Sunday, July 26, 2009

Upset By Kevin C At 1st DOCA Transnet FIDE Invitational




Photo Left: Kevin Chen in Black Hat






Here is an upset by Kevin E Chen over National Master Arthur Feuerstein at the 1st DOCA Transnet FIDE event in New Jersey, USA.

KvnVsFeustn.pgn



The notes in this game are provided by Kevin C. Just a small disclaimer, I emailed Kevin asking for this game so as to post on my chess blog. The reason for this is to promote the theme of my chess blog " Chess From The Amateur".

This game is from Round One on July 11, 2009 at the First DOCA Transnet Fide Tournament in Branchburg, New Jersey, USA.

The game is presented in Chess Flash format. Just click on any move to advance the game in the diagram and any variations in the game, one can click on and the variations which highlight in red to play on the board.....diamondback


Please click on link Final Results below, which will redirect you to Jim West On Chess blog for final standings......diamondback

Final Results of the 1st DOCA Transnet FIDE Tournament

USCF Crosstable 1st DOCA Transnet FIDE Invitational

USCF Report On The 1st DOCA Transnet FIDE by Dean Ippolito

1st DOCA Transnet FIDE Invitatiional Photos

Why Blitz Is Not Good For Chess Training



Black to move, and stop white's mating attack


Here is a game that I played Sunday evening July 26, 2009 with a time control of 2 12rated blitz on the Internet Chess Club. This endgame resulted in a helpmate from my opponent, who could have stopped the mating attack and turn white's attack around and force a win against me.


Both players were completely blind to black's resources in preventing the mating attack. A disclaimer from myself, I did not try a swindle tactic here, hoping that Black would not see that he did have resources in preventing this mate.


Click on any move in game score and the postion will show up on the chess diagram, also by clicking on the variation in the parentheais, that variation will highlight in red and you can play out that variation......diamondback

ICCBLTZ.pgn





This is why blitz is bad for chess training purposes, because Blitz does offer enough time to see completely all the vaiations in your attack. Sure , Blitz is fun , especially if you win, but to use it as a chess training tool, it is very limited in learning chess openings and some tactital training.


[Event "ICC 2 12"]
[Site "Internet Chess Club"]
[Date "2009.07.26"]
[Round "-"]
[White "diamondback"]
[Black "gericho9"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ICCResult "Black checkmated"]
[WhiteElo "1011"]
[BlackElo "1135"]
[Opening "Scandinavian (center counter) defense"]
[ECO "B01"]
[NIC "SD.02"]
[Time "19:53:37"]
[TimeControl "120+12"]

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd8 4. Nf3 e6 5. Bc4 Nf6 6. O-O Be7 7. d4 O-O
8. a3 b6 9. Bf4 Bb7 10. Nb5 Na6 11. Ne5 Bd5 12. Qe2 Bxc4 13. Qxc4 Nd5 14.
Nc6 Qe8 15. Bg3 Bd8 16. Nbxa7 Ne7 17. Nxd8 Rxa7 18. Nxe6 fxe6 19. Qxe6+ Kh8
20. Bh4 Ng6 21. Qh3 Nxh4 22. Qxh4 Qb5 23. Qe7 Qf5 24. Rae1 Raa8 25. Re5 Qxc2
26. Rfe1 h6 27. Qe6 Rxf2 28. Qg4 Qxb2 29. Re8+ Rxe8 30. Rxe8+ Kh7 31. Qe4+
g6 32. Qe7+ Rf7 33. Qxf7# {Black checkmated} 1-0

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Brilliancy Prize Zurich International 1953






Zurich International Chess Tournament

turn to game# 28 page number 42 on google books link above


Amazon Books Link to Zurich International 1953


This is game number 28 from David Bronstein's book Zurich International Chess Torunament 1953. David Bronsteins's introduction to this game is as follows: " Let the reader be forewarnded: this is one of the tournament's most intersting games, and the recipient of the brillancy prize. Both phrases , Opening and Middlegame were conducted by Najdorf with such a high degree of erudition and mastery, that the need of a third phrase (endgame) never arose.

Taimanov - Najdorf (King's Indian)

Zurch53b.pgn

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Round 8 1st DOCA Transnet FIDE Photos By Kevin Chen


Please click on link Final Results below, which will redirect you to Jim West On Chess blog for final standings......diamondback

Photo Left: Kevin Chen in Black Hat



Final Results of the 1st DOCA Transnet FIDE Tournament

USCF Crosstable 1st DOCA Transnet FIDE Invitational

USCF Report On The 1st DOCA Transnet FIDE by Dean Ippolito


The location of this Chess event is at the Dean of Chess Academy 1161 US Highway 202. Branchburg, New Jersey , USA 08876 908-595-0066. Headed by New Jersey Chess Teacher of the Year International Master Dean Ippolito.








