 scores from same school; no combined school teams
allowed even if one school feeds another. Teams of 2 or 3 players
allowed, but are at a disadvantage. Online entry fee at chessaction.com,
all sections: $44 by 2/19, $54 2/20-3/5, $60 3/6 to 3/11. Entry fee at
site, all sections: $70. High School, open to grades K-12 born after
9/1/96. EF $48.20 mailed by 2/19. Top NYS grade 9-12 qualifies for
Denker Tournament of HS Champions, top NYS grade K-12 girl qualifies
for National Girls Invitational. High School Reserve, open to K-12 under
1200 or unrated. EF $48 mailed by 2/19. Junior High, open to all in
grades K-9 . EF $47.90 mailed by 2/19. Top NYS grade K-8 born after
9/1/00 qualifies for Barber tournament of K-8 Champions. Middle School
Reserve, open to K-8 under 1000 or unrated. EF $47.80 mailed by 2/19.
Elementary, open to all in grades K-6. EF $47.60 mailed by 2/19. Ele-
mentary Intermediate, open to grades K-6 under 1200 or unrated. EF
$47.50 mailed by 2/19. Elementary Reserve, open to grades K-5 under
800 or unrated. EF $47.40 mailed by 2/19. Primary, open to grades K-3.
EF $47.30 mailed by 2/19. Primary Reserve, open to grades K-3 under
600 or unrated. EF: $47.20 mailed by 2/19. K-1, open to grades K-1. EF
$47.10 mailed by 2/19. Postmarked 2/20-3/2: All EF $10 more. Do not
mail entry after 3/2. Special 1 year US Chess dues with magazine if
paid with entry. Online at chessaction.com, Young Adult $22, Scholastic
$15. Mailed or paid at site, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Trophies to
top 15 players and top 7 teams each section, top 3 unrated in K-1 and
each Reserve section, and top U1600, U1400, U1200 (HS), U900, U700
(HS Reserve & Elem Intermediate), U1400, U1200, U1000 (JHS), U700,
U500 (MS Reserve), U1300, U1100 (Elem), U500, U300 (Elem Reserve),
U500 (Primary), U200 (Primary Reserve, K-1). Speed playoff if perfect
score tie. Free entry to NY State Championship, Labor Day weekend
2016 (Albany), to top player each section, if not already qualified for free
entry from another event. Schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11,
2, 5, Sun 9, 12, 3, Awards 5:30 pm. Half point byes OK all, limit 2, must
commit before rd. 2. HR: $129-129 at either hotel, Courtyard 866-210-
9325, Hilton 888-999-4711, 518-584-4000, two nights minimum, reserve
by 2/6 or rate may increase; hotels often sell out a few months before
the deadline. Free parking at Courtyard; free parking for overnight guests
at Hilton. 7 days notice required for room cancellation. Special car
rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #657633. Online entry: www.ches-
saction.com. Mail entry: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills,
NY 12577. Include name, rating, US Chess ID, USCF expiration (non-
members enclose dues), section, school, grade, birth date, address of
each player. Checks payable to Continental Chess. $15 per player service
charge for refunds. $10 extra to switch sections, all substitutions from
advance list charged $70. Questions: DirectorAtChess.US (At = @)),
347-201-2260. Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied. March
official ratings used (except unoffical web ratings usually used if
otherwise unrated). TD reserves right to assign estimated rating to
players with non-US Chess ratings.
MAR. 13, Marshall Sunday G/45 (Open & U1600)
4-SS, G/40 d5. Two sections: Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2200: $75,
U1900: $75. U1600: ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1300: $75. EF: $40, MCC
Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45pm.
One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W.
10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
MAR. 15, Marshall Masters
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 19-20, 38th Annual Marchand Open
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 23-27, 24-27, 25-27 OR 26-27, 10th annual
Philadelphia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
APR. 21, 28, MAY 5, 12, 19, 26, Long Island Ilan Kreitner
Memorial Tournament
See Grand Prix.
APR. 22-24 OR 23-24, 25th annual Eastern Class
Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 5-10, 10th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
NORTH CAROLINA
JAN. 29-31, Land of the Sky XXIX
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 19-21 OR 20-21, Georgian Peach Open (GA)
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 26-28 OR 27-28, George Washington Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 12, Bobby Fischer Memorial
Raleigh Civic Center, Raleigh, NC. Entry Fee: $20.00, $30 at door. USCF
rated 5 rounds Swiss. Time Control: G/45 d5. Three sections: Open,
U1400 & K-12. Reg.: 8:30am, 1st rnd. 9:30 am. Prizes b/70: Open-$200,
$100, $50, U1500-$50. U1400-$100, $50, $25 U1200-$25. Send Reg
fee to: Wake Forest Chess Club, c/o Harry Watson, 1044 Shasta Daisy
Dr., Wake Forest, NC 27587. Contact: 919-670-9513 or email: harry-
watson919@gmail.com.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 5-10, 10th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
NORTH DAKOTA
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
OHIO
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JAN. 9, Toledo January Swiss
Open, 4SS, Rnd. 1 G/75 d5, Rnds. 2-4 G/85 d5. The University of Toledo
Health Science Campus, Mulford Library Basement Cafe, 3000 Arlington
Ave., Toledo, OH 43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF:
$20 by 1/7, $25 at site. Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes:
$360 b/20, $100-50, 1st A,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James
Jagodzinski, 7031 Willowyck Rd., Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450.
JAN. 29-31 OR 30-31, 39th Cardinal Open, Columbus
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 30, Solon Winter Blast
4SS, G/30 d5. 6025 Kruse Dr., Solon, OH 44139 EF: $30, IMs, GMs free.
Sections: Open, U1800, U1400, U1000. Registration: 9-9:45 at site.
Rds.: 10:00, 11:30, 1:00, 2:30, U-1000 ASAP. Prizes: $800 Guaranteed!!
