Larkins is Armed Forces Champ | Tim Just Gives Rulebook Advice

World Champion retains title in a grinding

match against Karjakin

February 2017 | USChess.org

 11th annual
PHILADELPHIA OPEN
Luxurious downtown site, IM and GM norms possible!
Easter weekend, April 12-16, 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, Philadelphia Marriott
Prizes $80,000 projected, $60,000 minimum guaranteed!
Marriott Hotel, 1201 Market Street, Philadelphia
PA 19107, directly across the street from world famous
Reading Terminal Market with over 80 food vendors.
Chess rate $106-106-126, 215-625-2900, reserve by
3/31 or rate may increase. 60% discount on valet
parking at Marriott (about $20, limited to first 100
cars). Gateway Garage, 1540 Spring St (3/5 mile from
Marriott, 1 block from Sheraton Hotel), about $7/day
Sat & Sun, $20 weekdays. Easy walk to restaurants,
shops, museums.
In 7 sections- you play only those in your
section. No unrated in U1400, U1600 or U1800.
Open: 9 rounds, April 12-16, 40/2, SD/30, d10.
Other sections: 7 rounds, choice of 4-day
schedule April 13-16 (40/2, SD/30, d10), 3-day Apr 14-
16 (rounds 1-2 G/60, d10, merges with 4-day), or 2-
day Apr 15-16 (rds 1-4 G/30, d10, merges with
others).
Prizes based on 500 paid entries with 75%
each prize min. guarantee. Seniors, re-entries, GMs,
IMs, WGMs count half, U1100 Section 40%. April
official USCF ratings used, except FIDE used in Open.
Foreign/FIDE ratings in U2200 & below: see www.
chesstour.com/foreignratings.htm.
Open: $7000-4000-2000-1000-800-600-500-500-
400-400, clear or tiebreak win $200 bonus, FIDE Under
2400/Unr $2000-1000. FIDE, GPP: 200 (enhanced).
Under 2200, Under 2000, Under 1800: Each
$5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-400-300-300-300.
Unrated limit $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/Unrated: $1000-700-500-400-300-
300-200-200-100-100. Unrated limit $300.
Mixed doubles prizes: $1000-500-300-200.
If post-event rating posted 4/10/16-4/10/17 is
more than 30 pts over section max, prize limit $1500.
Players with under 26 lifetime games rated
as of 4/17 official list cannot win over $500 in U1100,
$1000 U1400, $1500 U1600, or $2000 U1800.
Blitz tournament Saturday 10:30 pm, entry fee
$20, enter by 10:15 pm.
Open Section entry fee: GM s, I M s, W GM s
$130 online at chessaction.com by 4/11, $160 at site.
M inim um prize guarantee to Open players who
enter online by 3/1 and play all 9 games with no byes:
US GM $300, foreign GM $700 (limited to first 5 to
enter at chessaction.com, others $400), foreign
IM/WGM $400, foreign FM/WIM $300, foreign FIDE
rated $200. US players not USCF or FI DE
2200/ over: $355 online at chessaction.com by 2/4,
$375 online by 4/11, $400 at site. Open entry fee,
for others: $205 online at chessaction. com by 2/4,
$225 online by 4/11, $250 at site.
Under 2200 through Under 1400 Sections
entry fee: $205 online at chessaction.com by 2/4, $225
online by 4/11, $250 at site.
U1100/Unr Section entry fee: $75 online at
chessaction.com by 4/11, $100 at site.
Phoned EF: All $10 more than online entry, 406-
896-2038 (entry only, no questions), available only
through 4/10. Mailed EF: see TLA or chesstour.com.
Online late entry after 4/11: available until 2
hours before rd 1, same price as entry at site.
Entry fee $100 less less to seniors 65/over in
Open through U1400.
Special US Chess dues: see Tournament Life or
chesstour.com. US Chess membership required.
5-day schedule (Open): Reg. Wed to 6 pm, rds.
Wed 7, Thu 12 & 7, Fri/Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15.
4-day schedule (no Open): Reg Thu to 6 pm,
rounds Thu 7, Fri/Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15.
3-day schedule (no Open): Reg Fri to 10 am,
rounds Fri 11, 2:30 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15.
2-day schedule (no Open): Reg. Sat to 9 am,
rounds Sat. 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15.
Half-point byes OK all rounds, limit 3 (2 in last 4
rounds), Open must commit before round 2, others
before round 4.
Electronic devices rules: see www.chesstour.
com/devices.htm.
Bring set, board, clock if possible- none
supplied. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used
if otherwise unrated. $15 service charge for refunds.
Entry: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box
8482, Pelham NY 10803. Advance entries posted at
chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly).
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2 February 2017 | Chess Life

Celebrating the groundbreaking 1944 exhibition
SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 – MARCH 12 , 2017
The Imagery of Chess at the Julien Levy Gallery in
New York, Designing Chessmen presents a selection
of artwork and artifacts from and related to the
original exhibition.

Mind. Art. Experience.

4652 Maryland Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63108
(314) 367-WCHF (9243) | worldchesshof.org
@WorldChessHOF #DesigningChessmen DCE…TXJ
Image: André Breton and Nicolas Calas, Wine Glass Chess Set and Board
(Exhibition replica), 2016. Photo by Michael DeFilippo.
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris

www.uschess.org 3
 PHOTO: MAX AVDEEV
GM Magnus Carlsen

Chess Life
is all smiles after
winning his third
world championship
match.

FEBRUARY
COLUMNS
12 LOOKS AT BOOKS / DYNAMIC DECISION
MAKING IN CHESS
**************(#)$! *%'*')$!)&!
By John Hartmann

16 CHESS TO ENJOY / ENTERTAINMENT

")(*)*'&%##*%$*% '*'&(('
By GM Andy Soltis

18 BACK TO BASICS / READER ANNOTATIONS

**************)(* *"(*(*)'%&
By GM Lev Alburt

44 SOLITAIRE CHESS / INSTRUCTION

***************''#(*")#
By Bruce Pandolfini

46 THE PRACTICAL ENDGAME / INSTRUCTION

**************&)$
By GM Daniel Naroditsky

DEPARTMENTS
6 FEBRUARY PREVIEW /
THIS MONTH IN CHESS LIFE AND US
CHESS NEWS

8 COUNTERPLAY / READERS RESPOND

10 FIRST MOVES /
CHESS NEWS FROM AROUND THE U.S.

11 FACES ACROSS THE BOARD /

BY AL LAWRENCE
20 COVER STORY / 2016 WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIP

14 US CHESS AFFAIRS / *****************"(*%$*&$! *)&# ($*!(()' *)& )$

NEWS FOR OUR MEMBERS ******************BY FM MIKE KLEIN; ANALYSIS BY GM CRISTIAN CHIRILA
GM Magnus Carlsen retains his title as the World Championship
51 TOURNAMENT LIFE / FEBRUARY
returns to the U.S. for the first time in a generation.

71 CLASSIFIEDS / FEBRUARY

71 SOLUTIONS / FEBRUARY
39 MILITARY CHESS / ARMED FORCES OPEN
%*)*()'*&
72 MY BEST MOVE / PERSONALITIES
THIS MONTH: TIM JUST BY MIDSHIPMAN BRYAN HARVEY
Larry Larkins wins 57th Armed Forces Open

ON THE COVER
The first world championship to take place in the U.S. since
1995 initially frustrated fans as it appeared to be turning
42 RULES / JUST LAW
*******************")'*)&$*#(
%%
into a “drawfest,” but it eventually became a crowd pleaser BY TIM JUST
as GM Magnus Carlsen retained his title in a thrilling finish. The rules of chess can feel Byzantine. US Chess Rulebook Editor
PHOTO BY MAX AVDEEV Tim Just’s new book Just Law helps players and tournament directors
make sense of it all; here is an excerpt.

4 February 2017 | Chess Life

 presents

Every four years, US Chess combines the National Elementary, Junior High,
and High School Championships in our SuperNationals event. Come to Nashville,
Tennessee to play in the sixth edition of the largest chess tournament in the world.

FIND MORE INFORMATION AT USCHESS.ORG.

www.uschess.org 5
February Preview / This month in Chess Life and US Chess News

US CHESS NEWS PREVIEW FEBRUARY

U.S. AMATEUR TEAM CONTRIBUTORS

EXTRAVAGANZAS
Look for reports and games of all four U.S. Amateur
Team Championships, held over President’s Day
weekend February 18-20! The largest of the four
events, The World Amateur Team Championship, will
take place in Parsippany, New Jersey; with the West in
Santa Clara, California; the South in Orlando, Florida;
and the North outside Chicago, Illinois. Contribute
your own games and photos to jshahade@uschess.org
and vwest@uschess.org. Join the conversation on Twitter
@USChess using the hashtag #USATChess,
PRO CHESS LEAGUE RAMPS UP
Look for continued coverage of the Chess.com Pro Chess
League (formerly the U.S. Chess League) which boasts over
100 grandmasters from teams all over the world. Magnus
Carlsen will head up the Norway Gnomes, Fabiano Caruana
the Montreal Chessbrahs and Hikaru Nakamura the Miami
Champions.
OUR GOLDEN
GUYS IN
GIBRALTAR
U.S. Champion Fabiano
Caruana and Hikaru
Nakamura are among the top
three seeds in the annual
Gibraltar Open set from
January 23-February 2. Also
participating on the rock:
Fellow gold medalist Sam
Shankland as well as Awonder
Liang and Anna Zatonskih.
Look for a tactical highlights
quiz from Vanessa West in our
news section.
GET SOCIAL Join our growing numbers on
Facebook @USChess and Instagram at US_Chess. On
Twitter, find us @USChess or hashtag #USChess.
FM MIKE KLEIN
(Cover Story) is the Chess.com
director of content, although the
scholastic world knows him as
FunMasterMike in his ChessKid
videos. He is a two-time chess
journalist of the year, severely
complicating his plans to be a
pro snowboarder.
GM CRISTIAN CHIRILA
(Cover Story annotations) is a
former World Youth champion
and the head coach of Bay Area
Chess. He is currently honing his
personal chess skills as well as
helping other strong players
achieve their goals, all while
secretly plotting to become a
professional mixed martial artist.
AL LAWRENCE
(World Championship History)
is the former executive director
of both US Chess and the World
Chess Hall of Fame and the
current chess journalist of the
year. He is currently managing
director for the US Chess Trust.
His latest book, with GM Lev
Alburt, is Chess for the Gifted and
Busy.
MATTHEW S. WILSON
(Candidates) is an economics
professor at Truman State
University. He tied for first in
the 2002 Washington State
Elementary Championship and
currently has an expert rating.
He runs a chess and stats blog,
http://e4stat.blogspot.com/.
MIDSHIPMAN BRYAN
HARVEY
(Armed Forces) is the current
president of the U.S. Naval
Academy Chess Club. He has
been selected to be a naval flight
officer and will begin flight
school in the fall of 2017.

6 February 2017 | Chess Life

www.uschess.org 7
Counterplay / Readers Respond
A banner year for
US Chess
A U. S . OLYMPIAD ?
2016 is history now, and it was a banner
year for US Chess. Consider the following:
1. “Fabi” Caruana came within one game
(unfortunately one in which he had to try for
a win with black) of reaching the World
Championship match.
2. The U.S. team won the gold medal at the
chess Olympiad, winning that event for the
first time in 40 years, and winning for the first
time versus Soviet or Russian competition.
3. Wesley So had a stellar second half of the
the year, winning two major super grand-
master tournaments (the Sinquefield Cup and
the London Chess Classic) to earn the top
prize in the Grand Chess Tour, in addition
to his individual gold medal at the chess
Olympiad; like Caruana, is now rated among
the top-five chess players in the FIDE
rankings.
4. As of this writing, three U.S. players are
rated in the top seven in the FIDE rankings.
5. In November, the U.S. hosted an exciting
World Chess Championship match that went
into “overtime.”
In summary, 2016 was arguably the greatest
year for the U.S. in the international chess
arena, perhaps only topped by the Fischer
years in 1971-72.
What could be next? Obviously, there's a good
chance we could see a U.S. challenger for the
world championship in the next few years,
but I would note—looking at chess history—
that there is one big chess event that has been
held in all parts of the world (all over Europe,
even in smaller nations like Cuba, Greece,
Israel [twice], Malta and Switzerland [twice]
that has never been held in the United States
in the event’s 93-year history, despite the fact
that the U.S. has carted off the winning medals
on six occasions.
I am referring to the chess Olympiad, that
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.
8 February 2017 | Chess Life
same event held in Azerbaijan in 2016 with
the next two editions slated to be held in
former Soviet republics as well.
So, why not hold a chess Olympiad here in
the United States? Consider this message a
challenge to US Chess and chess organizers
to put a plan together to make this happen!
John Weber
Ellicott City, Maryland
US Chess life member
SuperNationals VI is
Francisco Guadalupe, US Chess Director of Nation-
al Events, responds: coming soon, and we
I agree with you about the accomplishments of have opened advertising
our players. I would add that just a few months
sales for the tournament
ago, then 15-year-old GM Jeffery Xiong won the
World Junior Chess Championship. Yes, 2016
was, indeed, a banner year for US Chess. I also
program. We are
agree with your assessment that hosting the FIDE expecting over 5,000
world chess Olympiad would be very good for US
competitors plus parents,
Chess. That said, as USA zonal president for six
years, I had somewhat of a "front seat" at the
Olympiads that were held in Istanbul and Tromsø, siblings, and coaches, and
as well as during discussions of bids for the events we expect to print 6,000
that took place at FIDE congresses and general
assemblies. programs. Advertise your
There are many challenges—financial, logistical product, camp, service,
and political—associated with hosting a world chess
or tournament by
Olympiad. Deposits in accordance with a schedule
contained in the FIDE financial regulations, totaling
2,000,000 Euros (roughly $2.1 million), must be contacting Daniel Lucas
made. Beyond that, there are many costs associated at dlucas@uschess.org.
with tournament site inspections, travel of FIDE
officials, housing and feeding of FIDE principals
and Olympiad participants, and many others. In
“round numbers,” I have been told that it would
take over 10 million Euros (roughly $10.5 million)
to host an Olympiad.
That aside, hosting players from approximately
180 federations from all over the world may be the
biggest challenge, and one which involves political
issues larger than those associated with the game
of chess and which would involve U.S. government
agencies.
Be a US Chess Benefactor!
Benefactor Membership includes Life Membership, a special membership card, and recognition on a benefactor page of
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SPECIAL THANKS TO
ALL OUR BENEFACTORS!
U S Ch e s s Be ne fact o r M em b er s a s o f D ec em b er 8, 2016:
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H E L P P R O M O T E A M E R I C A N C H E S S

Your First
Visit is Free
The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis
hosts weekly programs including Kids’ Beginner
Classes, Adult Beginner Classes & Ladies’ Knight
every Thursday. As well as Scholastic Tournaments
for students (starting at $2 for USCF members)
and Monthly Tournaments with various prize funds—
learn more at saintlouischessclub.org.
No time to visit? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
for Weekly Classes and Lectures provided by certified
Chess Club staff and Grandmasters in Residence.
—————————————————————————————————
Building Champions: In the Classroom and the Community
4657 Maryland Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63108 | 314.361.CHESS (2437)
saintlouischessclub.org | @CCSCSL #STLChessClub DCE…XTJ
The CCSCSL admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded
or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration
of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

www.uschess.org 9
First Moves / Chess news from around the U.S.
U.S. Peace Corps Brings
Chess to Gambia
by Zachary Snowdon Smith
T he Gambia, a small nation in West Africa, hungers for contact with
the outside world. Young Gambians, especially, are fascinated with
exotic lands like England, Spain, China and the United States. In 2016,
over 21,000 Gambian refugees attempted the dangerous journey across
the Mediterranean to Europe, according to United Nations reports.
Now, Gambians are finding a new way to get in touch with the rest
of the world: through chess. U.S. Peace Corps volunteers are starting
chess clubs in villages across the country, where people love Ludo and
checkers, but have never heard of chess.
70 chess sets were supplied to the program by Let Girls Learn, a
U.S.-government initiative. The Gambia Chess Federation and the
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis have also given assistance.
The Gambian chess community is small; currently, there are only
10 February 2017 | Chess Life
(left to right) Binta Jarju and
Muhammed Badjie play chess in the
rural Gambian village of Kapa.
two active titled members. It is an environment in which any high-
rated player has a good shot at qualifying for the chess Olympiad.
“This is a unique opportunity for kids in out-of-the-way villages to
reach out to the world,” says Caroline Howard, a Peace Corps volunteer.
“Chess can serve as a kind of universal language. I think that’s part of
why it’s gaining popularity so quickly here.”
The chessboard can also be a space where players leave behind the
strict gender and age-based hierarchies of the village.
“I practice hard,” says Hawa Badjie, a 14-year-old girl studying
through the program. “If you practice chess very well, even if you are
too small, you can beat the elders.”
Peace Corps volunteers plan to stage the Gambia’s first-ever youth
tournament in 2017, says Howard.
 First Moves / Chess news from around the U.S.
By AL LAWRENCE
(left to right) Binta Jarju and Abdou Badjie play
chess between chores. Will they be assigned extra
chores for setting up the chessboard incorrectly?
Abdou Badjie receives lessons by video chat from Danny Machuca,
instructor at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.
Peace Corps volunteer Zachary Snowdon Smith watches.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ZACHARY SMITH
Children play by candle and flashlight after dark.
FACES
ACROSS
THE BOARD
DAVID MBONU
BUFORD, GEORGIA
Not learning chess
wasn’t fair
At this year’s U.S. Open,
David tied for first top-A,
drawing GM Alex Fishbein
and becoming a highly rated expert. Ironically,
David learned chess because he wasn’t being
taught the game at school. His younger Matthew
brother was, and “Mom thought that wasn’t
fair!” So she taught David. Soon the brothers
were winning multiple scholastic titles for Sugar
Hill Elementary. What brought David back years
later at college? “I was bored one day and
remembered chess!” and he played online.
Now he’s a junior studying electrical engineering
at highly ranked Georgia Tech. “My ideal job
would be to work with lasers.” Pairing up with
Senior Master Aaron Deepak, the duo reinvig-
orated the college chess club, encouraging
community players to attend. As a result, “At
our first event, we expected 30 people, but
we got nearly 60!”
TREVOR
BROOKS
POUGHKEEPSIE,
NEW YORK
“Chess adopted” by
his local club
Sixth-grader Trevor “counts down the days until
Monday night” when Vassar-Chadwick Chess
Club meets. At seven, his dad taught him the
basics. Then Trevor took over, poring over the
board for hours, “because I love the game,
reading chess books and playing and studying
online,” He won a recent club tournament by
sacking a rook and knight to get a won ending
against a 1700-player. “Amazing insights!”
chess teacher Dr. Craig Fisher said. Chess isn’t
Trevor’s only competitive outlet. “Fencing is
physical chess and just as strategic. In both, I
have to manage short-term tactics and long-
term strategy.”
Trevor is also a professional actor with 20 short
films to his credit. Chess and acting came
together last year, when he was cast in the CBS
prime-time series Limitless as a boy playing
chess in the park with his dad. The two agreed
to play for real. “... when my character says ‘Dad,
watch this,’ I actually made a pretty good move!”
www.uschess.org 11
Looks at Books / Dynamic Decision Making in Chess
Gelfand’s Lofty Standard
Does volume two of former world championship contender
GM Boris Gelfand’s “Decision Making” series live up to the
promise of the first volume?
By JOHN HARTMANN
P
ositional Decision Making in Chess,
the first volume in Boris Gelfand’s
“Decision Making” series, was publish-
ed by Quality Chess in 2015 to critical acclaim.
(See the September 2015 issue of Chess Life
for my rapturous review.) Now Gelfand’s
second book, Dynamic Decision Making in Chess,
is available. Does it live up to the lofty standard
set by its predecessor?
The title of Gelfand’s new book accurately
describes its contents. His main theme is
decision making, with a particular focus on (a)
how Gelfand makes practical decisions over
the board and (b) his handling of dynamic
positions. While Gelfand’s articulation of his
thought processes is clear and mainly successful,
the lens he uses (dynamical play) makes its
complete exploration very difficult.
Gelfand describes the “core” of his books
as follows:
I want to explain the thinking that has led
to my reasonable success as a chess player, and
not “cheat” in the process. It is quite easy to
analyze a variation with the engine and then
explain why it works. And this certainly has
its uses, but to me it is more interesting to talk
about how we find the moves in the first place.
This is the key to playing better chess. (260)
The goal of the books in this series thus far
is to offer an honest accounting of how a super
grandmaster like Gelfand decides on his moves.
The analysis tries to follow Gelfand’s in-game
stream of consciousness, and because he cuts
no corners, it can be incredibly complex. A
recurring theme of the book is Gelfand’s
warnings about overreliance on the computer.
It is a mistake to assume that grandmasters
think like engines. Because humans cannot
begin to match the machine in terms of calcula-
tion, because we can’t see everything like the
computer does, at some point we must “guess.”
(8, 86) Decision making based on limited
information (guessing) relies on intuition,
evaluation, and judgment. (160, 218, 226).
12 February 2017 | Chess Life
Gelfand’s point seems to be this: humans
cannot calculate their way to good decisions.
We must rely on “general considerations” (15)
while we play, and we must use our intuition
to take decisions that we cannot fully calculate.
How do we train intuition, and in this case,
how do we train our sense of dynamics?
Gelfand, Boris. Dynamic Decision Making in Chess.
Quality Chess: 2016. ISBN Paperback: 978-1-78483-012-0
ISBN Hardcover: 978-1-78483-013-7. Figurine notation.
(Available from uscfsales.com, catalog number
B0129QT, $37.95)
There’s the rub.
It’s important to be clear about what we’re
talking about. Dynamics involves the ephemeral
in chess. Some temporary feature of the position
must be converted into a lasting advantage
before it dissipates. (8) Dynamic chess involves
intuition and calculation for Gelfand, but
devolves to neither. (9). It is not strictly tactical
or strategic in nature, the very distinction being
somewhat artificial in his view. (61)
For all the analysis in Dynamic Decision
Making in Chess, and for all of the exquisitely
careful explanation of decisions and thought
processes, there is nothing to my eye that
explains how Gelfand senses dynamism in a
position. He just does, and more than that is
hard to explain.
This is not a knock on Gelfand (or his co-
author Jacob Aagaard). Dynamic Decision Making
in Chess is a wonderful book, one of the best of
its kind, but like every book on dynamics, there
comes a point where analysis and explanation
fail and we must simply bear witness to genius.
Let me be clear here. I am not claiming that
the great moves of the masters are somehow
ineffable or beyond reason. Instead, what I am
arguing follows from the block quote above.
It is easy, as Gelfand notes, to retroactively
explain the logic of a brilliant move. What is
more difficult is clearly articulating the move’s
genesis without falling prey to what John Dewey
called the “philosopher’s fallacy,” where the results
of analysis are taken to accurately represent what
was experienced before analysis began.
Studies of dynamic play are, in my experience,
particularly susceptible to this kind of fallacy.
While Gelfand works diligently to break down
the logic of his best moves—his 11. ... Ra6!!
against Karjakin from the 2009 World Cup,
for instance (227-239)—there is a level of
analysis beyond which he cannot go. It took
him 40 years of study and solving (54, 134) to
find such moves, and their intuitive, uncon-
scious origins are not easily excavated.
Does this mean that Dynamic Decision Making
in Chess fails in its project? Absolutely not. It
may lack the clarity and focus of Positional
Decision Making in Chess, but this is due to
Gelfand’s ambitious handling of a very difficult
subject and his refusal to simplify his thought
processes for the sake of expediency. The
analysis is best suited for experts and above,
but players of all strengths can’t help but learn
from this book.
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Chess to Enjoy / Entertainment
Take a Stroll Down
Kostić Street
The best player you never heard of.
By GM ANDY SOLTIS
CAISSA IS FICKLE. SHE QUICKLY FORGETS
some of her most devoted disciples.
One of those was a player who was among
the half dozen best in the world—and became
the first great chess globe-trotter. In his many
travels he won a U.S. Open, beat two U.S.
champions in matches, and introduced master
chess around the world, to Australia, Kenya,
Sumatra and the Philippines, among other places.
His career reads like a Hollywood script.
Details are hard to confirm but he reputedly
taught chess at a military academy in Buenos
Aires, gave lessons to opera icon Enrico Caruso
and was held in a German concentration camp
during World War II because he refused to
play in a Nazi championship of “liberated”
Europe.
Yet this player, Boris Kostić (1887-1963), is
the least remembered of the elite grandmasters
of the past century. Kostić, who was born 130
years ago this month, played well over 2,000
clocked games over a 50-plus-year career. But
databases hold only a fraction of that. They
reveal his sparkling, but often unsound, style.
FOUR KNIGHTS GAME (C49)
Georg Wiarda
Boris Kostić
Cologne, 1911
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4
5. 0-0 0-0 6. d3 Nd4 7. Bc4 c6!? 8. Bg5 d5
9. exd5 Bg4 10. dxc6 Qc8?! 11. Bxf6! Bxf3
12. gxf3 Qh3 13. cxb7 Rae8 14. Bd5 e4!
(see diagram top of next column)
Black’s gamble would look a bit suspect after
15. fxe4 Nf3+ 16. Qxf3! Qxf3 17. Bh4 because
of that powerful b7-pawn.
15. b8=Q? Rxb8 16. Bxd4 Bd6! 17. Re1
Bxh2+ 18. Kh1 Be5+ 19. Kg1 Bxd4 20.
Rxe4 Rb6!
So that 21. Rxd4 Rh6 wins.
16 February 2017 | Chess Life
win). Here’s the only readily available game.
The great swindler is out-calculated.
FRENCH DEFENSE,
RUBINSTEIN VARIATION (C10)
Frank Marshall
Boris Kostić
Match, Cologne, 1911
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4
Nd7 5. Bd3 Ngf6 6. Ng5 h6 7. N5h3 b6 8.
AFTER 14. ... e4
Nf3 Bb7 9. Be3 Nd5 10. Qe2 Bd6 11. c4
Nxe3 12. fxe3 Bb4+ 13. Nd2 Qh4+ 14. Nf2
c5 15. O-O-O cxd4 16. Nf3 Qe7 17. exd4
21. Qf1 Qxf3 22. Re6!? Qg4+ 23. Qg2
O-O 18. Kb1 Rfd8 19. g4 Qf6 20. Ne4 Qf4
Qxg2+ 24. Bxg2 fxe6 25. Ne4 Rxb2,
21. Rdf1 Qxg4 22. Rhg1 Qh5 23. c5!? bxc5
White resigned.
24. Qg2 g6 25. Ne5
Like fellow Serb Nikola Tesla, whom he met
in America, Kostić became a celebrity in the
United States. He lived here during 1915-1918,
while World War I virtually ended master
chess in Europe.
In the New World, Kostić was a sensation.
People who knew nothing of chess discovered
there was a magical visitor who had, for
example, played 20 simultaneous games—
without sight of the boards—in New York in
1916, and allowed only one draw.
That year he launched a coast-to-coast
simultaneous exhibition tour. Over six months
he played a remarkable 3,281 games, losing just 25. ... Nxe5 26. Nf6+ Kh8 27. Qxb7 Qh3!
112 and conceding 237 draws. He also won the 28. dxe5? Qxd3+ 29. Ka1 Bc3!
U.S. Open (then organized by the Western Now 30. Qxf7 Bxb2+! 31. Kxb2 Rab8+ mates.
Chess Association) in Chicago in 1918.
30. bxc3 Rab8 31. Qf3 Rb1+! 32. Rxb1
Yet today few Americans have heard of Kostić.
Qxf3 33. Rbc1 Rd2, White resigned.
His fame is recorded mainly in an ancient form
of information technology called “newspapers.” Kostić’s best-ever performance was at a New
You won’t find much evidence elsewhere of, for York tournament in 1918 when he finished an
instance, Kostić’s 1916 match defeat in Frankfort, undefeated second to José Capablanca. Accord-
Kentucky. of former U.S. champion Jackson ing to the Chessmetrics site, he was the fifth-best
Showalter (seven wins, two losses, five draws). player in the world between March 1921 and
January 1922—ahead of Alexander Alekhine,
Nor will you discover much about his
winning a 1911 match with then-U.S. Cham- Max Euwe and Aron Nimzowitsch, among
pion Frank Marshall (two draws and one Kostić others. Euwe and Marshall were among the

Kostić Quiz
Boris Kostić, born 130 years ago
this month, played hundreds of
instructive games. This month’s
quiz features a handful: In each
diagram you are asked to find the
fastest winning line of play. This
will usually mean the forced win
of a decisive amount of material.
But watch out for winning end-
game ideas as well. For solutions,
see page 71.
world-class players who had a losing record
against Kostić.
SLAV DEFENSE (D15)
Boris Kostic
Max Euwe
Budapest, 1921
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 Bf5 5.
cxd5 Nxd5 6. Nd2 Bg6 7. e4 Nf6 8. e5
Nd5 9. Bc4 Nb4! 10. 0-0 Nc2 11. e6!? fxe6
12. Nde4 Nxa1 13. Bxe6
Computers much prefer Black’s chances after
moves like 13. ... Qb6 or 13. ... Nd7.
13. ... Na6 14. Bf4 Nc7? 15. Nc5 Nxe6
The outcome remains in doubt after 15. ...
Nc2 16. Bd7+ Qxd7 17. Nxd7 Kxd7.
16. Nxe6 Qd7 17. Nc7+ Kd8 18. Nxa8 Nc2
19. d5! cxd5 20. Nxd5 Bf7? 21. Ndb6!
axb6 22. Qxc2 Bd5 23. Nxb6 Qc6 24. Qd2
e6 25. Nxd5 Qxd5 26. Qxd5+ exd5 27.
Rd1 Be7 28. Rxd5+ Kc8 29. Be5 Re8 30.
f4, Black resigned.
Capablanca called Kostić “an unpolished
diamond.” But their relationship soured. When
Capablanca was invited to the great Bad
Kissingen, 1928 tournament he set one condi-
tion: The Serb could not be invited. He wasn’t.
Kostić settled for becoming one of the
greatest salesmen chess has ever had. In 1923
Chess to Enjoy / Entertainment
PROBLEM I PROBLEM II PROBLEM III
Albert Hodges
Boris Kostić
Joszef Schweiger
Boris Kostić
Boris Kostić
Savielly Tartakower
BLACK TO PLAY BLACK TO PLAY WHITE TO PLAY
PROBLEM IV PROBLEM V PROBLEM VI
Martin Walter Boris Kostić Henri Weenink
Boris Kostić Oscar Chajes Boris Kostić
BLACK TO PLAY WHITE TO PLAY BLACK TO PLAY
he set off on what was dubbed a “world chess
tour” and by the time he was done in 1926 he
had visited India, Philippines, New Zealand,
Indonesia, Australia, parts of Africa and China
and much of Siberia. For decades after, chess
fans in many remote regions of the globe had
only seen one master in their life—Kostić.
Kostić enjoyed a long career. He was still
among the world’s 100 top players in 1946, just
before his 60th birthday, according to Chess-
metrics. One of his last dazzling finishes:
So why is Kostić forgotten today? The answer
CARO-KANN DEFENSE, is that it takes a lot more to achieve lasting
ADVANCE VARIATION (B12) chess fame.
Borislav Kostić Kostić didn’t win any famous tournaments.
Djordje Avirovic He didn’t play a brilliancy that lives on in
Yugoslav Championship, Novi Sad, 1945 anthologies of immortal games or combinations.
He didn’t even lose a famous game.
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. c4 e6 5.
Even the most obscure players are remem-
Nc3 Ne7 6. Nf3 h6 7. Bd3 dxc4 8. Bxc4
bered because an opening is named after them
Nd7 9. 0-0 Nb6 10. Bb3 Ned5 11. Qe2
(think of: Trompowsky, From, Fajarowicz,
Be7 12. Ne4 0-0 13. Bd2 a5 14. a3 Nd7
Chebanenko). But there is no “Kostić Variation”
15. Ng3 Bg6 16. Bc4 Qb6 17. Bd3 Bxd3
18. Qxd3 c5 19. dxc5 Nxc5 20. Qc4 Rac8 to be found in major opening books. In fact,
21. Qg4 Kh7 there is no good book of Kostić’s games.
He had to settle for an annual “Kostić
(see diagram top of next column) Memorial” tournament that is held in his home
town of Vršac, Serbia—and for a “Kostić Street”
22. Rad1!? Qxb2 23. Bxh6!? gxh6 24. where he lived. Caissa owes him more.
Rxd5 exd5 25. Nf5 Bf6? 26. Qh5 Ne4 27.
Make sure you’re registered to vote in the upcoming
Qxh6+ Kg8 28. Ng5!, Black resigned.
US Chess Executive Board election. Go to secure2.
Based on 28. ... Nxg5 29. exf6 and wins. uschess.org/voter-registration.php to check your status.
www.uschess.org 17
Back to Basics / Reader annotations
Space As The Key Factor
Winning through positional means.
By GM LEV ALBURT
IN THE GAME THIS MONTH, WILLIAM
Schreefer defeated, with apparent ease, an
opponent rated over 200 points higher. Writes
Bill (my further notes are in italics):
It’s been a while since I played over-the-
board chess, but I’m just now starting to get
back into it near my new home in Boston.
When I played more regularly in high school,
I tended to favor gambits and tactical play. I’m
only now learning the more subtle, pragmatic
joys of winning through positional means. This
match is from a game-per-week, monthly Swiss
tournament at the local club.
CLOSED SICILIAN DEFENSE WITH 3.
Bb5 (B23)
William Schreefer (1775)
Edward Astrachan (2022)
BCF Thursday Night Swiss (4),
Cambridge, Massachusetts, 09.22.2016
This game diverges into some unusual (for
me) positions early on. Some semi-aggressive
pawn pushing early on turns into an attempt
to slowly lock down the board and force decisive
penetration on the (vacated) kingside. While
I’m sure there are some blips, blunders, and
quite possibly unsound positions along the way,
it represents—for my play—a slower paced and
more mature type of victory, and something I
hope to continue to marry with the tactical
vision and calculation honed in my more
swashbuckling days.
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bb5
18 February 2017 | Chess Life
3. ... Nf6 I feared pawn plays on the queenside.
Black should look for such a play; still, White
Allowing 4. Bxc6 isn’t good for Black’s pawn should emerge from complications with a better
structure; thus 3. ... Nd4! with equality. game.
4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 e5 10. Nf3
Black looks to halt the advance of the f-pawn,
though it does seem to lock in his dark-square
bishop rather early. White moves forward with
the advance anyway, as it was tough to see a
way forward without the advance (Nf3 would
just seem to invite the eventual ... Bg4, and h3
—to prevent the same—would appear to weaken
the kingside if f4 was ever to happen). Perhaps
poor reasoning, but that remains my thought
process.
After 6. f4 (the best and only!), White stands
better.
10. ... Qc7
6. f4 Bd6
An unusual move that appears to anticipate It’s tough to see the play Black is trying to
generate. The same type of pawn pushes come
a capture on e5. Instead of taking, White goes
with a pawn push that seeks to restrict both to mind. White moves forward with a general
plan of queenside castling, and eventually
black bishops and Black’s overall development,
with possible designs on a pawn storm if Black moving to exploit the weakness of Black’s
kingside pawns.
dares to castle kingside.
Black MUST play 6. ... exf4 (e.g., 7. Bxf4 Bg4 and 11. Qe2
8. ... Nh5, trying eventually to bring the dark bishop
to d6), as allowing f4-f5 leads to White’s long-term Reducing the impact of any … c5-c4
shenanigans.
space—and overall—advantage.
11. … Bd7 12. Ng5
7. f5 (! – L.A.) 7. ... g6
Trying to force the guarding of the f7-pawn
Trying to break up the pawn string and
if Black wants to castle queenside.
maybe leave White’s own kingside a little loose.
12. … Rg7
8. g4!?
Successfully forcing it.
This looks so odd that it’s tough to stomach
as a solid move. Black doesn’t seem to be 13. Be3 0-0-0 14. 0-0-0 Rdg8
positioned to take advantage of the white king’s
Forcing protection of the knight, but
complete lack of cover, but it still leaves me a
swinging more of his pieces over to the kingside.
little jumpy. I continue to try and apply a vise
to his position on the kingside and overall 15. Rhg1 Kb8?!
development.
Prophylactic (?) retreat that ends up being
Indeed: 8. g4!!.
decisive near the end, when the king is a bit
8. … gxf5 9. gxf5 Rg8 slow in coming to the rescue.

16. h3
White continues a deliberate buildup designed
to trade off rooks and allow the queen the chance
to exploit Black’s pawns—especially the isolated
one on h7. Preventing ... Ng4 if the g5-knight
pulls back to f3—though, apparently, machine
analysis says it didn’t need to be prevented.
Possibly a case of being too deliberate.
16. … Be8 17. Qf2
Prepping for a swing to h4 while trying to
gain a tempo with the attack on c5.
17. … Be7 18. Nf3 Nd7 19. Bh6
Forcing the trade of rooks, though just
trading on g7 and moving the remaining rook
to g1 would have accomplished the same.
19. … Rxg1 20. Rxg1 Rxg1+ 21. Qxg1 Qd6
I very nearly went with the disastrous 22.
Qg7?? here (losing to 22. ... Bf8), falling victim
to some tunnel vision (give me those pawns!
I’ve been working for this position for 10+
moves!). Luckily I caught myself and went with
the less-losing but not perfect:
22. Bg5?!
An immediate 22. Be3 is stronger.
22. ... f6 23. Be3 Bf8
It looks like Black’s eventual plan will be to
try to trade queens, so White starts to plan for
this and maneuver his other pieces to that side
to join in if the queens leave the board. White’s
advantage has somewhat petered out, though
I still liked my chances in the eventual endgame.
I agree. Black had two preferable plans: Sit and
wait (and draw) or to play aggressively (and with
higher risk) on the queenside after 26. ... Qf7 (as
opposed to 26. ... Qxg4).
24. Qg4 Qe7 25. Ne2 Qg7 26. Ng3
26. ... Qxg4
This appears to be something of a mistake.
Black initiating the trade allows White to fix his
kingside pawns while threatening to create a
passed pawn with an eventual g4-g5, while the
king is stuck on the sidelines. Though it doesn’t
look to be losing on its own, it helps create the
conditions for the eventual breakthrough.
27. hxg4 h6?
Tied to the previous move—Black seeks to
prevent g5, which creates a passed pawn on f5
for White. However, putting the h-pawn in the
line of fire from White’s bishop allows a series
of knight moves that allow White to win a pawn.
28. Nh4 Kc7 29. Ng6!
29. ... Bg7 30. Nh5 Bf8
The defender of too many pawns falls.
31. Nxf8 Nxf8 32. Nxf6 Bf7 33. Bxh6 Nd7
Here, I got a little worried (unnecessarily)
about being unable to convert a two-pawn
advantage in a bishops-of-opposite-colors
endgame—just didn’t want all that slow work
Back to Basics / Reader annotations
to go to waste. An inaccuracy followed, after
which he could have forced the same—though
it probably wouldn’t have ultimately mattered.
It’s OK to worry, but THIS bishops-of-the-opposite-
colors ending is easily won. After 34. Nxd7 Kxd7
White plays (g4)-g5-g6 and marches his king to g5.
(Also good is 35. Bg7 Kd6 36. Bf8+, winning the
third pawn.) White’s passed pawns can’t be blocked,
thus the win is EASY.
34. Nh7
34. Nh5 looked better as soon as I picked
my hand up.
34. … Kd8 35. g5
Beginning the decisive march of the con-
nected passed pawns.
35. … Bg8 36. g6 Ke8 37. f6 Bf7 38. gxf7+
Kxf7 39. Bg7 Kg6 40. Nf8+, Black
resigned.
White achieved a positional edge with 4. Bxc6!
and greatly increased it with the space-grabbing
thematic 7. f5!. Black defended stoutly, even setting
a devilish, easy-to-fall-into trap on his 21st move.
White avoided the trap, but his time-wasting 22.
Bg5 allowed Black to practically build a fortress.
Instead, Black went into a clearly worse ending,
erred again on the next (27th) move (errors go in
pairs) and lost quickly, due also to Bill’s excellent
play. Though an unspectacular game, it is rich in
strategic ideas!
Send in your games!
If you are unrated or rated 1799 or be-
low, 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 Lev’s newest book,
Platonov’s 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 can’t be used.
www.ChessWithLev.com
www.uschess.org 19
COVER STORY / 2016 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

THE
LONG
GRIND:
Carlsen
Defeats
Karjakin
GM Magnus Carlsen retains his title as the World Championship
returns to the U.S. for the first time in a generation.
By FM MIKE KLEIN / ANALYSIS BY GM CRISTIAN CHIRILA

20 February 2017 | Chess Life

 COVER STORY / 2016 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
PHOTO : MAX AVDEEV

www.uschess.org 21
COVER STORY / 2016 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
“TODAY WAS MORE SPORT THAN SCIENCE,”
GM Magnus Carlsen once said after winning a game in a
time-trouble frenzy. He repeated the quote in describing his
grueling three weeks in New York City.
For November’s World Champion match at
Fulton Market, Carlsen needed both sport and
science to prevail.
In the second defense of chess’ top title, the
three weeks of classical games against GM
Sergey Karjakin were almost all science. Long-
scripted opening sequences that collectively
became a Homeric treatise on the Ruy Lopez
produced a 6-6 tie with only two decisive games.
After the impasse, they switched to sport.
That’s where Carlsen successfully kept his
title by virtue of being the faster and more
intuitive player in the final day’s rapid playoff.
He pressured heavily in game two before finally
breaking a man whose resistance seemed infinite.
Carlsen’s wins came in games three and four to
clinch his third world championship match.
In addition, his final move may go down as
the most electric finishes to a title bout. Instead
of winning in a more controlled fashion, he
allowed counterplay and faced three different
mating moves. Carlsen then sacrificed his queen
for a multi-option forced mate that even Karjakin
didn’t see. A chess consultant on a Hollywood
movie couldn’t have scripted it better.
The drama was not limited to just the final
move. Long before that, several incidents and
themes took shape.
In the early rounds, Carlsen’s usual inchworm
methodical-play produced several winning
positions. Nothing new there, except that he
couldn’t convert. Karjakin, long praised for his
defensive skills, put up just enough roadblocks
to stifle the champ. In round three, Carlsen
took it in stride. A day later, his inability to
win produced much more frustration.
Then Carlsen made an inexplicable score
sheet error the next game, and in trying to
atone, nearly cost himself a shocking loss. It
got worse from there. After the halfway mark,
the two still hadn’t produced a win, and Carlsen
pushed too far as white in round eight. His loss
created his first-ever world championship
deficit, and shortly after a series of mishaps
resulted in him skipping the press conference
by storming off stage.
With only two whites remaining, Carlsen
got even in round 10 for his only classical win
of the month. Karjakin missed a near-certain
draw, which eventually led to the match going
22 February 2017 | Chess Life
into extra time. That’s when Carlsen, who
happens to also be the world rapid champion,
proved the stronger player.
Backing up to the first week, the most
unexpected preparation of the entire match
came on move two of the opening game.
Carlsen took white on the first day and after 1.
d4 Nf6 he bucked convention and plopped his
bishop on g5—the Trompowsky. That the
opening’s nickname, the “Tromp,” nearly
matched the winner of the recently-concluded
U.S. presidential election, couldn’t have been
connected, right? Carlsen didn’t admit to it,
but some close to him with knowledge of his
humor wouldn’t rule it out.
Regardless of the motivation, that was the
high-water mark of excitement over the
opening couplet of games, which both ended
drawn. Round three began a series of tugs of
war. In each Carlsen seemed to have Karjakin
just over the line before the Russian dug in.
In this first chance for Carlsen, Karjakin’s
switch from passive to active defense should
have doomed Black, but the man with the
highest-ever rating couldn’t find his usual
finishing exactitude.
THE LONG GRIND
GM Magnus Carlsen (FIDE 2853, NOR)
GM Sergey Karjakin (FIDE 2772, RUS)
FIDE World Championship Match 2016,
New York, New York (3), 11.14.2016
AFTER 31. b3
After the first two rounds the feeling out
process was over and Magnus started aiming
for his trademark long grind, and his wish
became reality after Karjakin failed to accurately
equalize the ensuing endgame. The general rule
states that the coordination between rook plus
bishop is better than rook plus knight, neverthe-
less with a semi-closed position, a well-placed
knight, and a few weaknesses to attack (f5, d7,
h7), this position is a clear exception.
31. ... c5?!
Not the most precise, but as is most often
encountered in practical chess, the defender
will very often try to find the quickest simpli-
fication and try to avoid any sort of “torture.”
With 31. ... d5!? the idea is to create a blockade
against White’s knight as well as to say that
White simply doesn’t have a good method to
exploit the f5 weakness. 32. Rg5 (32. Rg8 Kf7
33. Rg5 Ke6 transposes to 32. Rg5) 32. ... Ke6!
33. Rh5.