Mike Somers plays Black against Dean Ippolito


NM James R West plays white against Atlantic Chess News Editor Steve Ferrero

NM James R West plays white against Atlantic Chess News Editor Steve Ferrero
Dup Photo

Expert soon to be Master Rahul Swaminathan on move
Christopher White plays white against Arthur Feuerstein
Standings after Seven Rounds

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Round Seven 1st Transnet FIDE Photos by Kevin E Chen



Left Photo: Kevin Chen wearing black hat







The location of this Chess event is at the Dean of Chess Academy 1161 US Highway 202. Branchburg, New Jersey , USA 08876 908-595-0066. Headed by New Jersey Chess Teacher of the Year International Master Dean Ippolito.




USCF Crosstable 1st DOCA Transnet FIDE Invitational








David Grasso plays White agains Dean Ippolito

Expert Rahul Swaminathan playes white against NM James R West

Tim Hall on move as white

NM Arthur Feuerstein plays blacks agains Mike Somers

Round Six 1st Transnet FIDE Photos by Kevin E Chen


Picture of Kevin E Chen wearing black hat playing white agains NM A. Feuerstein.










The location of this Chess event is at the Dean of Chess Academy 1161 US Highway 202. Branchburg, New Jersey , USA 08876 908-595-0066. Headed by New Jersey Chess Teacher of the Year International Master Dean Ippolito.


First DOCA Transnet FIDE Invitational was completed on Sunday evening on July 19, 2009.

USCF Crosstable 1st DOCA Transnet FIDE Invitational





Round Six gallery of pictures taken by Kevin E Chen of the First DOCA Transnet FIDE Invitational.

Kevin emailed me with his score 3.5 points after completing eight rounds of nine.




Mike Somers on move



Tim Hall as black against NM James R West white pieces of New Jersey

Dean Ippolito plays white against Steve Ferrero of Atlantic Chess News

Monday, July 20, 2009

First DOCA Transnet FIDE Invitational Round Five Photos By Kevin E Chen

I was just emailed a few moments ago pictures of Rounds five thru eight of the First DOCA Transnet FIDE Invitational on Monday evening on July 20, 2009, by Kevin E Chen amateur chess player and amateur photgrapher. Kevin also was one of the invited players to participate in this chess tournament.


The location of this Chess event is at the Dean of Chess Academy 1161 US Highway 202. Branchburg, New Jersey , USA 08876 908-595-0066. Headed by New Jersey Chess Teacher of the Year International Master Dean Ippolito.

USCF Crosstable 1st DOCA Transnet FIDE Invitational

Round Six Photos

Round Seven Photos

Round Eight Photos




This group of photos are from Round Five only. I will post Rounds six, seven and eight in subsequent posts within a day or so. Also names of the players will be added in subtitles at the same time. This was a nine round event and unfortunately Kevin incurred techical problems with his digital camera during the shoot of the last round.

This First Transnet DOCA FIDE invitational ended Sunday , July 19, 2009.

Final results and additional photos of this Chess event can be found on
Jim West On Chess.

Dozen Photos From DOCA Transnet posted by Jim West

Listed below are the names of players, who particpated in the first of a kind chess event in New Jersey, USA.
These are the players who will participate in the 1st Dean of Chess Academy TransNet FIDE Invitational tournament. The FIDE average is 2169, and the USCF average is 2092.

1. Dean Ippolito [FIDE 2443] [USCF 2521]
2. James West [FIDE 2180] [USCF 2200]
3. David Grasso [FIDE 2131] [USCF 2228]
4. Tim Hall [FIDE 2118] [USCF 2009]
5. Arthur Feuerstein [FIDE 2106] [USCF 2229]
6. Rahul Swaminathan [FIDE 2037] [USCF 2087]
7. Christopher Wu [USCF 1967]
8. Mike Somers [USCF 1966]
9. Steve Ferrero [USCF 1926]
10. Kevin Chen [USCF 1788]





Steve Ferrero plays white against NM Arthur Feuerstein







Picture of Kevin E Chen wearing black hat playing white agains NM A. Feuerstein.










Rahul Swaminathan plays white against Dean Ippolito

NM James R West plays white against Christopher Wu

Mike Somers plays black against David Grasso

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Hamilton Quads July 18, 2009



On Saturday, July 18, 2009 , I played at the Hamilton Chess Quads,
my score was 1 1 1.

Photo of Ray Dwier Recreation Center, Groveville, New Jerey




Here is one of my games, a win with white in the lower quad sections, the under 1400section at Hamilton Chess Quads on July 18, 2009 in Groveville, New Jersey.

A few notes on the game. The opening is a Queens Pawn opening, my strategy was to bust open the C file, my opponent's attack focus on the A file, he had his chances on the A file but fumble the ball. In my opening, Black played his Queen out early, neglecting his developement.