Open: $150, $50, U-2000 $50. U-1800: $100, $50, U1600 $50. U-1400:
$100, $50, U1200 $50. U1000: $60, $30, U750 $30, U500 $30. Free
healthy box lunch to ALL players! Convenient Online Registration at
www.progresswithchess.org Info: Contact: Mike Joelson, 216-321-7000.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 13, Toledo February Swiss
Open, 4SS, Rnd. 1 G/75 d5, Rnds. 2-4 G/85 d5. The University of Toledo
Health Science Campus, Mulford Library Basement Cafe, 3000 Arlington
Ave., Toledo, OH 43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF:
$20 by 2/11, $25 at site. Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes:
$360 b/20, $100-50, 1st A,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James
Jagodzinski, 7031 Willowyck Rd., Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450.
MAR. 4-6 OR 5-6, 2016 Arnold Schwarzenegger Open
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 11-12, 15th Annual Queen City Classic Chess Tournament
G/30 d5. Paul Brown Stadium, Club West, Downtown Cincinnati, OH. 14
School Sections, includes rated and non-rated. Grade K Non-Rated, 1
Non-Rated, 2 Non-rated, 3 Non-rated, K-3 Open, 4 Non-Rated, 5 Non-
Rated, 6 Non-Rated, 4-6 below 800, 4-6 Open, 7-9 Non-Rated, 7-9 Open,
10-12 Non-Rated, K-12 Open. US Chess membership is not required for
the non-rated and K-3 rated sections. Prizes: Trophies to all who score
3.5 points or higher, top three team trophies awarded and medals to all
others. EF: $40 early bird fee from January 4 - February 12. $50 EF
after February 12. EF includes lunch, t-shirt, program/score book, medal.
Registration closes Wednesday, March 4, 2016. NO ON-SITE REGISTRA-
TIONS. Schedule: Friday, March 11, check in from 5-6 pm. SIMUL at
6:30 p.m. EF: $5 for tournament participants, $20 for Non-participants.
SIMUL features International Grandmasters Maurice Ashley, Gregory
Kaidanov, and Irina Krush. March 12 Check in 7-8:15 am. matches begin
at 9:00 am. Grandmasters will be available for questions and instructions
all day. Entry/Info: 1-866-PS-CHESS (772-4377) or www.queencityclassic.org
MAR. 11-13 OR 12-13, 17th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 12, Toledo March Swiss
Open, 4SS, Rnd. 1 G/75 d5, Rnds. 2-4 G/85 d5. The University of Toledo
Health Science Campus, Mulford Library Basement Cafe, 3000 Arlington
Ave., Toledo, OH 43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF:
$20 by 3/10, $25 at site. Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes:
$360 b/20, $100-50, 1st A,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James
Jagodzinski, 7031 Willowyck Rd., Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450.
MAR. 18-20 OR 19-20, 20th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
APR. 1-3 OR 2-3, 52nd Cincinnati Open
See Grand Prix.
APR. 29-MAY 1 OR APR. 30-MAY. 1, 13th Annual Great Lakes
Chess Open - Battle Creek, Michigan (MI)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 5-10, 10th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
OKLAHOMA
FEB. 11-15, 12-15, 13-15 OR 14-15, 7th annual Southwest
Class Championships (TX)
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 13-14, 7th Jerry Hanken Winter FIDE Open
See Grand Prix.
OREGON
JAN. 23 AND/OR 24, 2016 U.S. Junior Chess Congress (CA-N)
See Nationals.
www.uschess.org 67
Tournament Life / January
MAR. 4-6 OR 5-6, 23rd annual Western Class Championships
(CA-S)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 22-23, 2016 U.S. Womens Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 24-26 OR 25-26, 2016 National Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 27, 2016 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC) (NV)
See Nationals.
PENNSYLVANIA
Every Friday - LVCA 7 & 9 pm Blitz Events Open/U1200 (BLZ)
8SS, G/5 d2. St. Timothys Lutheran Church, 140 So. Ott St., Allentown,
PA 18104. EF: $5, Prizes: Open and U1200, Minimum 50% Returned.
1st-70%, 2nd-30% AND will ADD PRIZES if 12 or more players per section,
FREE Coffee For All Entrants. REG.: Ends 6:55pm, Cash on site only.
RDS.: 7 pm, then ASAP. On Site: 484-866-3045 or bdavis@lehighvalley-
chessclub.org, www.lehighvalleychessclub.org/.
Every Saturday - LVCA Quads/RBO U1200 Quads + G/7 d3 (BLZ)
(New Location - see www.lehighvalleychessclub.org)
G/40 d5 Quads, 3-RR. Reg.: 1-1:45, Rds.: 2 pm, then asap. 2 Sections:
Open Section EF: $10. Prizes: $30 for 3-0 score, else $25 for 1st. RBO
Section EF: $10. Prizes: $30 for 3-0 score, else $25 for 1st. G/7 d3 (BLZ)
Event Rd. 1: 6:15 pm or asap. Prizes: 50% of entries, 1st-70%, 2nd-30%,
more prizes if 12 or more. Bruce, 484-866-3045. Info: srdiamondd@
yahoo.com.
JAN. 9 OR 10 OR 9-10, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents
the 50th Annual Greater NY Scholastic Championships - Since
1966, US Chess Longest-Running Scholastic! (NY)
See New York.
JAN. 15-18 OR 16-18, Chesapeake Open (MD)
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 15-18, 16-18 OR 17-18, 48th annual Liberty Bell Open
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 23, 12th William J. Browne Memorial Quads
3RR, G/60 d5. Pittsburgh Chess Club, 5604 Solway St., Suite 209, Pittsburgh,
PA 15217. EF: $12 by 1/19, $17 later, $2 discount to PCC Members. Prizes:
$30 to first each quad. Reg.: 10 -10:45am, Rds.: 11AM - 1:30 PM - 4PM.
No 1/2-point byes. Info: 412-421-1881, www.pittsburghcc.org. Ent: Pittsburgh
Chess Club, Attn: Browne Memorial, 5604 Solway St., Suite 209, Pittsburgh,
PA 15217. Checks payable to Pittsburgh Chess Club. W.
JAN. 29-31 OR 30-31, 54th Annual Baltimore Open (MD)
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 31, PCL January Quick Quads (QC)
3RR, G/15 d3. OHara Student Center, Univ. of Pitt., 4024 OHara St.,
Pittsburgh, PA 15213. EF: $10, $7 Jrs. $20 to 1st/quad. Reg.: 11-11:15am.
Info: martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com, 412-908-0286. W.
68 January 2016 | Chess Life
FEB. 6, Kasparov Chess Foundation Presents 8th Annual Greater