 33. Nxf5 Rxc2 34. Rh5 Rc3+ (Also equal
is 34. ... h6 35. Nxh6 Rc3+ 36. Kg4 Rxb3
37. f5+ Kf6) 35. Kg4 Rxb3 36. Rxh7 Rb2
when Black is fine;
 33. Rxf5 Bg7!; 33. ... Bg7 34. Nxf5 Bf6 35.
Kg4 Rxc2 36. Rh6 when White only has
a small edge.
32. Rg8! Kf7 33. Rg2 cxd4 34. Nxf5 d3 35.
cxd3 Ra1
Black's concept is simple: he sacrificed a pawn
for piece activity and the creation of several
weaknesses in White’s camp.
36. Nd4 b4 37. Rg5 Rb1 38. Rf5+ Ke8 39.
Rb5 Rf1+ 40. Ke4 Re1+
40. ... Bd6 41. Nf3 Rf2 42. h4 Re2+ 43. Kd5
Re3 (No better is 43. ... Bxf4 44. Rxb4) 44. Kxd6
Rxf3 (44. ... Rxd3+ 45. Nd4 Rxd4+ 46. Ke5 Rd3
47. Kf6 Activity in rook endgames is one of the
most important principles.) 45. Ke5 Ke7 46. Ke4
Rf1 (Even worse is 46. ... Rh3 47. Rh5.) 47. Rxb4
Rh1 48. Rb8 and White is much better.
41. Kf5 Rd1 42. Re5+ Kf7 43. Rd5 Rxd3
Also winning for White is 43. ... Ke7 44.
Nc2 Ke8 45. Rd4 Bg7 46. Re4+ Kf7 47. Nxb4
Bf8 48. h4.
44. Rxd7+ Ke8

“OF COURSE, THE FINISH WAS PRETTY,
at least from my point of view. But it’s most of all been a fight.
For me, that is what chess is about, and I think that is what
these matches should be about. In that sense, it’s been great.”
Carlsen is still in full control. His overall
score in such advantageous endgames is quite
overwhelming.
45. Rd5
PHOTO COURTESY OF AGON LIMITED
Not quite as good is 45. Ke4 Rxb3 46. Rxh7
Rc3 The more pawns that are exchanged, the
easier it will be for Karjakin to hold.
45. ... Rh3 46. Re5+ Kf7 47. Re2 Bg7 48.
Nc6 Rh5+ 49. Kg4 Rc5 50. Nd8+
White has a winning material edge, but his
pieces are tied down making the win prob-
lematic. 50. Nxb4 Rb5 51. Re4.
50. ... Kg6 51. Ne6 h5+ 52. Kf3 Rc3+ 53.
Ke4 Bf6 54. Re3 h4
COVER STORY / 2016 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Black is hanging tough with 54. ... Kf7 55.
Ng5+ (55. f5) 55. ... Kg6 (White’s task is easy
after 55. ... Bxg5 56. fxg5 Rc1 57. h4) 56. Nf3
Rc2 57. f5+ Kf7 58. Rd3.
55. h3 Rc1 56. Nf8+ Kf7 57. Nd7 Ke6 58.
Nb6 Rd1 59. f5+ Kf7 60. Nc4 Rd4+ 61. Kf3
Bg5?!
Minimal error, but Black is starting to fall
into oblivion. Strongest is 61. ... Rd5! 62. Kf4
Rd4+ 63. Re4 Rd3 64. Re3 (64. Re6 Kg7! [Black
loses the bishop after 64. ... Rxb3?? 65. Nd6+
Kg7 66. Ne8+] 65. Nd6 Bb2 and Black will
hold).
62. Re4 Rd3+ 63. Kg4 Rg3+ 64. Kh5 Be7
Better was 64. ... Bd8 65. Re3 (Less effective
~MAGNUS CARLSEN
is 65. Nd6+ Kg7 66. Re8 Bf6 67. Ne4! Rxh3
68. Rb8 Be7 69. Rb7 Kf8 70. Kg6 Rd3 71. f6
Bxf6 72. Nxf6 Rg3+ 73. Kf5 Rxb3) 65. ... Kf6
66. Kxh4 Rg1 67. Re8 when Black is still
fighting.
65. Ne5+
Now White is almost winning.
65. ... Kf6 66. Ng4+ Kf7 67. Re6 Rxh3 68.
Ne5+ Kg7 69. Rxe7+ Kf6
(see diagram next page)
70. Nc6?
70. Re8! is the winning move. And while
the path is narrow it is there 70. ... Kxf5 (It is
www.uschess.org 23
COVER STORY / 2016 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
over after 70. ... Rxb3 71. Kg4) 71. Nc6 Rh1
(White keeps the b-pawn and extra piece after
71. ... Rc3 72. Nd4+ Kf6 73. Kxh4) 72. Nd4+
(72. Nxb4 h3) 72. ... Kf4 73. Re2 h3 74. Kh4 h2
75. Ne6+ Kf3 76. Rb2 Ke4 77. Nc5+ Kd5 78.
Na4 Another crazy blockade against the king.
70. ... Kxf5?
Black returns the favor—now he is lost again.
It’s easy to say 70. ... Rc3 would have been an
easy draw if we listen to our silicone friends,
but just try to understand the next few moves
from a human perspective—it’s almost impossi-
ble! 71. Re6+ Kxf5 72. Nd4+ Kf4 73. Kxh4 Rd3
74. Ne2+ Kf3 (Bad is 74. ... Kf5 75. Rb6 Rxb3??
76. Nd4+) 75. Nc1 Rd1 (75. ... Rc3? 76. Re1
Kf2 77. Rd1 and the white king only needs to
make his way to the queenside after which
Black will be able to resign. This is a nice fortress
that stops the black king from joining the
action.)
71. Na5 Rh1 72. Rb7??
Carlsen misses 72. Rf7+ Ke6 73. Rf2 h3 74.
Kh4 Ra1 75. Nb7 Ra3 76. Rh2 Ra7 77. Nd8+
Kd5 78. Rxh3 Rg7 79. Rg3 Re7 80. Kg5
winning.
72. ... Ra1
Karjakin finds the forced draw and saves an
incredible game.
73. Rb5+ Kf4 74. Rxb4+ Kg3 75. Rg4+
Kf2 76. Nc4 h3 77. Rh4 Kg3 78. Rg4+ Kf2,
Draw agreed.
The next day the immovable object again
trumped the unstoppable force. Karjakin thought
his bishop tactic on h6 was “brilliant” before he
saw the nonchalant rejoinder 18. ... Qc6 and
admitted to thinking, “What have I done?” The
challenger regrouped to slog through a worse
ending, which he battened down after 94 moves
of pressure.
CLOSED RUY LOPEZ,
ANTI-MARSHALL SYSTEM (C88)
GM Sergey Karjakin (FIDE 2772, RUS)
GM Magnus Carlsen (FIDE 2853, NOR)
FIDE World Championship Match 2016,
New York, New York (4), 11.15.2016
24 February 2017 | Chess Life
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 0-0 8. h3
Karjakin chooses to not allow the Marshall
Gambit. 8. c3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5
11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 The theory here is huge and
I assume Karjakin and his team tried to limit
the homework by driving the world champion
into their preparation.
8. ... Bb7 9. d3 d6
9. ... d5 is the other main line. I believe
another important factor that team Karjakin
took into account when choosing this line was
that 9. ... d5 is a pawn sacrifice that has been
frequently played and heavily analyzed recently
by Tomashevsky, who may or may not have
been part of the team (both sides were cagey
about who was on their team).
10. a3 Qd7 11. Nbd2 Rfe8 12. c3 Bf8 13. Nf1
h6 14. N3h2
Quite a strange plan from the challenger,
emphasizing passivity, a strategy followed by
Karjakin throughout the match. The contin-
uation 14. Ne3 Ne7 (14. ... Nd8 15. Nh2 Ne6
16. Nhg4 Nxg4 17. Qxg4 g6 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19.
exd5 Nc5 is level) 15. Nh2 would have been a
more precise move order.
14. ... d5!
This is the right moment to break.
15. Qf3 Na5 16. Ba2 dxe4 17. dxe4 Nc4 18.
Bxh6 Qc6!
This is the move that Karjakin missed
according to his post-game analysis.
19. Bxc4?
This is an outright strategic blunder. White
consciously accepts a much-worse endgame—
not the right mindset! Better was the contin-
uation 19. Bc1 Nxe4 20. Ne3 Rad8 21. a4 Bc5
(21. ... Qe6 22. Nxc4 bxc4 23. Rxe4 Qg6 24.
Bb1 f5 25. Qe2 would have beenan interesting
way to continue the battle. White sacrifices
material for strategic compensation and a static
advantage) 22. Nhg4 Qg6 23. axb5 axb5 24.
Nxc4 bxc4 25. Bxc4 Nd6.
19. ... bxc4 20. Be3 Nxe4 21. Ng3 Nd6 22.
Rad1 Rab8 23. Bc1 f6 24. Qxc6 Bxc6 25.
Ng4 Rb5 26. f3 f5 27. Nf2 Be7 28. f4
28. … Bh4
Black is clearly better after 28. ... exf4 29.
Ne2 (Even worse is 29. Bxf4 Rxb2 30. Bxd6
Bxd6 31. Rxe8+ Bxe8 32. Nxf5 Bc5 33. Nd4
Ba4) 29. ... Ne4 30. Nxe4 Bxe4 31. Nxf4 Bc5+
32. Kf1 Bd6 and will continue to slowly improve
his position by bringing his king to the center
and grabbing kingside space.
29. fxe5 Bxg3 30. exd6 Rxe1+ 31. Rxe1
cxd6 32. Rd1
Completely lost is 32. Re7 Re5 33. Rxe5
dxe5.
32. ... Kf7 33. Rd4 Re5 34. Kf1 Rd5 35.
Rxd5 Bxd5 36. Bg5 Kg6 37. h4
37. Bd8 would have been better as there is
no reason to create another weakness by playing
h4 and after 37. ... Bf4 38. Nd1 Bc1 39. Be7 f4
40. Bxd6 Kf5 41. a4. White has decent chances
to hold a draw.
37. ... Kh5 38. Nh3 Bf7 39. Be7 Bxh4 40.
Bxd6 Bd8 41. Ke2 g5 42. Nf2 Kg6 43. g4
Bb6 44. Be5 a5 45. Nd1
45. … f4?
 CHALLENGER
GM SERGEY
KARJAKIN’S
defensive roadblocks
frustrated GM Magnus
Carlsen, who was
unable to convert
winning positions
early in the match.

A suprising decision as now the chances of 94. Kf2, Draw agreed.

actually creating a blockade increase exponen-
tially. A grave misjudgment by the world
champion that could have cost him the title in
the end. Better was 45. ... Be6! 46. gxf5+ (46.
Nf2 Bd7 47. gxf5+ Kxf5 48. Bd4 Bc7 49. Nd1
Ke4 50. Nf2+ Kf4 51. Be3+ Kf5 52. Nd1 and
the combination between the outside passed
pawn and the always relevant threat of invading
with the king on the queenside give Black a
decisive advantage 52. ... g4) 46. ... Kxf5 47.
Bg3.
46. Bd4 Bc7 47. Nf2 Be6 48. Kf3 Bd5+
49. Ke2 Bg2 50. Kd2 Kf7 51. Kc2 Bd5 52.
Kd2 Bd8 53. Kc2 Ke6 54. Kd2 Kd7 55.
Kc2 Kc6 56. Kd2 Kb5 57. Kc1 Ka4 58. Kc2
Bf7 59. Kc1 Bg6 60. Kd2 Kb3 61. Kc1 Bd3
62. Nh3
(see diagram next column)
PHOTO : MAX AVDEEV
70. Be3
Avoiding 70. Kc1? Bf4+ 71. Kc2 Bd5 72. Nh3
Be4+ 73. Kd1 Be5 74. Kc1 f2! 75. Bxf2 Bg2 76.
Ng1 Bf4+ when Black is winning.
70. ... Bd7 71. Kc1 Bc8 72. Kc2 Bd7 73. Kc1
Bf4 74. Bxf4 gxf4 75. Kc2 Be6 76. Kc1
Bc8 77. Kc2 Be6 78. Kc1
Another impressive save by Karjakin and a
very uncharacteristic miss by Carlsen.
“In general I’m not a big believer in fortresses
in chess,” Carlsen said. Under the largest
spotlight his sport offers was not the best time
to rethink a major endgame stratagem. It
showed in his reaction. This time, Carlsen
wasn’t as laid back when discussing moves after
the game. “Somehow I have experience in
breaking these fortresses down ... I thought it
was easily winning after 45. ... f4.”
“It’s not the standard I hold myself to,” Carlsen
said.
After the match concluded, he said this about
the first week of chess: “To some extent, my
failures early in the match to win very good
positions is a statistical coincidence, but when
it happens over and over again, of course, there

Black simply doesn’t have a way to break the
blockade. White found the right stratagem
(with some slight help from his opponent).
62. ... Ka2 63. Bc5 Be2 64. Nf2 Bf3 65.
Kc2 Bc6 66. Bd4 Bd7 67. Bc5 Bc7 68.
Bd4 Be6 69. Bc5 f3!
A good try.
There’s no juice left in the position and a
draw is near.
78. ... Kb3 79. Kb1 Ka4 80. Kc2 Kb5 81.
Kd2 Kc6 82. Ke1 Kd5 83. Kf1 Ke5 84. Kg1
Kf6 85. Ne4+ Kg6 86. Kf2 Bxg4 87. Nd2
Be6 88. Kxf3 Kf5 89. a4 Bd5+ 90. Kf2
Kg4 91. Nf1 Kg5 92. Nd2 Kf5 93. Ke2 Kg4
is something wrong. Usually I should have been
up plus one or plus two early on, and then it’s
a whole different ballgame.”
After a rest day (the leisurely schedule offered
one every third day), Carlsen and Karjakin
repeated the same type of struggle in round
five. Despite the Norwegian’s more promising

www.uschess.org 25
 middlegame with four pawns against two on
the kingside, Karjakin again manufactured a
fortress of sorts. That’s when a Carlsen comedy
nearly turned into a personal tragedy.
Upon making his 40th move and getting
extra time added on to his clock, Carlsen could
be seen examining his scoresheet closely. His
past issues with the clock are well noted, namely
running out of time in 2015 when he errone-
ously thought there was a third time control.
Carlsen had only written down 39 moves
and couldn’t figure out why his clock added
the 50 minutes for the second time control.
Just to ensure he was on safe ground, he played
a seemingly innocent king move and retired
to the players’ lounge. He returned to the board
to find that he’d actually put his position in
grave danger.
“I failed completely,” he told Norwegian
media outlet NRK about the insouciant move.
Now he wasn’t only missing moves on the
board, but he was, even more literally, missing
moves off the board.

UNDER PRESSURE
GM Magnus Carlsen (FIDE 2853, NOR)
GM Sergey Karjakin (FIDE 2772, RUS)
FIDE World Championship Match 2016,
New York, New York (5), 11.17.2016

AFTER 40. ... Rg8

Carlsen had a very nice position out of the

opening but he made some questionable
decisions as he neared time trouble. After
reaching the time control, his trademark practi-
cality failed him once again.
41. Kg2?!

Better was 41. Rh2 d4 42. Qxd4 Rf8 (The

continuation 42. ... Bd5 43. Rf2 almost
transposes to the game) 43. Rf2 Qb1 44. Kg2
PHOTO : POLINA GURTOVAYA

hxg4 45. hxg4 Rh8 46. Bxg5! The only move

and one that has to be seen from afar to enter
this variation—so for this reason Carlsen’s
inaccuracy can be pardoned. 46. ... Qh1+ 47.
Kg3 Rh3+ 48. Kf4 Qc1+ 49. Qe3 Qc4+ 50. Qe4
Qc1+ 51. Qe3 Qc4+ 52. Qe4 Qxc5 53. Rc2 Qxa5
54. Bf6 Bd5 55. Qd4.
41. ... hxg4 42. hxg4 d4!

Karjakin smells blood with his first real

26 February 2017 | Chess Life


FIDE WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH 2016
November 11-30, 2016 / New York, New York
Fed. Rating
GM Magnus Carlsen NOR 2853
GM Sergey Karjakin RUS 2772
Official site: https://worldchess.com/nyc2016/.
chance to pressure his “untouchable” nemesis.
43. Qxd4
After 43. Bxd4 Qh6 44. Kg1 Qh3 45. Qe2
Rf8 46. Rh2 Qg3+ 47. Rg2 Qxf3 48. Qxf3 Rxf3
Black has a very pleasant advantage while White
will suffer for quite a while.
43. ... Bd5?
Returning the favor with an “obvious” move.
Strongest was 43. ... Rh8! 44. Qe4 (44. Rd2?
Qh6 45. Bg1 Qh3+ 46. Kf2 Rf8 47. Rd3 Bxg4
winning) 44. ... Qh6 45. Kf1 Qh1+ 46. Ke2 Bd5
47. Qf5+ Kb8 with an irresistible attack, White
would have had to be extremely precise not to
enter a mating net.
44. e6 Qxe6 45. Kg3 Qe7
The move 45. ... Kb8 was a way to continue
with pressure.
46. Rh2 Qf7 47. f4 gxf4+ 48. Qxf4 Qe7
49. Rh5 Rf8 50. Rh7 Rxf4 51. Rxe7 Re4,
Draw agreed.
A very shaky game from start to finish. It
appeared that both players were starting to let
the pressure get to them.
While Karjakin didn’t take advantage of his
first winning chance, the popular opinion was
that his standing in the match was rising. De-
spite being the heavy underdog, he’d held the
first five games, proved his defensive endurance,
and he now had two turns in a row with White
since the colors inverted after the first half.
A contrarian view was that he had not shown
much desire to push the position and become
the aggressor. That was certainly the case in
rounds six and seven, where Karjakin didn’t
find a way to create serious winning chances.
“Magnus’ opening preparation is really under-
estimated by many players and I don’t know
why,” Karjakin said.
In 2014 “The Caruana” was born when the
top American won seven consecutive games
in St. Louis. “The New York” turned into a
more ignominious mark. Seven straight draws
were only one short of the world championship
record, which also happened in New York!
As it turned out, Kasparov’s and Anand’s
1995 streak is still safe. After Karjakin passed
on another opportunity—19. ... Qg5 would have
entered a maelstrom where he’d likely be better
COVER STORY / 2016 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Score
½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 9
½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 0 7
—Carlsen’s determination to create chances
finally backfired. After seven often frustrating
games, he went too far and ended the day behind
for the first time in a world championship.
COLLE SYSTEM (D05)
GM Magnus Carlsen (FIDE 2853, NOR)
GM Sergey Karjakin (FIDE 2772, RUS)
FIDE World Championship Match 2016,
New York, New York (8), 11.21.2016
This was the game that shocked the chess
world. With every game following the failed
Black is also OK after 18. ... Nh4 19. Ne2
presses in games three and four, Carlsen’s noted
Ne4 20. Ng3 Nf5 21. Nxe4 Bxe4.
ability to create something out of thin air
seemed less fearsome. With each draw, Karjakin 19. Nb5 Bc6
appeared to grow in strength. Did this weigh Too cautious. The alternative 19. ... Qg5
on Carlsen, helping him turn mere mortal? would have seized the initiative for Black: 20.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 h3 N4e5 21. Nxe5 Nxe5 22. Bxe5 and White is
being arm twisted into giving up his bishop
No Trompowsky this time!
pair. Allowing the knight to stay on e5 could
2. ... d5 3. e3 signal big problems for his corralled monarch;
22. ... Qxe5.
Magnus continues with his trademark
strategy of giving away his opening advantage, 20. a4 Bd5 21. Bd4 Bxc4 22. Rxc4 Bxd4
with the tradeoff of keeping as many pieces on 23. Rdxd4
the board as he can.
A bit better was 23. Rcxd4! Rxd4 24. Rxd4
3. ... e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. b3 Be7 6. 0-0 0-0 7. N6e5 (After 24. ... N4e5?! 25. Qd1 h6 26. Nd6
Bb2 b6 8. dxc5 Rc5 27. Bb5 and White is building a very
The “main line” by far is 8. Nbd2 if anything unpleasant initiative.) 25. Qd2 Nf6 26. Nd6 Rf8
can be called the main line in this opening. 8. 27. Bb5 Nd5 28. Nc4.
... Bb7 9. Ne5 Nc6 10. f4 Nb4 11. Be2 cxd4 12. 23. ... Rxc4 24. bxc4?!
exd4 Ne4 and Black’s position is completely
sound. This decision is very difficult to understand.
Perhaps Carlsen was frustrated with his oppo-
8. ... Bxc5 nent’s resilience and decided to gamble this
8. ... bxc5?! would not be playing per the game. The position is equal after 24. Rxc4 N6e5
“match requirements,” as any sort of structural 25. Rc1 Nf6.
imbalance would have been a moral victory for 24. ... Nf6 25. Qd2 Rb8 26. g3 Ne5 27.
Carlsen. Karjakin carefully weighs his options Bg2 h6 28. f4 Ned7 29. Na7 Qa3 30. Nc6
and safely maintains symmetry. 9. c4 Bb7 10. Rf8
Nc3 Nbd7 11. Rc1 Re8 12. Qe2 Rc8 13. Rfd1
½–½ (47) Gonzalez Rodriguez, J (2409)-Cruz,
C (2536), Barcelona, 2010.
9. Nbd2 Bb7 10. Qe2 Nbd7 11. c4 dxc4
The position is unclear after 11. ... Qe7 12.
e4 dxc4 13. Nxc4 Rfd8 14. e5 Nd5 15. g3 Nf8.
12. Nxc4 Qe7 13. a3 a5 14. Nd4 Rfd8 15.
Rfd1 Rac8 16. Rac1 Nf8 17. Qe1 Ng6 18. Bf1
Ng4
(see diagram top of next column)
www.uschess.org 27
COVER STORY / 2016 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Very precise play by Karjakin.
31. h3 Nc5 32. Kh2 Nxa4 33. Rd8
Dead equal is 33. e4 Qb2 (Also good for Black
is 33. ... Nc5 34. e5 Nh7 35. Rd6 g6 [Worse is
35. ... a4?! 36. Ne7+ Kh8 37. Rxb6] 36. Ne7+
Kg7 37. Rxb6 a4) 34. Qxb2 Nxb2 35. e5 Nh7
36. c5 bxc5 37. Rd2 Nc4 38. Rc2 Ne3 39. Rxc5
Nxg2 40. Kxg2 Ra8 41. Nxa5.
33. ... g6 34. Qd4 Kg7 35. c5?
A serious time-trouble mistake. The move 35.
Rd7 would maintain the balance 35. ... Qc5 36.
Rb7 Qxd4 37. exd4 Nc3 38. Rxb6 Ra8 39. Rb3.
35. ... Rxd8 36. Nxd8 Nxc5 37. Qd6
37. … Qd3?
Karjakin returns the favor. A much better
option would have been 37. ... Qa4! 38. Qxb6
(No better is 38. g4 g5 39. fxg5 hxg5 40. Qe5
Kg6) 38. ... Ncd7 39. Qa7 Qb5 when Black has
a safe space for his king and will now advance
his pawn all the way to promotion.
38. Nxe6+ fxe6 39. Qe7+ Kg8 40. Qxf6 a4
41. e4 Qd7 42. Qxg6+ Qg7 43. Qe8+ Qf8
44. Qc6
The position after 44. Qg6+ Kh8 45. e5 a3
46. Be4 Nxe4 47. Qxe4 b5 would not be as easy
to defend, nevertheless with accurate play
White can survive.
44. ... Qd8 45. f5 a3 46. fxe6 Kg7 47. e7
Level is 47. Qb5 Nxe6 48. Qb4 Qf8 49. Qxb6
Kf6 50. e5+ Kxe5 51. Qe3+ Kf6.
47. ... Qxe7 48. Qxb6 Nd3
49. Qa5?
28 February 2017 | Chess Life
A misjudgment. White can’t allow Black to
completely kill his bishop by placing the knight
on e5. The line 49. e5 Nxe5 50. Qd4 Qc7 51.
h4 h5 52. Bd5 is close to equality, though Black
still has some play; 49. Qa6 Ne5 50. Qa5 is a
computer line, definitely not the type of defense
a human can play.
49. ... Qc5! 50. Qa6 Ne5 51. Qe6??
Instantly losing. Still holding was: 51. h4!
h5 (51. ... Ng4+ 52. Kh3 h5) 52. Qb7+ Kf8 53.
Qb8+ Ke7 54. Qb7+ Kd8 55. Qa8+ Kc7 56.
Kh3 (White has to stay put and wait for the
right moment to bring his bishop into the
attack) 56. ... Kb6 57. Bf1 Nc6 58. e5 Nxe5 59.
Be2.
51. ... h5! 52. h4 a2, White resigned.
Carlsen’s saga didn’t end after his resignation.
When the two players would finish, they exited
to the “Mixed Zone” where fans and the press
await. On the way, the players had been pausing
to give exclusive interviews with official media
partners from Norway and Russia. But this
time Carlsen refused to talk and breezed past
the cameras. He arrived on the press conference
platform without his opponent ready to join
him (FIDE claimed he was given the option
to wait backstage for Karjakin’s interviews to
finish).
Carlsen sat for nearly two minutes by himself
as a litany of flashbulbs came from encroaching
photographers. His manager Espen Agdestein
asked FIDE Press Officer Anastasiya Karlovich
to start the proceedings. A few seconds later,
Carlsen turned to Agdestein, threw up his
hands, and walked out. Later photos showed
he was confronted by organizers and asked to
return, but he did not.
“It’s not my proudest moment, but I was just
devastated,” Carlsen said after the match. “I
couldn’t sit there.”
Match regulations called for a 10 percent
reduction of his prize (to be split between FIDE
and Agon, the organizing body), but after
appeal, that amount was reduced to five percent
several days later. Karlovich said the appeals
committee took into account that this was his
first infraction of its kind at a world champi-
onship, and that he had meant no malice to
journalists or fans.
Despite many questions about the incident,
including whether the appeal should be allowed
since it came after the required two-hour
window, and whether the FIDE officer leading
the appeals committee should decide on an
issue that financially could benefit the organi-
zation, FIDE never released an official statement
on the conclusion. We do know that since
winning in a playoff gave Carlsen a payday of
€550,000 (about $583,000), the incident ended
up costing him €27,500 (about $29,000).
After the match ended, Carlsen gave more
insight into his mood. “I think when everything
is under control it’s very difficult to beat me,
but obviously my playing strength drops quite
a bit when everything is not going according
to plan,” he said. “I think maybe I’ll have to
work on that more seriously in the future. I
mean, it’s very easy when things are going my
way, I’m going from one victory in a tourna-
ment to another, and the confidence is there.
But when it’s not there, things fall apart.”
Carlsen admitted he may begin seeing a sports
psychologist.
Now with a one-game lead with only four
games to play, Karjakin didn’t fall back on his
old ways in round nine. He amassed his army
around Carlsen’s king and played perhaps his
best all-around game, but right before the time
control missed a wrinkle in his analysis. Despite
being close to essentially putting away the
match, another draw ensued.
Carlsen admitted that at this point he began
doubting he would triumph, despite maintain-
ing he was still the superior player.
“Even a bit during the games, I was thinking,
‘How am I going to win this?’ rather than trying
to make the best move, which is not a very
good strategy,” he said.
Round 10 changed everything. Karjakin
initially had the upper hand after Carlsen
strangely opened the f-file for Black, but the
challenger didn’t see all the relevant analysis
that would have forced an early draw.
“And then he did something else, and the
game started anew,” Carlsen said about the
moment. “I wouldn’t say I really managed to
overcome everything. It was just that I got a
break in the 10th game.”
The queens traded and suddenly Carlsen got
to be Carlsen again. He took over the f-file,
then the queenside, and ploddingly improved
his position until the exact right moment when
Black’s Zugzwanged pieces tripped over each
other. Match back on.
MATCH ON!
GM Magnus Carlsen (FIDE 2853, NOR)
GM Sergey Karjakin (FIDE 2772, RUS)
FIDE World Championship Match 2016,
New York, New York (10), 11.24.2016
(see diagram top of next page)
9. Bxe6?!
A mistake nurtured by a tactical miscalcu-
lation.
19. ... fxe6 20. Nd2 d5?!
A move that misses an objectively better
continuation, nevertheless I completely under-

AFTER 18. ... Be6
stand Karjakin’s choice given the match
situation. 20. ... Nxf2+ 21. Kg1 (21. Kg2 This
is an easy draw. 21. ... Nh4+ 22. Kg1 [Awful is
22. gxh4 Qg6+] 22. ... Nh3+ 23. Kh1 Nf2+ 24.
Kg1 Nh3+ 25. Kh1) 21. ... Nh3+ 22. Kg2 Ngf4+
23. gxf4 Nxf4+ 24. Rxf4 exf4 25. Nd1. Karjakin
should have assessed this material imbalance
as better for him and go for it, but when you
are leading in a match sometime this type of
decision is almost impossible to make. (25. Nc2
e5) 25. ... f3+! 26. Nxf3 Qg6+ 27. Kh1 Qg4.
21. Qh5?
The move 21. f3! would have solidified
White’s advantage 21. ... Rae8 22. Qg2 Ng5 23.
h4 Nf7 24. Ng4 Qd8 25. h5 Ne7 26. f4.
21. ... Ng5
This is just a very bad endgame. Best was
21. ... Nxf2+! 22. Kg2 (22. Kg1 Qg5 One of the
main patterns in the position. 23. Qxg5 Nh3+
24. Kg2 Nxg5) 22. ... Qf7 23. Kg1 Qf6!.
This is a difficult move to see from afar,
nevertheless Karjakin spent almost 20 minutes
in this position and should have spotted it
relatively effortlessly.
22. h4 Nf3 23. Nxf3 Qxf3+ 24. Qxf3 Rxf3
25. Kg2 Rf7 26. Rfe1?! h5
The line 26. ... Raf8 27. Re2 dxe4 28. Nc4!
(Level is 28. dxe4 Nf4+ 29. gxf4 exf4 30. f3 fxe3
31. Rxe3 Rd7) 28. ... exd3 29. Rd2 is a marvelous
example how a bad structure can be so
influential in the endgame. White is better
despite being two pawns down.
(see diagram top of next column)
COVER STORY / 2016 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
27. Nf1 Kf8
No better is 27. ... Raf8 28. Re2 Rf3 29. Rd1.
28. Nd2 Ke7 29. Re2 Kd6 30. Nf3
The knight is perfectly placed here and can
press the black central pawn then jump to g5
whenever he sees fit.
30. ... Raf8 31. Ng5 Re7 32. Rae1 Rfe8 33.
Nf3 Nh8 34. d4 exd4 35. Nxd4 g6 36. Re3
Nf7 37. e5+ Kd7 38. Rf3
38. … Nh6?!
Missing a golden opportunity: 38. ... c5! It is
important to set up a good structure and create
a nice pawn barrier. And after 39. Nb5 (39.
Nb3 b6 40. Nd2 Rg8 41. c4 Nh6 42. Rf6 White
is better but this is a much better continuation
than the game) 39. ... Nh6 40. Nd6 Rb8 41. Rf6
Rg7 42. f3 Ng8 43. Rf4 Nh6.
39. Rf6 Rg7 40. b4 axb4 41. cxb4 Ng8 42.
Rf3 Nh6 43. a5 Nf5 44. Nb3 Kc7 45. Nc5
Kb8 46. Rb1
Carlsen has a free hand to do whatever he
pleases, while Karjakin can only wait.
46. ... Ka7 47. Rd3 Rc7 48. Ra3 Nd4 49.
Rd1 Nf5 50. Kh3 Nh6 51. f3 Rf7 52. Rd4
Nf5 53. Rd2 Rh7 54. Rb3 Ree7 55. Rdd3
Rh8 56. Rb1 Rhh7
No, the rooks can’t stay on the same rank
anymore, but the position is extremely difficult
to defend even with perfect play. After 56. ...
Nh6 57. Rdb3 (57. b5? cxb5 58. Rdb3 Rc8 59.
Rxb5 Rcc7) 57. ... Rc8 58. g4 when White is
winning.
57. b5! cxb5 58. Rxb5 d4 59. Rb6 Rc7 60.
Nxe6 Rc3 61. Nf4 Rhc7 62. Nd5
This is the best practical decision as White
eliminates all Black counterplay and liquidates
into a winning endgame. 62. Rxg6 is the
computer’s choice when 62. ... Rxd3 (No better
is 62. ... Rc1 63. Ne2 Re1 64. Nxd4) 63. Nxd3
Rc3 64. Rf6 Ne3 65. Nf4 d3 66. Rd6 Rc1 67. g4
wins for White.
62. ... Rxd3 63. Nxc7 Kb8 64. Nb5 Kc8 65.
Rxg6 Rxf3 66. Kg2 Rb3 67. Nd6+ Nxd6
68. Rxd6 Re3
Black’s last chance was 68. ... Kc7 69. Rxd4
Rb5 70. Kf3 Rxe5 71. Ra4 Kd7 72. a6 bxa6 73.
Rxa6 Ke7 74. Kf4 Rb5 75. Rg6 but it would
not change the result.
69. e6 Kc7 70. Rxd4 Rxe6 71. Rd5 Rh6 72.
Kf3 Kb8 73. Kf4 Ka7 74. Kg5 Rh8 75. Kf6,
Black resigned.
Only two classical games remained. Would
the players fight? Not really. While game 11
had a modicum of action, game 12 was a
complete dud.
“You don’t know what he had in mind,”
Karjakin’s second GM Vladimir Potkin said
while Carlsen played meekly in the final game
by trading everything right away. Carlsen
revealed after the match that after holding the
penultimate game with Black, he didn’t feel the
desire to press in the final game. He preferred
to take his chances in the rapids. One small bit
of chicanery—there was an extra day off going
into round 12, so Carlsen admitted he got to
save energy knowing he’d engineer a “do
nothing” game as White, while Karjakin had
to prepare normally.
The science had ended; now the sport kicked
in. But was this the way a world championship
should end? Long gone are the days of 24-game
www.uschess.org 29
COVER STORY / 2016 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
matches and “first to X wins” formats, so the
chances of a match ending tied naturally in-
crease. Pundits also pointed out that reductions
in games could produce more conservative
moves and opening choices.
Many ideas were proffered, with one of the
most innovative coming from Association of
Chess Professionals President GM Emil
Sutovsky. He was one of many calling for an
increase to around 16 games, but he also wanted
to see the rapid playoff come near the end of
classical, but before the final rounds. In this
way, by determining who would win in case
of a 6-6 tie, one player would be forced into
being an instigator in the final games of
regulation.
It’s a bit untraditional to have the penalty
shootout before time expires, but the fans that
paid $200 for a ticket to see a 35-minute final
round might have gotten their money’s worth
(Agon ended up assuaging them by giving them
free entry to the playoff).
Carlsen didn’t explicitly offer his ideal
format, but instead reminded that he’d already
made his views known. In 2015, he posted
on his Facebook page: “I have long thought
that moving to an annual knockout event,
similar to the World Cup, would be more
equitable.” He called it a more “just system”
and pointed out that it is against his own
self-interest.
The two closed out the match and the month
by convening for one more long day of chess.
November 30 was also Carlsen’s 26th birthday
(the players’ combined ages of 51 through the
match was now 52, and it was oft-mentioned
that his was the “youngest world championship
ever”). His longtime second GM Peter Heine
Nielsen said Carlsen likes to play chess so much,
that the playoff was like a present he gave
himself.
Rapid round one was yet another safe draw,
but the action opened up after that. Carlsen
found a nifty pawn sacrifice in round two to
obtain a dangerous passed pawn, (even if the
threat lasted only for one move) since Karjakin
again showed ingenuity in defense to complicate
matters. When the dust settled, Carlsen’s two
bishops couldn’t find the right path through
against Karjakin’s rook. After 84 moves, the
Russian found an eloquent way to give away
all four of his remaining pieces to produce
stalemate.
SAC, SAC, SAC, STALEMATE
GM Magnus Carlsen (FIDE 2853, NOR)
GM Sergey Karjakin (FIDE 2772, RUS)
FIDE World Championship Match 2016,
New York, New York (TB2), 11.30.2016
(see diagram top of next column)
30 February 2017 | Chess Life
AFTER 78. Be7
when he said the champ jumped from variation
to variation throughout the match and could not
78. ... h5!
be caught. 12. Rxa2 Nc6 13. Bg5 Qd7 14. Bxf6
Karjakin has been on the verge of losing for Bxf6 15. Nd5 a5 16. Nxf6+ gxf6 17. Rb2 axb4
40 moves, nearly all of it with less than one 18. axb4 f5 was the continuation in the game
minute on his clock. Leinier Dominguez Perez-Evgeny Tomashevsky,
79. gxh5 f5! 80. Bxf5 Rxe7+! Baku, 2014.
His third straight sacrifice! 12. Nd5 Nd4 13. Ng5 Bxd5 14. exd5 Nd7
15. Ne4 f5 16. Nd2 f4 17. c3 Nf5
81. Kxe7 Kg8 82. Bd3 Kh8 83. Kf8
A much more pleasant position to play as
White could never break through so he tried Black, especially in a rapid time control.
this.
18. Ne4 Qe8 19. Bb3 Qg6 20. f3 Bh4 21.
83. ... g5
a4 Nf6 22. Qe2 a5!
And the depletion of Black’s army is com-
Weakening the dark squares. Thematic but
plete! White’s rook pawn pairs with the “wrong
bad is 22. ... Bg3? 23. hxg3 fxg3 24. Ng5! Qh5
color” bishop. Pushing one square was also fine.
25. Nh3.
84. hxg6 e.p., Stalemate.
23. axb5 axb4 24. Bd2 bxc3 25. Bxc3 Ne3
En passant or not, it's an ingenious stalemate. 26. Rfc1 Rxa1 27. Rxa1
Round three saw Carlsen prove the faster
player, just as in the first two games. He repeated
with another creative pawn sacrifice, this time
to take over the dark squares for good. Having
been under duress for much of the last three
weeks, Karjakin finally proved human and made
a catastrophic slip in a worse position.
CLOSED RUY LOPEZ (C84)
GM Sergey Karjakin (FIDE 2772, RUS)
GM Magnus Carlsen (FIDE 2853, NOR)
FIDE World Championship Rapid
Tiebreak 2016, New York, New York (3),
27. … Qe8
11.30.2016
More precise was 27. ... Rb8 when best is
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 28. Bc4 Kh8 29. Qa2 h6 30. Kh1 Kh7 31. Rg1
5. 0-0 Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3 0-0 9. but not the type of moves you want to play
Nc3 Na5 when you have five minutes on the clock for
This is the best line in my opinion. An the rest of the game. A tedious defense! (Worse
alternate is 9. ... Bg4 10. Be3 Nd4 11. Bxd4 exd4 is 31. Kg1 Ra8 32. Qe2 Rxa1+ 33. Bxa1 Nfxd5)
12. Nd5 when White has a small edge. 31. ... Qe8 32. Nxf6+ Bxf6 and Black is better.
10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 28. Bc4 Kh8 29. Nxf6 Bxf6
(see diagram top of next column) The continuation following 29. ... gxf6 was
good as well. 30. Bd2 Nc2 31. Ra2 Nd4 32. Qd1
11. ... Nc6 Qh5 33. Ba5 Bg3 34. h3 Qf7.
The much more popular continuation is 11. 30. Ra3 e4!
... Bxa2. This shows how deep Carlsen’s prepara-
tion as Black was, and what Karjakin meant (see diagram top of next page)
 COVER STORY / 2016 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

A great practical decision and played with a

lot of confidence. It certainly shook Karjakin’s
resilient mindset.
31. dxe4 Bxc3 32. Rxc3 Qe5 33. Rc1 Ra8
34. h3 h6 35. Kh2 Qd4 36. Qe1?
No, giving up the second rank is not a good
idea. Karjakin had to search for counterplay
at all costs, instead he chooses passive defense
for his last time in this match. Better was the
tenacious 36. Bd3 Ra3 37. Bb1 Rc3 (Worse
is 37. ... Ra1? 38. e5! dxe5 39. d6 Qxd6 40. b6
Qxb6 41. Qd3) 38. Rxc3 Qxc3 39. e5 Qxe5
40. Qa2.
Read More About
36. ... Qb2 37. Bf1 Ra2
the Championship
With three weeks of action and several hundred media
accreditations granted, there was simply too much to discuss
for this World Championship match. Here's some helpful links
to learn even more about the contest:

• Explanation of Agon’s new • Video analysis of the one key

38. Rxc7?
The decisive mistake, nonetheless the situa-
tion was already extremely precarious. 38. Rb1
Qf6 39. Be2 Kh7.
38. ... Ra1, White resigned.
The players had their final short break and
reconvened. Needing a win to continue the
match into blitz, Karjakin played the Sicilian.
After double-digit Ruy Lopez games, the on-
site crowd gave a partially-sarcastic cheer upon
seeing 1. ... c5 on the monitors.
Although he only needed a draw to clinch,
PHOTO : MARIA EMELIANOVA
viewing technologies and pricing
model for online viewers:
www.chess.com/news/virtual-
reality-to-be-added-to-world-cha
mps-viewing-experience-5943
• Summary of the the U.S. District
Court denying Agon's request for
an injunction against outside live-
streaming of moves:
www.chess.com/news/carlsen-
plays-white-in-round-one-agon-s-
injunction-denied-7037
• Insider view into the playing site,
spectator and media experience:
new.uschess.org/news/editors-
moment of every game by FM
Mike Klein:
www.chess.com/video/player/wo
rld-championship-2016-the-
critical-moments
• The final-round celebrities and
behind the scenes of the VIP
room:
fivethirtyeight.com/features/one-
last-dispatch-from-the-land-of-ch
ess-kings-and-billionaires/
• GM Maurice Ashley's op-ed that
the current world championship
format is just fine:
en.chessbase.com/post/maurice-

Carlsen had a risk-less position and also a

disposition to play for a win in past similar notebook-the-fan-and-media-view/ ashley-yasser-seirawan-debate-w
circumstances. Karjakin threw the kitchen sink, orld-championship-format
• Every game analyzed by GM
but then instead of Carlsen consolidating
Robert Hess: • ESPN coverage with Dylan Quercia
like most mortals, he allowed a second-rank
www.chess.com/article/view/carl www.youtube.com/watch?v=f66lfm
invasion. Carlsen got to Black one move faster.
sen-vs-karjakin-world-chess- kPn5Y
For the big fan of the NBA, the champ’s final
championship-game-archive
move was like a last-second 360 dunk.