My opponent also has an excellent post for his knight on white's e4 square but he immediately traded off this powerfull knight for my knight on c3. By move 34, Black moved his light square bishop a total of eight times and then decided to trade off for white's light square bishop, this was black's most active piece in the middle game. Feeling the need to trade pieces , my opponent also decided to trade off Queens instead of taking white's H pawn on h2. As you play over this game, I had a lot of help from my oppent, especially towards the end of the game.

I believe this was Black's game for the taking based on Chessmaster 10th edition play in the last Chess Flash diagram below.

The endgame consisted of white's rook infiltrating black's backfield and picking off his C pawns and H pawns, which resulted in white's passed pawn queening on the C file.

The game is in Chess Flash format as usual, the first game has some analysis from an older version of Fritz 4.

Remember that on the Chess Flash replay board you can click on the notation and the analysis moves as well to follow the moves on the graphic chessboard

The second game is without the any analysis in Chess Flash this is an ugly game and it should have been been at least a draw for my opponnet , but I pulled a win out of my hat.


If any of the lower quad players , who played at Hamilton Quads,at Groveville, New Jersye on July 18, 2009 want to email any of their games to post on my chess blog, just email me the game scores to diamondback1529@yahoo.com. I know Scott A , a student of Dan Heisman in Philadelphia, has some interesting games he played yesterday. Also Robert C of New Jersey may have some notewothy games he may want to email me his scoresheets.


The first game shown below has some analysis from Fritz 4, an older version of Fritz 11.

mark.pgn





Here is the same game posted without any analysis.

Diamondback-Mark_M_.pgn



Here is the same game with Chessmaster 10th edition analysis with 30 seconds a move starting with white's 30th move Nd3 ... in the orignal game.
Chessmaster 10 determined that Black could win this game at a 2400 uscf rating, which is about a thousand points higher than the players who finished this game.

>Chessmaster vs Chessmaster 7-19-2009.PGN





This was my first round game that started around 11:00 AM and ended around 2:30PM in the afternoon. The time control is 40/80 then 15/30 , then 15/30 ad infinitum . My game and another quad player in the highter quad section were still playing on in the middle of players who started their second round game. The TD glancing at my board determined not to adjourn my game since my opponent Mark was playing a lone knight and three pawns against my rook and a pass pawn that queen before he could queen his pawn. The other game between the two higher quad players was adjouned and what I have heard that adjourned game between Frank and Hapler ended quite late in the night, their postion was drawn which game F. took clear first in the under 1800 quad.

Some the big name New Jersey masters and experts were missing from Hamilton Quads because they were playing in the First DOCA Transnet FIDE Invitational at Dean Of Chess Academy. Since the overall attendence at this Hamilton Quad event was 52 players , a new record, they may have not been any tables for the missing New Jersey masters and experts for them anyway.

Here is an update after Round Seven of the First DOCA Transnet FIDE onJim West On Chess.

The final standings and scores of the First DOCA Transnet FIDE Invitational by Jim West can be found at this link DOCA Transnet 7/19/2009
This was posted by NM Jim West of New Jersey Monday , July 20, 2009.



Just a side note what happened after Hamilton Quads were finished in the late evening I did speak with Mark Kernigan a New Jersey chess Master , who played in Quad One and I asked him to donate one of his games , so as to post the game on my chess blog, especially the draw over Boris Privaman at today's Hamilton Quad, but he delcined , citing that the game was not note worthy.

Here's a picture of Mark Kernigan winning as White against FM Bartell in a recent Simul given by FM Bartell of New Jersey around May 2008.

















I have to add the TD director Ed did a fantastic job squezzing everyone in despite a few tables short.

I have to reassess my chess learning program, especially in the middle game of chess, because everytime , I get paired in these lower quads at Hamilton Chess Club, it seems my opponents are playing at least 200 rating points above their 1300 to 1400 ratings points. But I know this is not the case, it just feels like my opponents are playing strong because I am struggling in the Middle game of chess. Just a side note, Theodore M a 1500 player struggle in this quad , and he usually plays strong at these quads events.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Kasparov versus Karpov Rematch! - Chess.com

Kasparov versus Karpov Rematch! - Chess.com



Nakamura wins San Sebastian after beating Ponomariov 2-0 on tie-break


Donostia Chess Festival

Coutesy of US Chess Life Online ( picture and caption text)

After Nakamura's blazing 4.5/5 start at the Donostia Chess Festival in San Sebastian, Spain, Ruslan Ponomariov caught up with our U.S. Champion's 6.5/9 with a final round win over Vallejo. So a two-game blitz playoff was needed to determine a champion- this is rarely a bad thing for Nakamura. Nakamura dominated the playoffs, crushing Ponomoriov in a sacrificial Sicilian and then going on to win as Black to clinch the title (game with Black will be posted when available).