Mid-Atlantic Scholastic Chess Championships (MD)
See Maryland.
FEB. 6, Lancaster Superbowl Saturday Scholastic Spectacular!
5-SS, G/45 d5. Open to all students K-12! EF: $24 online, $30 after
2/4 on-site. 30+ trophies! Top School, Top Club, 1st through 10th, Top
each grade K-12, Top 3 beginners (Unr) Rds.: 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm,
3:30pm, 5:30pm Awards: 7:00pm Byes: Limit 2, Must be requested at
registration or before end of Round 1. Reg.: Online at www.lancast-
erchess.com. On-site Ends 9:15am on 2/6. Site: Lancaster Elks Lodge,
219 N Duke St., Lancaster, PA 17602. Hotel Rates available! Contact:
Jere Cassidy, www.lancasterchess.com, 717-431-0199. Email: jere@lan-
casterchess.com.
FEB. 6, W.Chester 1st Sat. Quads
Our 27th year! 3RR, Game/80 d5. 2nd Presbyterian Church, 114 S.
Walnut St., West Chester, PA. EF: $20; $40, $50 for 3-0. Reg.: 9am.
Rds.: 9:40, 1:00, 4:00. Info: WCCC1975@gmail.com.
FEB. 6-7, 2nd Annual Dr. Winsor C. Schmidt Memorial Tournament
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 13, 2016 PA State Game/75 Championship
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 13, MasterMinds CC Swiss/Quads
Lenfest Center, 3890 N. 10th St., Philadelphia, PA 19140. Quads: 3RR,
G/85 d5. EF: $30 cash; winner $100. Reg. ends 9AM. Rd. 9:30, 1, 4.
Scholastic: 4SS, K-12 Open, K-8 U1200, K-6 U800, K-3 U500 G/40 d5,
EF: $5 recd by Thurs. before, $15 on site. Reg. ends 9AM. Rd. 1 10AM
then asap. Mail Ent: payable to MasterMinds CC, 36 E. Hortter St.,
Philadelphia, PA 19119. Info: mastermindschess.org or brad@master-
mindschess.org
FEB. 14, PCL February Quick Quads (QC)
3RR, G/15 d3. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th Ave. & Bigelow
Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15213. EF: $10, $7 Jrs. $20 to 1st/quad. Reg.: 11-
11:15am. Info: martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com, 412-908-0286. W.
FEB. 26-28 OR 27-28, George Washington Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 11-13 OR 12-13, 17th annual Pittsburgh Open
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 12-13, 49th annual New York State Scholastic Champi-
onships (out of state welcome) (NY)
See New York.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 18, APR. 1, 15, 29, MAY 13, 20, 68th Annual Lancaster
County Championship
6-SS, 40/120, SD30 d10. This historic, friendly and unique event is
open to all players! EF: $35 online, $40 after 3/16 on-site. $$800 b/30
else in proportion Open/Unrated: 200-100-50 u1800: 120-60 u1400:
100-50 u1000: 80-40. Rds.: 6:00pm Byes: Limit 2, Must be requested at
registration or before end of Round 2. Reg.: Online at www.lancast-
erchess.com. On-site Ends 6:00pm on 4/1 (may register late with 1/2
point bye). Site: Lancaster Country Day School, Rm. 111, 725 Hamilton
Rd., Lancaster, PA 17603 (park in Hamilton Rd. lot, not at lower school).
Hotel Rates available! Contact: Jere Cassidy, www.lancasterchess.com,
717-431-0199. Email: jere@lancasterchess.com.
MAR. 23-27, 24-27, 25-27 OR 26-27, 10th annual Philadel-
phia Open
See Grand Prix.
APR. 22-24 OR 23-24, 25th annual Eastern Class Champi-
onships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
17th annual PITTSBURGH OPEN
March 11-13 or 12-13, Wyndham Airport
$10,000 GUARANTEED PRIZES
$99 hotel rate, free parking. free airport shuttle. 3-day option
40/100, SD/30, d10, 2-day rounds 1-2 G/60, d10, then merges with 3-
day. In 5 sections:
Open Section: Prizes $1400-700-400, clear/tiebreak win $100
bonus, top U2300/Unr $500. 80 GPP (enhanced).
U2100 Section: $1000-500-300, top U1900/Unr $400.
U1800 Section: $1000-500-300, top U1600 (no unr) $300.
U1500 Section: $600-400-200, U1300 (no unr) $200.
U1200 Section: $300-200-100.
Unrated limit: $200 in U1200, $400 in U1500 or $600 in U1800.
Mixed doubles: $400-200.
FULL DETAILS: see Grand Prix in this issue or chesstour.com.
APR. 29-MAY 1 OR APR. 30-MAY. 1, 13th Annual Great Lakes
Chess Open - Battle Creek, Michigan (MI)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open
See Grand Prix.
JULY 5-10, 10th annual Philadelphia International
See Grand Prix.
RHODE ISLAND
FEB. 6, 2016 Greater New Haven Winter Open! (CT)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 5, 2016 Fairfield County Scholastic Championships! (K-8,
K-12, K-1) (CT)
See Connecticut.
MAR. 6, 2016 Fairfield County Scholastic Championships! (K-3,
K-6) (CT)
See Connecticut.
APR. 22-24 OR 23-24, 25th annual Eastern Class
Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
SOUTH CAROLINA
JAN. 23, 11th Patrick D. Hart Memorial Scholastic
4SS, G/30 d5. Pinckney Elemetary Cafeteria, 3300 Thomas Cario Blvd.,
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29456. EF: $15 if recd by 1/20/16;$20 at site. USCF
membership reqd. Trophies: Top 6 in each section. Reg.: 8-9:30am.
Rds.: 10am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm, 3:00pm. In four USCF rated sections:
K-3, K-5, K-8 & K-12. (Sections may be combined for pairing purposes, if
necessary.) Make check to Charleston Chess Club and mail with info
to: David Y. Causey, 741 Dragoon Dr., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464. Email:
chessbass@att.net.
A Heritage Event!
FEB. 13, 42nd Snowstorm Special
Open, 4SS, G/45 d5. Park Circle Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall,
4701 Park Place, W. Durant Ave., North Charleston, SC 29406. Prize
Fund: $425 based on 20 entries; more $$ per extra entries. One Open
Section: 1st-$100 2nd - $75 u2000 - $50 u1800 - $50 u1600 - $50 u1400
- $50 u1200 - $50. EF: $25. Reg.: 8-9:15am. Rds.: 9:30-11:30-2:30-4:30.
1/2pt byes available; check with TD. Contact info: Charleston Chess
Club, David Y. Causey (chessbass@att.net) 741 Dragoon Dr., Mt. Pleasant,
SC 29464.
FEB. 19-21 OR 20-21, Georgian Peach Open (GA)
See Grand Prix.
SOUTH DAKOTA
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
TENNESSEE
JAN. 16-17, Tennessee Winter Open
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 19-21 OR 20-21, Georgian Peach Open (GA)
See Grand Prix.