Continued on page 38

www.uschess.org 31
COVER STORY / 2016 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

World
Championships
in the
Homeland
Your executive briefing on U.S. chess summits past and present
By AL LAWRENCE AND GM LEV ALBURT

Give us a few minutes and we’ll give

you a presidential-style intelligence
briefing on the world chess champi-
onships (WCC) in America. First of all,
forget about Bobby Fischer being the
first American world champion. And
realize WCCs in the U.S. aren’t nearly
as rare as secure email servers.
The recent South Street Seaport
matchup between Norwegian Magnus
Carlsen and Russian Sergey Karjakin
might have made America mate again,
but it was actually the eighth WCC held
in the U.S., two more than have been
held in Russia before and after the
Soviet Union, which hosted 13 (now,
there was a society that knew about
walls). Indeed, the very first official title
match was an 1886 three-city debate
between Johannes Zukertort of Poland
and the winner, Bohemian Wilhelm
Steinitz. An immigrant thus took the
job of world champion, earning $2,000
(roughly $49,000 in 2016) considerably
more than the then-non-existent
minimum wage. Always a dreamer,
Steinitz became an American citizen
PHOTO : ARCHIVAL

two years later (Wilhelm literally

became William while still holding the
title), before losing to Emanuel Lasker
in 1894, again in a match held mostly
in the USA.

Continued on page 35 Johannes Zukertort versus Wilhelm Steinitz, New York, 1886

32 February 2017 | Chess Life


Reforming
the Candidates
Cycle
The World Championship caused many to clamor
for changing the format. But what about the format
for getting to the big show? An economist gives his take.
By MATTHEW S. WILSON
First of all, congratulations to GM Sergey Karjakin for winning
the 2016 Candidates Tournament. Nothing in this call for reform
is meant to disparage his achievement. He won the World Cup,
exploited his opportunities in the Candidates, and won a thrilling
last-round battle against GM Fabiano Caruana. I do not claim
that the current format always fails to produce a worthy winner.
Rather, the argument is that it is unreliable in doing so.
Furthermore, a much more reliable system can be created with
only a few modifications to FIDE’s existing format.
The importance of choosing a good format became clear after
FIDE used knockout tournaments to determine the world
champion back in 1999-2004. Though Alexander Khalifman,
Ruslan Ponomariov, and Rustam Kasimdzhanov are all strong
grandmasters, hardly anyone believed that they were the best
in the world. The current system is certainly an improvement.
Nevertheless, serious issues remain. By 2013, it was clear to
everyone that GM Magnus Carlsen was the best player to
challenge Anand. But the reason that he qualified was due to
the arbitrary tiebreak rules of the Candidates Tournament.
Carlsen and GM Vladimir Kramnik tied for first with 8½/14 in
the eight-player double round robin. The tiebreak was head-
to-head score (tied), followed by most wins. But if two players
have the same score after the same number of games, then the
one with more wins is necessarily also the player with more
losses. And rewarding the player who has more losses doesn’t
make any sense. Under another tiebreaker (such as performance
rating), Kramnik would have been declared the winner. The
2013 World Championship match would have been GM
Viswanathan Anand versus Kramnik, and chess history would
have evolved very differently.
Another striking case almost arose in the 2016 Candidates.
Caruana and Karjakin entered the final round with 7½/13, and
33 February 2017 | Chess Life
COVER STORY 2016 /WORLD
Cover/ Story CHAMPIONSHIP
2016 World Championship
they were playing against each other. If they drew, the tiebreaks
would be decided by ... the outcome of GM Peter Svidler-
Anand. A strange result. The point: in the current candidates
tournament format, there is a substantial chance that there
will be a tie, and the tiebreak systems are arbitrary. This
undermines confidence in the current system.
How do we find a better system? First, we need to establish a
few principles. The goal of the world championship cycle is to
identify the best player in the world. This seems obvious, but I
put it in there to clarify that the goal is not to “make chess
exciting” by picking a format that would generate lots of upsets
and rely heavily on rapid games. That would lead us down the
road to the knockout tournaments, which degraded the world
championship title instead of popularizing it. Second principle:
the world championship cycle has to be practical. Back in 1984,
GMs Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov played 48 games in
a match for the World Championship. Long matches are great
for determining who is truly the best player, but it may be
difficult to find sponsorship for another one of these chess
marathons. With these principles in mind, we use simulations
in a statistical model to test different formats.
Some may object to applying a statistical model, since it treats
the outcome of a game as random. But chess is a game of
skill; there are no dice. So what is the justification for statistical
modeling in chess? To see the reason, think about what we
really mean when we say “Player A is better than Player B.” It
does not mean that Player A wins every single game. Some of
the games will be drawn. Sometimes Player A even loses. Thus,
knowing that Player A is better than Player B does not assure
us that Player A will definitely win. Rather, it tells us that Player
A is more likely to win than to lose. How much more likely?
That is where the statistical modeling comes in. The role of
www.uschess.org 33
COVER STORY / 2016 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
“luck” in chess tournaments became clear in the knockout
world championships.
GM Hou Yifan explained it well in an interview with ChessBase:
“A 64-player knockout event is mostly a lottery: you play two
games, and if you lose the first for some reason you have good
chances to be eliminated. It is something that can happen in
any of the five rounds required to reach the final. I was lucky
in 2010 in Turkey, but in Khanty-Mansiysk I was knocked out
by Monika Socko in round two.” With all due respect to GM
Socko, I find it hard to believe that she is a better player than
Hou Yifan. This seems like a lucky upset. Though Hou Yifan is
more likely than not to win any individual two-game match, it
is far from certain that she can win five of these matches in a
row. The tournament becomes a lottery where the better
players have a few more tickets than their rivals do.
Our goal is to make a world championship cycle that identifies
the best player and is practical. However, there is some tension
between this pair of principles. Long matches and tournaments
are ideal for ensuring that the best player wins. In short events,
an upset can easily occur and eliminate the best player. However,
it is very unlikely that upsets will happen several times in a
row. For example, in a large Swiss tournament, a 2000 player
might defeat a grandmaster in one round. However, the same
2000 player would be demolished in a 24-game match. He
will not be able to defy the odds so consistently. The only
problem with long tournaments is that they may not be practical.
Kasparov and Karpov’s 48-game duel in 1984 is an extreme
example. But shortening the matches will increase the chance
of a weaker player winning the event.
How should we deal with this tradeoff? I propose the “50 Point
Principle”: if one player’s strength is 50 rating points above
his opponents’, then the Candidates cycle should be designed
so that the best player has a 90 percent chance of qualifying
for the world championship match. As I will show later, the 50
Point Principle can be met in a way that is practical and requires
only a few modifications to FIDE’s current system. Here are a
few calculations to give us a better grasp of what happens
when someone is 50 Elo above the rest. It could be Magnus
Carlsen, who wins many tournaments but not all of them (for
instance, the Norway Tournament and the Sinquefield Cup in
both 2014 and 2015). A short tournament with a large number
of strong opponents could have a different winner, even though
he is the best. That’s why we need long tournaments and
matches. In a match against an opponent 50 points lower rated,
the better player has an expected score of 57 percent. This
means that if they played a seven-game match, we would
expect the better player to prevail by 4-3. This 57 percent
expected score is slightly better than having the white pieces
in every game against an equal opponent.
Overall, a player 50 points above his peers is significantly
stronger but not overwhelmingly so. He would be the only
worthy world champion, but care is needed in designing the
format because his advantage is not a gigantic one. One can
argue that the 50 Point Principle does not go far enough in
ensuring that the best player wins. For instance, we could try a
20 Point Principle, in which a player whose strength is 20 points
above his rivals should win 90 percent of the time. I cannot
34 February 2017 | Chess Life
deny that this would be preferable for the purpose of crowning
the best player as world champion. However, players who are
just 20 Elo apart are so close that an upset would not at all be
surprising. It would take a very, very long candidates cycle to
be sure that the best player prevails. Furthermore, I do not think
that the world champion title would be degraded if, by a lucky
upset, it was won by someone just 20 points weaker than the
best player. This “illegitimate” world champion would probably
still win many tournaments. The best player would only be a
tiny bit ahead of him, so he would not be dominated. Since
ratings fluctuate, we probably would not even know that the
world champion is actually, just number two.
Consider a few examples. In 2008, Anand and Kramnik played
a match for the title. They were just 11 rating points apart and
Anand was victorious. Let’s assume that Anand truly was the
best player. But if Kramnik had won instead, would that really
be terrible? Kramnik is such a strong player that hardly anyone
would call his win undeserved. A slight upset like that is not a
problem that we should worry about when designing the world
championship. What we should be worried about is when a
player far below the best manages to win due to a poorly
designed format. The knockout world champions such as
Khalifman come to mind. Where do we draw the line when
deciding how large of an upset is a tolerable risk? I’m proposing
the 50 Point Principle, but reasonable people can differ on this.
The 50 Point Principle is also amenable to statistical modeling.
The full details of the statistical model are quite an interesting
story in their own right, but such a discussion would draw us
astray. I will only lay out the basics here.
For each game, the model has to know the probability of a
win, of a loss, and of a draw. I put together a database of
games in which both players are 2750+. Rapid, blitz, and
blindfold games were excluded. In this database, 62½ percent
of the games were drawn, so that is the probability of a draw
in the model. When combined with some formulas in the Elo
rating system, we can then find the probability of a win. With
this information, we can also solve for the probability of a loss.
Now the model is ready to go. For the 50 Point Principle, we
create one player who is 50 rating points above all his rivals.
I’ll call this individual “Player A.” I really did not have anyone in
mind when designing it, but perhaps you can think of Player A
as being Magnus Carlsen. Then I experimented with various
formats for the candidates cycle. After running 10,000
simulations, we check and see how often Player A won. Our
target is 90 percent, as stated in the 50 Point Principle.
The solution:
• Stage 1: The Grand Prix. 12 players compete in four round
robins. All 12 of them play in all four tournaments. The top
eight advance to Stage 2.
• Stage 2: The candidates tournaments (note: “candidates
cycle” refers to all three stages; “candidates tournament” is
just this stage). The eight players who qualified from the
Grand Prix compete in two double round robins. The top five
advance to Stage 3.
• Stage 3: The Final. The five qualifying players participate in a
match tournament. It’s a round robin with five games in each

match. FIDE used this tournament in 1948 after Alekhine died;
as we all know, the winner was Botvinnik. The top two players
will face off in a match for the world championship. The one
who finished in first place will have draw odds.
• The World Championship. A traditional 24-game match. If
there is a tie for the last qualifying spot, then it will be broken
by a six-game match at rapid time controls. The world
champion participates in the candidates cycle just like all the
other top players (there is a more traditional variant in which
the world champion only plays the winner of the candidates
cycle, discussed in the link at the end of the article). The
scoring for each game is 1/½/0 for win/draw/loss. One final
detail is surprisingly important: a player’s total score is how
many points he scored in all the tournaments in the candidates
cycle. In other words, when you are playing in the Final, the
points you score there are added to all the points you scored
in the Grand Prix and the candidates tournaments. Under
these conditions, Player A qualifies for the world championship
match 89.66% of the time, approximately satisfying the 50
Point Principle. Whenever Player A is in the world championship
match, he has a 90 percent chance of winning the title. Thus,
we have created a system in which the best player is very
Continued from page 32
Since you have lots of appointments today, let’s compress
history to some bullet points, winners’ names given first:
• 1886: Wilhelm Steinitz-Johannes Zukertort—New York
City, St. Louis (not far from the current World Chess Hall
of Fame), New Orleans
• 1891: Wilhelm Steinitz-Isidor Gunsberg—New York City
• 1894: Emanuel Lasker-Wilhelm Steinitz—New York City,
Philadelphia, Montreal
• 1907: Emanuel Lasker-Frank Marshall—New York City,
Philadephia, Washington D.C, Baltimore, Chicago, Memphis
• 1990: Garry Kasparov-Anatoly Karpov—New York City;
Lyon, France
• 1995: Garry Kasparov-Viswanathan Anand—New York
City, in Twin Tower #2, destroyed on 9/11
• 1999: Alexander Khalifman-Vladimir Akopian—after a 100-
player crapshoot in Las Vegas
• 2016: Magnus Carlsen-Sergey Karjakin—New York City, a
brisk 15-minute walk from the memorialized site of the
1995 match
COMPARING BIG APPLES TO BIG APPLES
Now a bit of in-depth intelligence (perhaps more aimed at
the vice-presidential level). How did the South Street Seaport
WCC shape up against the other title matches held on the
homeland? Unfortunately, first-hand witnesses from the
19th century aren’t readily available for interview and drone
fly-overs were only a gleam in President Grover Cleveland’s
eye. We want to focus on comparing Carlsen-Karjakin with
COVER STORY 2016 /WORLD
Cover/ Story CHAMPIONSHIP
2016 World Championship
likely to win and the cycle is not impractically long. Conclusion:
It is well within FIDE’s power to implement a candidates cycle
that is better at identifying the best player in the world. The
tournaments in this proposal are based on events that FIDE
has already run in the past. Five out of seven of them are
already part of the current system.
Eliminating the World Cup knockout tournament would create
space for the remaining two tournaments. The knockout
tournament is a massive 128-player event lasting nearly a
month—a costly event that isn’t even that good at rewarding
the best player. For a more historical comparison, my proposal
involves fewer tournaments than the system of zonals,
interzonals, and candidates matches used in the past. The
magnitude of the improvement is huge. In the current candidates
tournament, Player A has less than a 45 percent chance of
becoming the challenger for the world championship. There is
a large possibility that the winner will be determined by tiebreaks
widely viewed as arbitrary; we were lucky that they happened
to favor Magnus Carlsen in 2013. Under this proposal, Player
A’s chances rocket to 89.66 percent. Ties will be rarer. Chess
players will be more confident that the winner is determined
by skill and skill alone. May the best player win!
the two previous matches played in the Big Apple. Your
coauthors have a high degree of confidence in their
intelligence assessment of these: Al Lawrence was the
executive director of US Chess during both events in the
1990s, in charge of aspects of the day-to-day operation at
the sites and was a guest at the Seaport; GM Lev Alburt
was central to making the 1990 match happen, a VIP guest
in 1995, and both a commentator and a guest at Carlsen-
Karjakin.
STAGING
There is nothing more important to on-site spectators than
the seats they get and how a match is staged. In homage,
we should look back for a moment to a key innovation of
that inaugural championship in 1886, where for the first
time a demonstration board was used to give the spectators
an easier view of the move-by-move. Steinitz and Zuckertort
had to appreciate it as well, since it reduced the crowd
stooping and squinting over the board, blowing a smog of
cigar smoke over the pieces.
The 1990 and 2016 matches offered two levels, general
admission and VIP. At the Seaport match, you paid more
for the VIP room, a lot more—or you were being recognized
for a role in the event. In 1990, those in general admission
sat in theater-style seats and watched the live action, in
the flesh, on stage. That was standard for the day. The only
controversy regarding the staging was Kasparov’s refusal
to accept the Soviet hammer and sickle as his flag. He
insisted on a homemade (because they weren’t available
legally) tri-color like the flag Russia uses today. Those lucky
enough to be invited to migrate to the VIP room in 1990
could find themselves sitting at six-up tables next to World
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COVER STORY / 2016 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Champion Mikhail Tal or, if you were a bridge fan, Alan
Truscott—watching the likes of GMs Yasser Seirawan, Bill
Lombardy or Lev Alburt at the demo board.
In 1995, at the top of the Twin Tower, Kasparov and Anand
played their Professional Chess Association (PCA) match
(maverick from FIDE and upstaging the world organization’s
“official” pairings), the audience saw the actual combatants
behind an elevated (mostly) sound-proof glass booth and
in front of the seated crowd. It was the first time many of
us saw then-IM Maurice Ashley’s exciting style of “Madden-
commentating,” in all its vociferous gesture and volume, at
a demo board right in the front of the players on the other
side of the glass.
THE MEN BEHIND THE CURTAIN
At the Seaport, most never saw Carlsen or Karjakin at the
board in real life, watching a livestream on big screens. The
super-grandmasters played behind not-quite-soundproof
glass, sheltered behind heavy black curtains. It was possible
to stand and peek quietly for a few minutes. That was in
some ways more similar to the third round of GM Bobby
Fischer-GM Boris Spassky, Reykjavik in 1972, when Bobby
insisted on playing in a back room, away from the crowd,
with a wall-camera wrapped in a blanket to stifle noise.
All these championships served as grand reunions among
the US Chess community. At the Seaport, IM Sal Matera,
U.S. Junior Champion in 1967, met old friend IM Norman
Weinstein, the first wunderkind hired as a trader by Banker’s
36 February 2017 | Chess Life
Trust in the 1990s. His success launched a hiring spree of
chess talents among the big banks. Matera, for one, wasn’t
thrilled with the accommodations in general admissions:
“Hard Formica backless benches were literally painful. The
only decent place was the cafeteria area with chairs and a
few chess sets. And having watched Kasparov-Anand and
Kasparov-Karpov in NYC, I prefer being in the same room
as the players. If the players could be in a truly soundproof
room visible to the attendees (who could make noise), that
would be ideal.”
General admissions at the Seaport nevertheless seemed
packed every day, and opinions were divided. Bruce
Pandolfini, perhaps the most famous chess teacher in
America and a veteran of all three modern-day New York
City matches, emphasized the watch-it-anywhere availability
of the Seaport WCC—the first of the trio to focus on at-site
livestreaming Internet broadcast: “I liked the way this match
was presented very much. I thought Judit Polgar’s analysis
was first-rate and a pleasure to listen to. I also liked the
fact that I could follow easily online and on my phone.
Indeed, I used the ongoing coverage of the games as the
basis of my chess lessons as they were being given. Students
loved it. And so did I.”
Bruce, one of the guest commentators, sampled both sides
of the layout: “The VIP room was quite nice. And if you’re
a fan of top-shelf vodka, and succulent hors d’oeuvres, that
was the place to be. There were all kinds of great speed
match-ups between visiting GMs and IMs. For true chess
aficionados, even if you weren’t into great food, it was a
feast, one delicacy after the other.”
CELEBRITY VISITORS
At the 1990 match, co-author Al Lawrence met Norman
Mailer and sold a chess clock to Steve Martin, who was
hanging with Rick Moranis, another star of the movie
Ghostbusters. Moranis asked where the “checkers match”
was. At the Seaport, two-time Academy Award nominee
Woody Harrelson made the first move and hung out a bit
on the first day. But he was only one of many well-known
attendees. In 1995, Rudolph Giuliani, then mayor of New
York, made the first move. Evidently missing the intelligence
memo, he ventured 1. c4. But Anand quickly j’adoubed and
played 1. e4.
In 2016, Dr. Frank Brady, biographer of Bobby Fischer (as
well as Hugh Hefner, Aristotle Onassis, Barbra Streisand,
Orson Welles and others) and first-hand witness to more
than a half-century of chess history, was the lionized writer
in the VIP room,. He summed up the on-site glitterati this
way: “The Carlsen-Karjakin match was celebrity heaven as
far as spectators were concerned. At one point I counted
three billionaires, a well-known film director, a noted
astrophysicist, two movie stars, Putin’s press secretary, over
20 grandmasters (including Fabiano Caruana who had come
close to being in the match himself) and hundreds of
chessplayers from all over the globe assiduously analyzing
the moves. In terms of the preeminence and cachet of those
 COVER STORY / 2016 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

in attendance, the only match that came close to it was

Fischer-Spassky, Reykjavik, 1972.”
The astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson was perhaps the
biggest crowd pleaser, as he visited and joined the commen-
tators. The director was Bennett Miller, among whose films
are Capote, Foxcatcher and Moneyball. Besides Harrelson,
Brady refers to Adrian Grenier of Entourage fame and who
emceed the opening gala at the Plaza Hotel. Putin’s press
secretary and confidante is Dmitry Peskov. Former U.S.
Junior Champion Dr. Kenneth Rogoff of Harvard, one of
the world’s most influential economists and a grandmaster
who has drawn two world champions in tournament play,
also spent time with the Seaport crowd.
We’d like to draw special attention to GM Caruana, who,
as one who narrowly missed being in the Big Show, displayed
true sportsmanship by attending and being crowd friendly.
One of the fascinating bits of nostalgia at the event
happened when Alburt’s student Robert De Gregorio, who
spent his working life at the site when it was the Fish
Market, was recognized by Caruana as his childhood next-
door neighbor.

SPONSORS, LENGTH AND PRIZES

The 1990 Championship would not have taken place without
a connection that Alburt, then-U.S. champion, made between
his celebrity student, Ted Field and Kasparov. Field, an
entrepreneur, film producer and heir to the Field family
fortune, bankrolled the U.S. half of the 1990 match. The
overall 24-game match (the New York City half plus the
Lyon half) offered a prize fund of three million dollars, with
5/8 going to the winner or shared equally in case of a tie,
with Kasparov retaining his title. Kasparov won 12½-11½.
The 1995 match was scheduled for a maximum of 20 games
and offered a 1.5 million-dollar prize fund, again to be split
evenly on a draw, with Kasparov keeping the crown. After
a record eight draws in a row, he instead finished the match
in only 18 games, scoring 10½-7½ and pocketing two-thirds
of sponsor Intel’s lucre.
As you know, Carlsen and Karjakin tied their 12 games of
classical chess before going to rapid play, in which Carlsen
won 3-1. Sponsors PhosAgro and EG Capital Advisors made
sure he went back to Norway with 550,000 Euros (these
days about the same in U.S. dollars), while Karjakin returned
to Russia with 450,000.
WORLD VIEWERSHIP
Of course the biggest difference between the Seaport
championship and the earlier U.S. versions was the Internet.
No matter how much press coverage the championships
of the 1990s received, they can’t really compete with
today’s interconnectedness. Organizers Agon, the
commercial arm of FIDE, once again trotted out its lawyers
to courts in both Russia and the U.S. to claim the exclusive
right to the move-by-move action, but once again was
denied the claim. So others, like www.chessbomb.com,
elbowed in to show the moves as they were made for
free, substituting computer evaluations for expert
commentary.
Agon offered a package that included access to all live
games and broadcasts for $45. Commentating by GM Judit
Polgar was the biggest justification for the expense.
Occasional visits by GMs Sam Shankland, Max Dlugy, and
Alburt, among others also added value. Wisely, American
Grandmaster and Hall of Famer Maurice Ashley brought
with him some long-denied excitement, helping cover the
day as it all came down to rapid chess.
According to FIDE’s final press release, Carlsen-Karjakin
captured a “global online audience of nearly 10 million chess
fans, while 10,000 spectators and VIPs saw the action in
person.” What was the press like? “There were nearly 30,000
pieces of media coverage around the world.”
Briefings should contain expert opinions. We’ll turn to former
World Junior Champ GM Max Dlugy to sum up this session.
“I think this World Championship was organized as if in a
Cinderella fairy tale. Nothing seemed to be going right
almost up to the time of the ball, and then as if by a magic
wand most of the components fell into place with a good
commentary team, amazing venue, sold out tickets and
celebrities coming to the VIP lounge. And the ball continued
past midnight with a thrill of the tiebreaker!”

www.uschess.org 37
 COVER STORY / 2016 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
At the South Street Seaport, the spectator line to get in the Championship venue could be quite long at times.
Continued from page 31
CHESS 360
GM Magnus Carlsen (FIDE 2853, NOR)
GM Sergey Karjakin (FIDE 2772, RUS)
FIDE World Championship Match 2016,
New York, New York (TB4), 11.30.2016
AFTER 46. … Ra7
PHOTO: JASON KEMPIN GETTY
47. Qxf4!
Who amongst us would allow a second-rank
attack with time dwindling? Not I!
47. ... Ra2+ 48. Kh1 Qf2 49. Rc8+! Kh7
No better is 49. ... Bf8 50. Rxf8+ Kxf8 51.
Rxf7+ Ke8 52. Rf8+ Kd7 53. Qf5+ Kc6 54.
Rc8+ Kb7 55. Qd7+ Ka6 56. Ra8 mate.
38 February 2017 | Chess Life
50. Qh6+!!
Black resigned the game and the match.
Either 51. Rh8 or 51. Rxf7 will be mate. That
White has two different finishes multiplies the
aesthetics.
Carlsen called the day “a great chess show.”
“If anyone thinks it’s easy, it’s time to get
back to earth,” he said at the closing ceremony.
He said that this match revealed to him that
he has some things to work on with his
psychology.
“After game eight I had all sorts of negative
thoughts in my head,” he said. “It was very
difficult to settle down and play normally ...
I’m very happy that at the end of the match I
found joy in playing. To some extent that’s the
most important thing. I was in a dark place in
this match.”
Karjakin thought he might have studied too
much in the free day before the playoff.
“A few times I completely forgot my
preparation,” he said. “There were so many
things to prepare that I didn’t manage to
remember everything. Maybe it was better to
have a fresh head. Maybe that was my mistake
before the rapid games. In rapid chess it’s just
better to be in good shape and I wasn’t.”
Karjakin said he was so focused on the match
that he had to ask his wife what happened in
the world in the last three weeks.
For the man who once went on Ukrainian
television at eight years old and pronounced
to the hosts he’d be world champion some day,
Karjakin remained steadfast. “I’m very ambi-
tious,” he said. “I believe I will have another
match. I don’t know which year but I’m sure
my career will be long enough.”
Carlsen didn’t have to reflect long to say that
Karjakin proved to be a tougher adversary than
GM Viswanathan Anand, his opponent from
the 2013 and 2014 title matches.
“It hasn’t been particularly pretty,” Carlsen
summed up. “Of course, the finish was pretty,
at least from my point of view. But it’s most of
all been a fight. For me, that is what chess is
about, and I think that is what these matches
should be about. In that sense, it’s been great.”

Go Navy!
Beat Army!
Larry Larkins Wins 57th Armed Forces Open
P
etty Officer First Class (retired) Larry
R. Larkins won the 57th Annual
Armed Forces Open (AFO) Chess
Championship held at the United
States Naval Academy from October 8th-10th.
The event coincided with National Chess Day
on October 8.
Larkins’ victory was in question until the
final round was over. Coming into the fifth
round, Larkins and 3 others were 3½-½. Larkins
won his game on board two against Petty
Officer Second Class (retired) Alejandrino
Baluran before board one finished. Later on
board one, Air Force Master Sergeant (retired)
Leroy Hill drew with Army Lieutenant Colonel
Jon Middaugh. This left Larkins with 4½ -½
to take clear first.
Ever since the Armed Forces Open moved
to an open format in 1995, Larkins has won
or tied for first in five Armed Forces Opens.
He has won clear first in 2007, 2010, 2015, and
2016, and won on tiebreaks in 2008. Larkins
has also now tied the record held by Air Force
Master Sergeant Robert Keough. Keough won
the tournament outright in 1999 and 2009, by
tiebreaks in 2000, and tied for first but lost on
tiebreaks in 2008 and 2013.
The Armed Forces Open also serves as a
team tournament among the services. The top
six scores from each service are totaled to
determine the service team winner using the
PHOTO CREDIT: JIM DOYLE
AFO tiebreak system developed by U.S. Marine
Corps Master Sergeant (retired) Steve Rollins.
This year the Army took first, with Navy
coming in second and Air Force in third. In
addition, the 13th Armed Forces Cadet/Mid-
shipman Championship was held in conjunction
with the Armed Forces Open. The U.S. Military
Academy finished first with the U.S. Naval
Academy close behind in second. The U.S. Air
By MIDSHIPMAN BRYAN HARVEY
Force Academy only had one participant, and
did not meet the minimum team qualifications
of two players.
New developments in the 2016 (57th annual
event) included: (1) the tournament was FIDE-
rated, and (2) a military veterans open section
was added for those veterans who did not
otherwise qualify for the Armed Forces Open.
Corporate sponsors for this zero-entrance fee
event included: DOTMLPFI, Inc., HUBZone
HQ, wholesalechess.com, the New Jersey State
Chess Federation, the Virginia Chess Federa-
tion, and US Chess. The tournament was
organized by Navy Captain (retired) Tom Belke,
and the chief tournament director was Army
Colonel (retired) Mike Hoffpauir. This author
would like to give a special thanks to the U.S.
Naval Academy Chess Club and their officer
representative CDR William Swick for hosting
the Armed Forces Open. The Army is the host
service of the next Armed Forces Open, and
Military Chess / Armed Forces Open
plans on bringing the event to the U.S. Military
Academy, West Point, New York on Columbus
Day weekend, October, 2017.
PRIBYL DEFENSE (B07)
Larry Larkins (1983)
Alejandrino Baluran (2021)
2016 U.S. Armed Forces Open (5),
Annapolis, Maryland (5), 10.10.2016
Annotations by Larkins.
The sites where we play the Armed Forces
Open are usually at historically-rich sites like
the Naval Academy in Annapolis. I thank them
for hosting the tourney. Going into the last
round we had four people at 3½, and I was on
board two.
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 c6
Well, this is a different move that I have
never seen at move three. I expected 3. ... g6.
4. Be2 Qa5 5. Qd3 e5 6. Nf3 Be7 7. Bd2
Qc7 8. h3
Restricting his c8-bishop.
8. ... b6
OK, the bishop is coming out on a6 instead.
9. Qe3 Ba6 10. Bd3 Bxd3 11. cxd3 Nbd7
12. 0-0 Nf8
With the idea of ... Ne6, but maybe castling
first was more prudent.
13. Rac1 Qb8
Now 13. ... Ne6? allows 14. d5 or 14. dxe5
giving White a huge edge.
14. Ne2 c5 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Bc3 Ng6 17.
Ng3 0-0 18. Nf5 Bd8
(see diagram on page 41)
www.uschess.org 39
Military Chess / Armed Forces Open
Chess and the military
Our photographer Jim Doyle asked a number of the participants about their chess lives, specifically,
“How did you get started with chess? As a member of the U.S. military, [how does chess fit in] as
a leisure activity?”
“I was introduced to Chess Life
because of a bet. He could not
stand to give me the money, so he
sent me a subscription to Chess
Life. The best bet I ever won! Chess
has always been a way to socialize,
and also occupy the mind. When I
was in the service, postal chess was
a great way to play and keep busy.”
—MASTER SERGEANT DON MC SHANE,
U.S. ARMY (RETIRED)
“It’s part of my childhood. My dad
taught me when I was in first
grade. It relieves stress and offers
an opportunity for friendly
competition.”
—MIDSHIPMAN LUISANDREA DIAZ,
U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY
“It’s more than just a game. I feel it
has a lot more meaning than that.
The way I learned chess was that
our parents took away all of our
TV privileges and my brothers
and I taught each other how to
play. I cared about it because of
the competitive element and it
was the only way I could beat my
older brother.”
—CADET RIAZ LANE, UNITED STATES
MILITARY ACADEMY
“I like to play. It’s a social activity
and I played daily on ship. There’s a
degree of confidence you build in
chess. I’m also a distance runner
and they’re similar.”
—COMMANDER BILL SWICK, U.S. NAVY
“Chess allows me to fully think
through problems. It helps me get
away from the day to activities and
just relax.”
—CADET NICHOLAS OBLAK, SENIOR,
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
40 February 2017 | Chess Life
“It helps me reflect more.”
—MIDSHIPMAN NOAH WEBSTER,
PLEBE, CLASS OF 2020, U.S. NAVAL
ACADEMY
“Chess is a fun way to strengthen
the mind and teach humility. Chess
is more of a training exercise. It
teaches me to analyze positions
and utilize all of my assets to
defeat the opponent.”
—MIDSHIPMAN KIRK HAGERMAN, U.S.
NAVAL ACADEMY
“Chess is a puzzle. It’s a great
competive outlet. If you win you
win, and if you lose you lose and
you have to get better.”
—MIDSHIPMAN TRAVIS DILL, PLEBE,
CLASS OF 2020, U.S. NAVAL
ACADEMY
“I played chess while I was on
submarines. I now teach kids how
to play chess at an elementary
school and run the local chess club
where I’m at. The reason I love
teaching chess to kids is that it
teaches them how to plan and
focus. And, there’s the etiquette to
the game. You have to shake hands
before and after the game and be
quiet. It teaches them humility and
develops their minds.”
—WAYNE SPON, E6, U.S. NAVY &
NAVAL RESERVES (RETIRED).
“I learned how to play chess in high
school. I plan to start a chess club
on my ship. Chess has always been
a passion of mine so I decided that
I wanted to take personal leave so
that I could attend the U.S. Armed
Forces Tournament. Chess helps
me reduce stress.”
—ANDREW PERAINO, E4, U.S. NAVY
“I’m a wood pusher. It’s an enjoyable
pastime that allows you to meet
new people. One of the great things
used to be postal chess. When I was
in Vietnam, I used to play 60-70
postal games at a time.”
—VON MC SHANE, MASTER
SERGEANT, U.S. ARMY (RETIRED)
"Chess is the ultimate form of
competition. It is a fair game in
which anyone can win but is unfair
as a result of one's decision to
prepare oneself more than one's
opponent. Even so, during the
course of a game, the most ill-
prepared can defeat the most
well- prepared given more effort
during the game. It is a mental
struggle that allows you to
overcome your opponent without
ever having physical contact.
“At the Naval Academy, beating
Army is almost a rite of passage.
In order for us to truly be
considered Midshipmen, we must
defeat the Black Knights. To
accomplish this goal, U.S.N.A.
Chess Club plans on expanding
our chess horizons from internal
games to include competitions
with other chess clubs and to
develop our club into a traveling
team so that we can be exposed
to other competitors in addition
to Army.
“I am a member of the class of
2019 and I plan on attending the
Naval Post Graduate School
before beginning my training to
become a nuclear submarine
officer.”
—MIDSHIPMAN ANDREW LEE, CLASS
OF 2019, U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY

Just some of the competitors at the 57th Annual Armed Forces Open.
23. Bxe7 Qxe7 24. Rc3 h6 25. Rfc1 Nh5
26. g3 Qe6
A double attack on my pawns.
27. Kh2!
Sidestepping the ... Nf4 tactics.
27. d4 is a good move, but I felt 27. Kh2
keeps everything tight and if 27. ... Qxa2 then
I believe with a trade of rooks that eventually
I can get after the a- and b-pawns. Much riskier
is 27. Kg2 Rd8 28. R1c2 Rd6 29. Rc7?? (29.
Kh2 still keeps an edge) Ngf4+! 30. Kg1 Rxd3
Either 18. ... Re8 or 18. ... Bd6 was preferable. 31. gxf4 Nxf4 32. R7c3 Qg6+ 33. Ng5 Qxg5+
19. b4 cxb4 34. Qg3 Rxg3+.
The move 19. ... Nd7 would have kept 27. ... Rd8
White’s advantage small.
Also good for White is 27. ... Qxa2 28. Rc8+
Rxc8 29. Rxc8+ Kh7 30. Rc7 Nf6 31. Qd2 Qb3.
20. Bxb4 Re8
28. R1c2 Rd6 29. Rc7
PHOTO CREDIT: JIM DOYLE
21. Nd6
29. … Ngf4?
Black now realizes that White is threatening
both 22. Nxe8 and 22. Rc8. I went into shock after this move, wondering
if I just gave up the win. My opponent now
21. ... Be7 22. Nxe8 Qxe8
offered a draw, a double psychological blow. If
No better is 22. ... Bxb4 23. Nc7 Bc5 24. Rxc5. the king were on g2 this would be a winning
Grand Prix Events / 2016 U.S. Masters
advantage for Black as seen from the above
variation at move 27.
30. gxf4 Nxf4 31. Ne1
This keeps a winning advantage and I almost
missed it.
Both sides cannot vary from the perpetual
after 31. Ng1 Rxd3 32. Rc8+ Kh7 33. R8c6.
31. ... Qg6 32. Qg3
White has consolidated and stopped the
mating threats.
32. ... Qf6 33. R7c3 Qe7 34. Qg4 Rg6 35.
Qf5
The move order 35. Rc8+ Kh7 36. Qf5 also
works.
35. ... Qh4 36. Rc8+ Kh7 37. Nf3 Qh5 38.
Qxh5 Nxh5 39. Nxe5 Rd6 40. Rh8+ Kxh8
41. Nxf7+ Kh7 42. Nxd6, Black resigned.
My game was done but the game was still in
progress on board one. I did not know who
was leading on tiebreaks. I watched for a minute,
and then left the playing room. Either I win
outright, win on tiebreaks, or lose on tiebreaks—
the outcome was out of my hands. After a while,
board one drew and I had won my fifth U.S.
AFO title. Being part of the military, it is always
interesting to meet our future officers who will
have to protect our freedoms that many
Americans take for granted. Believe me,
freedom is not free.
For more information, including full standings, please
see http://hrchessclub.org/AFO/home.html.
Make sure to register to vote for the upcoming US
Chess Executive Board election!
https://secure2.uschess.org/voter-registration.php
www.uschess.org 41
Rules / Just Law

That Darn Rulebook

The rules of chess can feel Byzantine.
US Chess Rulebook Editor
Tim Just’s new book Just Law helps
players and tournament directors make
sense of it all; here is an excerpt. By TIM JUST

E
ver been confused by the division of a tournament prize fund? How can players file a complaint? Is there a trick tournament directors can
use to start games on time? How do organizers learn their craft? Puzzled by scholastic chess tournaments? Just Law, by past and present
Rulebook Editor Tim Just, gives everyone their best shot at developing a practical winning approach to dealing with the techno babble of
tournament chess law and order. Get practical insights into dealing with notation, draws, byes, clocks, prizes, prize funds, ratings, making claims,
playing sites, time controls, pairings, tournament management, tournament creation, and scholastic chess. Here is a short excerpt for your
enjoyment. Just Law was inspired by the late Sevan Muradian and is available from US Chess Sales in paperback form and from Amazon as a
paperback and an e-book.

PAIRINGS LAW
Color me this, color me that
 My opponent and I sat down and played
our game with different colors from those
assigned to us on the pairing sheet. We did not
notice this until we were reporting the results
of our game. How does that impact our future
color assignments?

 If you notify the tournament director (TD)
immediately after the game is over, they will
often just make the color switch in their files—
but remember, they are not required to. After
they make the change, any future color assign-
ments will be based on the actual colors you
played. If you wait to tell the TD until the next
round is paired, you might just be out of luck.
The next round’s pairings will be based on the
colors you were assigned, not the colors you
actually played. If you discover your color swap
error early in your game, notify the TD. They
might rule that a new game can be started with
the correct color assignment—especially if you
are still in the first ten moves.
Man versus machine
 I just became a tournament director. Do I have
to use a fancy pairing program to run my events?

 There is no rule or regulation that forces
you to use a pairing program to run your
tournaments. Those tournament management
programs require at least a computer, and to
get the most benefit out of them, you need a
printer, too. They format the final results into
files that are easy to upload to US Chess when
it comes time to get the event rated. They make
entering players a snap, allowing you to easily
look up their US Chess information from the
ratings supplement files published monthly.
Making pairings is lightning-fast. The pairings
and wall charts are readable and player-friendly.
They generate documents you can post online,
a real customer-friendly plus. Without those
software packages, today’s super Swisses would
not be possible—just try doing one of those
events by hand (I have), and you will get the
picture real fast. The larger the event, the more
a tournament management program is needed.
But what about smaller tournaments, like those
weeknight events held at clubs? Does the TD
really need to lug around a computer and printer
just to run small events like that? That depends.
Without tournament management software,
submitting a tournament to be rated takes a bit
more effort, and sometimes money. The US
Chess office still accepts reports not submitted
to them through their online system; they just
cost more to submit and take a lot longer to get
rated. And TDs can submit their tournaments
for a rating online without creating those special
files generated by pairing programs. All that is
required is the patience to fill in the online
forms. Some TDs have been known to pair
their weeknight club events by hand, and then
enter the results on their pairing programs at
home before they submit the events online.
SCOREKEEPING LAW
Can I really stop taking notation?
 What is the rule about keeping score in time
pressure?

 Do yourself a favor: Always keep score.
Without a complete scoresheet, the odds of
any claim you make being ruled in your favor
go way down. And remember that game scores,
either on paper or on electronic devices, have
to be visible at all times during the game. But
if you insist, in games with time controls that
require notation, only one time control forces
you keep score for each and every move
throughout the game: a thirty-second increment
time control. All the other time controls allow
you to stop keeping score when either you or

42 February 2017 | Chess Life


your opponent has less than five minutes left
in any time control period. Of course, quick
chess and blitz chess do not require notation
at all. (Keeping notation in quick chess is still
a good idea, though. Why? Without a complete
scoresheet ...)
EQUIPMENT LAW
Approved e-notation devices
 Is Apple Chess Clock Pro for the iPhone
and iPad sanctioned by US Chess?

 No software running on any device that has
the capacity for outside communication is
approved in rated chess tournaments. There-
fore, chess clock software and notation software
running on cell phones, tablets, etc.—such as
Chess Clock Pro and yNotate—may not be used
at rated events. The key is that bad guys could
easily use the communication device running
the software to cheat. And let us not forget
that those same devices can easily be loaded
with strong chess-playing software.
ORGANIZING LAW
Playing sites
 What is the most important aspect of organ-
izing tournaments?

 The most important detail is your playing
site. Your site choice will influence many other
details of your tournament. The site cost may
affect the entry fees. The hours when the site
is available may affect round times and time
controls. Parking near the site may influence
whether a player decides to enter. You need to
ask yourself how the tournament site will help
or hinder your ability to manage noise and
crowds—is there a skittles area? How much
extra do desired amenities cost? What about
basics such as tables and chairs? How accessible
is food? Are the washroom facilities adequate?
Do sweat the small stuff when it comes to your
choice of a site.
DRAW LAW
Draw or checkmate?
 What would you rule? White offers Black
a draw. Black requests that White make a move
first. White moves and checkmates Black. Black
accepts White’s draw offer.

 Checkmate ends the game. All draw offers
are off the table once the game is over. White
did not rescind the offer—they ended the game
instead. White wins.
Here is a similar situation: White moves, makes
a draw offer, and presses the clock. Black takes
too long to think about it, and their flag falls
before they accept the draw. White wins on
time if the flag fall claim is upheld.
SCHOLASTIC LAW
Tiebreaks
 At a recent scholastic tournament, my son
tied for third place but was awarded the fourth-
place trophy. When I looked up the tournament
results on the US Chess website, my son was
listed in third place. Shouldn’t he get the third-
place trophy?

 Probably not. The US Chess web page does
not list the tournament results in tiebreak
order—the order used to hand out awards.
Money prizes are easily split up and doled out
when there is a tie at the end of an event. It is
a lot more difficult to split up a trophy among
tied players—and trophies are the typical awards
at scholastic tournaments. Tiebreaks help solve
that problem. There are several frequently used
tiebreak systems listed in the sixth edition of
the rulebook; there are even more tiebreak
systems used by scholastic organizers that are
not mentioned in the rulebook. Typically, the
organizer announces the system that will be
used to award trophies in the advance publicity.
Using just one system is a formula for disaster:
even after applying a tiebreak formula, some
players are still tied! So there must be second,
third, and fourth tiebreak formulas as backup.
US Chess has no way of knowing what tiebreak
systems an organizer uses, so it cannot guaran-
tee that players’ results will be listed in tiebreak
order. Contact the organizer for all tiebreak
information to learn why your son received
the fourth-place trophy instead of the third-
place trophy.
TD LAW
 I am a Club Tournament Director. I have
directed our club tournaments for the last three
years without any problems. Now US Chess is
telling me I must take an exam in order to
renew my certification. Why do I need to do
this, considering how successful I have been
the past three years? All I am going to do is to
continue directing at my club.