Here are both Tie Break games in Chess Flash format.




nakamura_ponomariov_2009.pgn




ponomariov_nakamura_2009.pgn

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Bobby Fischer Vs. William G. Addison, 1970




Mar-04-09
Absentee: What was Addison thinking, playing the scandinavian against Fischer?
on www.chessgames.com

fischer_g_addison_1970.pgn

Monday, July 13, 2009

Rosen Wins Junior Open as Closed Kicks Off

Eric Rosen and Kevin Bu scored 4.5/5 in the U.S. Junior Open (Milwaukee, July 10-12), while Rosen won the Armageddon playoff to earn a spot in next year's Junior Closed. 157 players attended this 3-section event.

The video below shot by Andi Rosen, shows the Rosen-Bu Junior Open blitz playoff for first in which Rosen got the white pieces and six minutes while Bu, playing Black, had draw odds. The moves and video of the game show a controlled and accurate attacking effort by Rosen.




Below, the actual game shown in the You Tube video, in Chess Flash format.


Eric_Rosen-Kevin_Bu.pgn

Sunday, July 12, 2009

ChessBase.com - Chess News - Dortmund 10: Kramnik wins Dortmund for the ninth time

ChessBase.com - Chess News - Dortmund 10: Kramnik wins Dortmund for the ninth time


Dortmund 10: Kramnik wins Dortmund for the ninth time
12.07.2009 – This is definitely his tournament: Vladimir Kramnik won it eight times previously, and after an inauspicious start the former World Champion mopped up in the second half to finish a full point ahead of his nearest rivals. They were Peter Leko, Magnus Carlsen and Dmitry Jakovenko, all at 5.5/10 points. Kramnik's performance: 2848. Final report with statistics.

Kramnik,V (2759) - Naiditsch,A (2697) [D37]
Sparkassen GM Dortmund GER (10), 12.07.2009
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e4 Bb4 6.Bg5 c5 7.Bxc4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Qa5 10.Bb5+ Bd7 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Bxd7+ Nxd7 13.0-0 a6 14.Rb1 Qc7 15.Qh5 Nc5 16.Rb4 Qe5 17.Qh6 Rc8 18.Nf3 Qxc3 19.Rd4 Ke7 20.e5 Nd7 21.Qh4 Rhg8 22.Kh1 b5 23.h3 Rc4 24.Rxd7+ Kxd7 25.Qxf6 Qd3 26.Qxf7+ Kc6 27.Qxe6+ Kb7 28.Re1 Rg6 29.Qf7+ Rc7 30.Qf4 Rc4 31.Qf8 Rc8 32.Qe7+ Rc7 33.Qh4 Qc4 34.Nd4 Qxa2 35.Qe4+ Kb6 36.Qe3 Kb7 37.Qf3+ Kb6
38.Nb3 Rc2?? 39.Qe3+ Kb7 40.e6 Rxf2 41.Qe4+ Kb6 42.Qd4+ 1-0.


Kramnik-Naiditsch.pgn




Click Here For Games

ChessBase.com - Chess News - Dortmund 8: Kramnik beats Carlsen, leads

ChessBase.com - Chess News - Dortmund 8: Kramnik beats Carlsen, leads

Courtesy of Chessbase News:

Dortmund 8: Kramnik beats Carlsen, leads
10.07.2009 – And suddenly things have changed... After two relatively uneventful rounds Vladimir Kramnik was able to go into the lead at the Sparkassen tournament in Dortmund, after the leader since round one Magnus Carlsen blundered in a probably drawn position. Dmitry Jakovenko was able to defeat Etienne Bacrot in an 81-move marathon. Round eight report with pictorial impressions.

Complete Game on F Pawn Chess Blog with color commentary.....diamondback


End Game Analysis: Kramnik vs Carlsen in Chess Flash Format


KrkCarl.pgn



Replay Round 9 Games Here

Saturday, July 11, 2009

The United States Chess Federation - Dr.Ira Lee Riddle, 1946-2009


The United States Chess Federation - Dr.Ira Lee Riddle, 1946-2009


Dr. Ira Lee Riddle receiving a chess award.




Dr. Ira Lee Riddle, International Arbiter, PA Chess Federation President and Chess Journalists of America Vice-President, died on July, 6, 2009. Ira and his wife Polly were on their cruise around England and were at their last port of call before disembarking and going to Stonehenge, Havre de Grace, France. He was taking air on the deck when he had a heart attack and could not be revived.

10 July 2009: Dr. Ira Lee Riddle dies in France

Friday, July 10, 2009

Checkmate In Eight

This post found at Susan Polgar Daily Chess News

Hint: 1. Na6 ....

Chess Tactics Training Web Site

Chess Tactics


Chess Tempo is chess page, which helps chess players improve their game, by practicing tacital skills and endgame training .


There is free registration which allows users to solve tactic and endgames problems based upon their playing ability and tracks their progress.


There is a silver membership available for twenty dollars a month and a gold membership which is thirty five dollars a month.