MAR. 18-20 OR 19-20, 20th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 6-8, 2016 National Elementary (K-6) Championship
See Nationals.
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
TEXAS
JAN. 16-18, Texas Masters
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 11-15, 12-15, 13-15 OR 14-15, 7th annual Southwest
Class Championships
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 19-21 OR 20-21, Georgian Peach Open (GA)
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 20, Region VI Scholastic Chess Championship
5SS, 16 scholastic sections with varied time controls G/30 d5 to G/60
d5. One adult section, 4SS, G/45 d5 to G/60 d5. Southwest High School,
11914 Dragon Ln., San Antonio, TX 78252. Scholastic sections are opened
to players in all grades up to 12 who reside in Texas Region VI. The
adult section is open to all others, includi.ng scholastic players outside
region VI. IMPORTANT SECTION NOTES: TCA rules will be in use for
this tournament. Sections with fewer than 17 players may be merged
with neighboring grades or ratings. All sections are USCF rated. Unrated
scholastic players may register in any section appropriate to their grade.
UNR sections are rated, but are open to players who do not yet have a
rating. Sections: Sprout K-1 Championship, Sprout UNR, Primary K-3
Championship, Primary U600, Primary U400, Primary UNR, Elementary
K-5/6 Championship, Elementary U800, Elementary U600, Elementary
U400, Elementary UNR, Middle School 6-8/9 Championship, Middle
School U1000, Middle School U700, High School 9-12 Championship,
High School U1000. $$Trophies: Each scholastic section will award
individual trophies; score awards for 3 or more points if no trophy.
School team trophies for separate teams in championship sections;
combined team trophies across other scholastic sections in same grade
range. Top 4 scoring players counted per team; minimum 2 players per
team. Team blocks applied at TD discretion. Adult/child family trophies
must have at least one of each (adult and child). Cash awards (50%
payout) for adult section only. All awards given, even if small sections
are combined. Rds: Time controls and schedule: All Championship
sections (except K-1): G/45 d5 for rounds 1-3 and G/60 d5 for rounds
4-5. Round start times: 8:30am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, and 5:15pm.
Rounds 4-5 may begin early. Awards after last round for each section.
See previous issue for TLAs appearing January 1-14
Non-championship (and all K-1): G/30 d5 for all 5 rounds (and 6th round
for large sections). Round start times: 9:00am, 10:30am, 12:00pm, VERMONT
1:30pm, 3:00pm, and (if needed) 4:30pm. Rounds 4-6 may begin early.
Awards after last round as soon as can be computed. Adult or Not TX MAR. 12-13, 49th annual New York State Scholastic
region VI: G/45 d5 for rounds 1-2 and G/60 d5 for rounds 3-4. Rounds Championships (out of state welcome) (NY)
3-4 may begin early. Awards after last round. Reg: All scholastic sections, See New York.
$15 if received/postmarked by Nov 30, $20 by Dec 31, $25 by Jan 31, APR. 22-24 OR 23-24, 25th annual Eastern Class
$30 by Feb 12, $35 by Feb 18 (PayPal only), $40 on site (cash or check). Championships (MA)
Adult section (or not region VI) $25 anytime before close of registration
at 8:30am on Feb 20. Incomplete entries or entries submitted without
See Grand Prix.
payment may be charged a later fee. Last day to request a refund is
Feb 12. No on-site substitutions. Payments received after Feb 18 may VIRGINIA
receive a 1st round 1/2 point bye. USCF membership is required for all
players. PayPal payments preferred. Do not mail payments after Feb JAN. 15-18 OR 16-18, Chesapeake Open (MD)
12. More info: Tournament flyer and online registration at www.home- See Grand Prix.
mail.org/chesstournaments. JAN. 29-31 OR 30-31, 54th Annual Baltimore Open (MD)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual Chicago
Open (IL) FEB. 6, Kasparov Chess Foundation Presents 8th Annual Greater
See Grand Prix. Mid-Atlantic Scholastic Chess Championships (MD)
JUNE 22-23, 2016 U.S. Womens Open (NV)
See Maryland.
See Nationals. FEB. 19-21 OR 20-21, Georgian Peach Open (GA)
JUNE 24-26 OR 25-26, 2016 National Open (NV) See Grand Prix.
See Nationals. FEB. 26-28 OR 27-28, George Washington Open
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 27, 2016 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC) (NV)
See Nationals. JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 5-10, 10th annual Philadelphia International (PA) WASHINGTON
See Grand Prix.
JAN. 23 AND/OR 24, 2016 U.S. Junior Chess Congress (CA-N)
See Nationals.
UTAH JUNE 22-23, 2016 U.S. Womens Open (NV)
See Nationals.
Club 84065
See www.chessprep.org for club activities. JUNE 24-26 OR 25-26, 2016 National Open (NV)
JAN. 23 AND/OR 24, 2016 U.S. Junior Chess Congress (CA-N) See Nationals.
See Nationals. JUNE 27, 2016 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC) (NV)
See Nationals.
MAR. 4-6 OR 5-6, 23rd annual Western Class Championships
(CA-S)
See Grand Prix. WEST VIRGINIA
JUNE 22-23, 2016 U.S. Womens Open (NV) US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
See Nationals.
FEB. 5-7, Appalachian College Team Tournament
JUNE 24-26 OR 25-26, 2016 National Open (NV) Comfort Suites, Bridgeport, WV. EF $25 by Jan 29, 2016/$40 onsite. 5
See Nationals. Rd team-modified SS G/90;+30. Rd Time Feb 5 7pm; Feb 5-7 9AM/3PM.
JUNE 27, 2016 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC) (NV) Prizes 1st overall team trophy, 1st place WV Team trophy, Overall
See Nationals. (Continued on p. 71)
www.uschess.org 69
Tournament Life / January