 The US Chess TD certification program is
designed to award a TD certificate to members
based on two standards. The first criterion is
successful directing experience. The second is
demonstrating a minimum level of understand-
ing the US Chess rules and their applications.
Your successful three-year stint as a director at
your club fulfills the experience requirement.
The exam will give you an opportunity to
demonstrate your knowledge of the rules. You
will have a number of months to complete the
open-book exam. Once you pass it at the 70
percent level and keep active as a TD, you will
be automatically recertified every three years.
By the way, if you pass the test at the 80 percent
level and have enough experience, you are
Rules / Just Law
automatically upgraded to Local TD—again,
with no further exams as long as you stay active.
While you may choose to direct only at your
club, your certificate will allow you a much
wider range of directing options.
PLAYER LAW
Penalties
 I made a move on the board and recorded
it on my scoresheet. Before I pressed my clock,
my opponent made a move on the board. I
paused the clock and summoned the tourna-
ment director. My opponent was warned by
the TD to wait until I pressed my clock before
making his move. Why didn’t the TD also
award me two extra minutes of playing time?

 Because the TD has wiggle room in assessing
penalties. Some rules have penalties embedded
in their wording; most rules do not. The stand-
ard penalty, when one is not specifically stated
in the rule, is to award two minutes of extra
playing time to the player who was injured by
the opponent’s rule violation. There is also
cautionary wording that tells TDs to consider
issuing a warning first before bringing the
penalty hammer down on a rule violator. It
looks like that is what the TD in this situation
chose to do.
PRIZE LAW
Prize fund payment schedule
Splitting prizes
 How are the cash prizes distributed to the
second-place and top under 2000 prizewinners
in a tournament with a $75 first prize, a $40
second prize, and a $30 U2000 prize? Player 1
(2200) finished with 4 points, Player 2 (1930)
with 3½ points, Player 3 (1860) with 3½ points,
and Player 4 (1750) with 3 points.

 It is easy to see that Player 1 gets first place
and $75. Now the US Chess philosophy of
rewarding excellence kicks in to determine the
remaining prize awards. Players 2 and 3 are
both rated below 2000, so they both qualify for
that prize, and each scored well enough to claim
second-place gold, too. Player 4 is rated under
2000 but did not score as well as Players 2 and
3. Prize money is divided equally when there
is a tie. In a multiple-prize tie, the greatest
amount of money each tied player can claim is
put into a pot and divided equally among them.
Each contestant can put only one prize into
the pot. Players 2 and 3 can dump the $40
second prize and the $30 U2000 prize into the
pot and receive $35 each.
Just Law is available at uscfsales.com with a member’s
discount. See more from Tim Just in “My Best Move”
on page 72.
www.uschess.org 43
Solitaire Chess / Instruction
A Little Tal
Few players in the history of chess could delight the public more
than the “Magician from Riga.” A perfect example is this miniature
from 1964.
By BRUCE PANDOLFINI
IT’S TIME FOR A LITTLE MIKHAIL TAL.
In the grand scheme of things, even though his
lifetime rating may not be very high compared
to some of the recent giants of the chessboard,
few players in the history of chess could delight
the public more than the “Magician from Riga.”
Time and again he would sacrifice one piece
after the other, sound or unsound, and some-
how pull off a grand attack plan that mystify-
ingly scores. Such is the case with Tal’s game
against Georgi Tringov (Black) at the 1964
Interzonal in Amsterdam. Computers may find
refutations, but for chess fans, the enchant-
ment of Tal’s surprise moves will always be
there. A true miniature, the game began:
MODERN DEFENSE (B06)
Mikhail Tal
Georgi Tringov
Amsterdam Interzonal, 1964
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7
Now ensure that the above position is set up
on your chessboard. As you play through the
remaining moves in this game, use a piece of
paper to cover the article, exposing White’s next
move only after trying to guess it. If you guess
correctly, give yourself the par score. Sometimes
points are also awarded for second-best moves,
and there may be bonus points—or deductions—
for other moves and variations. Note that


means that White’s move is on the next line.


44 February 2017 | Chess Life
3. Nc3 Par Score 6
This is a main line, but White has many
options on this third move. Accept full credit for
either 3. Nf3, 3. c4, 3. c3, 3. f4, 3. f3, or 3. Bc4.
3. … d6
Black guards against e4-e5 advances, while
opening a line for the queen-bishop to
develop.


4. Nf3 Par Score 6
Once again White has reasonable alterna-
tives. Accept full credit for either 4. f4, 4. Bc4,
4. Be2, 4. Be3, 4. Bg5, 4. g3, or even 4. Nge2.
4. … c6
This move does a few things. While guarding
both d5 and b5, it clears the square c7 for the
black queen and supports, if the opportunity
arises, a timely ... b7-b5 thrust, which may put
pressure against the white king-pawn by
menacing a further advance, ... b5-b4.


5. Bg5 Par Score 6
A Tal-like development. Nevertheless, accept
full credit for 5. Be3, 5. Be2, or 5. a4.
5. … Qb6
Black gets active, with an immediate attack
to the white b-pawn. Is it a poisoned pawn?
In seeing this game, one can’t help but be
reminded of the Tringov-Fischer “poison
pawn” Sicilian game from Havana’s Capablanca
Memorial of a year later, which charmingly
went: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4
Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6 8. Qd2 Qxb2
9. Rb1 Qa3 10. e5 dxe5 11. fxe5 Nfd7 12. Bc4
Bb4 13. Rb3 Qa5 14. 0-0 0-0 15. Nxe6 fxe6
16. Bxe6+ Kh8 17. Rxf8+ Bxf8 18. Qf4 Nc6
19. Qf7 Qc5+ 20. Kh1 Nf6 21. Bxc8 Nxe5 22.
Qe6 Neg4 (0-1). Clearly different—but not
unrelated.


6. Qd2 Par Score 7
Naturally, Tal bites the bullet. Without
words, he announces: “Go ahead, take my
pawn!”
6. … Qxb2
And so Tringov does take the pawn.


7. Rb1 Par Score 6
No other move makes any sense. Tal pro-
ceeds to gain time against the black queen.
7. … Qa3
This of course is Black’s only safe square for
the queen.


8. Bc4 Par Score 6
Tal aims full force at the black king. Time
for Tringov to watch out.
8. … Qa5
Black tries to get his queen back in defensive
position. From a5, it observes White’s fifth
rank, while keeping an eye on a possible retreat
along the a5-d8 diagonal. Another plausible
move was 8. ... Nd7.


9. 0-0 Par Score 6
Tal is now ready for business. One can only
wonder what surprises he has for us.
9. … e6
Fearful of an attack along the c4-f7 diagonal,
Tringov blocks the line. Perhaps he can play
an eventual ... d6-d5. A big problem is the
sudden weakness to his dark squares. No doubt,
Tal was very aware of it.


10. Rfe1 Par Score 6
One last developing move. Accept 1 bonus
point if you realized that White’s last move
ruled out 10. ... d5 because of 11. exd5 cxd5,
and White can capture the d5-pawn for free
because of the e-file pin.
10. … a6
 Solitaire Chess / Instruction

PROBLEM I PROBLEM II PROBLEM III

ABCs of Chess Mating net Mating net Mating net

These problems are all related to key

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

February Exercise: Whatever you

learn, try teaching it to someone
else. This will force you to think
about what you’ve been doing
from another perspective, which
should serve to increase your PROBLEM IV PROBLEM V PROBLEM VI
Mating net Mating net Mating net
overall knowledge of the subject.
Besides, as you try explaining what
you’ve absorbed to others, you
may find you don’t really know it
so well. You’ll be compelled to
revisit the material, reinforcing
what you already grasp to compre-
hend more of what you don’t. But
better than everything is this: you’ll
be increasing the planet’s love for
your favorite game.

This strengthens the possible advance ... b7- Now Tal threatens mate at d8. Add 1 bonus find an attribution to it relating to Tal in any
b5, but it’s not clear what Black has time for. point for realizing that 14. ... Bf6 would fail to of the big databases): 1. e4 d6 2. d4 g6 3. Nf3
His king is still in the center, and the center either 15. Nxe5 or even 15. Bxe5. Bg7 4. Bc4 Nd7 5. Bxf7+ Kxf7 6. Ng5+ Kf6 7.
may open quite soon. 14. … Nd7 Qf3 mate. Add 1 bonus point if you can find
11. Bf4 Par Score 7 where and when the game was purportedly
Black closes the d-file, but it sets up the classic played (let us know at letters@uschess.org!).
Tal zeroes in on the weakened d6-pawn. case of obstructing the queen-bishop. The
11. … e5 square e6 is not adequately guarded, and this
signals Black’s doom.
Go away bishop! But, to be sure, it’s not that
15. Bxf7+ Par Score 9
simple. This advance allows the opening of the
d-file, and it also clears the diagonal for the c4- Another shot from the blue, well, at least
bishop. That could be bad news (for Black). along the light squares.
12. dxe5 Par Score 6 15. … Kxf7
This opens the d-file. Add 1 bonus point if you analyzed that 15. ...
12. … dxe5 Kd8 would also be terrible, since White would
follow with 16. Ng5.
And this threatens the f4-bishop. Where
16. Ng5+ Par Score 6
will White move his bishop to?
13. Qd6 Par Score 10 Here comes Tal for the kill.   
16. … Ke8 
 
Why move the bishop when you can move

 

the queen? It’s moves like this that make Tal Black’s only move. Nothing to think about,
Tal. The f4-bishop is hanging. The white knight other than resigning. Total Score Approx. Rating
is hanging. Without an evaluative engine, who 95+ 2400+
17. Qe6+ Par Score 6
knows what’s going on? (The engine does confirm
81-94 2200-2399
Tal played the best move. ~ed.) And this concludes the festivities. Obviously,
66-80 2000-2199
13. … Qxc3 17. ... Kf8 permits 18. Qf7 mate; but not much
better is 17. ... Kd8, when 18. Nf7+ Kc7 19. 51-65 1800-1999
Black decides to gobble the free knight. Give Qd6 is also mate (1 bonus point). 36-50 1600-1799
yourself 2 bonus points if you planned to answer 21-35 1400-1599
13. ... exf4 by 14. Nd5!, when 14. ... cxd5 is met 17. … Black resigned
06-20 1200-1399
by 15. exd5+. Tal reportedly played the following opening 0-05 under 1200
14. Red1 Par Score 7 trap in an exhibition (though frankly I can’t

www.uschess.org 45
The Practical Endgame / Instruction
Framing
“Play the board or play the opponent?” is a dilemma that goes back
at least to Ruy Lopez. Here is a modern take on it.
By GM DANIEL NARODITSKY
A VERY FAMOUS CONCEPT IN THE
psychological study of decision-making is the
notion of "#$. Studies reliably demonstrate
that humans are loss-averse, meaning that they
will consistently choose a different option in
a scenario that is framed in terms of loss than
in an identical scenario that is framed in terms
of gain.
In the most famous of these studies, con-
ducted by behavioral economists Amos Tversky
and Daniel Kahneman, the experimenters gave
the subjects two scenarios that both involve a
medical patient who is considering a cutting-
edge, but potentially risky, operation. In scenar-
io one, Tversky and Kahneman explained that
out of every 100 individuals who undergo this
operation, 90 survive and emerge illness-free.
In scenario two, they stated that out of every
100 individuals who undergo this operation,
10 lose their lives. The question to the subjects,
of course, was whether the patient should un-
dergo the operation.
I think you get the drift. The majority of
people chose the operation in scenario one
because it was framed in terms of survivors
(and 90 survivors out of 100 people is a lot). In
scenario two the majority recommended the
patient forego the operation, because it was
framed in terms of losses (boy, 10 dead out of
100 sounds ominous. That’s one out of every
ten!). There are many, many variations on this
study that all demonstrate a similar trend: (1)
people are not perfectly rational beings (but
we knew that already), and (2) the way you ask
a question matters almost as much as what is
being asked!
#%'('(%&(%'(# !#&$
Now, what does all this have to do with
of a hat (not in the literal sense, of course). All
of this may appear rather vague, but please
withhold your judgment until you see the
following game, one of my proudest endgame
moments in which I was able to put chess
psychology to good use.
USING PSYCHOLOGY
IM Pierre Bailet (2476)
GM Daniel Naroditsky (2587)
4th International Chess Festival RIGA
TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OPEN, Riga,
Latvia, 08.23.2014
AFTER 29. Qe2
My opponent has been playing very solidly
(if passively) throughout the game, and he has
essentially succeeded in constructing an impene-
trable fortress. Now, Black’s pawn chain on the
queenside sure looks impressive, but even a
Ferrari won’t drive without gas; in fact, after
29. ... Qxe2+ 30. Kxe2, 30. ... b4? meets with
31. cxb4 axb4 32. Bd2! when Black is the one
who must tread carefully. Declining the trade
with 29. ... Qc6 is a more reasonable option,
29. ... Qe6!?
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear you. 30. Qxe6 fxe6
31. a3 is a dead draw, and it is.
ANALYSIS DIAGRAM AFTER 31. a3
Black has only one idea: to break through
with ... b5-b4. To do so, he must first bring his
king over to the queenside. Let’s take a look:
31. ... Na4 32. Ke2 Kf7 33. Kd2 Ke7 34. Kd1
(“chillin” ...) 34. ... Kd6 35. Kd2 Kc6 36. Kd1
b4. Everything has gone according to plan, but
following the ultra-simple 37. axb4 axb4 38.
Nxb4! Bxb4 39. cxb4 Kb5 40. Kc2 Kxb4 41.
Bd2+ it’s time to call it a day. The king is pushed
back, and Black has no other way to penetrate.
This is a long line to be sure, but it is still
easy to calculate. In addition, my opponent had
shown that he was not unwilling to enter an
endgame (he had, after all, offered an exchange
in the initial position). And this is exactly where
the notion of framing comes in: ''$(%&
&%('$"'!(
(('("$(('
"'(#'$%#" (%'(!'&$( &&!("( &%(&'
$ '"!"$%(&(
'"%'(( "
!(#&!#$("$(!%(
chess? Let me explain. My own experience has but after 30. a3 Na4 31. Qe5! Bd6 32. Qf6! %'. This might strike you as a load of psycho-
led me to believe that psychology plays a very White’s queen gets too active, and Black can analytic mumbo jumbo, but it caused my
prominent role in chess, and that #%( #!( '( do little more than shuffle his pieces and opponent visible discomfort. Even though the
'$%( (&!!# '(%&(!% (#$ '$'(& acquiesce to a draw. pawn structure could not matter less, it is hard
&&$'$%
!(%#$#$("%%'$("$(&' After coming to terms with the objective to convince oneself that enabling Black to fix
&#'( %&( "#&!( !& &#" evaluation of the position, I remembered his doubled pawns and support d5 does not
"!. In the endgame, psychological savvy Kahneman and Tversky’s study (which I had actually make a difference. To my pleasant
and cunning can enable you to pull a rabbit out read about earlier that summer!) ... surprise, the trick “worked”:

46 February 2017 | Chess Life


Find the !! move
Each month GM Naroditsky will present
two problems taken from actual games
that illustrate the theme of this month’s
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.
30. Ke1?! Na4!
Now behold the second psychological hack:
having determined that my opponent is unwill-
ing to trade queens, I give him this option once
again. My hope is that the cognitive dissonance
created by declining the trade will not allow
him to soberly reevaluate the situation and
correct his mistake.
31. Kd2?!
And so it is! Instead of trading the queen
(going for the operation), my opponent has
failed to resolve the fundamental deficiencies
of his position. Now, with Black’s knight opti-
mized and the king placed awkwardly, it is time
to punish White for his mistakes.
31. ... Qc6!
Chess psychology at its best. This move was
accompanied by a visible sigh of disappointment
from my opponent, who was doubtless regret-
ting not trading queens! With the queen on
c6, 32. Qe5 is no longer effective due to 32. ...
Bd6, and White’s queen is pushed back because
33. Qf6?? fails to 33. ... Bxf4+, winning the
queen. But without the possibility of active
defense, White has no choice but to wait for
... b4 and hope for the best.
32. Kd1?
Total collapse. The only way to sustain the
fortress would have been, of course, 32. a3.
This is not quite as effective with the queens
PROBLEM I: 1500 LEVEL
Savielly Tartakower
Peter Trifunovic
Paris, 1950
BLACK TO MOVE
on the board, as Black can first improve his
position with 32. ... Bd6 (preventing any Qe5
business) and then slowly, ever-so-slowly,
prepare ... b5-b4. I invite you to analyze this
position deeply, but for now, suffice it to say
that White’s drawing chances would have
remained very significant.
Presumably mired in regret at having missed
the chance to trade queens, my opponent loses
the thread entirely. Allowing ... b5-b4 with the
queens on the board and with the knight on
a4 is simply suicidal.
32. ... b4
33. Qd2
Alternatively, 33. cxb4 axb4 34. Qe1 would
have brought little relief either; for instance,
34. ... c3 35. b3 Nb2+! 36. Bxb2 cxb2 37. Kd2
Qc3+ and wins.
33. ... b3!
The crushing blow. Black carves out White’s
queenside, creating holes on the light squares
that are soon to be occupied by the queen and
knight.
34. axb3 cxb3 35. Ne3 Nb6 36. Qe2 Nc4
37. Nxc4 dxc4
The rest is a matter of straightforward
technique: Black plants his queen on d5, and
then pushes the a-pawn through to a3, when
White’s queenside collapses.
The Practical Endgame / Instruction
PROBLEM II: 2000 LEVEL
Gilles Miralles (2260)
Eric Prie (2205)
Schiltigheim, 1982
WHITE TO MOVE
38. Ke1 Bd6 39. Kf2 Kf8
Patience! The immediate 39. ... Qd5 allowed
unnecessary complications with 40. Qe8+.
40. Qd1 Qd5 41. Qe2 a4 42. Ke1 Qe6!
No, the irony of this move is not lost on me
either. With Rome burning, even a queen trade
can hardly save White.
43. Kd1 Ke7 44. Ke1 Bc7 45. Kd1 Qxe2+
46. Kxe2 Ba5
The last finesse. White has to buttress the
c3-pawn, but there is no good way of doing
so, since 47. Kd2 will result in a quick Zugzwang
after 47. ... Kd6 and 47. Bd2 allows 47. ... a3
48. bxa3 b2.
47. Kd1 a3 48. bxa3 Bxc3 49. Be3 Bb2 50.
a4 c3 51. Bc1 Bxc1
The easiest. Black’s king is “in the square”
and catches both of White’s pawns.
52. Kxc1 Kd6, White resigned.
After 53. a5 Kc6 there is no way to parry
the threat of ... Kb5 (54. d5+ Kxd5 is equally
bad).
Bobby Fischer famously claimed that he does
not believe in chess psychology (“I don’t believe
in psychology. I believe in good moves”), but I
will dare to disagree with Bobby the Great. I
don’t know about you, but I believe in psychol-
ogy and good moves.
www.uschess.org 47
2016 TROPHIES PLUS
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The following point totals

CATEGORIES reflect all rated event
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, January 11, 2017 for
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IN CASH PRIZES! IM RUIFENG LI
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PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE CHESS CLUB AND SCHOLASTIC CENTER OF SAINT LOUIS
NAME STATE PTS.
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Trophies Plus: 2 GM YAROSLAV ZHEREBUKH MO 232.76
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IT’S THE BEGINNING OF A
4 GM ALEXANDER SHABALOV PA 216.05
LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENT.
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315 W. 1st St., Templeton, Iowa 51463 |

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48 February 2017 | Chess Life

2016 US CHESS JUNIOR GRAND PRIX TOP OVERALL STANDINGS
Official standings for events received
and processed by January 10, 2017 Name State Pts. Name State Pts.
are unofficial and subject to change STEINER, ADAMSON DC 16918 TSAY, VINCENT NY 7682
during the year or until year-end
PARK, EVAN PA 9965 ZHOU, LIRAN NY 7506
tabulation is complete.
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The top prize for 2016 will be a Chess.com
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package valued at $100, a US Chess award, LUO, RYAN DE 9605 GUO, JONATHAN NY 7281
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to offset the trip. For the top five players
WANG, WILLIAM IL 8734 ANDERSON, TREMIL CA-S 7087
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www.uschess.org 49
50 February 2017 | Chess Life
 See previous issue for TLAs appearing February 1-14

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www.uschess.org 51
 2017
Wo
orld Team
U.S. A Team
Cham E a st

February 18-20, 2017

Parsippany Hilton, 1 Hilton Court,
Parsippany, NJ 07054

Come celebrate classical chess

and classical music —
LONG HAIR AND TAILS NOT REQUIRED!
(But you may need Bilguier's Handbuch!)
See TLA for complete details.
Please bring your set and clock,
and don't forget your teammates!

Nationals
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
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2017 U.S. AMATEUR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - SOUTH
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later. SPECIAL EF: Team (one entry must be made for all players) $180
by 2/12, $210 later (any team changes $10). Teams from outside Florida
will receive $25 off team entry fee. Scholastic teams receive $10 off
team entry fee. PRIZES: Top 1st-3rd place teams & Top Boards 1-4 in
6)/1%6$-50.56.556www.uschess.org/data page/JGP-Rules.php '326&3)(-5456,-5.%
each section; Top teams: Open section: U2000 & U1800; U1500 section:
Top U1300 & U1000. Also in Open section: Top Senior team (all 50 &
above as of 2/17), 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.
 $
6(3/14.6'326(2/5.%66326)3256/1'32)04/316(-50.56.5564*56 $62,-5.6046*44(###%,.&*5..%32
HR: $75 until cut-off date, Reservations can be made online (link on
website) or by calling 800-465-4329 (group code “CHE”). Free parking,
Internet & refrigerator. $15 resort fee has been waived. Full breakfast
buffet $6 (must email organizer for this special deal). Ent: Boca Raton
Chess Club, 2385 Executive Ctr. Dr., Ste. 100, Boca Raton, FL 33431.
Online entry & add’l info: www.bocachess.com, 561-479-0351.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 17-19 OR 18-19, ILLINOIS
2017 U.S. AMATEUR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - NORTH
Open: 5SS, G/90+30/increment, Choice of 2-day or 3-day schedule, 2-
day: rds.1-2 G/60 d5. Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, 1800 E. Golf Rd.,
Schaumburg, IL 60173. 847-605-1234. $89.00 chess rate single-dou-
ble-triple-quad until 2/3, Free WiFi included with hotel booking! Please
reserve early. Open to four-player teams with one optional alternate.
Team average (4 highest ratings - January Rating Supplement) must be
under 2200. EF: $160, per team if received USPS or online by 6 PM on
2/1, $180 if received USPS or online by 6 PM 2/10, $200 online until
2/17 6 PM and at door. Individuals wishing to play, send $50 and request
to be put on a team by USPS or online by 2/14 6 PM, $60 thereafter.
Team changes on-site or after 2/17 6 PM are $20. Check out official
website www.chessweekend.com for more info and complete prize list.
Prizes: Awards to top two teams. Winning team qualifies for national
play-offs. Also awards to top teams with average rating U1900, U1600,
U1300, and U1000, and for Top Juniors Team (high school and younger),
Top College team, Top High School Team, Top Senior team (all 50 and
over), Top Coach and Student team, Top Mixed Doubles team (must
have 2 females), Best Costume and Best Team Name. Prizes to Top
Score on each board. All prizes are Amazon gift cards. Rounds: 3-day:
on-site registration/check-in Fri. 5:30-6:30 PM, rds.: Fri. 7 PM, Sat. 10
AM & 4 PM, Sun. 10 AM & 3:30 PM. 2-day: on-site registration/check-in
Sat. from 8:00-9:30 AM, rds. 10 AM & 1 PM then merge with 3-day. Mid-
west Blitz Championship on Saturday night, $25 by 2/14 USPS or
online, $30 on-site. First round 8 PM, two games with each opponent,
five rounds. All: Register online at www.onlineregistration.cc. Checks
made payable to and sent to: ChessWeekend, 21694 Doud Ct., Frankfort,
IL 60423. Please include Team name and roster (including US Chess ID
#’s), captain’s email and phone number, and desired schedule. Info:
www.chessweekend.com, for questions, email glenn@chessweekend.com,
no phone calls please. Sets & Boards provided, please bring Clocks.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 18-20, NEW JERSEY
WORLD AMATEUR TEAM & U.S. TEAM EAST
6SS, 40/2, SD/1. Parsippany Hilton, 1 Hilton Ct., Parsippany, NJ 07054.
Chess Rate valid until 1/17. Reserve early 973-267-7373 or 1- 800-
HILTONS. Morris/Essex train to Morris Plains 1.5 miles. Open to 4-
player teams with one optional alternate. Team average (4 highest rat-
ings—2017 January Rating list) must be under 2200. EF: $170 postmarked
by 2/5/17. ALL-$210 after or at door.—all teams, any changes at site
$25 charge. Check out official website www.njscf.org. Prizes: 1-5th
Place teams, plaque and 4 digital clocks; Top Team (Denis Barry
Award) U2100, 2000, 1900, 1800, 1700, 1600, 1500, 1400, 1300, 1200,
1000 each plaque and 4 Digital Clocks; Top college team (same school)
4 Digital Clocks & plaque; Top HS team (grades 9-12 same school),
Top Middle School (grades 5-9 same school), Top Elementary School
(grades K-6 same school), Top 2 Scholastic Teams (mixed schools okay)
(Collins Award), Mixed Doubles (2 males, 2 females-no alternates),
Seniors (all players over age 50), Military, each plaque & 4 Digital
Clocks to top team; Company Team (same employer), Family (4 family
members), State teams—CT, DE, MD, MA, NJ, NY (Benjamin Award),
PA, VA, NC, RI each plaque top team ; Special Plaque: Top Future
team, (all players under age 10), Top Military College, Top Parent/Child
(2 pairs, one parent, one child), Best Player 1-4 and top alternate,
All 6-0 scores each Digital clock. Biggest Individual upset each round
Engraved Cross pen; Entry fee refunded to team with Best “Chess
related” name, Sunday night— Best “Chess Related costumes or gim-
mick”—1st-gourmet dinner for four. 2nd—Gourmet dinner for 4. Reg.
9-12 .Sat 2/18: Rds. 1-7:30, 11-6, 9-3:30. Surprises and special
give-aways each round. Sunday night—Bughouse $20 per team. Cash
prizes. Classical Chess-Best game awards to Vienna, Queen and
King Gambits, Ruy Lopez, and Petroff and Durkin Attack! FREE
LECTURES LOBBY DAILY!! TITLED PLAYER IN LOBBY TO REVIEW YOUR
GAMES DAILY!!! HR: Parsippany Hilton NEWLY RENOVATED! NEW
LIGHTS! HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING! Chess rates expire
1/17/2017. Rates $119 (single double) $121 (Triple, Quad) 2nd hotel
attached to Hilton $126 per night (single-double) $128 (triple, Quad)-
&3,14643#02+.64*56 201+6$2/6(3/1464340-%66$2/5.65-3#64*56)0/),)65142!6'556+361346&3,14643#02+.64*5
201+6$2/6(3/1464340-%6-.36/1&-,+56',--64/)56&31423-6134/16/1&25)51463264/)56+5-0!65"516/'6+5-0!6/.65236+%
6*5..6,1/326 201+6$2/66,1/326 201+6$2/65"5146),.46*0"56'3,26326)325 23,1+.6#/4*6064/)56&31423-
25045264*016
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.
345666*5..6,1/326 201+6$2/65"514.6+361346*0"5643615&5..02/-!656&*3-0.4/&63263,4*643,210)514.%66*5!
+36*3#5"526*0"56436*0"564*5625,/25+61,)5263'623,1+.601+6/)5631423-6/1632+526'326.&*3-0.4/&601+6!3,4*
(-0!52.64360/16
+040(05 $
,-5.%(*(%
Hampton Inn—-includes breakfast each day. For help forming teams bye requests within 3 days of the tournament. 3-day Sched: Onsite
and more information contact: noreen@deanofchess.com. Chks Registration @ Sat 9-10a, Round Times at Sat & Sun 11a 5p, Mon 10a
payable to NJSCF, mail by 2/05/17 to: E.Steven Doyle, 17 Stonehenge 3:30p. Time Control: 40/120 SD/30 d5. 2-day Sched: Onsite Registration:
Rd., Morristown, NJ 07960. (Include Team name, Captain, players Sun 8-8:30a, Round Times: Sun 9:30a 12p 2:20p 5p, Mon 10a 3:30p.
full names, USCF Expiration, ID numbers and ratings in board order). Time Control: G/61 d5 in Rounds 1-3, 40/120 SD/30 d5 in Rounds 4-6
No team can include more than two GM’s. Include SASE for confirmation (merge in Round 4 with 3-day schedule). Info/flyer: www.BayArea
if wanted, No registered or certified mail accepted. W Chess.com/events/17/usatw/. Scholastic Event Prizes: Trophies to
each player in Top 3 teams overall, Top u1200 team ,u900 team, u600
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix! team, u300 team. Trophies to top “Girls” team, top “School” team, and
top “Club” team. Trophies to top two scorers on each board (1-4). Com-
FEB. 18-20 OR 19-20 (BLITZ FEB 20), CALIFORNIA, NORTHERN
2017 (33RD) U.S. AMATEUR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP WEST memorative medals to all others.Scholastic Event EF: $159/team or
$43/player by 2/10. 2/11-17: $10 extra per player or $40 per team.
Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Pkwy. Free Parking!
Teams: Four-player teams plus optional alternate, average rating of Onsite: $20 extra per player or $80 extra per team. Discount: $10/player
four highest must be under 2200, difference between ratings of board ($40/team) if registering for 2-day schedule and scholastic event. Sched:
3 & 4 must be less than 1000. January 2017 Supplement, CCA min, & Onsite Registration: Sat 8:30-9a. Games at Sat 10a 11:30a 1p 2:30p
TD discretion used to place players accurately. Main Event Prizes: 4:15p. Info/flyer: www.BayAreaChess.com/events/17/usatw/. Blitz
Special 4 commemorative clocks and team trophy to the team for Top 3 Event:Registration Mon 7-8pm, Rounds 8:30-10:30pm. EF: $14, $16
overall teams, top team u2000, u1800, u1600, u1400, and u1200. Trophies onsite. 75% of entry fees returned as prizes. Contact: Organized by
to all players of the top “Female” team, top “College” team Judit Sztaray. Directed by Tom Langland, John McCumiskey, Jordan
(students/alumni of a college), top “High School” team (students/alumni Langland, and others. Sponsored by Bay Area Chess. Online entry at
of a 7-12 school), top “Elementary School” team (students/alumni of a www.BayAreaChess.com/my/usatw or mail to Bay Area Chess, 2050
K-6 school), top “Club” team, and top “Family” team (related by blood Concourse Drive #42, San Jose, CA 95131. For questions or help in
or marriage within 3 generations). Clocks to top scorer on each board forming teams email ask@BayAreaChess.com. W.
(1-4), trophy to top reserve as well as second and third scorers on each US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
board (1-4). Gift certificates for best 3 team names. Main Event EF: MAY 12-14, TENNESSEE
$249/team or $64/player by 2/10. 2/11-17: $10 extra per player or SUPERNATIONALS VI
$40 per team. Onsite: $20 extra per player, $80 extra per team. A 2017 Elementary, Junior High and High School National Championships
change fee equal to the late fee will apply for any changes, other than in one great event! Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center,
TOURNAMENT LIFE: ABBREVIATIONS & TERMS
All tournaments are non-smoking with no computers allowed unless otherwise advertised.
BLZ: Blitz rated. Memb. Membership required; cost follows. Usually refers
QC: Quick Chess events. req’d: to state affiliate.
$$Gtd: Guaranteed prizes. Open: A section open to all. Often has very strong play-
ers, but some eligible for lower sections can play
$$b/x: Based-on prizes, x = number of entries needed to for the learning experience.
payfull prize fund. At least 50% of the advertised
prize fund of $501 or more must be awarded. Quad: 4-player round robin sections; similar strength
players.
Bye: Indicates which rounds players who find it incon-
venient to play may take 1⁄2-point byes instead. RBO: Rated Beginner’s Open.
For example, Bye 1-3 means 1⁄2-point byes are Rds: Rounds; scheduled game times follow. For exam-
available in Rounds 1 through 3. ple, 11-5, 9-3 means games begin 11 a.m. & 5 p.m.
CC: Chess club. on the first day, 9 a.m. & 3 p.m. on the second day.
Reg: Registration at site.
dx: Time delay, x = number of seconds.
+xx: Time increment, xx = number of seconds added RR: Round robin (preceded by number of rounds).
after each move. SD/: Sudden-death time control (time for rest of game
follows). For example, 30/90, SD/1 means each
EF: Entry fee.
player must make 30 moves in 90 minutes, then
Ent: Where to mail entries. complete the rest of the game in an hour.
FIDE: Results submitted to FIDE for possible rating.
SS: Swiss-System pairings (preceded by number of
G/: Game in. For instance, G/75 means each side has rounds).
75 minutes for the entire game.
Unr: Unrated.
GPP: Grand Prix Points available.
W: Site is accessible to wheelchairs.
HR: Hotel rates. For example, 60-65-70-75 means $60
WEB:
single, $65 twin, $70/3 in room, $75/4 in room. Tournaments that will use a player’s online rating.
JGP: Junior Grand Prix.
www.uschess.org 53
Tournament Life / February
2800 Opryland Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. 615.889.1000 or online at
https://aws.passkey.com/event/15611400/owner/760/landing. HR:
$161 single-quad. All under one roof! 25 Sections (Select only one):
High School: 7-SS, G/120 d5. K-12 Championship; K-12 U1900; K-12
U1600; K-12 U1200; K-12 U800; K-12 Unrated. Junior High: 7-SS, G/120
d5. K-9 Championship; K-8 Championship; K-9 U1250; K-8 U1000; K-8
U750; K-9 Unrated. Elementary: 7-SS, G/90 d5. K-6 Championship; K-
5 Championship; K-6 U1400; K-6 U1000; K-5 U1200; K-5 U900; K-6
Unrated; K-3 Championship; K-3 U1000; K-3 U700; K-3 Unrated; K-1
Championship; K-1 U500. EF: $50 postmarked, faxed or online by
4/24/2017, $70 postmarked, faxed or online by 5/5/2017, $85 after
5/5/2017, $90 on site. DO NOT mail entries after May 5 as they may
not be received in time. $5 extra for all phoned registrations. $20 change
fee for roster or section changes after May 5. US Chess membership is
required (may be paid with entry). AWARDS: Trophies awarded in
accordance with Scholastic Regulations and based on number of par-
ticipants. Team score = total of top four (minimum two) finishers from
each section. May 2017 Rating Supplement will be used. BYES: One
1/2 –pt. bye available in rounds 1-6 if requested prior to 11 AM, Fri
(5/12). On site entries after 11 AM, Fri 5/12 will receive a 1/2-
point bye for the first round and begin play in round 2. SCHEDULE
for K-12, K-9 and K-8 Sections: Rounds 1-2: Friday (5/12) 1:00 PM &
7:00 PM, Rounds 3-5: Saturday (5/13) 9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, & 7:00 PM,
Sunday (5/14) Rounds 6-7 9:00 AM, & 2:00 PM. SCHEDULE for K-6, K-
5 and K-3 Sections: Rounds 1-2: Friday (5/12) 1:00 PM & 6:00 PM,
Rounds 3-5: Saturday (5/13) 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, & 6:00 PM, Sunday
(5/14) Rounds 6-7 10:00 AM, & 2:00 PM. SCHEDULE for K-1 Sections:
Rounds 1-2: Friday (5/12) 1:30 PM & 5:30 PM, Rounds 3-5: Saturday
(5/13) 9:30 AM, 1:30 PM, & 5:30 PM, Sunday (5/14) Rounds 6-7 9:30
AM, & 1:30 PM. AWARDS CEREMONIES, Sunday (5/14); K-12, K-9
and K-8 Sections at approximately 7 PM; K-6, K-5 and K-3 Sections at
approximately 6 PM; K-1 Sections at approximately 5:30 PM. SIDE
EVENTS: Bughouse Championships (Three Sections: K-12, K-9
and K-6): Thursday (5/11) 11:00 AM, Register ON SITE ONLY by 10:00
AM. EF: $25 per team of 2. Blitz Championships (Four Sections: K-
12, K-9, K-6 and K-3): Thursday (5/11) 5:00 PM. EF $15 postmarked,
faxed or online by 5/5, $20 after 5/5 or on site. On-site registration
ends at 4 PM. Many GM simuls, workshops and lectures planned!
Please refer to the SuperNationals VI website: www.uschess.org/tour-
naments/2017/snvi to register on-line, see up-to-the-minute registrations,
for more information, updated details, corrections, any added events
and other activities. Advance entries must include player’s name/infor-
mation and all fees to be accepted. Roster changes are considered
new entries and will be charged according to date received. List
name, address, phone, section, grade, school (even if no team), email,
birthdate, US Chess ID number (enclose US Chess dues if necessary).
Players must be eligible to play in accordance with US Chess Scholastic
Regulations. Entries may be faxed to: 931.787.1238. Mail Entries To:
US Chess Federation, ATTN: SuperNationals VI, P. O. Box 3967, Crossville
TN 38557. Please note that US Chess Scholastic Regulations Rule
12.4 requires players who enter an “Under” or “Unrated” section to
disclose at the time of registration whether they have one or more
ratings in another over-the-board rating system(s). US Chess may use
this rating information to determine section and prize eligibility in accor-
dance with US Chess Rules 28D and 28E.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 14-15, NEVADA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 50 (ENHANCED)
2017 U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN
NO TOURNAMENTS
IN YOUR AREA?
WHY NOT ORGANIZE ONE?
Do you need to go out of town for tournament play? Would you and others in your
area like the convenience of an occasional event closer to home? Organize one!
It’s not much work to hold a small tournament, and there is little risk if you use a
low-cost site and avoid guaranteed prizes. You might even make a profit! Either a
based-on Swiss with projected prizes up to $500, a Quad format, or a trophy tour-
nament will virtually guarantee taking in more in fees than you pay out in prizes.
The affiliation fee is just $40 a year. You will receive the annual rating supplement
and have access to the TD/Affiliate area of our website.
Remember, you can both run and play in a small event. Many of them wouldn’t
be held if the organizer/TD couldn’t play.
Want to know more?
Contact Joan DuBois at joandubois@uschess.org. We’ll be glad to help you be
part of the promotion of American chess!
54 February 2017 | Chess Life
5SS, G/90 +30. Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, 3000 Paradise
Rd., 89109. $$3,500 Guaranteed Prize Fund. $1000-600-400, U2000
$350-200, U1800 $250-150, U1600 $200-100, U1400 $150-100. EF: $99
by 5/26, $125 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 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.VegasChessFes-
tival.com. FIDE.
An American Classic!
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 16-18 OR 17-18, NEVADA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 300 (ENHANCED)
2017 NATIONAL OPEN
6-SS, 40/90, SD/30 +30 (2-day rounds 1-3 and Unrated Section 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/Under 1000: 3 schedules with 5 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. Mixed Doubles: best male/female combined
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 Supplement.
EF: $199 by 1/31, $225 by 5/26, $250 by 6/14, $280 later. Add $125 for
adults rated under 2200 or juniors under 2100 playing in the Open
Section. $40 less for seniors 65 and over. Unrated section only: $125
less for players in only 1 schedule, $60 less for 2 schedules. 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. Women’s 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. Women’s Open Wednesday and Thursday. Walter
Browne Memorial Blitz Thursday 7:30 p.m. Youth Tournaments
Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Blitz Sectionals Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
Poker Tournament Monday Morning. Don’t 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 May 26; after that rates will increase significantly and
there may not be any rooms available. (800) 732-7117 or www.Veg-
asChessFestival.com/hotel. ENT: Vegas Chess Festivals, PO Box
90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0925, on line at www.VegasChessFes-
tival.com. Info: (702) 930-9550 and leave a message. FIDE.
Grand Prix
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 4-5, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)
GREATER PHILADELPHIA WEEKEND OPEN
4SS, 40/90, SD/15;+30. Days Inn, 245 Easton Rd., Horsham, PA 19044.
EF: $40 cash, GM/IM free. $$GTD: $400-200-100-50. Top U1800 $100-
50. Reg.: ends 10:45am. Rds.: Sat/Sun 11:00-3:30 Max one bye, request
at entry. ENT/INFO: www.keystonechessclub.org, 267-629-2162. HR:
$69 or lower 215-674-2500 free parking/wifi.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 10-12 OR 11-12, MARYLAND
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30
55TH ANNUAL BALTIMORE OPEN
5-SS, 40/90, SD/30 + 30” incr, (Rnd. 1 G/90 +30” incr) (2-day schedule:
rds. 1-2 G/45+30”incr) U1250 & U1000 G/120 d5 (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: 5.0= $500, 4.5= $250, 4.0= $125, 3.5= $50. U1000 (no adult
Unr): 5.0= $250, 4.5= $125, 4.0= $50, 3.5= $20, Trophies to top 10
& top U800 in U1000. If no 5-0 in section, then sole 1st @ 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 $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 con-
tinental breakfast for players. Free parking. EF: $99 by 1/27, $109
by 2/7, and $114 online only by 2/9, $120 at the door. Special EFs: $35
less for U1250, $55 less for U1000; GMs free, $50 deducted from prize;
IMs $45 off EF, $20 deducted from prize. HR: $89, ($5 EF discount if
staying at hotel). Rooms may not be avail after 1/27. 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 http://thebaltopen.com.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 11, OHIO
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
FREEZING WEATHER PAWN STORM XXXIV
4SS, G/60, +10. Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. Fifth St., Dayton, OH 45402.
EF: $40 to Feb 8th then $50. GTD Prizes: Open $400-200, U1900 $201-
$50, U1600 $200-50. Reg.: 9:30-1015. Rds.: 10:30-1:30-4:30-7:00. DCC
mbrs $5 disc. Mail EF to: Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH
45402 or register online at www.daytonchessclub.com. More info: email
DCC.18W5@sbcglobal.net or call 937.461.6283.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 11-12, ALABAMA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
QUEEN OF HEARTS - 45TH ANNUAL
5SS, TC: G/120 d5. AUM Taylor Center. 7401 East Dr., Montgomery, AL
36117. OPEN (PF: $625 - $$GTD): $275-150-X:100-A:100; RESERVE
(PF: $550 - $$GTD): $225-125-100-U1400: $100;AMATEUR (PF: $475
- $$GTD): $175-100-100-U1000: $100.EF: $50; if mailed by FEB 4th;
$60 at site. Late REG.: FEB 11th, 8-8:30am. Rds.: 9-2-7; 9-2:30.
SCHOLASTIC (K-12): NOVICE (5SS. TC: G/20 d5, Not Rated): EF:
$20; if mailed by FEB 4th; $30 at site. Trophy: Top 3; Medals 4th-6th.
Rds.: 9:15-10:15-12-1:15, 2:30. Checks payable to: Caesar Chess. ENT:
Caesar Chess LLC, 5184 Caldwell Mill Rd., Suite 204 - 202, Birmingham,
AL 35244 or email your entry form information before FEB 8th and pay
at site. Info: CaesarChess@gmail.com; www.AlabamaChess.org.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 11-12, TEXAS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)
2017 DCC FIDE OPEN II UNDERWRITTEN BY RUIFENG/XIONG
5SS, G/90 inc/30. Dallas Chess Club, 200 S. Cottonwood Dr. #C, Richard-
son, TX 75080. Two sections: Open and Reserve. Open: $$875G. FIDE
and US Chess rated but uses FIDE rules. Use US Chess ratings and
rules for pairings and for awarding prizes. Default late forfeiture time
is one hour. TD may extend this time at TD’s discretion. Note that
Foreign players must disclose their FIDE ID number before 1st round
in order to play. Note that USA Players with no FIDE ID must disclose
their email address. $$ $500-$250-$125. EF: 2400+ $125, 2000-2399
$90, 1600 -1999 $99, U1600 $125, Senior/Birthday during tournament/