By reading the Frequently Asked Questions , the newly registered member can better understand how to use Chess Tempo effectively.

Here is comparison of the different subscription plans and what they entail, to include the free registration.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

ChessBase.com - Chess News - Donostia Chess Festival in San Sebastián

Courtesy Chessbase News


Donostia Chess Festival in San Sebastian
Report by WGM Anastasiya Karlovich


The Donostia Chess Festival is taking place from 7th-16th July 2009. The main event is a round robin tournament with ten GMs, all but local Pablo San Segundo rated over 2600, five over 2700. The average rating in 2682, the category is 18. Play starts at 17:00h CEST = 16:00h London, 11 a.m. New York.

In the first round American GM Hikaru Nakamura defeated legendary World Champion Anatoly Karpov, and in the second round French number two Maxime Vachier Lagrave. Nakamura leads with 2.0/2. Here are the standings after two rounds:







ChessBase.com - Chess News - Donostia Chess Festival in San Sebastián

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

2009 World Open Miniatures

Here are two world open miniatures that caught my eye thru a link on
" The Kenilworthian". That link is to Lubomir Kavalek's chess column with full analysis of both of these miniatures.


Also here are my links to some of the 2009 World Open chess games that I have posted in my chess blog during the 2009 World Open. I attended only as a spectator to the Grand Master games on Saturday July 4, 2009 and Sunday , July 5, 2009.

Mikhalevski and Nakamura Tied For First After Seven Rounds


World Open 2009 Final Results


Just a side comment:


I've always found the World Open a bit odd. Multiple schedules, re-entries allowed and so forth. So what to make of Hikaru Nakamura's tournament? Turns up one day plays 5 g/45 minute games to get in contention, plays two proper games the following day (quick draw and a win), then takes two half point byes in the final two rounds to share first place and is already flying to Donostia before the tournament ends. I guess my main reaction is "What kind of tournament is this?"



World Open 2009 Miniatures






ChessBase.com - Chess News - Dortmund 5: Carlsen, Leko win, Carlsen leads

ChessBase.com - Chess News - Dortmund 5: Carlsen, Leko win, Carlsen leads

Courtesy ChessBase News : Dortmund 5: Carlsen, Leko win, Carlsen leads
06.07.2009 – The first half of the Sparkassen Super-GM saws Peter Leko demolish Etienne Bacrot after the French GM blundered on move 36; and Magnus Carlsen kept the pressure up against Arkadij Naiditsch's Berlin Defence, until the German player committed an innocuous looking error on move 41 and crumbled. Carlsen is again in the sole lead with a 2885 performance. Express report.


Click Here To Replay Games

Monday, July 6, 2009

CCA Chess Tournaments » World Open 2009 Standings – Open Section

CCA Chess Tournaments » World Open 2009 Standings – Open Section



Final Standings

# Name Rtg St Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Rd 4 Rd 5 Rd 6 Rd 7 Rd 8 Rd 9 Total Score

1 GM Hikaru Nakamura 2773 NY W24 D7 W48 W78 W51 D4 W2 H— H— 7
2 GM Evgeny Najer 2714 RUS W63 W82 D17 D14 W56 W11 L1 W26 W8 7

3 GM Gata Kamsky 2799 NY W33 D19 D38 W57 D53 W26 L9 W37 W21 6½
4 GM Ilya Smirin 2754 ISR D47 W91 W39 W55 D10 D1 D8 W9 D6 6½
5 GM Jiri Stocek 2702 CZE L57 D60 W91 D65 W68 W62 D13 W39 W9 6½
6 GM Varuzhan Akobian 2684 CA W34 W21 L26 W22 D14 D18 W56 W28 D4 6½
7 GM Leonid G Yudasin 2630 ISR W51 D1 W24 L48 W78 D14 D39 W96 W17 6½

8 GM Jaan Ehlvest 2691 NY W49 W41 D11 W13 D26 D21 D4 W19 L2 6
9 GM Victor Mikhalevski 2670 ISR W65 W22 W18 D26 D11 W10 W3 L4 L5 6
10 GM Timur Gareev 2661 UZB W58 W83 D28 W54 D4 L9 W27 D21 D11 6
11 IM Alex Lenderman 2654 NY W59 W31 D8 W28 D9 L2 D38 W18 D10 6
12 GM Sergey Kudrin 2623 CT D67 W50 H— H— D29 H— W63 D20 W28 6
13 GM Eugen Perelshteyn 2588 MA W60 D57 W64 L8 D47 W44 D5 D16 W36 6
14 GM Evgeny Bareev 2556 NY D23 W90 W20 D2 D6 D7 L26 W51 W29 6