7th annual Southwest Class Championships

Feb 11-15, 12-15, 13-15 or 14-15 (Presidents weekend), Fort Worth, Texas
$30,000 guaranteed prizes, GM & IM norms possible!
M aster Section: 9 rounds, Feb 11-
15. Expert, Class A: 7 rds, Feb 12-15
or 13-15. Class B, C, D or E: 7 rds,
Feb 12-15, 13-15 or 14-15. Schedules
merge & play for sam e prizes. Time
control 40/2, SD/30, d10 (3-day rds 1-
2 G/60, d10, 2-day rds 1-4 G/30, d10).
DFW Airport M arriott South, 4151
Centreport Blvd, Fort W orth TX 76155,
Free parking, free airport shuttle.
In 7 sections; rated players m ay
play up one section.
M aster (2200/up): $3000-1500-
1000-600-400, clear win or 1st on
tiebreak $200 bonus, top FIDE U2300
$1200-600. FIDE rated, 150 GPP.
Expert (2000-2199), Class A
(1800-1999), Class B (1600-1799):
each $2000-1000-500-300-200.
Class C (1400-1599), Class D
(1200-1399): $1200-600-400-300-200.
Class E (Under 1200): $800-400-
300-200-100.
Unrated prize limit: E $200, D
$300, C $400, B $600, A $800 .
M ixed doubles bonus prizes (see
Tournam ent Life): $1000-600-400.
Master Section, only rounds 1-7 count.
Top 4 sections entry fee: $158 at
chessaction. com by 2/10, $180 at site,
or online until 2 hours before gam e.
Mail or phone entry, Master Section
titled or foreign FIDE rated entry: see
TLA or chesstour.com .
Class C or D sections: All fees
$60 less than top 4 sections.
Class E Section entry fee: All fees
$100 less than top 4 sections.
Re-entry (except Master): $50.
No checks at site, credit cards OK.
Special USCF dues with m agazine
if paid with entry: see chesstour.com or
TLA. US Chess m em bership required.
5-day schedule: Reg. ends Thu 6
pm , Thu 7, Fri 12 & 7, Sat 11 & 6, Sun
11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4.
4-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6
pm , Rds Fri 7 pm , Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11
& 6, Mon 10 & 4.
3-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat
10 am , rds Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 11
& 6, Mon 10 & 4.
2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sun
9 am , rds. Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6,
Mon 10 & 4.
Half point byes OK all, lim it 2;
Master m ust com m it before rd 2,
others before rd 4.
All: Bring clock, set, board if
possible- none supplied. Unofficial
rating usually used if otherwise unr.
Hotel rates: $100-100, 817-358-
1700 or use link at chesstour.com ,
reserve by 1/29.
E n try: c hessactio n .c o m o r
C ontinental C hess, Box 249,
Salisbury Mills NY 12577. $15
service charge for refunds.
Questions: Director@ Chess.US,
www.chesstour.com , 347-201-2269.
Advance entries posted at
chessaction.com (online entries
posted instantly).
Blitz tournament Sunday 10 pm .