Additional Family Member $55. For DFW area players, Dallas Chess
Club membership required or pay $20 non member fee. Small Minimum
prize to the First three GM/IM’s who apply. GM/IM must play all rounds
to get minimum prize (entry fee may be deducted from prize). Reserve:
Open to players rated below 2000 USCF. This section is not Fide Rated
but is US Chess rated and uses US Chess rules. EF: $40. The Reserve
give back 10% in prizes and if at least 8 paid entries and if there is a
clear winner, then that winner receives free entry to next DCC Fide
Open. In the reserve section, Tournament reserves the right to use
Fide rules on electronic devices and on starting White’s clock at start
of a round and to use FIDE pairing rules. Both: Reg.: Saturday from
9:45–10:15 am. Rds.: Sat 10:45 am-3:10pm-7:16pm, Sun 9:45 am-
2:10pm. One half point Bye allowed if requested before end of round 2
and before getting full point bye. Withdrawals and zero point last round
byes are not eligible for prizes. Note that house players (if required)
must pay $5 per round and be US Chess members. ENT: Make/mail
Checks payable to Dallas Chess Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Long-
horn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036-4719. Info: 214-632-9000. FIDE.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 16-20, 17-20, 18-20 OR 19-20, TEXAS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 150 (ENHANCED)
8TH 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 16-20: Master Section only,
GM & IM norms possible, 40/2, SD/30 d10. 4-day schedule, Feb 17-
20: Expert through Class E, 40/2, SD/30 d10. 3-day schedule: Expert
through Class E, Feb 18-20, rds 1-2 G/60 d10, then merges with 4-
day. 2-day schedule: Class B through E only, Feb 19-20, 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 may enter Master Section. 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):
$1700-900-500-300-200. Class D (1200-1399/Unr): $800-400-300-
200-100. 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 $150, D $300, C $450, B $600, A $750. Mixed doubles bonus
prizes: best male/female 2-player “team” combined score among all
sections: $1000-600-400. In Master Section, only rounds 1-7 count.
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 5 sections
EF: $158 online at chessaction.com by 2/15, $180 at site, or online
until 2 hours before round 1. $170 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 2/13
(entry only, no questions); no phone entry after 2/13. 5-day $165, 4-
day $164, 3-day $163, 2-day $162 mailed by 2/7. GMs, foreign IMs,
foreign WGMs in Master Section free; $150 deducted from prize.
Minimum prize $300 to foreign GMs who play all 9 games with no
byes; deduction cannot lower prize to below the minimum US IMs,
foreign FIDE rated players in Master Section, EF $80 less. Class D
or E Section EF: All $80 less than top 5 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;
Open must commit before rd. 2, others before rd. 4. Unofficial
uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Foreign player
ratings (Expert & below): See chesstour.com/ foreignratings.htm. HR:
$100-100, 817-358-1700, reserve by 2/3 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, Direc-
torAtChess.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 10:30 pm, enter by 10:15 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 17-19 OR 18-19, GEORGIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
2017 ATLANTA WINTER CONGRESS
5-SS, Interactive College of Technology, 5227 New Peachtree Rd., Cham-
blee, GA 30341. $5,000 b/95 in top 6 sections; $3,000 Guaranteed. In 7
sections: Master/Expert: $500-350-200; under 2200: 400-200-100.
FIDE rated. Must be 1950 with no playing up! Class A (1800-1999):
$400-200-100. Class B (1600-1799): $400-200-100. Class C (1400-
1599): $400-200-100. Class D (1200-1399: $300-200-100. Class E
(1000-1199): $300-150-100. Under 1000: (February 19th only!) Trophies
to top 7 under 1000 and top 7 under 800. Entry Fees: $74 3-day, $73 2-
day by February 16th; $79 at site. GMs, IMs & WGMs free, $60 deducted
from prize. Under 1000: $35. Unrated: $40 Limited to 2nd place prize in
each section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings used if otherwise unrated.
Players may play up one section! 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri. 6:30
p.m. Rounds: Fri. 7 pm, Sat. 2:30 and 7, Sun. 10 and 3:15. 2-day
schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 10 am. Rounds: 10:30 then merges with 3-
day. Under 1000: Reg. ends on 2/19 at 10:30 am. Rounds: 11-12:30,
then as soon as possible. Time Controls: Master/Expert: G/90, Inc.
30.; Class A and below: G/120 d5. 2-day option: G/90 d5. Under 1000:
G/30 d5. All, Byes: Available all rounds (limit 2), must commit before
1st round. No cellphones in playing rooms. Information: info@ameri-
canchesspromotions.com or (478)-973-9389. Enter: www.american
chesspromotions.com
See previous issue for TLAs appearing February 1-14
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 18-19, CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
2017 LACC BRONSTEIN MEMORIAL
(A Sponsored event) 4 Sections. Open/U1800/U1400/U700; 6SS, G/61
d5 for top 2 sections and G/30 d0 for bottom 2. 11514 Santa Monica
Blvd., LA 90025, 2nd fl. EF: $75; $55 LACC members; No prizes 1/2,
spouses/siblings 1/2, new members 1/2. Reg.: Sat 10-11:45. Register
at LAChessClub.com and receive a free gift. GMs free! Rds.: 12, 2, 4 pm
each day. Byes: Up to three 1/2-point byes available. Last Rd. bye
before Rd. 5. 1-Day option I: Play 1 day- no 1/2 pt byes- 1/2 EF. 1-
Day option II: Play 1 day & get 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; U1400: $100-50; U1200: Book prize.
Best attack: $25; Biggest upset: $25. Info: (310) 795-5710; Mick@
LAChessClub.com or www.LAChessClub.com. Parking: Free on streets,
BoA, or basement.
FEB. 21, NEW YORK
US CHESS 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. Website:
www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
FEB. 24, NEW YORK
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
MARSHALL $500 FIDE BLITZ (BLZ)
9-SS, G/3 +2. 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. Website:
www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 24-26 OR 25-26, VIRGINIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 100 (ENHANCED)
2ND ANNUAL GEORGE WASHINGTON OPEN
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Westin
Tysons Corner, 7801 Leesburg Pike (VA-7), Falls Church, VA 22043
(from the east, take, I-66W to VA-7, from other directions, take I-495
to VA-7). Free parking, free shuttle to Tysons Corner Center and Metro.
25 minutes drive from Washington, 50 minutes from Baltimore. $13,000
guaranteed prizes. In 5 sections. Open: Open to players who are/were
1800/over or pay $100 more. $1500-700-500-300, clear/tiebreak win
$100 bonus, top Under 2300/Unr $600-300. Under 2100: $1000-500-
300-200, top U1900/Unr $500-250. Under 1800: $1000-500-300-200,
top U1600 (no unr) $400-200. Under 1500: $800-400-200-100, top
U1300 (no unr) $280-140. Under 1200: $300-200-100-50, top U1000
(no unr) $120-60. 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 2/25. Unrated
may enter any section, with prize limit U1800 $400, U1500 $200,
U1200 $100; balance goes to next player(s) in line. Top 4 sections
EF: $98 at chessaction.com by 2/22, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038
(no questions) by 2/20, 3-day $108, 2-day $107 if check mailed by
2/15, all $120 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site, or online until 2
hours before round 1. GMs free; $90 from prize. Under 1200 Section
EF: all $50 less than top 4 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 & 3:15. 2-Day Schedule: Reg.
ends Sat 10 am. Rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. Half point byes
available all rounds, limit 2 byes, Open must commit before rd. 2,
others before rd. 3. HR: $99-99, 1-866-716-8108, reserve by 2/10 or
rate may increase, chess block may sell out before 2/10. Ent: chess-
action.com or Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15
service charge for refunds. Questions: chesstour.com, chesstour.info,
DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269. Advance entries posted at chess-
action.com (Online entries posted instantly). Blitz tournament Sat
9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
18th annual
PITTSBURGH OPEN
March 3-5 or 4-5, Wyndham Garden Pittsburgh Airport
Free parking, free airport shuttle, $102 room rate
$10,000 PROJECTED PRIZES
For full details see “Grand Prix” in this issue.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 24-26 OR 25-26, NORTH CAROLINA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 40 (ENHANCED)
4TH ANNUAL RON SIMPSON MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT
5-SS, G/120 d5. Ramada Hotel & Convention Center, 2703 Ramada Rd.,
Burlington, NC 27215, (336) 227-5541, mention chess for $74 rate until
Feb. 10, 2017. Full hot buffet breakfast included! $5,000 in total prizes
ALL UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED! CHAMPIONSHIP: $750-400-
250-100; U2200 (class): 150-100; U2000 (class):150-100; U1800:
$600-400-250-200-150-100; U1600 (class): 150-100; U1400: $400-250-
150; U1200 (class): 150-100. EF: $79 if received by Feb. 17th; $91
thereafter. RDS.: Round 1: Friday at 7:30 pm or Saturday at 10 am (G/90
d5); then Saturday 2-7, Sunday 9-2. One bye allowed (any round) must
be requested before Round 2. Advance Entry: Online registration is avail-
able at www.carolinaschessinitiative.com. Alternately, mail checks to:
CCI, 105 N. Crabtree Knoll, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. Make checks payable
to: Carolinas Chess Initiative (CCI). On site entry: Feb. 24 from 5-7 pm
and Feb. 25 from 8-9:30 am. Saturday Scholastic Open to kids rated
U1000. 4 Rd-SS, G/30 d5. EF: $20 by Feb. 17, $25 thereafter. Rounds:
10:30 am-12:30 pm-1:45 pm-3:00 pm. Trophies: top 5 in two sections.
Sections based on ratings. INFO: Walter High wmhigh@nc.rr.com. No
smoking or tobacco products including electronic cigarettes.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 25-26, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)
GREATER PHILADELPHIA WEEKEND OPEN
4SS, 40/90, SD/15;+30. Days Inn, 245 Easton Rd., Horsham, PA 19044.
EF: $40 cash, GM/IM free. $$GTD: $400-200-100-50. Top U1800 $100-
50. Reg.: ends 10:45am. Rds.: Sat/Sun 11:00-3:30 Max one bye, request
at entry. ENT/INFO: www.keystonechessclub.org, 267-629-2162. HR:
$69 or lower 215-674-2500 free parking/wifi.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 25-26, WASHINGTON
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20
25TH DAVE COLLYER MEMORIAL
5SS, Rd. 1: G/90 d5; Rds. 2-5: G/115 d5. Millwood Presbyterian Church
Community Center, 3223 N. Marguerite, Spokane Valley, WA 99212.
Open to NC. $27 by 2/24; $35 at door; Under 19 $5 less. Cash, checks
only. $$GTD: $500-300-200. Expert: $100; A;B;C;D;E/unr: $125, $75;
Biggest upsets (non-prov): $50 each round; $100 best performance by
provisionally rated player. Reg.: 9:30-10:30a.m. 2/25. Rds.: 11/2:30/7;
9/1:30. One 1/2 bye available; request by 2/25. ENT: Spokane Chess
Club, 9923 N. Moore St., Spokane, WA 99208, Kevin Korsmo (509) 270-
1772. DIR: I-90 exit 287. North on Argonne Road one mile. Left at light
on Euclid, two blocks to site. http: //spokanechessclub.org. W.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 27, MAR. 6, 13, 20, 27, NEW YORK
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
107TH NASSAU GRAND PRIX
5-SS, 45/90, SD/30 d5. 1st Presbyterian Church, 1st & Main Sts., Mineola.
2 sections: Open: EF: $39 by 2/24, $$ (735 b/21, top 2 G) 180-120,
U2100/UR, 1900, 1700 each 145. Booster: open to U1500/UR, EF $22
by 2/24. $$ (216 b/12) 96, U1300, 1100/UR each 60. Both: non-memb
EF $11 more. EF at site $7 more. 2 byes 1-5. Reg ends 7:15 PM. Rds:
7:15 each Mon. March supl used. Ent: Harold Stenzel, 80 Amy Dr.,
Sayville, NY 11782. captnhal@optonline.net.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 50 (ENHANCED)
18TH 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. Hotel restaurant is expected to be open most of the time
this year; many other restaurants are 1 to 1.5 miles away (free shuttle).
Prizes $10,000 based on 140 paid entries (U1200 & re-entries count
half), $7000 (70% each prize) minimum guaranteed. In 5 sections. Open:
Open to players who are/were 1800/up or pay $100 extra. $1400-700-
350, top Under 2300/Unr $500. Under 2100: $1000-500-300, top Under
1900/Unr $400. Under 1800: $1000-500-300, top Under 1600 (no unr)
$300. Under 1500: $800-400-200, top Under 1300 (no unr) $200. Under
1200: $400-200-100. Mixed doubles bonus prizes: best male/female
2-player “team” combined score among all sections: $300-150. Team
www.uschess.org 55
Tournament Life / February

average must be under 2200; may play in different sections; must
register (no extra fee) by 2 pm 3/4. Unrated prize limits: $100 in U1200,
$200 U1500, $400 U1800. Top 4 sections EF: $95 online at
chessaction.com by 3/1, $100 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 2/27, 3-day
$103, 2-day $102 mailed by 2/22, all $110 (no checks, credit cards OK)
at site, or online until 2 hours before rd 1. GMs, IMs & WGMs free; $90
from prize. U1200 Section EF: all $50 less than top 4 sections EF.
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. Re-entry
$60 (not Open to Open). 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: $102-102, 1-
800-996-3426, 724-695-0002; reserve by 2/17 or rate may increase.
Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803.
$15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, Direc-
torAtChess.US, 347-201-2269. 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!
MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 100 (ENHANCED)
24TH ANNUAL WESTERN CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Airtel Plaza
Hotel, 7277 Valjean Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406. Parking $8/day to midnight
or $12/day including overnight. Flyaway bus from LAX to Van Nuys $9
each way; free shuttle to bus and train station. Free wireless, indoor
pool, gym, hot tubs; restaurants within walking distance. $18,000 guar-
anteed prizes. 7 sections. Master (over 2199): $2000-1000-500-300,
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):
$1100-600-300-200. Class D (1200-1399/Unr): $900-500-300-200. Class
E (Under 1200/Unr): $500-250-150-100. 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 3/4, prize limits do not apply
to mixed doubles. Top 6 sections EF: $115 online at chessaction.com by
3/1, $120 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 2/27, 3-day $118, 2-day $117
mailed by 2/22, $130 online until 2 hours before game or at site. Class E
EF: all $50 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: $119-119,
818-997-7676, reserve by 2/17 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 withdrawals.
Advance 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!
MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, OHIO
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30
2017 ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER OPEN (OPEN SECTION FIDE
RATED)
5SS, 40/100 SD 30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G60 d10 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: http://arnoldsportsfestival.com/visitor-info/find-a-hotel/ or
http://arnoldsportsfestival.com/visitor-info/parking/. Over 185,000 spec-
tators at this sports festival so make your accommodation’s early. Your
entry fee gets you a wristband that gives you access to all the sporting
events and EXPO and is required by all participants. Prizes $7000 based
on 100 paid entries in 4 sections: Open $1200 - $900 - $600 - $400 Top
U2300 - $450 U2000 $700 - $500 - $300 - $150 U1700 $500 - $350 -
$200 - $100 U1300 $350 - $200 - $100 Unrated players and provisional
rated players only qualify for 25% of any prize in all sections except
Open, balance goes to next player in line. Entry Fee: Online - $100 ($90
plus $10 athlete wristband) by February 14, 2016 after that EF is $115
($105 plus $10 athlete wristband), Mail - $105 by February 14, 2016 after
that EF is $115, On-site EF $115. All: No checks at site credit cards are
ok. Re-Entry all sections - $20. GM & IM free entry. 3-day Schedule:
Reg. ends Fri 6pm, rds. Fri 6:30pm, Sat 10:30pm & 4pm, Sun 10am &
3:30pm. 2-day Schedule: Reg. ends Sat 9am, rds. Sat 9:30am, 12:15pm,
& 4pm, Sun 10am & 3:30pm. Byes: all sections, limit 1 - 1/2 point bye,
no last round bye, must commit before round 3. Side Event: Sat 9pm
Blitz (G/5 d0) (USCF Rated) 9 rounds entry fee $20, 80% entries=
prize fund. Location: Room A102 at the Columbus Convention Center.
Entry or more information: http://buckeyechess.com/Arnold or mail
to: Buckeye Chess Club, 6321 E. Livingston Ave. Suite E, Reynoldsburg,
OH 43068. Questions: Chairman of Chess – Mr. Kelly M. Bloomfield
– Bloomfield.40@gmail.com or 614-668-5588
MAR. 4, NEW HAMPSHIRE
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
4TH QUEEN CITY TORNADO
4SS, G/60 d5. Radisson Hotel, 700 Elm St. (Granite St. exit off I-293),
Manchester, NH. $$G 1,230. Three sections. Open, EF: $37 if rec’d by
3/2, free to GM/IM. $$G: $200-130-100, U2050 $120. Under 1800, EF:
$35 if rec’d by 3/2. $$G: $150-100-60, U1600 $95. No Unr. may win
over $80. Under 1400, EF: $33 if rec’d by 3/2, except $27 for age U21
or rated U1000. $$G: $100-70-40, U1200 $65. No Unr. may win over
$55. All, EF $5 more if paid at site. Online advance entry available at
www.nhchess.org until 6 p.m. on 3/3. NHCA membership required of
rated NH residents; dues $8 adult, $6 age U19. Reg.: 8:30-9:35 a.m.
Sat. 3/4. Rds.: 10-1-3:30-6. Half-point bye OK for any one rd, must
commit before rd 2; no half-point byes for players receiving full-point
byes. Ent: NHCA, c/o Hal Terrie, 377 Huse Rd. Unit 23, Manchester, NH
03103. Info: halterrie@comcast.net or (603) 668-8368.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 4-5, MARYLAND
US CHESS 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 2/17, $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
req’d 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 Rd., 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.) Directions to UMBC: Take Exit 47B off I-95 & follow signs to
UMBC. Park in Commons Drive garage. Ent: Register online at
http://mdchess.com (email questions to dewyerj@umbc.edu), or mail to
Joel DeWyer, UMBC, Attn: Open, 1000 Hilltop Circle, The Commons, Rm.
335, Baltimore, MD 21250. Make out check to Maryland Chess Association.
For more information: www.umbc.edu/chess. W.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 4-5, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)
GREATER PHILADELPHIA WEEKEND OPEN
4SS, 40/90, SD/15;+30. Days Inn, 245 Easton Rd., Horsham, PA 19044.
EF: $40 cash, GM/IM free. $$GTD: $400-200-100-50. Top U1800 $100-
50. Reg.: ends 10:45am. Rds.: Sat/Sun 11:00-3:30 Max one bye, request
at entry. ENT/INFO: www.keystonechessclub.org, 267-629-2162. HR:
$69 or lower 215-674-2500 free parking/wifi.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 4-5, LOUISIANA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
2017 LOUISIANA PRO-AM

24th annual WESTERN CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS

March 3-5 or 4-5, 2017 - Van Nuys (Los Angeles), California
Airtel Plaza Hotel- $8 day parking, $12 overnight, $9 LAX bus, $18,000 guaranteed!
5 rounds, 40/100, SD/30, d10 (2-day Rated players may play up one SCCF membership ($18, under 18
option, rds 1-2 G/60, d10). Both section. Unrated must play in A or below $3) required for rated So. CA residents.
schedules merge & play for same prizes.with prize limit E $100, D $200, C $300. B
Airtel Plaza Hotel, 7277 Valjean $500, A $700. Balance goes to next 3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 6 pm,
Ave, Van Nuys CA 91406. Free wireless, player(s) in line. rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 5 pm, Sun 10
indoor pool, hot tubs, shuttle from Mixed doubles bonus prizes: best am & 3:15 pm.
bus/train; restaurants within walking male/female 2-player team combined 2 day schedule: Reg Sat to 10 am,
distance. score among all sections: $600-300. rds Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15.
Team average must be under 2200; Half point byes OK all rounds; limit
$18,000 GUARANTEED PRIZES. In teammates may play in different sections; 2, Master must commit before round 2,
7 sections: register by 2 pm March 4. others before round 3.
Master Section (over 2199): $2000-
1000-500-300, clear/tiebreak 1st $100, Top 6 sections entry fee: $115 online Bring set, board, clock if possible-
top U2300 $600-300. 100 GPP. at chessaction.com by 3/1, $120 phoned none supplied (for sale at site).
Expert Section (2000-2199): to 406-896-2038 by 2/27, 3-day $118, 2- Hotel rates: $119-119, 818-997-
$1200-600-400-200. day $117 if check mailed by 2/22, all $130 7676 or use link at chesstour.com,
Class A Section (1800-1999/Unr): online until 2 hours before round 1 or at reserve by 2/17 or rate may increase.
$1200-600-400-200. site until 1 hour before. No checks at site, March official ratings used (web
Class B Section (1600-1799/Unr): credit cards OK. unofficial ratings usually used if
$1200-600-400-200. Class E Section entry fee: all fees otherwise unrated).
Class C Section (1400-1599/Unr): $50 less than top 6 sections. E n t r y: c h e s s a c t i o n.com o r
$1100-600-300-200. All: Special USCF dues with magazine Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham
Class D Section (1200-1399/Unr): if paid with entry fee: see Chess Life TLA NY 10803. $15 charge for refunds.
$900-500-300-200. or chesstour.com. Re-entry $60 (not Entries posted at chessaction.com
Class E Section (Under 1200/Unr): available for Master Section to Master (online entries posted immediately).
$500-250-150-100. Section). Blitz tmt. Sat 9:30 pm, reg. by 9:15.

56 February 2017 | Chess Life


5-SS, (Pro: G/90 i30; Am: G/120 d5). Site: Hilton New Orleans Airport,
901 Airline Dr., Kenner, LA 70062. EF: $55 if mailed by 2/25, $65 at
site; out-of-state masters free, EF deducted from prize. LCA Memb.
req’d for all Louisiana residents ($15 adult, $5 Sch.), OSA. Prizes: $3300
b/80, $1650 (50%) Gtd! Pro (Open): $500-300-200; U2000 $250-125.
Amateur (U1800): $300-200; U1600 $275-150; U1400 $250-125;
U1200/UNR $225-100; U1000 $200-100. Reg.: 3/4, 8-9am. Rds.: Sat:
9:15-1:30-5:45, Sun: 9:30-2. HR: (800) 872-5914 (room rates TBA)
Ent/Info: Adam Caveney, 1301 Gen. Taylor St., New Orleans, LA 70115,
cb20234@yahoo.com, (504) 895-4133 (evenings), (504) 615-6730 (on
day of tourney).
A State Championship Event!
MAR. 10, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
2017 PA QUICK CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP (QC)
6SS, G/8 d3. Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center, 2300 Lincoln
Hwy East (Rt 30), Lancaster, PA 17602. 3 sections, EF rec’d by 2/25:
Open: $12. U1500: $11. U1100: $10. $$ (750G): Open: 175-100-50,
U1800 $45, U1600 $40. U1500: 125-75-50, U1300 $40, U1200 $30, Unr
$20. U1100: Trophies: 1-12, U800, U600, U400, 1-2 Unr. All: EF: $20
after 2/25, PSCF $5 OSA. Reg.: 5:30-6:15pm. Rd 1: 7pm. Feb 2017 Reg
rating used. Bye: limit 1, ask by rd. 2. HR: Mention “chess tourney”:
800-233-0121 $82-$82-$87-$92. Ent: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25
Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245. Info: martinak_tom_m@hot-
mail.com, 412-908-0286, pscfchess.org/pascholasticchamp/.
A State Championship Event!
MAR. 10, NORTH CAROLINA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
NCCA STATE BLITZ CHAMPIONSHIP (BLZ)
5-DSS, G/5 +2/s. Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S. Salisbury St.,
Raleigh, NC 27601. Reg.: 5PM-6:45PM, Rd. 1 7PM, all other rounds
ASAP. Entry Fees, OPEN section: $30 by 3 Mar. / $40 on site. $200G-
$100G, X,A,B,C, u1400 $80 ea. $700 b/30, More if more people enter.
Top North Carolinian will be declared state Blitz Champion, co-champs
if tied. U1400 section: $20 by 3 Mar / $25 on site. Trophies to Top 3,
Top E, Top F. U800 section: $20 by 3-3 / $25 on site. Trophies to Top
3, Top H, Top I, Top J. USCF March supplement regular ratings will be
used for pairings and prizes. One round of half point byes permitted.
Must request upon before start of event. Website: http://ncchessk12.info
or checks may be mailed to NCCA, PO Box 37336, Raleigh, NC 27627.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
A State Championship Event!
MAR. 11-12, DELAWARE
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20
DELAWARE STATE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Hilton Wilmington/Christiana Hotel, 100 Continental Dr., Newark, DE
19713 (off I-95). Ask for special price to reserve room for the chess
tournament. 303-454-1500. 6-SS Open, 5-SS U1600, G/90 d5. Open:
$600, $300, $150, U2200 $150, U2000 $150, U1800 $150, U1600: $400,
$240, $140, U1400 $140, U1200 $140, U1000 $140. Trophy Top DE
U1600 player. Special DE Resident Prizes: Delaware State Champion
= Trophy + Free EF to next year’s event, Top Delaware Junior =
Trophy, Delaware Women’s State Champion = Trophy + Free EF to
next year’s event - may be in Open or U1600 section). Reg.: Advanced
Reg see delawarechess.org. By Mail: Delaware Chess Association, 2400
N. Broom St., Apt. 203, Wilmington, DE 19802. Call 302-893-9519 for
info. On Site: 8am - 9am. EF: Free entry to GM’s and IM’s ($50 deducted
from prizes). $65 by 3/07. On site: $70. Rds.: Sat.10, 2, 6. Sun.9, 1, (5,
open only). Half point Byes: 2 available. $ prizes b/40 in each section.
Email: Trueman56@gmail.com.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
A State Championship Event!
MAR. 11-12, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
2017 IRA LEE RIDDLE MEMORIAL PA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
& PA COLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIP
5SS, G/90 d5. Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center, 2300
Lincoln Hwy East (Rt 30), Lancaster, PA 17602. 3 sections: $$ (1875G):
Open: 350-150, U2200 $125, U2000 $100. U1800: 200-150, U1650 $125,
U1500 $100. U1400: 200-150, U1200 $90, U1000 $75, Unr $60. All:
College Tr: 1-2 in each section, 1-2 team (top 4 over all sections). EF:
$40 rec’d by 2/25, $50 after, PSCF $5 OSA. Reg.: 8:45-9:30 am. Rds.:
10-2-5:30, 9-1. Feb 2017 ratings used. Bye: limit 1, ask by rd. 2. HR:
Mention “chess tourney”: 800-233-0121 $82-$82-$87-$92. Ent: PSCF,
c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245. Info:
412-908-0286, martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com, pscfchess.org/pascholas-
ticchamp/.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 11-12, TEXAS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)
2017 DCC FIDE OPEN III
5SS, G/90 inc/30. Dallas Chess Club, 200 S. Cottonwood Dr. #C, Richard-
son, TX 75080. Two sections: Open and Reserve. Open: $$875G. FIDE
and US Chess rated but uses FIDE rules. Use US Chess ratings and
rules for pairings and for awarding prizes. Default late forfeiture time
is one hour. TD may extend this time at TD’s discretion. Note that
Foreign players must disclose their FIDE ID number before 1st round
in order to play. Note that USA Players with no FIDE ID must disclose
their email address. $$ $500-$250-$125. EF: 2400+ $125, 2000-2399
$90, 1600 -1999 $99, U1600 $125, Senior/Birthday during tournament/
Additional Family Member $55. For DFW area players, Dallas Chess
Club membership required or pay $20 non member fee. Small Minimum
prize to the First three GM/IM’s who apply. GM/IM must play all rounds
to get minimum prize (entry fee may be deducted from prize). Reserve:
Open to players rated below 2000 USCF. This section is not Fide Rated
but is US Chess rated and uses US Chess rules. EF: $40. The Reserve
give back 10% in prizes and if at least 8 paid entries and if there is a
clear winner, then that winner receives free entry to next DCC Fide
See previous issue for TLAs appearing February 1-14
Open. In the reserve section, Tournament reserves the right to use
Fide rules on electronic devices and on starting White’s clock at start
of a round and to use FIDE pairing rules. Also clocks will be set to ‘halt
at end’. Both: Reg.: Saturday from 9:45–10:15 am. Rds.: Sat 10:45 am-
3:10pm-7:16pm, Sun 9:45 am-2:10pm. One half point Bye allowed if
requested before end of round 2 and before getting full point bye. With-
drawals and zero point last round byes are not eligible for prizes. Note
that house players (if required) must pay $5 per round and be US Chess
members. ENT: Make/mail Checks payable to Dallas Chess Club, C/O
Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036-4719. Info:
214-632-9000. FIDE.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 17-19 OR 18-19, GEORGIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15
2017 BORIS KOGAN MEMORIAL
5-SS, Interactive College of Technology, 5227 New Peachtree Rd.,
Chamblee, GA 30341. $3,000 guaranteed. In four sections. Champi-
onship: FIDE and USCF rated. Must be rated at least 1900 USCF.
$400-300-200. under 2200 $250, under 2050 $250. Amateur: Under
1900 $300-200-100, under 1750 $200, under 1600 $200. Reserve:
Under 1400 $250-150-100, under 1200 $100. Unrated: Trophies to top
five. Time Controls: Championship G/90, inc. 30; Others sections
G/120 d5. Two-day schedule’s first round is G/90 d5 for all sections.
Entry fee: $60 three-day, $59 two-day by March 16, $65 at site. Unrateds
$30, GMs and IMs free. Reentry except Championship $35. Byes: Avail-
able all rounds (limit two), must commit before first round. Three-day
schedule: Registration ends 6:30 p.m. March 17. Rounds 7 p.m., 2:15
p.m.-7 p.m., 10 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Two-day schedule: Registration ends
10 a.m. First round 10:30 a.m., then merges with three-day. Info: (478)
973-9389 or info@americanchesspromotions.com Enter: american
chesspromotions.com.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 18-19, MAINE
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)
SACO OPEN
Hampton Inn Saco/Biddeford, 48 Industrial Park Rd., Saco, ME 04072.
Both sections will use FIDE pairing rules. In 2 Sections, Open: 4SS,
40/90, SD/30 + 30 Sec. Increment. FIDE rated. $$GTD: $500-250.
U2250 $150, U2000 $150. No analog clocks allowed in this section.
U1750: 4SS, 40/90, SD/30 + 30 Sec. Increment, Analog clocks play
40/90, SD/60, Open to 1749 & under. $$GTD: $400-200. U1500 $100,
U1250 $100, Unrated $75. ALL: EF: $50 postmarked by 3/11, $55 at
site. Reg.: Registration 9:00-9:45. Advance entries must be postmarked
by 11 March 2017. Rds.: 10-4, 10-4. One half point bye available rounds
1-3. Must be requested before round 1. ENT: Alex Relyea, 49 Technology
Dr. #89, Bedford, NH 03110. INFO: Alex Relyea relyea@operamail.com.
www.relyeachess.com. HR: $89 by 25 February. Call 207-282-7222
and mention Relyea Chess. W.
MAR. 19, NEW JERSEY
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
WESTFIELD GRAND PRIX
4-SS. G/40 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. 3
Sections: Open, U1800, U1200. Open Section: EF: $40, $30 members,
$30 FM (-$10 from prize), $20 IM (-$20 from prize), GM free (-$30 from
prize). Prize Fund: $900 b/30 paid section entries. 70% guaranteed.
Prizes: $240-200-160. U2400 USCF $120, U2200 $100, U2000 $80. U1800
Section: EF $25, $20 members. Prizes, b/14: $80-60, U1600 $50, U1400
$40. U1200 Section: EF $25, $20 members. Prizes, b/14: $80-60, U1000
$50, U800 $40. Register: 11:15 a.m. -12 noon. Rounds: 12:15, 2:00,
3:45, 5:30 p.m. Byes: 1 per player allowed. Must declare before round
3. Information: email John Moldovan: westfieldchessclub@gmail.com.
MAR. 21, NEW YORK
US CHESS 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!
MAR. 24-26, VIRGINIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30
50TH VIRGINIA OPEN
15th annual
SOUTHERN CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS
March 24-26 or 25-26, Wyndham Orlando Resort
$119 room rates, no resort fee, $5 parking
$14,000 GUARANTEED PRIZES
For full details see “Grand Prix” in this issue.
5SS, a VCF Cup Event, $$3600 Guaranteed! SITE: Washington Dulles
Airport Marriott Hotel, 45020 Aviation Dr., Dulles, VA 20166; www.mar-
riott.com, 703-471-9500, rooms $100 Chess Rate, res. by 2/24 at
1-800-228-9200. 2 Sections. OPEN (FIDE rated): $650-410-300-240;
Top X,A ea $200. AMATEUR (U1900): $420-250-190; Top B,C,D,U1200
ea $160, top Unr $100. Plaques to 1st Place in Open and Amateur. 5
Rds.: Rd. 1 Fri 3/24, 7:45pm (G/120 d5); Rds. 2 & 3 Sat 3/25 10am &
4pm (40/115, SD/30 d5), Rds. 4 & 5 Sun 3/26 10am & 4pm (40/115,
SD/30 d5). EF: $75 if rec’d by Tues. 3/21, $90 starting 3/22 and on
site. VCF Mem req. for VA Residents ($10 Adults, $5 Junior under 19
yo). One 1/2 point Bye allowed, commit by Sat 9:30am. Re-entry $40,
start Rd2 with 1/2 pt. Checks payable to Virginia Chess Federation.
REG.: On-line at www.vachess.org, mail to Mike Hoffpauir, ATTN: VA
Open, 405 Hounds Chase, Yorktown, VA 23693; On-Site Fri 3/24 5-7pm.
Info: andrerea2@yahoo.com.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, CALIFORNIA, NORTHERN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30 (ENHANCED)
BAY AREA CHESS SPRING 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. Mar 17 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 3/17
+20. Playup +25. Rated 2250+ $0 by 3/8 (prize - EF). Info:
http://BayAreaChess.com/champs.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, FLORIDA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 60 (ENHANCED)
15TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Wyndham
Orlando Resort, 8001 International Dr., Orlando 32819. Special parking
$5. Prizes $14,000 guaranteed.. In 7 sections. Master (2200/up):
$1400-700-400-300, clear or tiebreak winner $100 bonus. Expert (2000-
2199): $1000-500-300-200. Class A (1800-1999): $1000-500-300-200.
Class B (1600-1799): $1000-500-300-200. Class C (1400-1599): $1000-
500-300-200. Class D (1200-1399): $800-400-200-100. Class E (Under
1200): $500-250-150-100. Rated players may play up one section.
Unrated may enter A through E, but may not win over $100 in E, $200
D, $300 C or $500 B. 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 at site (no extra fee) by 2 pm 3/25. Top 6 sections
EF: $103 online at chessaction.com by 3/22, $110 phoned to 406-896-
2038 (entry only, no questions) by 3/20, 3-day $108, 2-day $107 mailed
by 3/15, $120 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site, or online until 2
hours before rd. 1. GMs & IMs free; $90 deducted from prize. Class E
EF: all $40 less than above. 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 paid at site, Adult $40, Young
Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Re-entry $60; not available 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. All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, Master must commit
before rd. 2, others before rd. 3. HR: $119-119-119-119, 1-800-421-
8001, 407-351-2420; reserve by 3/10 or rate may increase. Car rental:
Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chess-
tour.com. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham,
NY 10803. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: DirectorAtChess.us,
chesstour.com, chesstour.info, 347-201-2269. Entries posted at chess-
action.com (online entries posted instantly). Blitz tournament Sat 9:30
pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, MISSOURI
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 120 (ENHANCED)
21ST ANNUAL MID-AMERICA OPEN
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Clayton
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). Free
parking. $$ 20,000 GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND. In 7 sections: Open:
Open to players who are rated 1800/over or pay $100 extra. $2000-
1000-500-300, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak $100 bonus, top
www.uschess.org 57
Tournament Life / February
U2300/Unr $800-400. FIDE. 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 U800, U600, Unrated
Prize limits: Unrated may not win over $150 in U1000, $300 U1300,
$500 U1500, or $700 U1700. 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 (no extra fee) by 2 pm 3/25.
Top 6 sections EF:$109 at chessaction.com by 3/22, $115 phoned to
406-896-2038 by 3/20 (entry only, no questions), 3-day $113, 2-day
$112 mailed by 3/15, $130 online until 2 hours before rd. 1. 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: $99-
102, includes free full hot buffet breakfast. 888-303-1746, 314-726-5400,
request chess rate, reserve by 3/10 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 State Championship Event!
MAR. 25, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
2017 PA STATE GAME/29 CHAMPIONSHIP (QC)
5SS, G/29 d0. O’Hara Student Center, Univ. of Pitt., 4024 O’Hara St.,
Pittsburgh PA 15213. 2 Sections: Championship: EF: $25 by 3/17,
$35 later. $$ (690G): $200-100, U2000 $90, U1800 $80, U1600 $70,
U1400 $60, U1200 $50, U1000 $40. Trophies: 1-3 U1400, 1-3 U1200, 1-
3 U1000. Scholastic: Grades K-12 unrated or U900. EF: $15 by 3/17,
$25 later. Trophies to Top 7, 1-3 U600. ALL: Trophies: 1-2 Schools, 1-2
Clubs, Teams of 4-7 players from both sections. PSCF $5, OSA. Reg.:
10-10:30am. Rds.: 11-12:30-1:45-3-4:15. Ent: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak,
25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223, martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com
MAR. 25, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
16TH HORIZONS FOR YOUTH SPRING SCHOLASTIC
$375 GTD. 5SS, G/30 d5. Northampton Com. College, 3835 Green Pond
Rd., Main Campus, Coll. Ctr. Bldg., Bethlehem, PA 18020. Reg.: 8:30a,
Rds.: 9:30, ASAP. 2 Events: 1) Open and U1200 18 yrs and under. 2)
21st annual MID-AMERICA OPEN
March 24-26 or 25-26, 2017 - Clayton (Saint Louis), Missouri
$20,000 GUARANTEED PRIZE 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: Open to players who are rated
1800/over or pay $100 extra. $2000-1000-
500-300, clear/tiebreak win $100, top
U2300/Unr $800-400. FIDE, 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 $150,
U1300 $300, U1500 $500, U1700 $700.
Balance goes to next player(s) in line.
58 February 2017 | Chess Life
Age-Based, Non-Rated under 14 yrs and under. EF: $34 by11p, 3/24,
$39 after. Prizes: OPEN, $200-1st +, $100- 2nd + Trophys-1st, 2nd,
3rd, 4th, U14. U1200 $75-1st+Trophys-1st, 2nd, 3rd, U10, U8, U6, UNR,
Open Tie (Blitzoff), Non-USCF Rated b/0 age. Ent: www.northampton.edu/
chess/ (Online only) Info: 610-861-4120; sazrinski@gmail.com. RBO.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 25-26, NEW JERSEY
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30
4TH ANNUAL DR. LEROY DUBECK CUP
5SS, G/90 d5. South Jersey Innovation Center, 2003 Lincoln Drive West,
Suite A, Marlton, NJ 08053. $7,500 guaranteed prizes. In 5 sections.
Open: $700-400-200, Under 2300 $300-175. Under 2100: $600-300-
200, top U1900 $300-175. Under 1800: $600-300-200, top U1600
$300-175. Under 1500: $600-300-200, top U1300 $300-175. Under
1200: $500-250-150, top U1000 $100. Entry fee: $95 by 3/24, $110 at
site. GMs, IMs free; $95 deducted from prize. Schedule: Reg ends Sat-
urday 9:45 am, rds. Sat 10am – 2pm – 6pm, Sun 10am, 2pm. All: Half
point byes OK all, must commit before round 2. Ratings: February official
USCF rating list used. Registration: www.snjchess.com/register
MAR. 31, NEW YORK
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
MARSHALL $500 FIDE BLITZ (BLZ)
9-SS, G/3 +2. 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!
MAR. 31-APR. 2 OR 1-2, TEXAS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30
LONE STAR OPEN
5SS, (Open and U2000 Sections are 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. Team & Ind., 4SS, G/30
d5, 1-day only, Sat. Apr. 1st); 5-min. Blitz “CAJUN KNOCK-OUT” (Sat.
night after Rd. 3). Separate room for schol. Players - A trophy or medal
will be awarded to each schol. player. Houston Marriott North, 255 N.
Sam Houston Pkwy East, Houston, TX 77060, Ph: 281-875-4000, $89
chess rate for King or Double (reserve by 3/15 and mention Cajun Chess
Tournament). Free Parking! NOTE: Main tournament room will be closed
to outside non-playing spectators, but players who have finished their
games and have not left the tournament room yet will be allowed to
stay to see remaining games still in progress. Free airport shuttle
service! Free shuttle service within a 2-mile radius of hotel! Free wireless
internet in all guestrooms! Discounted Hotel Breakfast Coupons for
Hotel Guests ($5 off of the $17 Hot Breakfast Buffet – Guests are
responsible for $12 breakfast cost, tax & gratuities). Hotel check-in
time is 3pm; check-out time is 12 noon. 5 Sects. PRIZES: $10,000 b/200
paid ent. OPEN: $1400-800-500-300-200; U2200: $700-400; U2000:
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 3/25.
Top 6 sections entry fee: $109
online at chessaction.com by 3/22, $115
phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/20 (entry
only, no questions), 3-day $113, 2-day
$112 mailed by 3/15, $130 at site or online
until 2 hours before round 1. 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.
Re-entry (except Open Section) $60.
Special 1 year USCF membership
with magazine if paid with entry. Online at
chesstour.com, Adult $35, Young Adult
$22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or
paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25,
Scholastic $17. USCF membership required.
$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. Schol.Sects. (Team
& Individual): 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. Scholastic
Players may play in both Scholastic and Main Tournaments if
desired by registering for the Scholastic Tournament AND a section
in the 3-day Schedule of the Main Tournament with a 1/2-point
Bye in the 2nd Round of the 3-Day Schedule – there is a discounted
Entry Fee ($69) for Scholastic players playing in both Scholastic
Tournament and the U1300 section only of the Main Event. 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 OPEN sect. and win free entry to
our next tournament! EF: $89 by 3/24; $99 thereafter and at site; Unr.
(U1600) and Jrs. (under 19 yrs of age and playing in U1300 or U1600
Sections) $59 by 3/24; $69 thereafter and at site. Schol. EF: $20 by
3/24; $25 thereafter and at site; Re-Entry Fee (no Re-Entry in OPEN
and U2000 Sects due to FIDE): $25 (avail. up to Rd. 4; 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: (All 4 rds. G/30 d5 - one day only, Sat., Apr
1st). Reg. Sat. 8:30am-9:30am, Rd. one at 10am; Other Rds. will imme-
diately follow. Byes for OPEN Tourn: Avail. all Rds. and must commit
before Rd. 3. Byes for SCHOL. Tourn: Only one 1/2-point bye allowed
and must commit before Rd. 2. HR: $89 (281-875-4000), reserve by
3/15 and mention Cajun Chess Tournament to assure group rate. ENT:
On-line registration for tournament and hotel rooms, 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.
APR. 1, VERMONT
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15 (ENHANCED)
QUICK CHESS AGAIN IN MIDDLEBURY (QC)
6SS, G/25 d3. Middlebury Recreation Center, 154 Creek Rd., Middlebury,
VT 05753. EF: $32 if rec’d by 3/30 (PayPal OK) or $38 at site; both $16
less for non-Vermonter or U800/Unr or age 65/older. $$G: 250-150-
100, plus 550 divided among 1850-2049, 1650-1849, 1450-1649,
1250-1449, 1000-1249, U1000. Reg.: 9-9:45 a.m., Rds.: 10:10-11:35-
1:35-3-4:35-6. Half-point bye (limit 1) OK except for U1650/Unr in round
6. Ent: Parker Montgomery, PO Box 831, Middlebury, VT 05753-0831;
mobile 802-349-7739, vermonty64@earthlink.net.
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 set, board, clock if possible-
none supplied. Unofficial web ratings
usually used if otherwise unrated. Junior
Grand Prix Points available.
Hotel rates: $99-102, includes free
full hot buffet breakfast & free parking,
888-303-1746, 314-726-5400, request
chess rate, reserve by 3/10 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).
Blitz tournament Sat 9:30 pm.