15 GM Vladimir Potkin 2721 RUS D30 L23 W82 L62 W66 W46 D22 W44 D20 5½
16 GM Yury Shulman 2712 IL W92 L28 W45 D29 W83 D19 D21 D13 D22 5½
17 GM Giorgi Kacheishvili 2673 GEO W89 W27 D2 D23 L21 W31 D18 W29 L7 5½
18 GM Alejandro Ramirez 2585 CRC W70 W85 L9 D33 W43 D6 D17 L11 W46 5½
19 GM Alexander Ivanov 2564 MA W71 D3 L57 W66 W34 D16 W25 L8 D23 5½
20 GM Jesse Kraai 2531 CA D90 W46 L14 D63 W65 D47 W62 D12 D15 5½
21 GM Alonso Zapata 2520 COL W95 L6 W58 W59 W17 D8 D16 D10 L3 5½
22 GM Dashze Sharavdorj 2479 MGL W75 L9 W35 L6 W59 W33 D15 D27 D16 5½
23 IM Leonid Gerzhoy 2402 CAN D14 W15 D37 D17 L62 D41 W40 W55 D19 5½
24 IM Robert A Hungaski 2400 CT L1 W51 L7 W88 W48 L39 W41 D30 W43 5½

25 GM Robert L Hess 2670 NY D50 W67 D29 W40 D27 D38 L19 D33 D32 5
26 GM Alexander Shabalov 2624 PA W66 W44 W6 D9 D8 L3 W14 L2 U— 5
27 IM Ray Robson 2553 FL W98 L17 W30 W37 D25 D53 L10 D22 D33 5
28 IM Jacek Stopa 2528 POL W61 W16 D10 L11 D54 W48 W53 L6 L12 5
29 GM Dmitry Gurevich 2513 IL D36 W80 D25 D16 D12 W35 W55 L17 L14 5
30 GM Vinay S Bhat 2504 CA D15 D37 L27 D46 D67 W71 W57 D24 D34 5
31 Mackenzie Molner 2443 NJ W86 L11 D68 W69 D55 L17 D35 D48 W57 5
32 IM Marc T Arnold 2442 NY D80 W36 D56 L53 W64 L55 D67 W60 D25 5
33 FM Raja Panjwani 2418 CAN L3 W71 W93 D18 D39 L22 W81 D25 D27 5
34 FM Michael Lee 2384 WA L6 W70 W85 D38 L19 W42 D54 D43 D30 5
35 FM Ali Morshedi 2318 CA B— L56 L22 W85 W89 L29 D31 D47 W64 5
36 Kassa Korley 2209 NY D29 L32 D50 D58 W52 D43 W45 W63 L13 5

37 GM Joshua Ed Friedel 2616 NH D46 D30 D23 L27 W69 W58 W47 L3 U— 4½
38 GM John P Fedorowicz 2544 NY D56 B— D3 D34 W57 D25 D11 U— U— 4½
39 GM Michael A Rohde 2534 NY D72 W73 L4 W52 D33 W24 D7 L5 U— 4½
40 IM Yury Lapshun 2509 NY D73 W72 D53 L25 D46 D57 L23 W67 D48 4½
41 GM Gildardo J Garcia 2482 COL W93 L8 L59 D70 W60 D23 L24 D58 W66 4½
42 Victor Kaminski 2473 CAN L85 D69 L72 W91 W70 L34 L60 W81 W67 4½
43 Marc R Esserman 2455 MA W79 D53 L55 W60 L18 D36 W59 D34 L24 4½
44 FM Daniel M Rensch 2434 AZ W76 L26 W61 L56 W81 L13 W50 L15 D49 4½
45 IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat 2429 MD W77 D55 L16 D81 W71 L56 L36 W59 D50 4½
46 FM Thomas Bartell 2407 NJ D37 L20 W90 D30 D40 L15 W69 W68 L18 4½
47 FM Bindi Cheng 2406 CAN D4 W84 L54 W72 D13 D20 L37 D35 D51 4½
48 FM Kazim Gulamali 2403 GA W78 W87 L1 W7 L24 L28 D68 D31 D40 4½
49 FM Jonathan Tayar 2392 CAN L8 L93 D75 D80 W85 L67 W72 W71 D44 4½
50 FM Daniel Naroditsky 2378 CA D25 L12 D36 L61 W90 W75 L44 W78 D45 4½
51 FM Dov Gorman 2330 VA L7 L24 B— W87 L1 W86 W64 L14 D47 4½
52 David Peng 2320 CAN L53 D77 W73 L39 L36 L81 W90 W75 W70 4½