GEORGE WASHINGTON OPEN

February 26-28 or 27-28, Hyatt Dulles, Herndon VA
$13,000 guaranteed prizes
5 rounds in 5 sections, 40/110, SD/30, d10 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60,
d10). Choice of 3-day or 2-day schedule, both merge after round 2. $95 room
rates, free parking, free airport shuttle.
Open Section: Prizes $1500-800-500-300, clear/tiebreak win $100 bonus,
top U2300/Unr $600-300. 100 GPP (enhanced).
Under 2100 Section: $1200-600-300-200, top U1900/Unr $500-250.
Under 1800 Section: $1000-500-300-200, top U1600 (no unr) $400-200.
Under 1500 Section: $600-300-200-100, top U1300 (no unr) $240-120.
Under 1200 Section: $300-150-100-50, top U1000 (no unr) $120-70,
plaques to top 3, 1st Under 800, Under 600, Unrated.
Unrated prize limits: U1200 $150, U1500 $300, U1800 $500.
MIXED DOUBLES BONUS PRIZES: Best male/female 2-player team
(average under 2200) combined score among all sections: $600-300.

FULL DETAILS: see Grand Prix in this issue or chesstour.com.

70 January 2016 | Chess Life

 Classifieds / Solutions / January

Classifieds Solutions TLA continued from p. 69

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PAGE 17 / CHESS TO ENJOY
PROBLEM I. 39. Kg6!, Black resigned because 40.
Rh7 mate is threatened. PROBLEM II. 37. ... c1=Q
prompted resignation (38. Rxc1 Qxh2 mate). PROB-
LEM III. 68. ... h4+! 69. Kxh4 Qh6+ 70. Kg3 Qh3
mate. Or 69. Kh2 g3+ and 69. Kg2 gxf3+ 70. Rxf3+
Kg4. PROBLEM IV. 26. Be4! threatens 27. Rd8
mate as well as winning the bishop with 27. Rd7.
Black resigned shortly after 26. ... Rd5 27. Bxd5
exd5 28. e4. PROBLEM V. 32. ... Re5+! 33. Kxf6
Qd6+ 34. Kg7 Qg6+ 35. Kf8 Qh6+ 36. Kg8 Re8+
or 36. Kxf7 Qg6+ and mates. PROBLEM VI. 70. ...
Rf7! 71. Bb6 Rg7! cuts off the white king. Black
won by getting his king to b4 and playing Rg5xa5.
PAGE 45 / ABCS OF CHESS
PROBLEM I. Discovery: Black wins the queen with
the discovery, 1. ... Bb4+. PROBLEM II. Fork: Black
steals the knight by 1. ... Qg5+. PROBLEM III. Mating
Net: Black has the simple 1. ... Nh3 mate. PROBLEM
IV. Mating Net: Its mate in three: 1. ... Qxh2+ 2. Kxh2
Rh4+ 3. Kg1 Rh1 mate. PROBLEM V. Mating Net:
Its mate after 1. ... Nf2+ 2. Kg1 Nh3 mate. PROBLEM
VI. Mating Net: The winning moves are 1. ... Qh1+ 2.
Kxh1 Rh4+ 3. Kg1 Rh1 mate.
PAGE 47 / PLAY LIKE THE ROMANTICS!
PROBLEM I. The devastating 46. ... Rxd4! decides
immediately. After 47. Rxd4 e2 the pawn is unstop-
pable. The game continued 47. Re1 Rd3 48. Kb1
c5, and White resigned after a few more mean-
ingless moves. PROBLEM II. White must choose
between several tempting squares, but only 46.
Rf1!! wins the game. Following 46. ... c3 47. f7 c2
48. fxg8=Q+ Kxg8 49. e7 d1=Q, White polishes
off the game with a lovely mating attack: 50.
e8=Q+ Kg7 51. Qf7+ Kh6 52. Qf6+ Kh5 53. Qg5
mate.
top players $200/$100/$50; Top WV players $100/$50.
USChess membership reqd. Mail entries to: Craig Timmons, 811
Hughes Dr., St. Albans, WV 25177. craigtimmons@gmail.com
www.wvsca.com. Room rates: comfort suites 304-933-3390 $89.
FEB. 19-21 OR 20-21, Georgian Peach Open (GA)
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 26-28 OR 27-28, George Washington Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event!
MAR. 5, WVCA Scholastic Chess Championship
Wilson Student Union, WV State University, Institute, WV 25112.
Sections K-3(G/30 d5), K-5(G/30 d5), K-8(G/60 d5), K-12(G/60
d5). Trophies to top players and Teams. K-8 winner Barber
Rep, K-12 Winner Denker Rep, Top Girl NGIT Rep. Location
at WV State College Wilson Student Union. Check-in 7:45-8:30.
No Onsite Registration. Reg closesMar 1. EF $25. May register
at www.wvsca.com/registration details at https://wvsca.com/
events/16champ.pdf. Rounds begin at 9Am and complete round
times announced week before.
MAR. 11-13 OR 12-13, 17th annual Pittsburgh Open
(PA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 44th Annual World
Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
WISCONSIN
JAN. 16-17, 51st Northeastern Open
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 6-7, UW Winter Open
See Grand Prix.
A Heritage Event!
MAR. 12, Waukesha Memorial (35th Annual)
A Wisconsin Tour Event! 4SS. G/60 d5. Dual rated. USCF rated;
for USCF membership, see uschess.org. Olympia Resort Hotel,
1350 Royale Mile Rd., Oconomowoc, WI (1-800-558-9573); Exit
282, I-94 and Hwy 67; N 1 mile to Regent Rd. $$Non-monetary,
traveling trophy to First, books for class winners. Open to all.
EF: $20 ($10 by 3/11). Reg.: 8:00-9:15; 1/2 point bye if registered
after 9:15; groups of 4 or more must pre-register; pre-registrants
check in by 9:30 to assure pairing. Rds.: 10:00; 1:00; 3:30; 6:00.
No state memb. reqd. OSA. Mail entries to: Waukesha CC,
1911 Stardust Dr., Waukesha, WI 53186. Phone info: Jim Nickell
(262) 544-6266. Online info, email: jnickell@wi.rr.com.
MAR. 12, Rated Beginners Open (RBO)
4SS, G/60 d5. Dual rated. USCF rated; for USCF membership
see uschess.org. Olympia Resort Hotel, 1350 Royale Mile Rd.,
Oconomowoc, WI (1-800-558-9573); Exit 282, I-94 and Hwy 67.
Open to players rated under 1200 or unrated. Prizes: Trophies
to top 3, book prizes for class winners. EF: $20 ($10 by 3/11).
Reg.: 8:00-9:15, 1/2 point bye if registered after 9:15; pre-reg-
istrants check in by 9:30 to assure pairing. Rds.: 10:00; 1:00;
3:30; 6:00. Mail entries to: Waukesha CC,1911 Stardust Dr.,
Waukesha, WI 53186. Phone Info: Jim Nickell (262) 544-6266.
Online info, email: jnickell@wi.rr.com.
APR. 29-MAY 1 OR APR. 30-MAY. 1, 13th Annual Great
Lakes Chess Open - Battle Creek, Michigan (MI)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 OR 29-30, 25th annual
Chicago Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.