APR. 1-2, CALIFORNIA, NORTHERN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
2017 SACRAMENTO SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUNDS: 4 FORMAT: Swiss RATING: Full-K. SITE: Courtyard Sacra-
mento Rancho Cordova, 10683 White Rock Rd., Rancho Cordova, CA.
ON-SITE REGISTRATION: 4/1 – 9:00 am - 9:45 am. ROUNDS: 4/1 &
4/2 – 10 & 3. TIME CONTROLS: G/120 30 second increment. FIDE
Rated SECTIONS: One Open section. ENTRY FEES: $65 postmarked
by 3/25. $75 after 3/25. IMs/GMs free (entry fee deducted from any
prize money won). $5 discount to CalChess members. PRIZES: 1st
Place $300, 2nd Place $225 guaranteed, class prizes based on entries.
HOTEL: Courtyard Sacramento Rancho Cordova, 916-638-3800, $109
plus tax single/double per night 3/31 & 4/1 $119 (current as of
12/16/2016 and subject to change). ADVANCE ENTRIES & INFO:
John McCumiskey (TD), e-mail: sactochess@sbcglobal.net; phone:
(916) 524-9479. Checks payable to Sacramento Chess Club and mailed
to 6700 50th St., Sacramento, CA 95823-1306. Full flyer and advance
entries: http://sacramentochessclub.org under Weekend Events.
OTHER INFO: Must be 50 years old on or before 4/1/2017. No Smoking,
No Computers, Wheelchair Access. 4/17 rating list only. Please bring
clocks, chess sets provided. 1/2 point byes available in any round and
must be requested before the completion of the round 1. 1/2 point
byes for round 4 must be requested prior to round 1 and may not be
changed. Maximum one 1/2 point bye per entry.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
APR. 1-2, NEW YORK
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 150 (ENHANCED)
49TH 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 Man-
hattan 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 appearance award to all GM and IM if paid by
3/20/2017. All: EF add $20 after 3/20/2017. NYSCA members deduct
$3. All sections USCF rated. Ratings as in April Supplement. Bring sets,
boards, and clocks – none provided. Food court and chess books &
equipment sales available onsite. 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, 3/31/2017 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. Web:
nychess.org. Store: chessset.com.
US Chess Membership Rates:
Premium (P) and Regular (R)
(U.S., CANADA, MEXICO)
Type 1 yr
Adult P $49
Adult R $40
Senior (65+) $40
Young Adult P (U25)* $35
Young Adult R (U25)* $26
Youth P (U16)* $30
Youth R (U16)* $22
Scholastic P (U13)* $25
Scholastic R (U13)* $17
Premium membership provides a printed copy of Chess Life
(monthly) or Chess Life for Kids (bimonthly) plus all other
benefits of regular membership. Regular membership provides
online-only access to Chess Life and Chess Life Kids. Youth
provides bimonthly Chess Life, Scholastic bimonthly Chess
Life Kids, others listed above monthly Chess Life. See
www.uschess.org for other membership categories. Dues are
not refundable and may be changed without notice. *Ages at
expiration
See previous issue for TLAs appearing February 1-14
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
APR. 1-2, TEXAS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)
2017 DCC FIDE OPEN IV
5SS, G/90 inc/30. Dallas Chess Club, 200 S. Cottonwood Dr. #C, Richard-
son, TX 75080. Two sections: Open and Reserve. Open: $$875G. FIDE
and US Chess rated but uses FIDE rules. Use US Chess ratings and
rules for pairings and for awarding prizes. Default late forfeiture time
is one hour. TD may extend this time at TD’s discretion. Note that
Foreign players must disclose their FIDE ID number before 1st round
in order to play. Note that USA Players with no FIDE ID must disclose
their email address. $$ $500-$250-$125. EF: 2400+ $125, 2000-2399
$90, 1600 -1999 $99, U1600 $125, Senior/Birthday during tournament/
Additional Family Member $55. For DFW area players, Dallas Chess
Club membership required or pay $20 non member fee. Small Minimum
prize to the First three GM/IM’s who apply. GM/IM must play all rounds
to get minimum prize (entry fee may be deducted from prize). Reserve:
Open to players rated below 2000 USCF. This section is not Fide Rated
but is US Chess rated and uses US Chess rules. EF: $40. The Reserve
give back 10% in prizes and if at least 8 paid entries and if there is a
clear winner, then that winner receives free entry to next DCC Fide
Open. In the reserve section, Tournament reserves the right to use
Fide rules on electronic devices and on starting White’s clock at start
of a round and to use FIDE pairing rules. Also clocks will be set to ‘halt
at end’. Both: Reg.: Saturday from 9:45–10:15 am. Rds.: Sat 10:45 am-
3:10pm-7:16pm, Sun 9:45 am-2:10pm. One half point Bye allowed if
requested before end of round 2 and before getting full point bye. With-
drawals and zero point last round byes are not eligible for prizes. Note
that house players (if required) must pay $5 per round and be US Chess
members. ENT: Make/mail Checks payable to Dallas Chess Club, C/O
Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036-4719. Info:
214-632-9000. FIDE.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
APR. 7-9 OR 8-9, OHIO
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20
53RD CINCINNATI OPEN
Hilton Garden Inn, 5300 Cornell Rd., Blue Ash, OH 45242. 5SS; Sections:
Open, U2100, U1700, U1300. Open section FIDE rated. Players may
choose to play up one section only. Time Control: Open section 40/90,
SD/30, i30 except 2-day rds 1&2 G/75 d5. Other sections G/120 d5.
Prizes: Open: $800-500-400-300, top under 2300 $250-200; U2100:
$600-400-300-200, top under 1900 $175-125; U1700: $400-300-225-
150, top under 1500 $125-100; U1300: $250-200-150-125, top under
1100 $125-100; prizes based on 120 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 April 6; onsite
$110; re-entry $50. For those who played in 2016 Cincinnati Open,
$10 loyalty discount; for all others who played in 2012-2015 Cincinnati
Open, $5 loyalty discount; $3 discount for current Ohio Chess Association
2 yr
$95
$75
$75
$65
$48
$55
$40
$45
$30
members. Free entry to GMs/IMs/WGMs/WIMs; $99 less applicable
discounts 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
7 5:30-6:30 pm; Saturday, April 8 8:00-10:00 am. Open 3-day schedule:
Fri 7, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 9 & 3. Open 2-day schedule: Sat 11 & 2, then
merge with 3-day. All other sections: Fri 7, Sat 9, 2 & 7, Sun 9 & 2;
six rounds are scheduled; players must select one zero-point bye so
all players play five rounds. Byes: Up to two optional half-point byes,
must commit before 5:00 pm Sat; optional half-point byes are additional
to zero-point bye in U2100, U1700 and U1300 sections. HR: $105/king
bed, $119/two queen beds. Reserve by Friday, March 24, 2017 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, especially clocks with increment feature for Open section.
Complete information, including online and mail registration forms,
at www.chesscincinnati.com. Questions: info@chesscincinnati.com
or call/text Alan at 513-600-9915.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
APR. 12-16, 13-16, 14-16 OR 15-16, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 200 (ENHANCED)
11TH ANNUAL PHILADELPHIA OPEN
OPEN SECTION, APR 12-16: 9SS, 40/2, SD/30 d10. GM & IM norms
possible, FIDE rated. OTHER SECTIONS, APR 13-16, 14-16 OR 15-
16: 7SS, 40/2, SD/30 d10 (3-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10; 2-day option,
rds. 1-4 G/30 d10). Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market
St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, directly across the street from Reading Ter-
minal Market with 80 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 Under 2000. 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. 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. Unofficial
uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Prize limits:
1) If post-event rating posted 4/10/16-4/10/17 is more than 30 points
over section maximum, prize limit $1500. 2) Players with under 26
lifetime games as of 4/17 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: $130
online by 4/11, $160 at site. Minimum prize guarantees in Open
60
www.uschess.org 59
Tournament Life / February
Section, to players who enter online by 3/1 and play all 9 games with
no byes: US GM $300, foreign GM $700 (limited to first 5 to enter,
others $400), foreign IM/WGM $400, foreign FM/WIM $300, foreign
FIDE rated $200. Open EF, for US players who are not USCF or FIDE
rated 2200/over: $355 online at chessaction.com by 2/4, $375 online
by 4/11, $400 at site. Open EF, for others: $205 online at
chessaction.com by 2/4, $225 online by 4/11, $250 at site. Open mailed
or phoned entries: all $10 more than online entry, mail by 4/4, phone
to 406-896-2038 by 4/10. U2200 through U1400 Sections EF: $205
online at chessaction.com by 2/4, $225 online by 4/11, $250 at site.
Mailed EF: 4-day $214, 3-day $213, 2-day $212 mailed by 2/4, all $20
more mailed by 4/4. U1100/Unr Section EF: $75 online at
chessaction.com by 4/11, 4-day $84, 3-day $83, 2-day $82 mailed by
4/4, $100 at site. Phoned EF: All $10 more than online EF, 406-896-
2038 (entry only, no questions), available only through 4/10. Online
late entry after 4/11: available until 2 hours before round 1, 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, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun
10 & 4:15. 4-day schedule (except Open): Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds.
Thu 7 pm, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. 3-day schedule
(except Open): Reg. ends Fri 10 am, rds. Fri 11, 2:30 & 6, Sat 11 & 6,
Sun 10 & 4:15. 2-day schedule (except Open): Reg. ends Sat. 9 am,
rds. Sat. 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. 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 possible-
none supplied. HR: $106-106-126, 215-625-2900, reserve by 3/31 or
rate may increase. Parking: (rates subject to change) Marriott valet,
about $20/day (60% off regular rate) for first 100 spaces sold. Gateway
Garage, 1540 Spring St. (3/5 mile from Marriott, 1 block from Sheraton
Hotel), $7/day Sat & Sun, $20/day other days. 1324 Arch (2/5 mile
from Marriott), $16/day. Car rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD
#D657633 or reserve car online at chesstour.com. Ratings: FIDE April
used for Open, USCF April official for U2200 & below; note that USCF
ratings after the April list (see above) may result in a $1500 prize limit.
Foreign player ratings: see www.chesstour.com/foreignratings.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: chessaction.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 tournament Sat. 10:30 pm, reg.
by 10:15 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
APR. 14-16 OR 15-16, NEVADA
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.
2/16-20: Southwest Class, Fort Worth TX*
2/24-26: George Washington Open, Falls Church VA*
3/3-5: Western Class Championships, Van Nuys CA*
3/3-5: Pittsburgh Open, Pittsburgh PA*
3/11-12: New York State Scholastics, Saratoga Springs*
3/24-26: Mid-America Open, St Louis MO*
3/24-26: Southern Class Championships, Orlando FL*
4/12-16: Philadelphia Open, Philadelphia PA*
4/28-30: Eastern Class Championships, Sturbridge MA*
5/19-21: New York State Open, Lake George NY*
5/25-29: Chicago Open, Wheeling IL*
6/9-11: Northeast Open, Stamford CT
6/16-18: Continental Class, Falls Church VA
6/23-25: World Open Senior, Philadelphia PA*
6/23-25: World Open Women’s, Philadelphia PA*
6/24-29: Philadelphia International, Philadelphia PA*
6/26-28: World Open Warmup, Philadelphia PA*
6/28-29: World Open Under 13, Philadelphia PA*
6/29: World Open Action, Philadelohia PA*
6/29-7/4: World Open, Philadelphia PA*
7/14-16: Chicago Class, Wheeling IL
7/14-16: Pacific Coast Open, Ontario CA
7/21-23: Southern Open, Orlando FL
7/21-23: Bradley Open, Windsor Locks CT
8/11-13: Continental Open, Sturbridge MA
8/11-13: Cleveland Open, Cleveland OH
8/18-20: Manhattan Open, New York NY
8/25-27: Atlantic Open, Arlington VA
8/25-27: Indianapolis Open, Indianapolis IN
9/2-4: New York State Championship, Albany
10/6-9: Washington Chess Congress, Arlington VA
10/6-8: Midwest Class Championships, Wheeling IL
For later events, see chesstour.com.
60 February 2017 | Chess Life
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 120 (ENHANCED)
6TH ANNUAL RENO-LARRY EVANS MEMORIAL OPEN $$23,000
B/275 ($14,150 GTD) - FIDE NEVADA
6SS, 40/2, G/55min-d5, 2-day (Rds. 1-3) G/1-d5. Sands Regency
Hotel/Casino, 345 N. Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501.1-866-386-7829
or (775) 348-2200. $$23,000 b/275. $$14,150 Gtd. (Prizes 1-10 in Open
Section Gtd. plus 1/2 of all other prizes). 6 Sections. Open (2200 &
above) EF: $159, 2000-2199 - $200, 1999 & below $300. (GMs & IMs
free but must enter by 3/14 or pay late fee). $$2,000-1,000-800-600-
400-300-200, (2399/below)- $1,000, (2299/below)- $1,000. (If there is
a tie for 1st then a playoff for $100 out of prize fund plus trophy). Sec.
Expert (2000-2199) EF: $159; $$2,000-700-300-200-200. Sec ”A”
(1800-1999) EF: $158; $$1,800-700-300-200-200, Sec. ”B”(1600-
1799) EF: $157; $$1,700-700-300-200-200, Sec. ”C”(1400-1599) EF:
$156; $$1,400-600-300-200-200, Sec. ”D”/under (1399below) EF:
$150: $$1,000-500-300-200, 1199/below - $200; 2-day Schedule EF:
$155 (no Open Section). Top Senior (65+) - $200; Club Champ $600-
300 (Provisional rated players, GM’s, IM’s and unrated players not
eligible for Top Senior or Club Championship). ALL: Entries must be
postmarked by 3/14 or pay late fee-$11 until 4/11 (do not mail after
4/7 or email after 4/11) $22 at site. Trophies 1st – 3rd (“A” – “D” sec-
tions, Expert section 1st only). Unrated players are free entry but not
eligible for cash prizes. Unrated players must join USCF for 1 full year
or add 1 full year’s membership thru this tournament. 1st Unrated =
trophy + 1 yr. USCF Mem. $10 discount to Seniors (65+ yrs.) Players
may play up. Provisionally rated players may only win 1/2 of 1st place
money (except Open Section 1 – 10). CCA ratings may be used. Note:
pairings not changed for color unless 3 in a row or a plus 3 and if the
unlikely situation occurs 3 colors in a row may be assigned. SIDE
EVENTS: Wed. (4/12) 7:00pm GM Sergey Kudrin – Clock Simul with
game analysis ($30); Thurs. (4/13) 6-7:15pm Lecture by IM John Don-
aldson (FREE); 7:30pm- GM Melikset Khachiyan - Simul ($20); 7:30pm-Blitz
(G/5 d0)) Tourney ($25) 80% entries = Prize Fund. Sat. (4/15) 3-4:30pm
Free Game/Position Analysis - IM John Donaldson. ALL REG: (4/13) 5-
8pm,(4/14) 9-10am, (4/15) 9-10 am. RDS.: (Fri)12-7, (Sat)10-7, (Sun)
9:30-4:30. (2 Day Schedule: Rds. 1 -10:30 am, Rd. 2- 1:00 pm, Rd. 3-
3:30 pm. Rd. 4 merge with regular schedule – 7:00 pm. Byes available
any round if requested by Rd.1 (Open Section 2 byes max). ENT: make
checks payable and send to: SANDS REGENCY (address listed above).
HR: (Sun-Thurs. $41.58!) (Fri. & Sat. $58.60!.1-866-386-7829 Reservation
Code: CHESS417 (Reserve by 4/1/17 to get Chess rate. INFO: Jerry
Weikel, 6578 Valley Wood Dr., Reno, NV 89523, (775) 747-1405, wack-
yykl@aol.com or check out our website at: www.renochess.org. To
verify entry check website.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
APR. 20, 27, MAY 4, 11, 18, 25, NEW YORK
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20
LONG ISLAND CC 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 Mem-
bers, $60 Non-LICC members. Reg: 6:45 – 7:20 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
Black’s 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. 28-30 OR 29-30, MASSACHUSETTS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 120 (ENHANCED)
26TH 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): $1500-700-400-300.
Class A (1800-1999/Unr): $1500-700-400-300. Class B (1600-1799/Unr):
$1500-700-400-300. Class C (1400-1599/Unr): $1300-700-400-300.
Class D (1200-1399/Unr): $700-400-200-100. Class E (Under 1200/Unr):
$600-300-200-100, plaques to top 3, 1st U1000, U800, U600, Unr. Rated
players may play up one section. Prize limits: Unrated may not win
over $100 in E, $200 D, $400 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 (no extra fee) before
both players begin round 2. Top 5 sections EF: $115 online at chess-
action.com by 4/26, $120 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 4/24 (entry only,
no questions), 3-day $118, 2-day $117 mailed by 4/19, $130 at site, or
online until 2 hours before round 1. GMs free, $100 deducted from
prize. Class D or E EF: All $50 less than top 5 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 available 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: $97-97, 800-582-3232, 508-347-7393, request chess
rate, reserve by 4/7 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 ches-
saction.com (online entries posted instantly). Blitz tournament Sat
9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAY 5-7 OR 6-7, MICHIGAN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20
14TH ANNUAL GREAT LAKES OPEN
Held at McCamly Plaza Hotel, 50 Capital Avenue SW, Battle Creek, MI
49017 (See Lodging below). 4 Sections: OPEN, U1800 (RESERVE), U1400,
Novice (U800, 1 Day Only). 5-SS (4-SS in Novice). OPEN Section USCF
and FIDE-rated. OPEN Section participants must have USCF and FIDE
memberships in addition to a State membership; can be purchased on
site (FIDE membership is free). USCF rating is used for PAIRING and
PRIZES. GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20. 2-day & 3-DAY SCHEDULES. Up to
two 1/2-point byes allowed; must be requested prior to start of RD. 3.
SCHEDULES MERGE AFTER RD. 2. NO RE-ENTRIES IN OPEN OR NOVICE
SECTIONS. Re-Entry in Reserve (U1800): $40. Re-entry in U1400: $35.
USCF and a STATE Membership Required – can be purchased on site!
Cell Phone and Headset Rules firmly apply; Rules posted on site. Prize
Fund: $4,700. (66 2/3% Guar.). ONLINE REGISTRATION (beginning
December 19th) available at: www.bccfoundation.org/glopen. CHIEF
TD: Tony Nichols (sensie48910@yahoo.com). NATIONAL ARBITOR: DR.
ED MANDELL (allthekingsmench@aol.com). EF: (*SEE NOVICE Section
below) By April 28th (add $10 after, add $15 on site): OPEN SECTION:
3-DAY, $83. 2-DAY, $82. IM’s/GM’s Free! ($80 EF deducted from prize.)
U1800 SECTION: 3-DAY, $63. 2-DAY, $62. U1400 SECTION: 3-DAY,
$46. 2-DAY, $45. NOVICE (U800): $12. TL: 3-DAY: Rds. 1-5, 40/120 d5,
SD/30. 2-DAY: Rds. 1-2, G-60 d5. RDs 3-5, 40/120;d5 SD/30. RDS.: 3-
DAY: Fri: 7 pm. Sat: 12, 6:00. Sun: 10, 3:30. 2-DAY: Sat: 12:30, 3, 6:00.
Sun: 10, 3:30. REGISTRATION: 3-DAY: Fri, May 5, 4:30–6:00 PM. 2-
DAY: Sat, May 6: 9:00–11:30 AM. ONLINE REGISTRATION (beginning
December 19th) available at: www.bccfoundation.org/glopen. MAIL-IN
REGISTRATION: Holly Munsch, Battle Creek Community Foundation, 34
W. Jackson St., Ste. 1, Battle Creek, MI 49017. *NOVICE SECTION
(U800): 4-SS. Sat, May 6 (1 Day Only). Open to U800 or Unrated Only.
REG.: Sat, 9-10:30 am. TL: G/25 d5. RDS: 11:30, 1, 2:30, 4. PRIZES:
Trophies for Top 5 overall. Trophies also for Top U600, U400, UNR.
Medals to everyone scoring 2.5 and not receiving a trophy. $$: $4,700
Prize Fund (66 2/3% Guar). OPEN SECTION: $2,500 (b/40): 1st, 2nd,
3rd: $900, $500; $350. Top U2200, U2000, U1800/UNR: $250 Each.
RESERVE (U1800): $1,300 (b/34): 1st, 2nd: $550, $350; TOP U1600,
U1400/UNR: $200 Each. U1400 SECTION: $90 (b/34): 1st, 2nd: $350,
$250; TOP U1200, UI000, U800/UNR: $100 Each. UNR eligible for Top
or UNRATED Prizes ONLY. LODGING: This AAA Four-Diamond Hotel is
located in Downtown Battle Creek. Call Toll-Free 1-888-622-2659 for
Reservations or go online at www.mccamlyplaza.com. Ask for the Great
Lakes Open chess rate ($94/night)–must reserve by April 9th for this
great rate! Parking $8, unlimited in and out privileges. Free parking in
nearby areas on weekends. For directions to hotel, go online to
www.mapquest.com or www.yahoo.com/maps. registration Info: Holly
Munsch, (269) 962-2181. Email: holly@bccfoundation.org. CHESS INFO:
Chief Tournament Director, Tony Nichols, Email: sensie48910@yahoo.com
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAY 5-7 OR 6-7, ARKANSAS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)
4TH ANNUAL LITTLE ROCK SPRING OPEN
5SS, G/40/120, SD/30 d5. Little Rock Marriott, 3 Statehouse Plaza,
Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 906-4600; HR: $109 (ask for chess rate
before April 14). Airport shuttle service, reservation required, compli-
mentary: Shuttle Phone: (501) 906-4000 Valet parking $25/day; nearby
garage $12/day. Hotel is approximately 7 miles from Bill and Hillary
Clinton National Airport. Marriott Little Rock. 3 sections. Open, Reserve
(U1600) and Novice (U1200). Novice section: 5SS, G/30 d5 (Recording
encouraged, but not required). Open and Reserve Sections: 3-day sched-
ule: Rounds 1-5 G/40/120, SD/30 d5. 2-day schedule: Round 1-2, G/60
d5. Rounds 3-5, 40/120, SD/30 d5. Novice Section: Saturday (May 6th)
only. 5SS, G/30 d5. Play all 5 rounds. Registration 9-9:45 AM. Round 1
starts at 10:00 AM, remainder ASAP with small lunch break. EF: Open
and Reserve: $45 postmarked by April 28th. $50 at site (no checks).
GM and IM free entry; $50 deducted from prizes. If first tournament,
then $35 (preregistered) or $45 at site. Scholastic Section: $20 post-
marked by April 28th, $30 at site (no checks). Must have active USCF
membership for all sections; available on site. Prizes: Guaranteed
$1,350 Open Section: 1st $500, 2nd $300, U2000 $150, U1800 $50.
Unrateds only eligible for Open prizes. Reserve Section (U1600): 1st
$200, 2nd $100, 3rd $50 Novice Section (U1200): Trophies to top 3 fin-
ishers. Medals to all participants. 3-day schedule: Registration ends
Friday 6PM, rounds: Friday 7PM; Saturday 11 AM & 5 PM; Sunday 10
AM & 3:30 PM. 2-day schedule: Registration ends Saturday 10 AM;
rounds: Saturday 11 AM, 2 PM & 5 PM; Sunday 10 AM & 3:30 PM.1/2 pt
bye (limit 2) available before round 3. Entry: Ron Sanders Jr., P.O.Box
241762, Little Rock, AR 72223, roncsanders@gmail.com.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAY 13-14, TEXAS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)
2017 DCC FIDE OPEN V
5SS, G/90 inc/30. Dallas Chess Club, 200 S. Cottonwood Dr. #C, Richard-
son, TX 75080. Two sections: Open and Reserve. Open: $$875G. FIDE
and US Chess rated but uses FIDE rules. Use US Chess ratings and
rules for pairings and for awarding prizes. Default late forfeiture time
is one hour. TD may extend this time at TD’s discretion. Note that
Foreign players must disclose their FIDE ID number before 1st round
in order to play. Note that USA Players with no FIDE ID must disclose
their email address. $$ $500-$250-$125. EF: 2400+ $125, 2000-2399
$90, 1600 -1999 $99, U1600 $125, Senior/Birthday during tournament/
Additional Family Member $55. For DFW area players, Dallas Chess
Club membership required or pay $20 non member fee. Small Minimum
prize to the First three GM/IM’s who apply. GM/IM must play all rounds
to get minimum prize (entry fee may be deducted from prize). Reserve:
Open to players rated below 2000 USCF. This section is not Fide Rated
but is US Chess rated and uses US Chess rules. EF: $40. The Reserve
give back 10% in prizes and if at least 8 paid entries and if there is a
clear winner, then that winner receives free entry to next DCC Fide
Open. In the reserve section, Tournament reserves the right to use
Fide rules on electronic devices and on starting White’s clock at start

of a round and to use FIDE pairing rules. Also clocks will be set to ‘halt
at end’. Both: Reg.: Saturday from 9:45–10:15 am. Rds.: Sat 10:45 am-
3:10pm-7:16pm, Sun 9:45 am-2:10pm. One half point Bye allowed if
requested before end of round 2 and before getting full point bye. With-
drawals and zero point last round byes are not eligible for prizes. Note
that house players (if required) must pay $5 per round and be US Chess
members. ENT: Make/mail Checks payable to Dallas Chess Club, C/O
Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036-4719. Info:
214-632-9000. FIDE.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAY 19-21 OR 20-21, NEW YORK
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)
25TH ANNUAL NEW YORK STATE OPEN
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Tiki Resort,
2 Canada St., Lake George, NY 12845. $$G 3200. In 4 sections. Open:
$$ 400-200-150, top Under 2010/Unr $240-120, top Under 1810 $200-
100. Senior, open to under 1910 or unrated born before 5/21/67. $$
300-150-100, top Under 1710 $140-70. Under 1610: $$ 250-125-75,
Under 1410 $120-60, unrated limit $150. Under 1210: $100-60-40,
plaques to top 3, 1st U1000, U800, U600, Unr. Mixed doubles bonus
prize: best male/female 2-player “team” combined score among all
sections: $200. Team average must be under 2200; teammates may
play in different sections; teams must register (no extra fee) by 2 pm
5/20. Top 3 sections EF: $79 online at chessaction.com by 5/17, $85
phoned to 406-896-2038 by 5/15 (entry only, no questions), 3-day $83,
2-day $82 mailed by 5/10, $90 online until 2 hours before round 1 or at
site. Under 1210 Section EF: all $40 less than top 3 sections EF. All:
Advance or online entry $7 less to NYSCA members (NYSCA dues
$12/year with 2 issues Empire Chess, $20/year with 4 issues, may be
paid with entry fee). No checks at site, credit cards OK. Special 1 year
USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com,
Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at
site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Re-entry $40, not avail-
able in Open Section. GMs, IMs & WGMs free, $60 deducted from prize.
3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 &
3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 &, 5, Sun 10
& 3:15. Half point byes OK all, must commit before rd. 2; limit 2 byes
(limit 1 bye if under 1810/unr in Open). HR: $80-80, call 518-668-5744
Mon-Fri 9 am-5pm, reserve by 4/29 or rate may increase. Car rental:
Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through
chesstour.com. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise
unrated. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham,
NY 10803. Questions: www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.us, 347-
201-2269. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries posted at
chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Blitz tournament Sat
9:30 pm, reg. ends 9:15 pm.
An American Classic!
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAY 25-29, 26-29, 27-29 OR 28-29, ILLINOIS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 200 (ENHANCED)
26TH ANNUAL CHICAGO OPEN
Open Section, May 25-29: 9SS, 40/2, SD/30 d10, GM & IM norms
possible, FIDE rated. Other Sections, May 26-29, 27-29 or 28-29:
7SS, 40/2, SD/30 d10 (3-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10; 2-day option,
rds. 1-4 G/30 d10). Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North
Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, 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 guaranteed prize fund. In 8 sections (unrated
allowed only in Open, U2300, U2100 or U1000). Open: Open to players
who are/were rated 2200/over by USCF or FIDE or pay $100 extra.
$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-
World Open in 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: 6/29-7/4, 6/30-7/4, 7/1-4 or 2-4
Under 900 Section, Unrated Section: July 2-4
5-DAY OR 6-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 June 24-29 and many side events. See Tournament Life or chesstour.com for details.
See previous issue for TLAs appearing February 1-14
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 5/24/16-5/24/17 was
more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $1500. 2) Players
with under 26 lifetime games rated as of 5/17 official list cannot win
over $500 in U1000, $1000 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; teams including an unrated limited to $500. Open through
U1300 entry fee: $207 online at chessaction.com by 3/20, $227 by
5/24. $215 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/21, $235 phoned by 5/22
(entry only, no questions). 5-day $215, 4-day $214, 3-day $213, 2-day
$212 mailed by 3/21, all $20 more mailed by 5/12. All $250 online until
2 hours before round 1 or at site until 1 hour before round 1. No checks
at site, credit cards OK. Do not mail entry after 5/12. Open EF for
titled players: GMs free; $200 deducted from prize. IMs/WGMs $100;
another $100 deducted from prize. EF $100 less to seniors age 65/over,
except U1000 Section. Under 1000 Section EF: $57 online at chessac-
tion.com by 5/24, $65 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 5/22 (entry only, no
questions), 4-day $64, 3-day $63, 2-day $62 mailed by 5/12, all $80
online until 2 hours before round 1 or at site until 1 hour before round
1. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Online 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 & 4:15. 4-day
schedule (U2300 to U1500): Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, Rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11
& 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:15. 3-day schedule (U2300 to U1500):
Reg. ends Sat 10 am, Rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:15.
2-day schedule (U2300 to U1500): Reg. ends Sun 9 am, Rds. Sun 10,
12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:15. Under 1300 & Under 1000 schedules:
Same as U2300 to U1500 (4-day, 3-day, 2-day options), except last
round Mon is 3:15. 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: $109-109-109-
109, 800-937-8461, 847-777-6500, reserve by 5/11 or rate may increase.
Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online
through chesstour.com. Foreign player ratings: See www.chess
tour.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. Entries posted at ches-
saction.com (online entries posted instantly). Bring set, board, clock
if possible- none supplied.
MAY 28, ILLINOIS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30 (ENHANCED)
6TH ANNUAL CHICAGO OPEN BLITZ (BLZ)
5SS, G/5 d0, double round, 10 games. Westin North Shore Hotel (see
Chicago Open). In 2 sections with $2500 guaranteed. Open: $400-250-
150, U2300/Unr $220-110, U2100/Unr $200-100. Under 1900/Unr:
$300-150-90, U1700/Unr $180-90, U1500 $120-60, U1300 $80. EF: $40
by 7 pm 5/28, $50 by 10 pm 5/28. GMs free; $40 from prize. Enter at
site only, no checks. Reg. ends 10 pm, rds. 10:30, 11, 11:30, 12, 12:30.
1 bye allowed (1 point out of 2), must give notice before rd. 2. Blitz
rated, but higher of regular or blitz used for pairings & prizes.
JUNE 14-15, NEVADA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 50 (ENHANCED)
2017 U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN
See Nationals.
JUNE 15, NEVADA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 50 (ENHANCED)
WALTER BROWNE MEMORIAL NATIONAL OPEN BLITZ
CHAMPIONSHIP (BLZ)
7 D-SS (14 games), G/3 +2. Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino,
3000 Paradise Rd., 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, U1800 250, U1700 200, U1600 175,
U1500 150, U1400 125, U1200 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: $50 by 5/26, $60 later. REG.: by 6:30
p.m. Rd. 1 at 7:30 p.m. www.VegasChessFestival.com. FIDE.
JUNE 16-18 OR 17-18, NEVADA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 300 (ENHANCED)
2017 NATIONAL OPEN
See Nationals.
JUNE 23-25, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 50 (ENHANCED)
2ND ANNUAL WORLD OPEN SENIOR
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market
St., Philadelphia 19107 (see World Open for rates & parking info). Open
to all born before 6/25/67. $5000 guaranteed prizes. In 2 sections.
Open, open to all. $1000-600-300, clear or tiebreak win $100 bonus,
Under 2210/Unr $440-220, Under 2010/Unr $400-200. Under 1810:
$$600-320-200, Under 1610 (no Unr) $280-140, Under 1410 (no Unr)
$200; unrated limit $200. EF: $98 online at chessaction.com by 6/21,
$105 mailed by 6/12 or phoned to 406-896-2038 by 6/19, $120 at site,
or online until 2 hours before round 1. GMs free; $90 deducted from
prize. Reg.: ends 6 pm 6/23, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 5 pm, Sun 10
am & 3:15 pm. Half point byes OK all rounds, limit 2 byes (limit 1 bye
if under 2010 in Open or under 1410 in U1810), must commit before rd
.2. Special USCF dues: see World Open. Ent: chessaction.com or Con-
tinental Chess, PO Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge for
refunds. Advance entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries
posted instantly).
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 23-25, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)
6TH ANNUAL WORLD OPEN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market
St., Philadelphia 19107 (see World Open for rates & parking info). Open
to all females. $2000 guaranteed prizes. In 2 sections. Open, open
to all. $400-200-100, clear or tiebreak win $50 bonus, Under 1900/Unr
$240, Under 1700/Unr $220. Under 1500: $280-140-70, Under 1300
(no Unr) $160, Under 1100 (no Unr) $140. EF: $88 online at
chessaction.com by 6/21, $92 mailed by 6/12, $100 at site, or online
until 2 hours before round 1. GMs, IMs, WGMs free; $80 from prize.
Reg. ends 6 pm 6/23, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 5 pm, Sun 10 am &
3:15 pm. Half point byes OK all rounds, limit 2 byes (limit 1 bye if
under 1700 in Open or under 1100 in U1500), must commit before rd. 2.
Special USCF dues: see World Open. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental
Chess, PO Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge for refunds.
Advance entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted
instantly).
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 24-29, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 200 (ENHANCED)
11TH ANNUAL PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL
www.uschess.org 61
Tournament Life / February
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
Downtown, 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 5/22 at chess-
action.com). Minimum prize $300 to other GMs (including US) who enter
at chessaction.com by 5/22 and 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 5/22, $75 online at chessaction.com by 6/22, $100
at site; $100 deducted from prize (no deduction from minimum prize).
Foreign FIDE rated players: $100 online at chessaction.com by 5/22,
$125 online by 6/22, $150 at site. USA players FIDE rated 2200/up:
$200 online by 5/22, $225 online by 6/22, $250 at site. Others: $300
online by 5/22, $325 online by 6/22, $350 at site. All: Phoned entry
(406-896-2038) all $10 more; no phoned entry after 6/19. Mailed entry
all $10 more; do not mail entry after 6/14. No checks at site, credit
cards OK. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine: see World Open.
Schedule: Late reg. ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat & Sun 11 am & 6 pm, Mon
& Tue 6 pm, Wed 11 am & 6 pm, Thu 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: chessaction.com. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions:
www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.us, 347-201-2269. Online entries
posted instantly at chessaction.com. Invitations: GoAtChess.us (use @
symbol instead of “At” in email address). Ent: chessaction.com or Con-
tinental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803.
JUNE 29, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)
WORLD OPEN ACTION CHAMPIONSHIP
5SS, G/25 d5. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market St., Philadel-
phia 19107 (see World Open for rates & parking info). $2000 guaranteed
prizes. In 2 sections. Open, open to all: $400-200-150, U2200/Unr
$180-90, U2000/Unr $160-80. Under 1800/Unr: $250-120-60, U1600
(no Unr) $140-70, U1400 (no Unr) $100. EF: $53 online at chessaction.com
by 6/27, $60 online by 11 am 6/29 or at site. GMs $50 from prize. Reg.
ends 12 noon 6/29, rounds 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:00, 9:00. Half point
byes OK all rounds, limit 2 byes (limit 1 bye if U2000 in Open or U1400
in U1800), must commit before rd. 2. Special USCF dues: see World
Open. $15 service charge for refunds. Entries posted at chessaction.com
(online entries posted instantly).
An American Classic!
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 29-JULY 4, JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, PENNSYL-
VANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 300 (ENHANCED)
45TH 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 80 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: Open to all who are or were rated 2200/over
USCF or FIDE or pay $100 more. 40/2, SD/30 d10. Under 2200 to
Under 1200 Sections, June 29-July 4, 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 6/26/16-6/26/17 was more than 30 points over
section maximum, prize limit $2000. 2) Players with under 26 lifetime
games rated as of 7/17 official list cannot win over $1000 in U1200,
$2000 U1400, $3000 U1600 through U2000. Games rated too late for
7/17 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; teams including an unrated limited
to $500. Entry fee for Open through U1400 sections: Online at ches-
saction.com: $308 by 4/15, $318 by 5/15, $328 by 6/26, $350 until 2
hours before round 1. Phoned to 406-896-2038: $325 by 5/15, $335
by 6/22. Mailed by 5/15: 6-day $326, 5-day $325, 4-day $324, 3-day
$323. Mailed by 6/12: all $10 more. All $100 more for Open Section
if never rated 2200/over by USCF or FIDE. Do not mail entry after
6/12. At site until 1.5 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 never
rated 2200/over by USCF or FIDE. Under 1200 Section EF: all $100
62 February 2017 | Chess Life
less than above. Seniors 65/up: all EF $100 less in U1400 or above
sections. U900 Section or Unrated Section EF: $68 online at chess-
action.com by 6/26, $73 mailed by 6/12 or phoned by 6/22, $80 at site
until 1.5 hours before round 1 or online until 2 hours before round 1.
No checks at site; credit cards OK. Re-entry: $160, no re-entry from
Open to Open. $20 fee for switching section after 6/28. 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. 6-
day schedule: Thu/Fri 7 pm, Sat 6 pm, Sun/Mon 11 am & 6 pm, Tue
10 am & 4:30 pm. 5-day schedule: Fri 7 pm, Sat/Sun/Mon 11 am & 6
pm, Tue 10 am & 4:30 pm. 4-day schedule: Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun/Mon
11 & 6, Tue 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule: Sun 11, 1:30, 3:30, 6 & 8:30,
Mon 11 & 6, Tue 10 & 4:30. U900 Section, Unrated Section schedule:
Sun 11, 2:30 & 6, Mon 11, 2:30 & 6, Tue 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 90 minutes 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. Gateway Garage,
1540 Spring St. (3/5 mile from Marriott, 1 block from Sheraton Hotel),
about $7/day Sat & Sun, $20/day other days. Free shuttle from Marriott
to Gateway Garage each night, 6/30-7/4. Special car rental rates:
Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through
chesstour.com. Foreign player ratings: See www.chesstour.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, DirectorAtChess.US.
$15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries posted at
chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Awards: Open through
U1800 prizes awarded 7/4, others mailed by 7/18. Bring set, board,
clock if possible- none supplied.
Regional
ALABAMA
FEB. 11-12, Queen of Hearts - 45th Annual
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 25, Tom Nard Memorial III
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 (70% GTD),
2nd $150, U2000/unrated $100; U1800 (prizes b/20): 1st $225 (70%
GTD), 2nd $125, U1500/unrated $100, U1200 (prizes b/20): 1st $200
(70% 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.
A State Championship Event!
MAR. 11, Alabama State Scholastic Championship
7 sections: Open Championship (K-12), Jr High Championship (K-8)
4SS, G/45 d5; Open U1000 (4-12, rating<1000), Jr High U800 (4-8,rating
< 800), Elementary Grades (4-6) Elementary U600 (4-6 rating < 600),
Primary (K-3) 5SS, G/30 d5. Site: Bob Jones High School, 650 Hughes
Rd., Madison, AL 35758. On site Reg: 8:30-9:00. Rds.: Open and Jr
High Championship 10:00, 12:45, 2:30, 4:15 all others 10:00, 11:15,
1:30, 2:45, 4:00. EF: $25 (55 family) recv’d by 2/28, $35 by 3/8,$ 60:00
after. Prizes: Trophies to top 5 in each section. Note: Only Alabama
students trophy-eligible. Ent: Bill Nash, P O Box 843, Madison, AL 35758.
US Chess and Alabama Chess Federation membership required for all
Alabama residents. (other States OK without Alabama Chess Federation
membership) Info, forms, entries: (on line entries, alabamachess.org)
Alabama Chess Federation, Inc. - Home. Questions/contact: scholas-
tic@alabamachess.org
A State Championship Event!
MAR. 12, Alabama State Scholastic Team Championship
4SS, 4-boards teams, match point scoring. Only Alabama schools, home-
schools and ACF affiliates are eligible. 6 (or more) sections: Open
(grades K-12) and Jr High (K-9) G/45 d5, sections will be split into
schools and clubs if entries permit; Elementary (K-6), Elementary Club,
Primary (K-3), Primary Club, G/30 d5. Site: Bob Jones High School, 650
Hughes Rd., Madison, AL 35758. On site Reg: 8:30-9:00. Rds.: Open
and Jr High 10:00, 12:45, 2:30, 4:15. all others 10:00 11:15, 1:30, 2:45,
4:00. EF: $50/team recv’d by 3/8, $100 after. Prizes: Open & Jr High
trophies to top 2 schools and club each section; Elementary & Primary
trophies to top 3; Elementary Club & Primary Club trophies to top 2.
Ent: Bill Nash, P O Box 843, Madison AL 35758. US Chess and Alabama
Chess Federation membership required. Info, teams eligibility, forms,
entries: (on line entries, alabamachess.org) Alabama Chess Federation,
Inc. - Home. Questions/contact: scholastic@alabamachess.org.
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 15th annual Southern Class
Championships (FL)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 31-APR. 2 OR 1-2, Lone Star Open (TX)
See Grand Prix.
ARIZONA
MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, 24th annual Western Class Championships
(CA-S)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 14-15, 2017 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 15, Walter Browne Memorial National Open Blitz
Championship (BLZ) (NV)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 16-18 OR 17-18, 2017 National Open (NV)
See Nationals.
ARKANSAS
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 18-19, Arkansas Open
5-ss, G/90;+30. Mt. Sequoyah Retreat Center,150 N. Skyline Dr., Fayet-
teville, AR 72701. (479) 443-4531 or 800-760-8126. Cottage Cabins (1
King or 2 Queens) $80 (no tax). To reserve call M-F 9-5. EF: Open $45;
Reserve $35 (deduct $5 from either if postmarked by Mar. 13). Reg.:
8:15-9:15 Sat. AM; Rds.: 9:30-2-6:30; 9-1:15. Two Sections: ($$b/35)
Open: $250-150; U-1800 $120; Reserve (U-1600): $150-100; U-1300
$100; Unrateds play for overall 1st or 2nd in either section. 1 half pt.
bye rds. 1-5; requested before rd. 3 pairings. Les Kline, 801 N. Rush
Dr., Fayetteville, AR 72701, cl_kline@sbcglobal.net; (479) 595-5720.
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 21st annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 31-APR. 2 OR 1-2, Lone Star Open (TX)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 5-7 OR 6-7, 4th Annual Little Rock Spring Open
See Grand Prix.
CALIFORNIA, NORTHERN
FEB. 18-20 OR 19-20 (BLITZ FEB 20), 2017 (33rd) U.S.
Amateur Team Championship West
See Nationals.
FEB. 25, Bay Area San Ramon Swiss (PK-12; 4SS, G/30 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, 18090 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon, CA
94583. Trophies: players w + score. Sched: Reg 9:30-9:45a. Games:
10a - 1:30p. EF: 34, 49 after 2/19. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/sig-
nature. W.
FEB. 25, Bay Area San Ramon Quads (PK-12; 3xG/30 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, 18090 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon, CA
94583. Trophies: Players w + score. Sched: Reqrd Check-in 1:30-2p.
Games: 2:15-5p. EF: 29, 44 after 2/19. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/
signature. W.
FEB. 26, Bay Area Cupertino Swiss (PK-12; 4SS, G/30 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, Cupertino, CA 95014. Trophies: players w + score.
Sched: Reg 9:30-9:45a. Games: 10a - 1:30p. EF: 34, 49 after 2/21.
Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
FEB. 26, Bay Area Cupertino Quads (PK-12; 3xG/30 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, Cupertino, CA 95014. Trophies: Players w + score.
Sched: Reqrd. Check-in 1:30-2p. Games: 2:15-5p. EF: 29, 44 after 2/21.
Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
FEB. 26, Pleasanton Luper$wiss - G/60 (3SS, G/90 d5)
Sheraton Pleasanton, 5990 Stoneridge Mall Rd., Pleasanton, CA 94588.
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. Feb
17 Supp & TD disc. Sched: Reg 8:30-8:45. Rds. 9a, 11:30a, 2p-4:30p.
EF: 49, Econ 34 w 1/2 prz. after 2/10 +15, playup +25, Rtd 2200+ $0
by 2/12. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/grandprix. W.
MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, 24th annual Western Class Championships
(CA-S)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 4, Foster City LuperSwiss90 (3SS, G/90 d5)
Foster City Courtyard Marriott, 550 Shell Blvd., 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. Mar 17 Supp & TD
disc. Reg.: 9-9:15. Rds. 9:30-1-4:30. EF: 48, Econ 33 w 1/2 prz. after
2/27 +15, playup +25, Rtd 2200+ $0 by 2/19. Info: http://BayArea-
Chess.com/grandprix. W.
MAR. 5, 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. Mar 17 Supp & TD disc. Reg.: 8-
8:45. Rds.: 9-11:45-2:40. EF: 48 Econ 33 w 1/2 prz, after 2/28 +15,
playup +25, Rtd 2200+ $0 by 2/19. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/
grandprix. W.
MAR. 5, Bay Area Pleasanton Swiss (PK-12; 4SS, G/30 d5)
Pleasanton Courtyard, 5059 Hopyard Rd., Pleasanton, CA 94588. Tro-
phies: players w + score. Sched: Reg 9:30-9:45a. Games: 10a - 1:30p.
EF: 34, 49 after 2/28. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
MAR. 5, Bay Area Pleasanton Quads (PK-12; 3xG/30 d5)
Pleasanton Courtyard, 5059 Hopyard Rd., Pleasanton, CA 94588. Trophies:
Players w + score. Sched: Reqrd. Check-in 1:30-2p. Games: 2:15-5p.
EF: 29, 44 after 2/28. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, Bay Area Chess Spring Championship
See Grand Prix.
APR. 1-2, 2017 Sacramento Senior Championship
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 14-15, 2017 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 15, Walter Browne Memorial National Open Blitz
Championship (BLZ) (NV)
See Grand Prix.
 See previous issue for TLAs appearing February 1-14