53 GM Joel Benjamin 2641 NJ W52 D43 D40 W32 D3 D27 L28 U— U— 4
54 GM Alexander Stripunsky 2620 NJ W68 D64 W47 L10 D28 D63 D34 U— U— 4
55 GM Julio J Becerra 2615 FL W69 D45 W43 L4 D31 W32 L29 L23 U— 4
56 GM Nick E De Firmian 2595 D38 W35 D32 W44 L2 W45 L6 U— U— 4
57 GM Mesgen Amanov 2400 TKM W5 D13 W19 L3 L38 D40 L30 W73 L31 4
58 Shinsaku Uesugi 2364 JPN L10 W79 L21 D36 W72 L37 D70 D41 D60 4
59 FM Shiyam Thavandiran 2333 CAN L11 W75 W41 L21 L22 W61 L43 L45 W74 4
60 Parker B Zhao 2284 NY L13 D5 W84 L43 L41 W80 W42 L32 D58 4
61 Steven D Greanias 2234 VA L28 W92 L44 W50 L63 L59 D85 D76 W81 4

62 IM Bryan G Smith 2528 PA L82 W98 D63 W15 W23 L5 L20 U— U— 3½
63 FM Eric Hansen 2472 CAN L2 W89 D62 D20 W61 D54 L12 L36 U— 3½
64 IM Jay Bonin 2426 NY W81 D54 L13 D68 L32 W78 L51 D70 L35 3½
65 FM Daniel A Yeager 2378 PA L9 W95 D81 D5 L20 L68 L74 W91 D73 3½
66 WIM Alisa Melekhina 2315 PA L26 W86 D83 L19 L15 D84 D75 W79 L41 3½
67 Seth Homa 2302 MI D12 L25 W74 L83 D30 W49 D32 L40 L42 3½
68 FM Teddy Coleman 2300 NY L54 W76 D31 D64 L5 W65 D48 L46 U— 3½
69 FM Alec Getz 2288 NY L55 D42 W80 L31 L37 W87 L46 W85 U— 3½
70 Kevin M Wasiluk 2282 MN L18 L34 W79 D41 L42 W76 D58 D64 L52 3½
71 FM Michael Dougherty 2268 CAN L19 L33 W86 W92 L45 L30 W84 L49 D76 3½
72 Michael Thaler 2257 NY D39 L40 W42 L47 L58 W90 L49 W80 U— 3½
73 FM Boris Privman 2203 NJ D40 L39 L52 D84 D80 D77 W82 L57 D65 3½
74 Jerome B Hanken 2200 CA L83 H— L67 H— D77 H— W65 H— L59 3½
75 FM Boris Reichstein 2200 MD L22 L59 D49 D77 W91 L50 D66 L52 W86 3½
76 Andrew J Freix 2005 VA L44 L68 D95 D79 D84 L70 W87 D61 D71 3½
77 Devin L Hughes 1991 OK L45 D52 L92 D75 D74 D73 L79 D86 X85 3½

78 Richard Francisco 2222 GA L48 B— W87 L1 L7 L64 W86 L50 U— 3
79 Anirudda Deshpande 2148 CT L43 L58 L70 D76 W82 U— W77 L66 D80 3
80 Richard J Tuhrim 2106 NY D32 L29 L69 D49 D73 L60 W88 L72 D79 3
81 Luke Harmon-Vellotti 1984 ID L64 B— D65 D45 L44 W52 L33 L42 L61 3
82 John P Vaughan 1937 MA W62 L2 L15 L89 L79 W91 L73 D84 D87 3

83 IM Samuel Shankland 2474 CA W74 L10 D66 W67 L16 U— U— U— U— 2½
84 Leonardo Campiz 2179 PUR H— L47 L60 D73 D76 D66 L71 D82 U— 2½
85 Vincent Heinis 2162 FRA W42 L18 L34 L35 L49 W88 D61 L69 F77 2½
86 Nitai D Leve 2109 NY L31 L66 L71 B— W92 L51 L78 D77 L75 2½
87 Sean P Mc Laren 2082 CAN H— L48 L78 L51 W88 L69 L76 D90 D82 2½
88 Sam Sloan 1901 NY H— H— H— L24 L87 L85 L80 L94 W91 2½

89 IM Joseph M Bradford 2459 TX L17 L63 B— W82 L35 U— U— U— U— 2
90 Thomas J Beckman 2001 DC D20 L14 L46 B— L50 L72 L52 D87 U— 2
91 Dennis J Gittrich 1832 OH B— L4 L5 L42 L75 L82 W97 L65 L88 2

92 FM Elliott J Liu 2405 CA L16 L61 W77 L71 L86 U— U— U— U— 1
93 Christopher Williams 2201 MA L41 W49 L33 U— U— U— U— U— U— 1
94 William E Hook 2200 MD U— U— U— U— U— U— U— W88 U— 1
95 Leif A Pressman 2228 NY L21 L65 D76 U— U— U— U— U— U— ½
96 Robert Lau 2230 HI U— U— U— U— U— U— U— L7 U— 0
97 Mayer Riff 2181 NJ U— U— U— U— U— U— L91 U— U— 0
98 Steven A Owen 2116 TN L27 L62 U— U— U— U— U— U— U— 0

Tags: World Open 2009 Standings

World Open 2009 Final Results: GM Nakumura Ties For First Place With GM Najer

GM Evgeny Najer beat GM Jaan Ehlvest to secure a 1st place tie with GM Hikaru Nakamura, who had taken two half-point byes on the final day as he jetted off to another tournament.