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www.uschess.org 71
 My best Move

PHOTO: DAVID LLADA

GM VARUZHAN
AKOBIAN
U.S. 11th-Ranked Player
2014 U.S. Championship
Runner-Up

or My best Move, I've selected a move

F from a ferociously tactical game in round

seven of Millionaire Chess 2. I had lost
my first game in this tournament, a
disappointing start, and was battling uphill,
determined to make a strong finish.
My opponent, meanwhile, had a half point on
me (412 /6 to my 4/6), and was enjoying an excellent
tournament. I had done my homework and knew
that Barcenilla consistently played the Kings Indian
Defense. To challenge and surprise him, I decided

for the first time in my lifeto try the h3 system
that was so beloved by Vladimir Makogonov, the
great player and coach from Azerbaijan.
My opponent was prepared, and exhibited a
deep understanding of this line. Our game turned
My opponent was prepared,

intense. After a complex struggle with our knights
off the board, we reached a sharp position on
and exhibited a deep
move 26. I had seen the possibility of this long
combination two moves earlier to deflect his rook understanding of this line
from c8. Still, my king was exposed on the c-file.
My pieces were a little loose. And I was getting
low on the clock. Without this next move, I would
have been in big trouble. I unleashed:

DEFLECTION
GM Varuzhan Akobian (2712) 27. ... Kxf8
GM Rogelio Barcenilla (2606)
Millionaire Chess Open 2 (7), 10.11.2015 The only way to capture without losing the
bishop on c4.
28. Bc5+
Interfering with the c8-rooks protection of
the bishop on c4. If he moves the king, he loses a
piece. The rook must capture.
28. ... Rxc5 29. Rxc5 Bxe2
If 29. ... Bxa2 30. Rxe5 Be6 31. Qc5+ leads to
a winning position.
30. Qxe2 b6
The storm has settled. Counting points, the
WHITE TO MOVE material balance is completely even. But Whites
rook is on an open file. His queen can be more
26. Rd8+!! Bf8 easily centralized. Both kings are exposed, but
Blacks king is bereft of shielding.
Only move. If 26. ... Rxd8? 27. Bxc4 is winning
because Black loses his queen to the pin. 31. Rxe5 Qxa2
27. Rxf8+ Black is trying to stay materially even, but the
move makes the weakness of his king even worse.
27. Rxe5! Be6 28. Rg5+ Kh8 29. Bd4+ leads to
an immediate win. 32. Qc2!
White cannot win without this powerful move.
32. ... Ra7
An interesting defense to protect the seventh
rank and the pawn on h7. Now I was running out
of time, and had to find an accurate move to finish
this game. 32. ... Qa1+ 33. Kd2 Rd8+ 34. Ke2 Black
runs out of checks, and its Whites turn to start
checking, which will lead to a mating attack.
33. Qc6!
Activating the queen, and foregoing the
immediate check to prepare to play Qf6+, which
will lead to mate.
33. ... Kg7 34. Rg5+ Kf8 35. Qf6+ Ke8
No better is 35. ... Qf7 36. Qd8+ Qe8 37. Rg8+
Kxg8 38. Qxe8+ winning the queen or 35. ... Rf7
36. Qd8 mate.
36. Re5+, Black resigned.
Which was his only way to avoid 36. ... Kd7
37. Re7+ Kc8 38. Qf8 mate.
See more about Millionaire Chess 2 in our cover
story beginning on page 22.