JUNE 16-18 OR 17-18, 2017 National Open (NV) members. Reg.: 7-7:10 p.m. Rds.: 7:10-11:00 p.m., USCF rated . Free APR. 12-16, 13-16, 14-16 OR 15-16, 11th annual
See Nationals. parking. Free coffee. INFO: (310) 827-2789 Philadelphia Open (PA)
MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, 24th annual Western Class Championships See Grand Prix.
CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN See Grand Prix. JUNE 26-28, World Open Warmup (PA)
JUNE 14-15, 2017 U.S. Women’s Open (NV) See Pennsylvania.
THE LOS ANGELES CHESS CLUB See Nationals.
The Most Active Club on the West Coast! (310) 795-5710. *
LACC: www.LAChessClub.com; VCC: www.ValleyChess JUNE 15, Walter Browne Memorial National Open Blitz DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Club.com; Contact: Mick@LAChessClub.com; Saturday & Sun- Championship (BLZ) (NV)
FEB. 24-26 OR 25-26, 2nd annual George Washington Open (VA)
days: 10 am-9 pm (Beginner/Novice & Intermediate classes + See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix.
3 Tournaments each day – Details on our web site. Tuesdays: JUNE 16-18 OR 17-18, 2017 National Open (NV)
7:30-9:30 pm (Advance lecture). 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., See Nationals.
Los Angeles, CA 90025. (4 blocks W of 405, SW corner of FLORIDA
Santa Monica & Butler * 2nd Floor – above Javan Restaurant)
Boca Raton Chess Club
Group Classes * Tournaments * Private (1:1) Lessons. COLORADO Friday night tournament games, one game a week for 4 weeks.
FEB. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, Every Saturday & Sunday JUNE 14-15, 2017 U.S. Women’s Open (NV) www.bocachess.com, 561-479-0351.
Chess 4 JRS See Nationals.
8 separate events- 5SS, G/30 d0. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd. & Butler FEB. 17-19 OR 18-19, 2017 U.S. Amateur Team Championship
LA, 90025, 2nd fl. 4 blocks West of 405. EF: $30 ($20 LACC memb, No JUNE 16-18 OR 17-18, 2017 National Open (NV) - South
prize 1/2, siblings 1/2, Free new LACC members). Reg.: 12-1 pm. See Nationals. See Nationals.
Register at LAChessClub.com and receive a free gift. Rds.: 1pm & asap; FEB. 23, Village Senior Quads
done by 4; Prizes: Trophies & medals; All players receive prizes! Parking: Open to all. 3 round Quad G/60 d5. Place: Captiva Rec. Center, 658
Free on streets & BoA. Free healthy refreshments. Info: (310) 795- CONNECTICUT Pinellas Pl., The Villages, FL 32163. Rounds: 10AM, 1PM, 3:15PM. Entry
5710 or www.LAChessClub.com or Mick@LAChessClub.com. MAR. 11-12, 50th annual New York State Scholastic Fee: Reg. $5, prizes based on entries. Unrateds free. Booster: $12,
FEB. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, LACC - Sat & Sun Nite Blitza- Championships (out of state welcome) (NY) Prize 1 year membership in USCF, nonrated. Time Registration: 9AM
thon (BLZ) See New York. at site. Advance Registration: send to Monroe Steindorf, 2836 Manor
8 separate events- 7DSS, G/5 d0 (Blitz,14 Games). 11514 Santa Monica Downs, The Villages, FL 32162.
APR. 12-16, 13-16, 14-16 OR 15-16, 11th annual
Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd fl. 4 blks W of 405. EF: $20 ($15 LACC memb). No Philadelphia Open (PA) MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 15th annual Southern Class
prizes 1/2. Reg.: 6-6:30 pm. Register at LAChessClub.com and receive Championships
a free gift. Rds.: 6:30, 6:55, 7:20, 7:45, 8:10, 8:35, 9 pm. Prizes: 1/2 See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
collections. Parking: Free on streets & BoA. Info: 310/795-5710 or APR. 28-30 OR 29-30, 26th annual Eastern Class
www.LAChessClub.com. Championships (MA) MAR. 31-APR. 2 OR 1-2, Lone Star Open (TX)
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix! See Grand Prix.
FEB. 4&5, 11&12, 25&26, LACC - Saturday & Sunday G/61 JUNE 26-28, World Open Warmup (PA)
MAY 19-21 OR 20-21, 25th annual New York State Open (NY) See Pennsylvania.
3 separate events- 6SS, G/61 d5. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA 90025, See Grand Prix.
2nd fl. EF: $55/ (35 LACC memb; No prizes 1/2). Reg.: 11-12. Register
at LAChessClub.com and receive a free gift. Rds.: 12, 2, 4 pm each day. JUNE 26-28, World Open Warmup (PA)
Prizes: 1/2 collections. Parking: Free at BoA, streets, & basement. See Pennsylvania. GEORGIA
Info: 310/795-5710 or www.LAChessClub.com. JUNE 29-JULY 4, JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 45th FEB. 17-19 OR 18-19, 2017 Atlanta Winter Congress
FEB. 18-19, 2017 LACC Bronstein Memorial Annual World Open (PA) See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix. MAR. 17-19 OR 18-19, 2017 Boris Kogan Memorial
US Chess Junior Grand Prix! See Grand Prix.
FEB. 28, MAR. 7, 14, 21, 28, Santa Monica Bay Chess Club DELAWARE MAR. 19, 2017 ACP March Scholastic Championship
2017 Championship 4-SS, G/30 d5. Interactive College of Technology, 5227 New Peachtree
TUESDAY EVENINGS; (4-SS, G/1:55 d5) Cash prizes. St. Andrew’s Church, MAR. 11-12, Delaware State Open Championship Rd., Chamblee, GA 30341. Entry fee: $29 by 3/18; $33 at site. In
11555 National Blvd., WLA, 90064. EF: $20 - Club members, $35 - non- See Grand Prix. three sections: Middle School (K-8), Elementary (K-6), Primary (K-3).

26th annual CHICAGO OPEN

May 25-29 (GM/IM norms possible), 26-29, 27-29 or 28-29, Memorial Day weekend
8 sections, prizes $100,000 unconditionally guaranteed!
Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, Wheeling IL - free parking, free lectures by GM John Fedorowicz
Open section, 5/25-29: 9 rounds, 40/2, SD/30, d10.
U2300 to U1000 section: 7 rounds, 5/26-29, 40/2, SD/30,
d10 (3-day option 5/27-29, rds 1-2 G/60, d10; 2-day option
5/28-29, rds 1-4 G/30, d10). All merge & play for same prizes.
Open: $10000-5000-2500-1300-1000-800-600-500-400-
400, clear or tiebreak first $300 bonus, top FIDE U2400/unr
$2000-1000. FIDE rated, GM and IM norms possible.
Under 2300, Under 2100, Under 1900, Under 1700: Each
$5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-400-300-300-300.
Under 1500, Under 1300: Each $4000-2000-1000-700-
500-400-300-300-300-300.
Under 1000: $1000-500-300-200-200-150-150-100-100-
100, unr max $200, trophy 1st 10, top u800, u600, u400, Unr.
Unrateds allowed only in Open, Under 2300, Under 2100
or Under 1000 sections. Unrated prize limit $1000 in U2100.
FIDE ratings used for Open, May official USCF for others.
Unofficial web ratings usually used if otherwise unrated.
If any post-event rating posted 5/24/16-5/24/17 was
more than 30 pts over section maximum, prize limit $1500.
Under 26 games prize limit as of 5/17 list: U1000 $500,
U1300 $1000, U1500 $1500, U1700 $2000, U1900 $2500.
Mixed Doubles: Best male/female 2-player team
combined score among all sections:$2000-1000-500-400-300.
Must average under 2200. Only rds 1-7 of Open Section
counted. Enter before both players begin round 2.
Entry fee: $207 at chessaction.com by 3/20, $227 by 5/24,
$250 until 2 hrs before rd 1 or at site 1 hr before. Open Sect
$100 more for US players not rated 2200/over by USCF or
FIDE. Senior 65/up $100 less, except U1000. Online $5 less
to ICA memb. Mail, phone or titled: see chesstour.com or TLA.
Under 1000 Section: $57 at chessaction.com by 5/24,
$80 online by 2 hours before rd 1 or at site until 1 hour before.
5-day schedule (Open only): enter Thu to 6 pm, rds Thu
7 pm, Fri 12 & 7, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:15.
4-day schedule (U2300 to U1500): enter Fri to 6, rds Fri
7, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:15.
3-day schedule (U2300 to U1500): enter Sat to 10 am,
rds Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:15.
2-day schedule (U2300 to U1500): enter Sun to 9 am, rds
Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:15.
Under 1300, Under 1000 sections: same as Under 2300
to Under 1500 (4-day, 3-day, 2-day options), except last round
Monday is 3:15 pm.
Half point byes OK all, limit 4 (2 last 4 rds). Open must
commit before rd 2, others rd 4.
Hotel rates: 1-4/rm $109, 800-937-8461, reserve by 5/11.
Full details: see TLA or chesstour.com. USCF memb.
required, see TLA or chesstour.com for special rates.
Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied.
$2000 guaranteed blitz tournament, Sunday 10 pm.

www.uschess.org 63
Tournament Life / February

Trophies to top five, top unrated, top girl each section. Medals to 3/15, $20 at site, $2 less to SCC members. Prizes: $$400 b/30. 140-80,
every participant who doesn’t get a trophy. Rounds: 11 a.m., 12:30 1600-1999 60, 1200-1599 50, Under 1200 40, Unrated 30. Ent/Info: David KANSAS
p.m., then as soon as possible. Special: A master or expert will be on Long, 401 S. Illinois St., Springfield 62704. 217-726-2584. Information MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 21st annual Mid-America Open (MO)
hand for FREE analysis. Bring chess equipment, none supplied! Info: and directions available at www.springfieldchessclub.com. See Grand Prix.
(478) 973-9389 or info@americanchesspromotions.com. Enter: amer- MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 21st annual Mid-America Open (MO)
icanchesspromotions MAY 25-29, 26-29, 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th annual Chicago
See Grand Prix. Open (IL)
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 15th annual Southern Class MAY 5-7 OR 6-7, 14th Annual Great Lakes Open (MI) See Grand Prix.
Championships (FL) See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
MAY 25-29, 26-29, 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th annual Chicago Open
MAR. 31-APR. 2 OR 1-2, Lone Star Open (TX) See Grand Prix. KENTUCKY
See Grand Prix. US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAY 28, 6th annual Chicago Open Blitz (BLZ)
JUNE 26-28, World Open Warmup (PA) See Grand Prix. MAR. 11, 2nd Great Louisville Open
See Pennsylvania. 4-SS, G/70 d10. Yussman Chess Center, Suite 079, 173 Sears Ave.,
JUNE 26-28, World Open Warmup (PA)
See Pennsylvania. Louisville, KY 40207. EF: $30 (by3/8), $40 at site. PF: $800, based on
40 entries, 1st-$180, 2nd-$140, A, B, C, D/E each $75, $45. Regis-
IDAHO tration: 8:00-8:45AM, Rds at 9:15,12:00, 2:30, 5:00. Entries (inAdvance)
VELLOTTI’S CHESS SCHOOL INDIANA enter at club or mail to: Craig Hines, 613 North Park Dr., Evansville,
We make chess Fun! Vellotti’s Chess School, established in IN 47710, 812-618-8700, Email: Mrsci2740@hotmail.com. 1 bye, no
2004, is a comprehensive children’s coaching company. We US Chess Junior Grand Prix! last rd. byes.
have developed very fun and original kid-friendly curriculum FEB. 18, 2017 Southern Indiana Open MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 21st annual Mid-America Open (MO)
for every age group from preschoolers through teens! Our 4SS, G/60 d10. Holiday Inn, 1710 N. Kinser Pike, Bloomington, IN 47404. See Grand Prix.
popular chess programs are offered in a variety of venues from EF: $40 in Advance if by 2/15, $55 at site. Reg.: 8:15-9:00AM. Rds.:
preschool elective classes to elementary and after school enrich- 9:30, 12:30, 3:00, 6:00. Prizes: $1100, b/40,1st $250, 2nd$170, A,B,C,D/E,
ment programs. Centrally located in Boise, we also offer events each $100, $70. Entries in Advance at Indianachess.org or mail to (must LOUISIANA
in Meridian, Eagle, and Sun Valley, ID with a growing expansion be rcvd by 2/15). Craig Hines, 613 North Park Dr., Evansville, IN 47710.
into the Los Angeles area. For more info on all of our fun Email: Mrsci2740@hotmail.com, cell 812-618-8700, ISCA membership FEB. 16-20, 17-20, 18-20 OR 19-20, 8th annual Southwest
classes, camps, and tournaments- call (208) 713-2486 or email rqrd/OSA. 1 bye if claimed by RD. 2, NO LAST RD BYES, NO CREDIT Class Championships (TX)
us at info@SuccessInChess.com. You may also visit our website CARDS AT SITE. W. See Grand Prix.
at www.SuccessInChess.com. MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 21st annual Mid-America Open (MO) MAR. 4-5, 2017 Louisiana Pro-Am
See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix.
ILLINOIS MAY 5-7 OR 6-7, 14th Annual Great Lakes Open (MI) MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 15th annual Southern Class
See Grand Prix. Championships (FL)
FEB. 17-19 OR 18-19, 2017 U.S. Amateur Team Championship See Grand Prix.
- North MAY 25-29, 26-29, 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th annual Chicago
See Nationals. Open (IL) MAR. 31-APR. 2 OR 1-2, Lone Star Open (TX)
See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix.
MAR. 18, 15th Annual Mark Oestreich Memorial Tournament
Time control 30/70, then 40/60 d0. No sudden death. Salem Community MAY 28, 6th annual Chicago Open Blitz (BLZ) (IL)
Center, 416 Oglesby St., Salem, IL. EF: $15.00. Prize fund: $360.00, See Grand Prix. MAINE
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- MAR. 4, 4th Queen City Tornado (NH)
4967, 7358 Shaftesbury, St. Louis, MO 63130. jandadavies@
IOWA See Grand Prix.
sbcglobal.net. MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 21st annual Mid-America Open (MO) MAR. 18-19, Saco Open
See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix.
MAR. 18, Springfield Fourteenth Annual David Mote Memorial
Open MAY 25-29, 26-29, 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th annual Chicago APR. 28-30 OR 29-30, 26th annual Eastern Class
4SS, G/60 d5. Douglas United Methodist Church, 501 S. Douglas, Springfield. Open (IL) Championships (MA)
Reg.: 9-9:45. Rds.: 10-12:45-3:00-5:15. Lunch break at 12:15. EF: $17 by See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix.

Categories
Added

RUN AN ADDITIONAL TOURNAMENT THIS SPRING! Each affiliate is entitled to one TLA per month of up
Chess Life
to 8 lines and up to 2 issues of Chess Life, for any tournament between April and June 2017, if no TLA for such an event ap-
peared in 2016, and the TLA is e-mailed by the appropriate deadline. The 8 free lines cannot be applied to longer TLAs. Only $49 for Premium Membership,
which includes a copy of Chess Life
SPECIAL CATEGORIES QUALIFY FOR FREE TLAS! Each affiliate is entitled to one TLA per month of
up to 8 lines for events in the following categories, if submitted by e-mail. The free lines cannot be applied to longer TLAs: every month. Regular Memberships
are available for $40 and give
online-only access to Chess Life.
SENIOR For age 50 or above, or a CHESS CLUB SPECIAL A tourna- COLLEGIATE A tournament limited to
higher minimum age. ment playing only on one or more college students.
(Note to affiliates: If you collect a
weekday evenings. $49 membership, you may submit
UNRATEDS FREE Any tournament JUNIOR For age 20/below (age 20 it online to US Chess for $46.)
that offers free entry to unrated players. must be eligible).
RBO Open to Under 1200/ Unr or
If your prizes are based on entries, say
Under 1000/ Unr. Tournament name NON-SCHOLASTIC WITH SCHOLASTIC
“paid entries.”
must include “Rated Beginners Open” A tournament for all ages held concur-
US CHESS BOOSTER TOURNAMENT or “RBO.” rent (same location) with a scholastic
A tournament that offers at least two tournament that in its previous year
US Chess membership renewal BLITZ Time control of Game/5. TLAs drew at least 50 players. We encourage
prizes, or a quad that offers at least such as “USCF-rated Blitz every Friday organizers of scholastics to hold open
one per section. 7 pm” are accepted. or collegiate events on the side.

SPECIAL RATES FOR CLUB ADS. Up to 5 lines $180 per year, $100 for 6 months
for unchanged club ads in the TLA section. Announce meeting dates & times, activities, contact
info, etc.
US CHESS DISCUSSION GROUPS. See www.uschess.org/forums for four groups:
Tournament Organization, Chess Club Organization, Tournament Direction, US Chess Issues.

64 February 2017 | Chess Life


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
scholarship to UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore
County) awarded each year.
FEB. 10-12 OR 11-12, 55th Annual Baltimore Open
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 24-26 OR 25-26, 2nd annual George Washington Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 25, 2017 Mid-Atlantic Scholastic Team Championships
4SS, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, 1400 W. Cold Spring Ln., Baltimore,
MD 21209. 4-player, fixed-roster teams. 7 Sections: High School Cham-
pionship (9-12) G/45 d5, trophies to top 3. High School Under 1000
(9-12, all players rated under 1000) G/30 d5, trophies to top 5. Middle
School Championship (6-8) G/45 d5, trophies to top 3. Middle School
Under 1000 (6-8, all players rated under 1000) G/30 d5, trophies to top
7. Elementary School Championship (K-5) G/45 d5, trophies to top 5.
Elementary School Under 1000 (K-5, all players rated under 1000) G/30
d5, trophies to top 10. Elementary School under 500 (K-5, all players
rated under 500) G/30 d5, trophies to top 10. Sets and board provided.
Pairings can be texted to your phone. EF: $80/team by 2/18, $100/team
by 2/21, $120/team by 1/23, $160/team at the door (1/2 point bye likely
in rnd 1). $20 off all team entrance fees for Title I schools. More info,
rules and online registration at http://midatlteam.mdchess.com, Ent:
MCA, 1827 Thornton Ridge Rd., Towson, MD 21204.
FEB. 25, Waldorf Quad #15
3 Rd. Quads, G/90 d5, Waldorf Chess Club, 2932 Mattawoman Beantown
Rd., Waldorf, MD 20601. EF: $20. $$GTD: $50. 1st each Quad. Reg.:
8:30 - 9:45 AM. Rds.: 10:00, 2:00, and 5:30. INFO: Roland Thorpe, 301-
752-5169, strider_08@comcast.net. http://waldorfchessclub.org.
MAR. 4-5, UMBC Open - Alvin S. Mintzes Chess Tournament
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 11-12, Delaware State Open Championship (DE)
See Grand Prix.
APR. 12-16, 13-16, 14-16 OR 15-16, 11th annual
Philadelphia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 23-25, 6th annual World Open Women’s Championship (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 26-28, World Open Warmup (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JUNE 29-JULY 4, JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 45th
Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
MASSACHUSETTS
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 8, 15, 22, MAR. 1, 8, George E. O’Rourke Memorial
5SS, G/100 d5. Wachusett CC, McKay Complex, Room C192, Fitchburg
State University, 67 Rindge Rd., Fitchburg, MA 01420. EF: $20 annual
club dues or $1 per game. Reg.: 6:30-7:10 p.m. Rds.: 7:15 p.m. each
Wed. Byes: 1-4, limit two. Prizes: chess books to 1st, 2nd, top U1850,
U1700, U1550, U1400. Info: George Mirijanian, 176 Oak Hill Rd., Fitchburg,
MA 01420, miriling2@aol.com, 978-345-5011. Website: www.wachusett
chess.org. WEB: 2/8. Free parking. W.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 25-26 OR 26, 92nd Western Massachusetts/Connecticut
Valley Chess Championship
The Alumni House - Amherst College, 75 Churchill St., Amherst, MA
01002. In 2 Sections. Two-Day Section: 5SS, G/90 d5. One-Day
Section: 5SS, 1-3 G/45 d5, 4&5 G/90 d5. ALL: Open to USCF Membership.
EF: $30; $25 if postmarked by 2/21/2017; $2 discount for WMCA mem-
bers; $5 for WMCA members under 18; Unrated FREE. USCF Membership
Required. 1st overall: revolving trophy and keeper; trophy to top X, A,
B, C, D, E, UNR. Limit of two 1/2 point byes specify round(s) with entry.
ENT: WMCA, c/o Ed Kostreba, 45 Fairview St., Palmer, MA 01069. INFO:
Ron Gist RonGist@ComCast.net, (413)695-7689.
MAR. 4, 4th Queen City Tornado (NH)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 11-12, 50th annual New York State Scholastic
Championships (out of state welcome) (NY)
See New York.
MAR. 18, 9th WMCA Memorial
3SS, G/90 d5. Holyoke Public Library, 250 Chestnut St., Holyoke, MA
01040. USCF Membership Required. EF: $30 on-site; $25 if postmarked
by 3/13/2017; $2 WMCA discount; Unr: FREE. USCF membership required.
$$500b/30 paying entrants. Open: 1st $150, 2nd $75; U1800: 1st $100,
2nd $50; U1400: 1st $50, $25; Top Unrated $50. Reg.: 8:30-9: 15am
Saturday 3/18/2017. Rds.: 9:30am, 1:30pm, 5:00. Limit of one 1/2
point bye, specify round with entry. ENT: WMCA, c/o Ed Kostreba, 45
Fairview, Palmer, MA 01069. INFO: Ron Gist RonGist@ComCast.net,
(413) 695-7689.
APR. 12-16, 13-16, 14-16 OR 15-16, 11th annual
Philadelphia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
See previous issue for TLAs appearing February 1-14
APR. 28-30 OR 29-30, 26th annual Eastern Class Championships
See Grand Prix.
MAY 19-21 OR 20-21, 25th annual New York State Open (NY)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 26-28, World Open Warmup (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JUNE 29-JULY 4, JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 45th
Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
MICHIGAN
MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, 18th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 5-7 OR 6-7, 14th Annual Great Lakes Open
See Grand Prix.
MAY 25-29, 26-29, 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
MINNESOTA
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 21st annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 25-29, 26-29, 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
MISSISSIPPI
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 15th annual Southern Class
Championships (FL)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 31-APR. 2 OR 1-2, Lone Star Open (TX)
See Grand Prix.
MISSOURI
FEB. 18, The Ground Hog Open & Youth
The Kansas City Chess Club, 2 S. Water St., Liberty, MO 64068. Open
G/60 d5 at 12:30PM. Youth G/30 d5 at 9:30AM. 3SS. EF: $25 online at
Reg4Chess.com. $35 onsite. Flyer at www.kansascitychessclub.com
Free Entry For ALL New and Unrated Players USCF Players!
MAR. 11, Saint Louis Action Championship (QC)
5/SS, G/20 d3. (Quick Rated only) 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 3/10. PF: $200 Unconditionally Guaranteed!! $50-$40-$30-$25. Top
U1800-$20. Top U1500-$15. Biggest Upset-$20. Quick ratings will be
used for Pairing and Prize Purposes. Reg.: 12-12:45. Rds.: 1, 2, 3, 4:30,
5:30. Two 1/2 point byes if declared before round 2. Ent: 4657 Maryland
Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108, or online at saintlouischessclub.org. Info:
314-361-CHESS, info@saintlouischessclub.org.
MAR. 11, Blitz Bonanza (BLZ)
7/SS G/5 d0. Chess Club & Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657
Maryland Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108. Free entries for GMs and IMs.
PF: $200 Unconditionally Guaranteed!! $50-$40-$30-$25. Top U1800-
$20. Top U1500-$15. Biggest Upset-$20. EF: $10. Reg.: 6:00-6:45. 1st
Round starts at 7:00 with event finishing by 9:00. Blitz ratings will be
used for Pairing and Prize Purposes. USCF Membership required as
event is Blitz Rated. One 1/2 point bye if declared before round 1.
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 21st annual Mid-America Open
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 31-APR. 2 OR 1-2, Lone Star Open (TX)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 25-29, 26-29, 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
MONTANA
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
APR. 1-2, 82nd Montana Open
Ruby’s Inn, Missoula, Montana. 5SS, G/120 d5. $$$ based on entries.
More details at www.montanachess.org or mccourtdj@charter.net.
NEBRASKA
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 21st annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 25-29, 26-29, 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
NEVADA
MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, 24th annual Western Class Championships
(CA-S)
See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event!
MAR. 18, Nevada State Scholastic Girls’ Championship
5-SS, G/25 d5 round 1-3, G/45 d5 round 4-5. Las Vegas Chess Academy,
2560 Montessouri St., Suite 206, Las Vegas, NV 89117. Open to any
Nevada school age girl. Trophies for top players and teams. Every player
wins a medal! Winner represents Nevada in National Tournaments of
Champions. EF: $30 if received by 3/10, $40 later. Registration: Address
above or www.lasvegaschesscenter.com. On site by 8:30. Late registrants
may not be paired in round 1. Round 1 at 9:30. INFORMATION:
td0317@nevadachess.org.
A State Championship Event!
MAR. 25, Nevada State Scholastic Championship
K-3 and K5: 6-SS, G/25 d5. K-8 and K-12: 5-SS, G/25 d5 round 1-2,
G/45 d5 round 3-5. Las Vegas Day School, 3275 Red Rock, Las Vegas.
Open to any Nevada school age resident. Trophies for top players, top
teams, and more. Every player wins a medal! Winners of K-8 and K-12
represent Nevada in National Tournaments of Champions. EF: $35
received by 3/10, $45 by 3/24, $60 on site. Reg.: Las Vegas Chess
Academy, 2560 Montessouri St., Suite 206, Las Vegas, NV 89117 or
www.nevadachess.org. On site by 8:30. Late registrants may not be
paired in round 1. Round 1 at 9:30. INFO: td0317@nevadachess.org.
APR. 14-16 OR 15-16, 6th Annual Reno-Larry Evans Memorial
Open $$23,000 b/275 ($14,150 Gtd) - FIDE NEVADA
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 14-15, 2017 U.S. Women’s Open
See Nationals.
JUNE 15, Walter Browne Memorial National Open Blitz
Championship (BLZ)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 16-18 OR 17-18, 2017 National Open
See Nationals.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
MAR. 4, 4th Queen City Tornado
See Grand Prix.
APR. 1, Quick Chess Again in Middlebury (QC) (VT)
See Grand Prix.
APR. 28-30 OR 29-30, 26th annual Eastern Class
Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
NEW JERSEY
FEB. 11, Princeton Day School
650 The Great Road. Plaques to top 3 school teams and top 8 in each
section under 1000. Medals to all players. Sections for OVER 1000 rated
players begin at 10:15 and must preregister: 3 rds. G/55 d5: NEAR
MASTERS (players K-12 OVER 1400), FUTURE MASTERS (players K-
12 1200-1400), CLOSED (K-12 1000-1200). ALL AFTERNOON SECTIONS.
G/25 d5 4 rds. Beginning at 12:00 noon. (round times will be accelerated
if possible): OPEN (Players K-12 U-1000), RESERVE (K-12 U-800),
NOVICE II (K-8 U-600), NOVICE I (unrated K-8), K-1 (unrated) NO SCORE
K-1 (novice). PARENTS OF PLAYERS rated G/25 d5 3 rds. Parents
play free. Pre-registration online, $35 pay at the door. Info and register
online: www.pds.org/chess. On-site 11-12 noon $45. Inquiries to Bonnie
Waitzkin Chessteach@gmail.com.
FEB. 16, 3rd Thursday Quads
3 RR, G/30 d10. Effects Quick/Reg Rating. Quads grouped by Reg Rating.
All the King’s 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: Bring a clock!
FEB. 18, Princeton Charter School
TOURNAMENT LOCATION: Princeton Charter School at 100 Bunn Dr.,
Princeton, NJ 08540. TIME CONTROL: G/30 d0 Swiss to 4 rounds. SEC-
TIONS: Open above 1000; U1000; U700; U300/Unrated (sections might
be combined. Awards will be given to the top 3 in each section) 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 thru Fourth
Rounds ASAP. Award Ceremony: ASAP (4:05 the latest). (*) Online
Registration $30 Only if register one week before: www.ChessKid-
sNY.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. Restocking fee of $4 for cancellation.
Restocking waived if we are forced to cancel due to tournament site
weather conditions. Information: email to Miguel Iniguez at:
migini@gmail.com. Results will be posted online the same day of
the event!
FEB. 18-20, World Amateur Team & U.S. Team East
See Nationals.
FEB. 24-26 OR 25-26, 2nd annual George Washington Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 25, King’s Chess Club Quads
Morning quads and afternoon quads, G/30 d5, Kindergarten-undergrad-
uate (scholastic, youth, and young adult memberships). Bethlehem
Church, 758 Route 10, Randolph, NJ 07869. EF: None. Reg.: 9-9:20 am.,
1st rd. 9:40. Arr. by noon to reg. only for afternoon quads. Medal to
each quad winner. Info: Bethlehem Church 973-366-3434 or Bob McAdams
973-694-3988.
FEB. 25, 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.
www.uschess.org 65
Tournament Life / February
FEB. 25, Central Jersey Chess Tournament
Princeton Academy, 1128 Great Rd., Princeton. 3 rated sections – Open,
U1000, U600 – each K-12, 4 rounds, G/30 d5. 2 unrated sections –
Intermediate (K-8), Beginners (K-2): 4 rounds. Trophies to 1st-3rd &
top team per section, medals to all! $35 pre-reg online by 2/23. $45 on-
site 1:15-1:45. Rd. 1 2:00. njchess.com
A State Championship Event!
FEB. 26, New Jersey Junior High School Championship
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 2/19, $45 at site. USCF memb.
req’d. Reg.: 8-9:00 am. After 9:00 am, half-point bye for round one.
INFO: 732-259-3881, hapsprechman@gmail.com. ENT: Hal Sprechman,
66 Cromwell Ln., Jackson, NJ 08527 or online by Feb 25 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. 26, 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 (K3). All: Trophies to top 15 individuals, top 5 teams. Elementary
& Primary: Top 5 in each grade. Rds.: 10am then ASAP. Top 4 scores
constitute the team score for Elementary; top 3 for Primary. EF: $30
before 2/19, $45 at site. USCF memb. req’d. Reg.: 8-9:00am After
9:00am 1/2 point bye for round 1. Info: 732 259-3881. Ent: Hal Sprech-
man, 66 Cromwell Ln., Jackson, NJ 08527 or online by Feb 25 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. 26, Westfield $-Per-Point Octos
3-SS. G/40 d5 (not G/55 d5). Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ
07090. Prizes per 8-player section: 1st $40, 2nd $20, $5 per point
scored to all. EF: $25, $20 Members. Register: 1:15 -1:50 p.m. Rounds:
2:00, 3:45, 5:30 p.m. Information: email John Moldovan: westfield-
chessclub@gmail.com or visit www.westfieldchessclub.com/Events.html
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
A State Championship Event!
MAR. 4-5, 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 2/25,
$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. Top 4 scores constitute
team score. EF: $30 before 2/25, $40 at site. All: USCF memb. required.
Reg.: Sat. 8-9:00am. After 9:00am, 1/2 Point bye for round one. Ent:
Noreen Davisson, c/o Dean of Chess Academy, 3322 Route 22 West,
Suite 1501, Branchburg, NJ 08876. 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. 5, 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: 1:15-2:05
p.m. Rounds: 2:15, 4:00, 5:45 p.m. Information: email John Moldovan
westfieldchessclub@gmail.com or visit www.westfieldchessclub.com/
Events.html
MAR. 5, Children’s Chess - First Sunday Quads
3-RR, G/35 d0. NJ Children’s Chess School, 862 DeGraw Ave., Newark,
NJ 07104. Rds.: 3-4:15-5:30. EF: $25, free to members. Prizes: Trophies
to ALL. Reg.: 2-2:50. Info: Arkady Geller chesscamp1@yahoo.com,
Website: kidschesscamp.com, 973-483-7927.
MAR. 11-12, 50th annual New York State Scholastic
Championships (out of state welcome) (NY)
See New York.
MAR. 11-12, Delaware State Open Championship (DE)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 12, 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: 1:15-2:05
p.m. Rounds: 2:15, 4:00, 5:45 p.m. Information: email John Moldovan
westfieldchessclub@gmail.com or visit www.westfieldchessclub.com/
Events.html
MAR. 19, Westfield Grand Prix
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 25-26, 4th annual Dr. Leroy Dubeck Cup
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 26, 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: 1:15-1:50
p.m. Rounds: 2:00, 3:45, 5:30 p.m. Information: email John Moldovan:
westfieldchessclub@gmail.com or visit www.westfieldchessclub.com/
Events.html.
APR. 2, 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
66 February 2017 | Chess Life
a.m.-12:20 p.m. Rounds: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00 p.m. Information: email
John Moldovan: westfieldchessclub@gmail.com or visit www.west-
fieldchessclub.com/Events.html.
APR. 9, 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: 1:15-1:50
p.m. Rounds: 2:00, 3:45, 5:30 p.m. Information: email John Moldovan:
westfieldchessclub@gmail.com or visit www.westfieldchessclub.com/
Events.html.
APR. 12-16, 13-16, 14-16 OR 15-16, 11th annual
Philadelphia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
APR. 28-30 OR 29-30, 26th annual Eastern Class
Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 19-21 OR 20-21, 25th annual New York State Open (NY)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 23-25, 2nd annual World Open Senior (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 23-25, 6th annual World Open Women’s Championship (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 24-29, 11th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 26-28, World Open Warmup (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JUNE 28-29, 9th annual World Open Under 13 Championship (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JUNE 29, World Open Action Championship (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 29-JULY 4, JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 45th
Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
NEW MEXICO
MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, 24th annual Western Class Championships
(CA-S)
See Grand Prix.
NEW YORK
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 9, 16, 23, MAR. 2, 9, 6th 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.): $110-90. Top U-
2000, U-1500/unr. $60 ea. EF (cash only): $35. Non-LICC members
+$10. UNRATED FREE! Reg.: 6:45 - 7:15 PM, no adv. ent., Rds.: 7:30
PM ea. Thursday. 2 byes 1-5. Info: www.lichessclub.com.
FEB. 16, 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. Website:
www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 17-19, 18-19 OR 19, 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. 11:00am (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, request at entry. SIDE EVENT: February 17,
Marshall Bughouse Tournament! 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.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC.
212-477-3716.
FEB. 18, 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. 20, 27, MAR. 6, 13, 20, 27, 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. 21, Marshall Masters
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 23, 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. Website:
www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
FEB. 24, Marshall $500 FIDE Blitz (BLZ)
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 24-26 OR 25-26, 2nd annual George Washington Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 25, 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.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
A State Championship Event!
FEB. 25-26 OR 26, The First NY State Girls Championship!
Open to all girls. The Hewitt School, 45 East 75th Street (bet. Madison
& Park), NYC. Near 77th St. subway (6 train). Online entries at
www.littlehouseofchess.com: $48 thru 2/20/17, $60 2/21-23, $80
later or at site, at least 1 hour before game. For details on mail or
phone entries see www.littlehouseofchess.com or www.chess-
center.cc. In 7 sections. Each section has its own age, grade and
rating requirements (Championship sections open to all who are under
grade and age limits; unrated allowed all sections). K-12 Championship,
K-6 Championship and K-3 Championship are each 2-days: 6-SS, G/60
d10. Rounds: 10 am-1-4 pm each day. K-12 Under 1200, K-6 Under
900, K-3 Under 600 and K-1 Championship are each 5-SS, G/30 d5.
Rounds: 10 am-12-1:30-3-4:45 pm Sunday. K-1 open to grades
1/below born after 2/26/09. Both K-3 sections open to grades
3/below born after 2/26/07. Both K-6 sections open to grades
6/below born after 2/26/04. Both K-12 sections open to grades
12/below born after 2/26/97. Trophies to top 12 each section and
top 3 Unr. in each 1-Day section. Grade plaques: top 3 K/below in K-
1 section, top 3 scorers below 9th Grade in K-12 U1200, top 3 below
4th grade in K-6 U900, and top 3 below 2nd grade in K-3 U600 (you
can win both plaque + trophy). All players scoring 4 or more (5 or
more in 2-Day sections) who don’t win a trophy receive a medal!
Speed playoff for 5-0 or 6-0. Plaques also to top 4 teams each section
(top 3 scorers from same school = team, all on team must attend
same school: no combined teams, even if one school “feeds” another).
Individual free entry prizes (in each 2-Day Championship section):
Free entry to 2 specified Continental Chess tournaments thru 12/31/17
to 1st! 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.chess-
center.cc or www.chesstour.com for complete details and restrictions.
All: February 2017 official ratings used, except unofficial ratings at
uschess.org usually used if otherwise unrated. TD reserves right to
assign estimated ratings to players with non-USCF ratings. All sub-
stitutions from advance entry list charged late fee. Section switches
subject to $10 extra charge per player after 2/23. $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 2-Day sections), commit before rd. 3. HR: see travel websites
for nearby hotels in NYC. Help with entries, parking, etc: www.little-
houseofchess.com. Questions: chesscentr@gmail.com, litttlehouseof
chess@gmail.com or 347-201-2269 (leave message but email is
better). Team rooms: littlehouseofchess@gmail.com. Sets provided
by Little House of Chess— bring clocks! Info: www.littlehouse-
ofchess.com . To contact us by mail: Chess Center of NY, PO Box
4615, New Windsor, NY 12553. US Chess Junior Grand Prix -
Top3 Championship Sections.
FEB. 26, Marshall Scholastic Action! (3 Rounds)
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. 26, 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.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
FEB. 26, 71st Binghamton Open
NEW ENTRY FEE - $10.00. 4SS, G/65 d5. Cordisco’s Chess Center,
308 Chenango St., Binghamton, NY 13901, (607) 772-8782. EF: $10.
Two sections: Open & U1700. PRIZES: Winner of each section will
receive a free entry into a future tournament! REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE.
Schedule: Reg. on site 8:45-9:15AM. Rounds: 9:30-12Noon-2:30-4:45.
Please bring clocks, none supplied.
FEB. 27, MAR. 6, 13, 20, 27, 107th Nassau Grand Prix
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 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.: 6:30-7:20 pm. Rd.: 7:30pm. www.rochesterchessclub.org.
MAR. 2, Marshall $15 Special Action!
4-SS, G/25 d5. $350 GTD: $125-75, U2200: $75, U1900: $75. EF: $40,
MCC Mbrs: Only $15!!! 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.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
MAR. 3, 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.
MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, 18th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 3-5, 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 & 5:30pm. Max 2
 See previous issue for TLAs appearing February 1-14

byes, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St.,
NYC. 212-477-3716.
MAR. 4, Marshall Morning U1700 Action
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1400: $75. EF: $40, MCC Mbrs
$20. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am. Rds.: 9am-10:15-11:30-12:45pm. One bye avail-
able, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St.,
NYC. 212-477-3716.
MAR. 4, 11, 18, 25, 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.
MAR. 5, Marshall Morning Action! (4 Rounds)
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1800: $75. EF: $40, MCC Mbrs
$20. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am. Rds.: 9-10:15-11:30am-12:45pm. One bye avail-
able, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St.,
NYC. 212-477-3716.
MAR. 5, TRM 114
at Bethlehem Central MS, 332 Kenwood Ave., Delmar 12307. 4SS, G/30
d5. EF: Free. Pre-register required by 8:00 PM Thurs. Details
www.chesstrm.org.
MAR. 5, TRM 222
at Riverbank State Park, 145 St. & Riverside Dr., NYC, 10025. 4SS, G/30
d5. EF: FREE Scholastic, free parking. Pre-Register required by 8:00
PM Fri. Check-in at site by 9:15 required. Details www.therightmove.org
MAR. 9, 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. Website:
www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
MAR. 10, 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. Website:
www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
MAR. 11, Marshall Morning U1800 Action
4-SS, G/25 d5. Open to youth K-12. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1500: $75.
EF: $40, MCC Mbrs $20. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am. Rds.: 9-10:15-11:30am-
12:45pm. One bye available, request at entry. 23 W. 10th St., NYC.
212-477-3716, www.marshallchessclub.org.
MAR. 11, Marshall Saturday G/60 Open
4-SS, G/55 d5. Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2400: $75, U2100: $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. 23 W. 10th St.,
NYC. 212-477-3716, www.marshallchessclub.org.
An American Classic!
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
A State Championship Event!
MAR. 11-12, 50th annual New York State Scholastic
Championships (out of state welcome)
6SS, G/60 d10, open to grades K-12; top NYS player & team in each
section are NY champions. In 11 sections. HS Championship and HS
Reserve at Courtyard by Marriott, 11 Excelsior Ave., Saratoga Springs
NY 12866. Other 9 sections 2/5 mile away at Saratoga Hilton and adjacent
Saratoga City Center (connected by indoor walkway), 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 chess-
action.com, all sections: $45 by 2/18, $55 2/19-3/4, $70 3/5 to 3/10.
Entry fee at site, all sections: $70. High School, open to grades K-12
born after 9/1/97. EF $48.20 mailed by 2/18. Top NYS grade 9-12 qualifies
for Denker Tournament of HS Champions, top NYS grade K-12 girl qualifies
for National Girls Tournament of Champions. High School Reserve,
open to K-12 under 1200 or unrated. EF $48 mailed by 2/18.Junior High,
open to all in grades K-9. EF $47.90 mailed by 2/18. Top NYS grade K-8
born after 9/1/01 qualifies for Barber tournament of K-8 Champions.
Middle School Reserve, open to K-8 under 1000 or unrated. EF $47.80
mailed by 2/18. Elementary, open to all in grades K-6. EF $47.60 mailed
by 2/18. Elementary Intermediate, open to grades K-6 under 1200 or
unrated. EF $47.50 mailed by 2/18. Elementary Reserve, open to grades
K-5 under 800 or unrated. EF $47.40 mailed by 2/18. Primary, open to
grades K-3. EF $47.30 mailed by 2/18. Primary Reserve, open to grades
K-3 under 600 or unrated. EF: $47.20 mailed by 2/18. K-1, open to
grades K-1. EF $47.10 mailed by 2/18. K-1 Reserve, open to grades K-
1 under 400 or unrated. EF $47 mailed by 2/18. Postmarked 2/19-3/1:
All EF $10 more. Do not mail entry after 3/1. Special 1 year USCF dues
with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chessaction.com, Young Adult
$22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Young Adult $25,
Scholastic $17. Trophies to top 10 players and top 7 teams each section,
top 2 unrated in each reserve section, and top 2 each U1900, U1700,
U1500, U1300 (HS), U1000, U800, U600 (HS Reserve), U1800, U1600,
U1400 (JHS), U900, U800, U600, U400 (MS Reserve), U1700, U1500,
U1300 (Elem), U1100, U1000, U900, U800 (Elem Intermediate), U700,
U600, U500, U400, U300 (Elem Reserve), U1400, U1200, U1000 (Primary),
U500, U400, U300, U200 (Primary Reserve), U800, U600, U400 (K-1),
U300, U200 (K-1 Reserve). Speed playoff if perfect score tie. Free entry
to NY State Championship, Labor Day weekend 2017 (Albany), to top
player each section, if not already qualified for free entry from another
event. Mixed doubles prizes for HS Championship/Reserve combined.
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:
Hilton $129-129, 888-999-4711, 518-584-4000, or use link at chesstour.com.
Courtyard $132-132, 866-210-9325, or use link at chesstour.com. Two
nights minimum at both hotels. 7 days notice required for room cancel-
lations. Both hotels will sell out a few months before the tournament,
but may again have availability in the final week before the event due to
late cancellations. For other backup hotels see chesstour.com. Free
parking at Courtyard; free parking for overnight guests at Hilton. 7 days
notice required for room cancellation at both. Special car rentals: Avis,
800-331-1600, use AWD #657633. Online entry: www.chessaction.com.
Mail entry: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577.
Include name, rating, USCF ID, USCF expiration (non-members include
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
$60. Questions: DirectorAtChess.US (At = @)), 347-201-2269. Bring
clock if possible- none supplied. Bring set & board for HS Championship,
HS Reserve & JHS Championship; set & board supplied for other sections.
March official ratings used (except unofficial web ratings usually used
if otherwise unrated). TD reserves right to assign estimated rating to
players with non-USCF ratings.
MAR. 11-12, Delaware State Open Championship (DE)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 12, 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.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 15, 22, 29, APR. 5, 12, 19, 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.
MAR. 16, 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-

GOLD & SILVER AFFILIATES

ChessIQ Marshall Chess Club
GOLD Any affiliate that has submitted at least 50 US Chess memberships during
4957 Oakton Street, Suite 113 23 West 10th Street
the current or previous calendar year, or is the recognized State Affiliate, is eligible to
Skokie, IL 60077 New York, NY 10011
become a Gold Affiliate. Gold Affiliates are honored in a special list in larger type in
847-423-8626 212-477-3716
Tournament Life each month, giving the affiliate name, address, phone number, e-mail sevan@chessiq.com admin@marshallchessclub.org
address, and website. Gold Affiliation costs $350 per year, and existing affiliates may www.chessiq.com www.marshallchessclub.org
subtract $3 for each month remaining on their regular affiliation, or $20 for each
month remaining on their Silver Affiliation. By paying an annual payment of $500 (in- Chesskidz Tournaments Oak Hall School Chess Club
stead of $350), Gold Affiliate status may be obtained with no minimum requirement P.O. Box 34722 7257 NW 4th Boulevard, Suite 21
for memberships submitted. Reno, NV 89533 Gainesville, FL 32607
775-223-9644 352-316-1199
Bay Area Chess vernonryoung@gmail.com timtusing@gmail.com
1639A South Main Street www.chesskidz.org
SILVER Any affiliate that has submitted at least 25 US Milpitas, CA 95035 PaperClip Pairings
Chess memberships during the current or previous calendar 408-409-6598 ChessNYC.com
c/o Remy Ferrari
year, or is the recognized State Affiliate, is eligible to become ask@bayareachess.com c/o Russell Makofsky
4 Jalapa Court
a Silver Affiliate. These affiliates will be recognized in a spe- www.bayareachess.com & Michael Propper
Brownsville, TX 78526
cial list in Tournament Life each month, giving the affiliate P.O. Box 189, 1710 1st Avenue
956-621-0377
name, state, and choice of either phone number, e-mail ad- New York, NY 10012
rrferrari@bisd.us
dress, or website. Silver Affiliation costs $150 per year, and Cajun Chess 212-475-8130
12405 Hillary Step Drive info@chessnyc.com
existing affiliates may subtract $3 for each month remaining San Diego Chess Club
Olive Branch, MS 38654 www.chessnyc.com
on their regular affiliation. Alternatively, for an annual pay- 2225 Sixth Avenue
ment of $250.00 (instead of $150), the requirement for a 504-208-9596 Continental Chess San Diego, CA 92101
minimum number of US Chess members will be waived. cajunchess@yahoo.com Association 619-752-4377
www.cajunchess.com P.O. Box 8482 chucnglo@aol.com
Boca Raton Chess Club (FL) Michigan Chess Association (MI) Pelham, NY 10803 www.sandiegochessclub.org
www.bocachess.com www.michess.org director@chess.us
Oklahoma Chess Foundation (OK) Chess Club and www.chesstour.com Silver Knights Chess
Dallas Chess Club (TX)
www.dallaschess.com www.OCFchess.org Scholastic Center 8500 Executive Park Avenue #404
Sparta Chess Club (NJ) of Saint Louis Eagle Chess Academy, Inc. Fairfax, VA 22031
Jersey Shore HS www.spartachessclub.org 4657 Maryland Avenue PO Box 6141 703-574-2070
Chess League (NJ) Success Chess School (CA) St. Louis, MO 63108 Largo, MD 20774 chess@silverknightschess.com
jbart1517@yahoo.com www.successchess.com 314-361-CHESS 301-467-5024 www.silverknightschess.com
Little House of Chess, Inc. (NY) The Berkeley Chess School (CA) info@saintlouischessclub.org tedfagan@eaglechessacademy.com
littlehouseofchess@gmail.com www.berkeleychessschool.org www.saintlouischessclub.org www.eaglechessacademy.com UPDATED 09-13-2016

www.uschess.org 67
Tournament Life / February
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. 16, 23, 30, APR. 6, 13, 20, Marshall Thursday Open
6-SS, G/90 +30. ($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.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 17-19, 18-19 OR 19, 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. 11:00am (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, request at entry. SIDE EVENT: March 17, Mar-
shall Bughouse Tournament! 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.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC.
212-477-3716.
MAR. 18, 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.
MAR. 21, Marshall Masters
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 23, 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. 30, 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. 31, Marshall $500 FIDE Blitz (BLZ)
See Grand Prix.
APR. 1, Quick Chess Again in Middlebury (QC) (VT)
See Grand Prix.
APR. 1, 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.
APR. 1-2, 49th Annual Marchand Open
See Grand Prix.
APR. 2, Marshall Scholastic Action! (3 Rounds)
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.
APR. 2, 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.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
APR. 3, 10, 17, 24, MAY 1, 8, 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.
APR. 6, Marshall $15 Special Action!
4-SS, G/25 d5. $350 GTD: $125-75, U2200: $75, U1900: $75. EF: $40,
MCC Mbrs: Only $15!!! 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.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
APR. 7, 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!
APR. 7-9, 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 & 5:30pm. Max 2
byes, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St.,
NYC. 212-477-3716.
APR. 8, Marshall Morning U1700 Action
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1400: $75. EF: $40, MCC Mbrs
$20. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am. Rds.: 9am-10:15-11:30-12:45pm. One bye
available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th
St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
APR. 9, Marshall Morning Action! (4 Rounds)
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1800: $75. EF: $40, MCC Mbrs
$20. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am. Rds.: 9-10:15-11:30am-12:45pm. One bye
68 February 2017 | Chess Life
available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th
St., NYC. 212-477-3716.
APR. 12-16, 13-16, 14-16 OR 15-16, 11th annual
Philadelphia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
APR. 13, 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.
APR. 14, 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.
APR. 15, Marshall Morning U1800 Action
4-SS, G/25 d5. Open to youth K-12. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1500: $75.
EF: $40, MCC Mbrs $20. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am. Rds.: 9-10:15-11:30am-
12:45pm. One bye available, request at entry. 23 W. 10th St., NYC.
212-477-3716, www.marshallchessclub.org.
APR. 15, Marshall Saturday G/60 Open
4-SS, G/55 d5. Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2400: $75, U2100: $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. 23 W. 10th St.,
NYC. 212-477-3716, www.marshallchessclub.org.
APR. 20, 27, MAY 4, 11, 18, 25, Long Island CC Ilan Kreitner
Memorial Tournament
See Grand Prix.
APR. 28-30 OR 29-30, 26th annual Eastern Class
Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 19-21 OR 20-21, 25th annual New York State Open
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 23-25, 2nd annual World Open Senior (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 23-25, 6th annual World Open Women’s Championship (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 24-29, 11th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 26-28, World Open Warmup (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JUNE 28-29, 9th annual World Open Under 13 Championship (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JUNE 29, World Open Action Championship (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 29-JULY 4, JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 45th
Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
NORTH CAROLINA
FEB. 24-26 OR 25-26, 4th Annual Ron Simpson Memorial
Tournament
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 10, NCCA State Blitz Championship (BLZ)
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
A State Championship Event!
MAR. 11-12, North Carolina K-12 State Championships
Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27601. Seven
Divisions: Entry Fees: $35 by 12 Jan. / $45 by 12 Feb. / $55 by 4 Mar. /
$65 by 10 Mar. / $75 on site. On site entries will be receive a half-point
bye for round one. No RSVP entries permitted. $9 service charge on
refunded entries. $5000 in scholarships guaranteed (Ties will be split
like cash prizes) K-12 Varsity Section: 5-SS, G/90 d5 Rds. 9-1-4:30
Sat. 9-1 Sun. Trophies. Top 10 individual, Top 3 A, Top 3 B, Top 3 Teams.
Scholarships. $1600-$800-$400. K-8 Varsity Section: 5-SS, G/90 d5.
Rds. 9-1-4:30 Sat. 9-1 Sun. Trophies. Top 10 individual, Top 3 B, Top 3 C,
Top 3 Teams. Scholarships. $800-$400. K-5 Section: 7-SS, G/60 d5 Rds.
9-11:15-3-5:30 Sat. 9-12-2:30 Sun. Trophies. Top 10 individual, Top 3 F,
Top 3 G, Top 3 H, Top 3 u400, Top 10 Teams. Scholarship. $400-$200. K-
3 Section: 7-SS, G/60 d5 Rds. 9-11:15-3-5:30 Sat. 9-12-230 Sun. Trophies.
Top 10 individual Top 3 H, Top 3 I, Top 3 J, Top 10 Teams. Scholarship.
$200-$100. K-1 Section: 6-SS, G/25 d5 Saturday only Rds. 9-10-12-1-3-
4 Trophies. Top 10 individual Top 3 Teams. Scholarship. $100. Players in
this section may re-enter the K-3 on Sunday and carry over half of their
score for pairing and team purposes. Re-entry will be $10 for K-1 to K-
3. Players in K-1 not eligible for individual trophies in K-3. K-12 u1600
Section: 7-SS, G/60 d5 Rds. 9-11:15-3-5:30 Sat. 9-12-2:30 Sun. Trophies.
Top 10 individual, Top 3 D, Top 3 E, Top 3 u800, Top 3 Teams. K-8 u1300
Section: 7-SS, G/60 d5 Rds. 9-11:15-3-5:30 Sat. 9-12-2:30 Sun. Trophies.
Top 10 individual, Top 3 F, Top 3 G, Top 3 U600, Top 5 Teams. Up to
three 1/2-point byes allowed in K-12 Varsity, K-8 Varsity, and K-1. Up to
four allowed in K-5, K-3, K-12 u1600, and K-12 u1300. Must request
before start of event. Website: http://ncchessk12.info or checks may
be mailed to NCCA, PO Box 37336, Raleigh, NC 27627.
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 15th annual Southern Class
Championships (FL)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 26-28, World Open Warmup (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
OHIO
FEB. 10, DCC Friday Nite Quick (QC)
4SS, G/24 d5. Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH. Rds.:
7:30/8:30/9:30/10:30. One bye. Prizes: based on entries. EF: $14 ($10
DCC mbr). Info: DCC.18W5@sbcglobal.net, 937-461-6283.
FEB. 11, Freezing Weather Pawn Storm XXXIV
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 18, Solon February Freeze
4SS, G/45 d5, except U1000, G/30 d5. 6025 Kruse Dr., Solon, OH 44139.
EF: $30 in advance, $35 at site. IMs, GMs free. Sections: Open, U1900,
U1500, U1000. Registration: 9-9:45 at site. Rds.: 10:00, 12:00, 2:00,
4:00, U-1000 ASAP. Prizes: $800 Guaranteed!! Open: $150, $50, U-
2100 $50. U-1900: $100, $50, U1700 $50. U-1500: $100, $50, U1250
$50. U1000: $60, $30, U750 $30, U500 $30. Free healthy box lunch to
ALL players! Convenient Online Registration at progresswithchess.org
Contact: Mike Joelson, 216-321-7000, mdjoelson@progresswithchess.org
FEB. 25, Cincy Tornado - February Chess
Last Saturday of Month. 2 Sections: OPEN & Under 1600. 4-SS, G/60
d5. Reg. ends 9:45am. 1st Round: 10am. EF: $33 if paid online/$38 at
site. OCA deduct $3. Masters above 2200 EF only $20. Open b/15: $150-
$75; Class Prizes based on entries. Master Bounty Prize: Best Upset
against 1# Rated Master pays $100 for win/$50 draw. $100 for perfect
score to 1# Rated Master. UNDER 1600 b/15: $150-$75; Class Prizes
based on entries. First Baptist Church, 11195 Winton Rd., Cincinnati,
OH 45218. Award Winning Chili. IMPROVED WIFI. TELEVISION. HOT
FOOD. CHESS VENDOR ON SITE. TV. Email: info@chessearth.com
www.chessearth.com
MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, 18th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, 2017 Arnold Schwarzenegger Open (Open
Section FIDE Rated)
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 11, 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 or 3 sections if enough players.
EF: $20 by 3/9, $25 at site. Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes:
$450 b/25, $100-50, Class prizes TBD based on split. Ent: James.Jagodzin-
ski@nsg.com. 419-367-9450.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
MAR. 11-12 (NOT MAR. 18-19), MOTCF: Midwest Open Team
Chess Festival
5SS, Rd.1 G/90 d5, Rds. 2-5 40/90, SD/60 d5. Four players/team plus
one alternate. LIMIT 40 teams. Location: Dayton Chess Club, 18 West
Fifth St., Dayton, OH 45402. Team (March) ratings for pairings determined
by average of highest four ratings with imputed ratings for players rated
more than 400 points below team avg. Reg.: Fri Mar 10, 8pm-11pm & Sat
Mar 11, 9-10am. Rds.: Sat 10:30, 2:00, 7:30, Sun 10 & 3:30. EF: $200/team
if mailed or online prior to Mar 05, then $260/team including Fri/Sat at
site. Prizes (GTD): 1st $1,600, 2nd $1,200, U2000: $1100, U1800: $1000,
U1600 $900. Top boards (1-4) $100. Hotel: TBD Registration Form:
Include all team members, ratings, ID numbers, and board order (switches
limited to 50 rating points), please use online entry form at DaytonChess-
Club.com if mailing entry. If registering at www.DaytonChessClub.com
use online entry form provided. MC/V at site, no cks. Individuals may
sign up for “ad hoc” teams. Information email DCC.18W5@sbcglobal.net
or call 937.461.6283, or check www.DaytonChessClub.com.
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 21st annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
APR. 7-9 OR 8-9, 53rd Cincinnati Open
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
APR. 8, Toledo April 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 or 3 sections if enough players.
EF: $20 by 4/6, $25 at site. Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes:
$450 b/25, $100-50, Class prizes TBD based on split. Ent: 419-367-
9450. James.Jagodzinski@nsg.com.
MAY 5-7 OR 6-7, 14th Annual Great Lakes Open (MI)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 25-29, 26-29, 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 26-28, World Open Warmup (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
OKLAHOMA
FEB. 16-20, 17-20, 18-20 OR 19-20, 8th annual Southwest
Class Championships (TX)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 21st annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 31-APR. 2 OR 1-2, Lone Star Open (TX)
See Grand Prix.
OREGON
MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, 24th annual Western Class Championships
(CA-S)
See Grand Prix.

JUNE 14-15, 2017 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 16-18 OR 17-18, 2017 National Open (NV)
See Nationals.
PENNSYLVANIA
Every Friday - LVCA 7 & 9pm Blitz Events Open/U1200 (BLZ)
8SS, G/5 d2. St. Timothy’s 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@lehigh-
valleychessclub.org,www.lehighvalleychessclub.org/
North Penn Chess Club
Main & Richardson, Lansdale, PA. See www.northpennchessclub.org
for schedules & info or 215-699-8418.
FEB. 4-5, Greater Philadelphia Weekend Open
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 5, Main Line Chess and Games Super Sunday Quads
3 RR, Game/30 d5. Main Line Chess & Games, 7 South Valley Rd., Paoli,
PA 19301. EF: $20. $40 to first, $50 for 3-0 result. Reg.: 11:45- 12:15
p.m. Rounds: 12:25, 1:40, 2:55 P.M. Info: Bring a chess clock, main-
linechessandgames@gmail.com, mainlinechessandgames.net, Tom
Bartell 610-240-8900.
FEB. 12, Main Line Chess and Games G/45 Quads
3 RR, Game/40 d5. Main Line Chess and Games, 7 South Valley Rd.,
Paoli, PA 19301. EF: $20. $40 to first, $50 for 3-0 result. Reg.: 11:45-
12:15 p.m. Rounds: 12:25, 2:10, 3:55 P.M. Info: Bring a chess clock,
mainlinechessandgames@gmail.com, mainlinechessandgames.net, Tom
Bartell 610-240-8900.
FEB. 24-26 OR 25-26, 2nd annual George Washington Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 25-26, Greater Philadelphia Weekend Open
See Grand Prix.
FEB. 26, 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, Main Line Chess and Games G/45 Quads
3 RR, Game/40 d5. Main Line Chess and Games, 7 South Valley Rd.,
Paoli, PA 19301. EF: $20. $40 to first, $50 for 3-0 result. Reg.: 11:45-
12:15 p.m. Rounds: 12:25, 2:10, 3:55 P.M. Info: Bring a chess clock,
mainlinechessandgames@gmail.com, mainlinechessandgames.net, Tom
Bartell 610-240-8900.
MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, 18th annual Pittsburgh Open
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 4, W.Chester 1st Sat. Quads
Our 28th 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.
MAR. 4-5, Greater Philadelphia Weekend Open
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 5, Chess at the Moose
Registration: 10:00-10:30. Time control G/60 d5. Entry Fee: $15 at site
cash only. Prize: 1st $40, prizes added based on attendance. 3 round
Swiss. Moose Lodge 1336, 705 Stokes Mill Rd., East Stroudsburg,
PA 18301-9035. Michael Laverty, 908-339-7105, http://poconoml.
wixsite.com/poconochess, poconoml@gmail.com.
MAR. 5, Main Line Chess and Games G/45 Quads
3 RR, Game/40 d5. Main Line Chess and Games, 7 South Valley Rd.,
Paoli, PA 19301. EF: $20. $40 to first, $50 for 3-0 result. Reg.: 11:45-
12:15 p.m. Rounds: 12:25, 2:10, 3:55 P.M. Info: Bring a chess clock,
mainlinechessandgames@gmail.com, mainlinechessandgames.net, Tom
Bartell 610-240-8900.
MAR. 10, 2017 PA Quick Chess Championship (QC)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 11, MasterMinds CC Quads
Lenfest Center, 3890 N. 10th St., Philadelphia, PA 19140. Quads: 3RR,
G/85 d5. EF: $30 cash; winner $100. Reg. ends 9AM. Rds.: 9:30, 1, 4.
Info: mastermindschess.org or brad@mastermindschess.org.
MAR. 11-12, 50th annual New York State Scholastic
Championships (out of state welcome) (NY)
See New York.
MAR. 11-12, 2017 Ira Lee Riddle Memorial PA State
Championship & PA Collegiate Championship
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
A State Championship Event!
MAR. 11-12, 2017 PA State Scholastic Championship
5SS. 226 Trophies!! (163 Individual & 63 Team). Lancaster Host Resort
and Conference Center, 2300 Lincoln Hwy East (Rt 30), Lancaster, PA
17602. 10 sections (Sat & Sun 3/11 & 12 unless indicated): EF: K-3
Open: (Sat 3/11 only) $30. K-6 U500: (Sat 3/11 only) $26. K-6 U800:
(Sat 3/11 only) $27. K-9 U1000: (Sun 3/12 only) $27.50. K-6 Open: $31.
K-8 Open: $32. 7-12 U1000 & 7-12 Unrated: $28. 7-12 U1300: $29. K-12
Open: $33. All: EFs if rec’d by 2/25, $10 more rec’d 2/26-3/4, $20 more
after 3/4. Feb 2017 ratings used. Bye: limit 1, ask by rd. 2. Reg.: Fri
3/10 6-10 pm, Sat 3/11 10-11 am, Saturday entries get 1/2-bye. $5
charge for changes/refunds after 2/25. Rds.: (Sat 3/11 1-day sections):
G/40 d5; 10-Noon-2-4-6; (Sun 3/11 K-9 U1000): G/40 d5; 9-10:45-
12:30-2:15-4; (2-day sections): G/90 d5; 10-2-5:30, 9-1. Bughouse:
Reg on-site only until Sat 3/11 8:30pm. Rds begin Sat 3/11 8:45pm. EF:
See previous issue for TLAs appearing February 1-14
$20/team. HR: Mention “chess tourney”: 800-233-0121 $82-$82-$87-
$92. Info: 412-908-0286, martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com ,pscfchess.org/
pascholasticchamp/. Ent: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St.,
Pittsburgh, PA 15223.
MAR. 11-12, Delaware State Open Championship (DE)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 12, Main Line Chess and Games G/45 Quads
3 RR, Game/40 d5. Main Line Chess and Games, 7 South Valley Rd.,
Paoli, PA 19301. EF: $20. $40 to first, $50 for 3-0 result. Reg.: 11:45-
12:15 p.m. Rounds: 12:25, 2:10, 3:55 P.M. Info: Bring a chess clock,
mainlinechessandgames@gmail.com, mainlinechessandgames.net, Tom
Bartell 610-240-8900.
MAR. 19, PCL March 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.
MAR. 19, Main Line Chess and Games G/45 Quads
3 RR, Game/40 d5. Main Line Chess and Games, 7 South Valley Rd.,
Paoli, PA 19301. EF: $20. $40 to first, $50 for 3-0 result. Reg.: 11:45-
12:15 p.m. Rounds: 12:25, 2:10, 3:55 P.M. Info: Bring a chess clock,
mainlinechessandgames@gmail.com, mainlinechessandgames.net, Tom
Bartell 610-240-8900.
MAR. 25, 2017 PA State Game/29 Championship (QC)
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 25, 16th Horizons for Youth Spring Scholastic
See Grand Prix.
MAR. 26, Main Line Chess and Games G/45 Quads
3 RR, Game/40 d5. Main Line Chess and Games, 7 South Valley Rd.,
Paoli, PA 19301. EF: $20. $40 to first, $50 for 3-0 result. Reg.: 11:45-
12:15 p.m. Rounds: 12:25, 2:10, 3:55 P.M. Info: Bring a chess clock,
mainlinechessandgames@gmail.com, mainlinechessandgames.net, Tom
Bartell 610-240-8900.
APR. 2, PCL April Quick Quads (QC)
3RR, G/15 d3. O’Hara Student Center, Univ. of Pitt., 4024 O’Hara 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.
APR. 12-16, 13-16, 14-16 OR 15-16, 11th annual
Philadelphia Open
See Grand Prix.
APR. 28-30 OR 29-30, 26th annual Eastern Class
Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 5-7 OR 6-7, 14th Annual Great Lakes Open (MI)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 23-25, 2nd annual World Open Senior
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 23-25, 6th annual World Open Women’s Championship
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 24-29, 11th annual Philadelphia International
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 26-28, World Open Warmup
6SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (see World
Open for location, rates). Open to Under 2100 or unrated. Prizes $4500
based on 60 entries, minimum guarantee 50% each prize: $1000- 500-
300, U1900 $600-300, U1700 $500-250, U1500 $400-200, U1300 $300-150.
Unrated eligible for place prizes only, and limited to $500. EF: $88 online
at chessaction.com by 6/24, $92 mailed by 6/15, $100 at site. Reg.:
6/26 to 11 am, rds. 12 noon & 6 pm each day. 2 half point byes allowed
if 1700/over, otherwise 1 bye allowed; byes must commit before rd. 3.
Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, PO Box 8482, Pelham, NY
10803. Questions: chesstour.com, chesstour.info, DirectorAtChess.US,
347-201-2269. $15 service charge for refunds.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 28-29, 9th annual World Open Under 13 Championship
6SS, G/60 d10. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (see World Open for
location, rates). Open to all born after 6/29/04. In 4 sections. Open
Section: Trophies to top 7, top 2 Under 1600/Unr; free entry in all
CCA tournaments 7/14/17-12/31/17 to 1st. Under 1400 Section:
Trophies to top 7, top 2 Under 1200, free entry in all CCA tournaments
7/14/17-9/30/17 to 1st. Under 1000 Section: Trophies to top 7, top
2 Under 800, free entry in all CCA tournaments 7/14/17-9/30/17 to
1st. Under 600 Section: Trophies to top 7, top 2 Under 400, top
Unrated; free entry in all CCA tournaments 7/14/17-9/30/17 to 1st.
EF: $43 online at chessaction.com by 6/26, $48 mailed by 6/12, $60
at site. Late reg. 6/28 to 10 am, rds. Wed 11-2-5, Thu 10-1-4. Up to 2
half point byes allowed, must commit before rd. 3. Ent: chessaction.com
or Continental Chess, PO Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. Questions:
chesstour.com, chesstour.info, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269.
$15 service charge for refunds.
JUNE 29, World Open Action Championship
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 29-JULY 4, JUNE 30-JULY 4, JULY 1-4 OR 2-4, 45th
Annual World Open
See Grand Prix.
RHODE ISLAND
FEB. 25, 2nd Seneca Quad
3RR, G/60 d5. 100 Midway Rd., Garden City, RI 02920. In basement of
Garden City Offices across from Joseph Bank store. EF: $25. $50 first
each Quad. REG. ONLINE at: www.senecachess.org. Reg.: 9-9:45, Rd1
at 10:00 AM then ASAP. Info: frankvogel3@verizon.net (401) 837-1302.
NOTE: Limited to the first 24 entrants.
APR. 28-30 OR 29-30, 26th annual Eastern Class
Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
SOUTH CAROLINA
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 15th annual Southern Class
Championships (FL)
See Grand Prix.
SOUTH DAKOTA
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 21st annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
TENNESSEE
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 15th annual Southern Class
Championships (FL)
See Grand Prix.
www.uschess.org 69
Tournament Life / February

MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 21st annual Mid-America Open (MO) only. All registrations (except Side events) available on line: APR. 28-30 OR 29-30, 26th annual Eastern Class
See Grand Prix. see www.dallaschess.com and you can download flyers and entry Championships (MA)
MAR. 31-APR. 2 OR 1-2, Lone Star Open (TX) forms. Checks payable to Dallas Chess Club. Mail entries to Dallas See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix. Chess Club, c/o Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, MAY 19-21 OR 20-21, 25th annual New York State Open (NY)
TX 76036. For tournament info, visit our website or contact Barbara See Grand Prix.
MAY 12-14, SUPERNATIONALS VI Swafford, info@dallas chess.com or 214-632-9000. Refunds will be
See Nationals. given only up to 3/1 with a $10 surcharge for withdrawing, after
3/1 there will be no refunds. There will be no substitution of team VIRGINIA
members. There will be a $10 change fee for changes after 3/1.
TEXAS There will be a $5 surcharge per player for phone registrations USCF FEB. 24-26 OR 25-26, 2nd annual George Washington Open
FEB. 11-12, 2017 DCC FIDE Open II underwritten by membership is required. Proof of membership is required or player See Grand Prix.
Ruifeng/Xiong must join/renew their memberships. No registration/changes/or MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, 18th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
See Grand Prix. withdrawals by phone or email after 3/1/17 as we are driving to See Grand Prix.
the site; after that date you must make changes at site (Arlington
FEB. 16-20, 17-20, 18-20 OR 19-20, 8th annual Southwest US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
Class Championships Convention Center). Note that the Arlington Convention Center has
a strict policy of no outside food and beverages allowed. They also A State Championship Event!
See Grand Prix. have a 10 pm curfew. W. MAR. 11-12, Virginia Scholastic & College Championships
US Chess Junior Grand Prix! 6SS, Rds. 1-3 G/60 d5; Rds. 4-6 G/90 d5. Organized by the VA Scholastic
MAR. 11-12, 2017 DCC FIDE Open III Chess Assn at the Holiday Inn Virginia Beach-Norfolk. Blitz and Bug-
MAR. 3-5, 2017 North/Central Texas State Scholastic Champi- See Grand Prix.
onships house Championships Friday March 10 at 6PM. Main tournament
Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way, Arlington, TX 76011. MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 21st annual Mid-America Open (MO) Saturday and Sunday, March 11-12. Players must be K-12 or College
Primary Hotel: Sheraton Arlington Hotel, 1500 Convention Center See Grand Prix. players attending school or college full time in Virginia as of Jan.
Drive, Arlington Texas $129,$129,$129,$129 Call 1-800-442-7275 2017, or must be Virginia residents. Virginia residency NOT REQUIRED
MAR. 31-APR. 2 OR 1-2, Lone Star Open for Blitz or Bughouse on Friday night. Tournament schedule, Online
and say you are with Chess Championship to make reservations or See Grand Prix.
register online thru link on web page. Other hotels available on web registration, player eligibility, hotel info and other details at:
page at www.dallaschess.com/2017 Texas Scholastic/index.htm. APR. 1-2, 2017 DCC FIDE Open IV www.vachess.org. Questions to: Mike Hoffpauir, mhoffpauir@aol.com,
Tournament is open to any K-12 living in Texas or going to school in See Grand Prix. or 757-846-4805.
Texas. Note that players may play in either the South or the North MAY 13-14, 2017 DCC FIDE Open V MAR. 11-12, Delaware State Open Championship (DE)
Central Championships or they may also play in both. Four cham- See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix.
pionships: TX North/Central Primary Scholastic Championships; TX MAR. 24-26, 50th Virginia Open
North/Central Elementary Scholastic Championships; TX North/Central JUNE 14-15, 2017 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
See Nationals. See Grand Prix.
Middle School Scholastic Championships; TX North/Central High
School Scholastic Championships. Note that the High School will be JUNE 16-18 OR 17-18, 2017 National Open (NV) APR. 12-16, 13-16, 14-16 OR 15-16, 11th annual
played at the Sheraton Arlington Hotel while the Primary/Elemen- See Nationals. Philadelphia Open (PA)
tary/Middle School will be played at the Arlington Convention Center. See Grand Prix.
EF: $43 by 2/1; $72 after 2/1 or on site. On Site Registration: JUNE 26-28, World Open Warmup (PA)
Friday, 5:30-6:15pm, Saturday, 8-8:30am. Saturday registrants will See Pennsylvania. JUNE 23-25, 6th annual World Open Women’s Championship (PA)
receive a 1st Rd. 1/2-pt. bye. Two 1/2-pt. bye allowed as long as See Grand Prix.
one of the byes is for round 1, if requested by the end of Rd. 2. Sec- JUNE 26-28, World Open Warmup (PA)
tions: K-1 Championship, Primary (K-3) Championship, Primary JV UTAH See Pennsylvania.
(K-3 w/Ratings Under 600), Elementary (K-5/6) Championship, Ele-
MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, 24th annual Western Class Championships
mentary JV (K-5/6 Under 800), Elementary Novice (K-5/6 Under (CA-S)
500), Middle School (6-8/9) Championship, MS JV (6-8/9 Under 900), WASHINGTON
MS Novice (6-8/9 Under 600), High School (9-12) Championship, HS See Grand Prix.
FEB. 25-26, 25th Dave Collyer Memorial
JV (9-12 Under 1000). See Article IX, Section 1E, TCA Bylaws for JUNE 14-15, 2017 U.S. Women’s Open (NV) See Grand Prix.
each section’s eligibility requirement, www.texaschess.org/2007/03/ See Nationals.
bylaws.html. Note that 2017 February Supplement will be used. Tro- MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, 24th annual Western Class Championships
phies for top 15 individuals and top 10 teams in each section plus JUNE 15, Walter Browne Memorial National Open Blitz (CA-S)
participation medals for all, and plus Score Awards for players Championship (BLZ) (NV) See Grand Prix.
scoring 4 or more points that do not win an individual trophy. Top 5 See Grand Prix.
Grand Champion trophies. The 3 Primary sections will be merged JUNE 14-15, 2017 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
JUNE 16-18 OR 17-18, 2017 National Open (NV) See Nationals.
and using the top 15 players, a grand champion will be crowned. See Nationals.
This will also be done for the 3 Elementary sections and the 3 Middle JUNE 16-18 OR 17-18, 2017 National Open (NV)
School Sections. For the High School the two sections will be merged See Nationals.
and the top 10 players will be used to determine the grand champions. VERMONT
Note that trophies will not be given out in advance and must be
picked up at awards ceremony. Please make arrangements for picking MAR. 4, 4th Queen City Tornado (NH) WEST VIRGINIA
up trophies at award ceremony or to get trophy shipped. Schedule: See Grand Prix.
MAR. 3-5 OR 4-5, 18th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
Round times vary depending on the Section. For round times check MAR. 11-12, 50th annual New York State Scholastic
website. Time controls: All High School Sections: Rds. 1 G/45 d5; See Grand Prix.
Championships (out of state welcome) (NY)
Rounds 2-4 G/60 d5, Rds. 5-7 G/75 d5. All Middle School and Ele- APR. 12-16, 13-16, 14-16 OR 15-16, 11th annual
mentary and Primary and K-1 sections: Rds. 1-4 G/45 d5, rds. See New York. Philadelphia Open (PA)
5-7 G/60 d5. For round times see: www.dallaschess.com. Side APR. 1, Quick Chess Again in Middlebury (QC) See Grand Prix.
Events: See website for side events. Side event registration on site See Grand Prix.

WISCONSIN
A Heritage Event!
MAR. 11, Waukesha Memorial (36th Annual)
A Wisconsin Tour Event! 4SS. G/60 d5. USCF rated (Dual rated).; to
obtain USCF membership, see uschess.org. Country Inn & Suites, 1250
S. Moorland Rd., Brookfield, WI (1-262-782-1400) Exit 301(AB) from I-
94. $$Non-monetary; traveling trophy to First, books for class winners.
2nd annual Open to all. EF: $15 by 3/10 ($20 at site). 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;

GEORGE WASHINGTON OPEN 3:30; 6:00. No state memb. req’d. OSA. Mail entries to: Waukesha CC.
1911 Stardust Dr., Waukesha, WI 53186. Phone Info: Jim Nickell (262)
544-6266. Online info: jnickell@wi.rr.com.
MAR. 11, Rated Beginner Open (RBO)
February 24-26 or 25-26, Westin Tysons Corner 4SS, G/60 d5. Dual rated. USCF rated; for USCF membership see
uschess.org. Country Inn & Suites, 1250 S. Moorland Rd., Brookfield,
WI (1-262-782-1400); Exit 301 (AB) from I-94. Open to players rated
under 1200 or unrated. Prizes: Trophies to top 3, book prizes for class
Falls Church, VA, 25 minutes from Washington winners. EF: $15 by 3/10 ($20 at site). Reg.: 8:00-9:15, 1/2 point bye if
registered after 9:15; groups of 4 or more must pre-register; 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
$13,000 GUARANTEED PRIZES 53186. Phone Info: Jim Nickell (262) 544-6266. Online info: jnickell@
wi.rr.com.
MAR. 24-26 OR 25-26, 21st annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
For full details see “Grand Prix” in this issue. MAY 5-7 OR 6-7, 14th Annual Great Lakes Open (MI)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 25-29, 26-29, 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th annual Chicago
Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
MAY 28, 6th annual Chicago Open Blitz (BLZ) (IL)
See Grand Prix.

70 February 2017 | Chess Life

 Classifieds / Solutions / February

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Solutions
PAGE 17 / CHESS TO ENJOY
PROBLEM I. New York, 1916: 33. ... g5! 34. Qxg5
Bxf4 wins a piece. But not 33. ... Bxf4? 34. Qxf4
Rxf4?? 35. Re8+ or 33. ... Qd2?? 34. Ng6+ Kg8 35.
Qc4+ and mates. PROBLEM II. Budapest, 1921: 26.
... Qe6! threatens ... Qh3-g2 mate as well as 27. ...
c6! 28. Qg5 Qe2. The pawn ending was won after
27. Rf2 Qe3 28. Qf1 Rxb2! 29. Kg2 Rxf2+ 30. Qxf2
Qxf2+ 31. Kxf2 b5!. PROBLEM III. Bled, 1931: 65.
Bf3 (65. d6+ Kxd6 66. Kd8 is faster) 65. ... Ba7
(65. ... Kc8 66. d6!) 66. Ke7! Bc5+ 67. Ke6 followed
by 68. d6 or 68. a7. PROBLEM IV. Trenčianske
Teplice, 1926: 26. ... Qh6! threatens 27. ... Qxh3
and 28. ... Qg2 mate, e.g. 27. Qxf3 Bxd2 or 27.
Qxc7 Rbf8. PROBLEM V. New York, 1918: 27. c5!
dxc5 28. d6! wins a piece (28. ... Bxd6 29. bxc5
Rxa5 30. Qxa5 Nc4 31. Qa4). PROBLEM VI. London,
1927: 18. ... R8xf3! 19. Rxf3 (19. gxf3 Qxh2 mate)
19. ... Rxf3 20. gxf3 Qd2! and 21. ... Qxe1+ or 21. ...
Bh3 followed by ... Qg2 mate.
PAGE 47 / FIND THE !! MOVE
PROBLEM I. Trifunovic played the tempting 46.
... fxg6+?, which loses after 47. Ke6 (calculate
it out if you’re not convinced: Black gives up a
rook for the pawn, but White’s king catches the
g-pawn with plenty of time to spare). Instead:
46. ... Rc2!! This non-trivial waiting move would
have led to an easy draw. 47. gxf7 Kxf7 48. Ke5
Ke7, and it is time to shake hands. PROBLEM II.
It looks like Black has a fortress, but a beautiful
thematic shot shatters Prie’s hopes: 72. f3!! exf3
(72. ... Bxf3 73. Kxh3 is obviously no better.) 73.
Kf2! Kc8 74. e4 Kd7 75. Bg3, Black resigned.
The bishop is trapped (!!), and the e-pawn seals
the deal: first, White will put his bishop on d6,
and then simply push his e-pawn. Simple, but
extremely elegant.

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PROBLEM I. Mating net: Black mates by 1. ... Qe3+;
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mate. PROBLEM II. Mating net: Black wins with 1.
... Qf5 mate. PROBLEM III. Mating net: It is mate
by 1. ... Nh2 mate. PROBLEM IV. Mating net: It’s
mate after 1. ... Rxe3+ 2. Qe2 Qxe2 mate. PROBLEM
V. Mating net: Black wins with 1. ... Rf1+ 2. Nxf1 Qd1
mate. PROBLEM VI. Mating net: Mate in 2 again: 1.
... Qg1+ 2. Rxg1 Nf2 mate.

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www.uschess.org 71
 
 

TIM JUST
Editor, US Chess
Rulebook
TDC* and Rules
Committee Member

W
hat was my best move? My name is
not associated much with making
actual “best moves” on that 64-square
battlefield. Instead my name is synonymous with
the last two US Chess rulebooks. Currently my
moniker can be found, along with NTD/IA Wayne
Clark’s, on My Opponent Is Eating a Doughnut, a
collection of short stories about the antics of mostly
non-masters at, and behind the scenes at, chess
tournaments, and singularly on Just Law, a
companion to the US Chess rulebook (see page 42
for an excerpt. ~ed.). Inside are the answers to the
most common questions I get from players,
tournament directors (TDs), organizers, and the
scholastic community. The practical everyday
language focuses on understanding the ideas behind

“
the rulebook and non-rulebook language in the US
Chess universe’s tournament scene. Both paper-
backs are available from US Chess and Amazon
My best move: not entering
plus you can pick up a Kindle book of each from
Amazon. any more regular rated
Technology made some of my long-term
tournaments.

”
projects a reality. On YouTube, with links on my
own “the80-20td” web page, I created some very
amateur videos exploring the basics of the two
most popular pairings programs. Those videos are
a bit old in the tooth now that newer versions of Nxb6 Nc6 11. Bb5 Be7 12. Bxe7 Kxe7?? Be2 is better because it keeps an eye on d3.
those software packages are now available, but I (12. ... axb6 is equal.) 13. Nxc8+ Raxc8 14. 16. ... Nd3+ 17. Kb1 Nxf2 18. Re1 Nxh1
am told those broadcasts are still useful. Recently Rxg4 Ne5 15. Re4 Rc5 19. Nf3 Nf2, White resigned.
I started using Skype to conduct TD workshops.
This game was a tipping point. It occurred when “A man’s got to know his limitations,” said
I was spreading my efforts between chess study Clint Eastwood as Harry Callahan in Magnum
and off-the-board chess governance work. Force. My best move: not entering any more
regular rated tournaments—a decision my wife
helped me make. Instead of chess study I
FRENCH DEFENSE, decided to focus, instead, on chess adminis-
CLASSICAL SYSTEM (C11) tration. The awards I have received have been
Tim Just (1738) greatly appreciated. I like a pat on the back as
Destor Nakamota (1978) well as the next person. The satisfaction I get
U.S. Open (5), Boston, Massachusetts, when I am able to help someone out because
08.05.1988 I am a chess tournament administrator and
experienced TD is even better.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. e4 16. Ba4?
Aiming for a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit! Despite all my efforts over the years this Whose Best Move would you like to see? Write
3. ... e6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Qg4 c5 6. Bg5 Qb6 7. move is typical of my over-the-board play; i.e., to us at letters@uschess.org.
0-0-0 cxd4 8. Rxd4 Nxe5 9. Nxd5 Nxg4 10. sabotaging a decent position—of course, 16. *Tournament Director Certification

72 February 2017 | Chess Life