72 January 2016 | Chess Life

 25th annual
CHICAGO OPEN
M
May 26-30, 27-30, 28-30 or 29-30, 2016
or
O 29-30, 2016
Open 9 rounds, others 7 rounds, Memorial Day weekend at luxurious Westin North Shore Hotel
GM and IM norms possible! Free lectures & analysis of your games by GM John Fedorowicz!
$100,000 PRIZE FUND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED!
Open Section: 9 rounds, 5/26-30, 40/2,
SD/30, d10, open to all.
U2300 to U1300 Section s: 7 rounds,
choice of 5/27-30, 5/28-30 or 5/29-30.
40/2, SD/30, d10 except rounds 1-2 of 3 day
are G/60, d10, and rounds 1-4 of 2 day are
G/30, d10. No unrateds in U1300 Fre to U1900.
U1000 Section: 7 rounds, choice of 5/28-
30 or 5/29-30. G/90, d10 except rounds 1-4
$10000-5000-2500-1300-
of 2 day are G/30, d10.
1 4-day, 3-day & 2-day schedules merge &
compete for same prizes.
Westin Chic ago North Shore Hotel, 601 Fre
N Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling IL 60090. Free
Fre
parking. In 8 sections:
U $10000-5000-2500-1300-
1 Open Section: $10000-5000-2500-1300-
000-5000-2500-1300-
1000-800-600-500-400-400, clear/tiebreak
winner bonus $300, top FIDE U2400/Unr
$2000-1000. FIDE rated, GM and IM norms
possible, 200 GPP.
U2300: $5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-
400-300-300-300.
U2100: $5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-
400-300-300-300. Unrated limit $1000.
U1900: $5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-
400-300-300-300.
U1700: $5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-
400-300-300-300.
U1500: $4000-2000-1000-700-500-400-
300-300-300-300.
U1300: $4000-2000-1000-700-600-400-
300-300-300-300.
U1000: $1000-500-300-200-200-150-
150-100-100-100, unr limit $200, trophies to
Fo 1st U800, U600, U400, Unrated.
top 10,
Prize limit if under 26 lifetime games:
U1300 $1000, U1500 $1500, U1700 $2000, Jun
U1900 $2500.
Mixed Doubles: best male/female
combined 2-player team score: $2000-
1000-500-400-300. Must average u
nder
2200, same section not required. Only rds 1-
7 count for Open. See TLA for details.
Ratin gs: May official USCF ratings used
for U2300 & below, FIDE for Open. Unofficial
web ratings usually used if otherwise
unrated. Foreign
Fo ratings see chesstour.com.
Prize limit s: If any post-event rating
posted 5/25/15 to 5/25/16 was more than
30 pts over section maximum, limit Que$1500.
Top 7 section s ent ry fee: $207 online at
chessaction.com by 3/21, $227 online by
5/25, $250 online until 2 hrs before rd 1 or
at site until 1 hr before rd 1. Open $100
more for US players not FIDE or USCF
2200/over. No check at site, credit card OK.
Speci al entry fee s: GMs in Open, $200
from prize. IMs & WGMs in Open $100,
another $100 deducted from prize. $100 less
to seniors 65/over, except U1000 Section.
U1000 Section entry fee s: $57 online at
chessaction.com by 5/25, $80 online until 2
hrs before rd 1 or at site until 1 hr before.
Mailed or phon ed ent rie s: See
Tournament Life or chesstour.com.
Online or mailed EF $5 less to ICA
members; join at il-chess.org. ICA tour event.
USCF membership required. Special
dues, see TLA or chesstour.com.
5-day schedule (Open only): Late entry to
Thu 6 pm, rds Thu 7 pm, Fri 12 noon & 7
pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4.
4-day schedule (U2300 to U1300): Late
entry to Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am &
6 pm, Sun 11 am & 6 pm, Mon 10 & 4.
3-day schedule (U2300 to U1300): Late
entry to Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11 am, 2:30 pm
& 6 pm, Sun 11 am & 6 pm, Mon 10 & 4.
3-day schedule (U1000): Late entry to
Sun 1 pm, rds. Sat 2 pm & 6 pm, Sun 10 am,
2 pm & 6R pm, Mon 10 am & 2 pm.
2-day schedule (U2300 to U1300): Late
entry to Sun 9 am; rds. Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45
& 6, Mon 10 & 4.
2-day
Que
schedule (U1000): Late entry to
Sun 9 am; rds. Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Mon
10 & 2.
Half point byes OK all rounds, limit 4 (2
in last 4 rds). Open must commit before
round 2, others before rd 4.
Hote l rate s: $107 for 1-4/room, 800-937-
8461, 847-777-6500. Reserve by 5/7; rate
may increase or hotel sell out.
All : Bring sets, boards, clocks- none
supplied. $15 charge for refunds. Entries
posted at chessaction.com (online entries
posted instantly). Questions:
Que chesstour.com,
chesstour.info, Director@Chess.US, 347-201-
2269. Junior
JunGP points available.