Here are some games from Round Nine , the final round at the World Open at Philadelphia, Pa.

GM Nakamura had to take two byes in the eight and ninth rounds because of his flight schedule to play in an European tournament.

Here some games , courtesy of Mon Roi's web site.


Unfortunately, GM Mihkalevski lost his lost round game, had he won it , he would have also tied for first place. His lost was to GM Stocek.






Sunday, July 5, 2009

The United States Chess Federation - IM Ray Robson Wins Samford Fellowship

The United States Chess Federation - IM Ray Robson Wins Samford Fellowship



2009 SAMFORD CHESS FELLOWSHIP WON BY RAY ROBSON (PRESS RELEASE)
Contact: Allen Kaufman(718) 544-5036
AllenKauf@aol.com

Ray Robson of Largo, Florida, a fourteen year old International Chessmaster (“IM”), has been awarded the twenty-fourth FRANK P. SAMFORD, JR. CHESS FELLOWSHIP. Ray is home-schooled and is able to devote four or more hours per day to chess study.

Ray has been playing chess since the age of three and entered his first tournament when he was seven. He reached the IM level when he was thirteen and is currently the youngest player in the United States with this title. His first major tournament victory was the 2008 Miami Open, then tied for first in the Florida State Championship. He has defeated many international grandmasters (“GMs”) and is working toward that title himself now.

Robson’s trainer has been GM Alexander Onischuk. Because of financial constraints the lessons have been mostly by telephone. With funding provided by the Samford Fellowship the training can now be substantially increased and conducted face-to-face. Travel to strong foreign tournaments and other assistance will now also be possible.

The Samford is the richest and most important chess fellowship in the United States, providing brilliant young American chessmasters the support and resources necessary to enhance their skills and reach their full potential. The total value of the Fellowship is approximately $36,000 per year. The prize is awarded for one year, beginning July 1, 2009, and is renewable for a second year.

The winner was chosen by the Samford Fellowship Committee, consisting of Frank P. Samford III (son of Samford Fellowship founder Frank P. Samford, Jr.), former U.S. Chess Champion Grandmaster Arthur Bisguier and International Master John Donaldson. The winner’s potential was determined based on his chess talent, work ethic, dedication and accomplishments. The Fellowship is administered by the U.S. Chess Trust with particularly valuable services provided by Barbara DeMaro.

The purpose of the Samford Fellowship is to identify and assist the best young American chessmasters by providing top-level coaching, strong competition and access to study materials. The Fellowship also provides a monthly stipend for living expenses so that the winners may devote themselves entirely to chess without having financial worries.

Since its inception the Samford Fellowship has proven very successful. Several of the Fellows have become Grandmasters and a few have won the U.S. Chess Championship and played on the U.S. team in the chess olympiad.. The full list includes:

* Joel Benjamin
* Maxim Dlugy
* Patrick Wolff
* Alex Fishbein
* Ilya Gurevich
* Alex Sherzer
* Ben Finegold
* Gata Kamsky
* Josh Waitzkin
* Tal Shaked
* Boris Kreiman
* Dean Ippolito
* Greg Shahade
* Michael Mulyar
* Eugene Perelshteyn
* Varuzhan Akobian
* Dmitry Schneider
* Rusudan Goletiani
* Hikaru Nakamura
* David Pruess
* Josh Friedel
* Irina Krush
* Vinay Bhat

The Samford Chess Fellowship was created by the late Frank P. Samford, Jr. of Birmingham, Alabama. Mr. Samford was a distinguished attorney and CEO of Liberty National Life Insurance Company (now Torchmark). Mr. Samford was active in civic, business, political, educational and cultural affairs. He was also an enthusiastic competitor in chess tournaments.

Generous contributions from Mrs. Virginia Samford and Torchmark Corporation support the Fellowship. The Samford Fellowship is a fitting memorial to an extraordinary man. The dedication, creativity and achievement that marked Mr. Frank P. Samford, Jr.’s life are examples for all chessplayers to admire and emulate.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Mikhalevski And Nakumura Tied For First After Seven Rounds At World Open 2009

After seven rounds , with only two more rounds to go, Nakumura and Mikhalevski both have six points each, which ties both of them for first place.

Tomorrow, July 5, 2009 are round eight and nine. Standings before round eight starts will be posted on my chess web blog.

Here are two fine games played by Nakumura and Mikhalevski in round seven, featured by Mon Roi.

Note : All the live World Open games are being updated at www.monroi.com web site since the World Open started.






World Open Standings After Five Rounds

Here are the standings after five rounds at the World Open in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Not unexpected Hikaru Nakumura is in the lead with 4 1/2 points. Games to follow as they become available.

Jul

04

2009
World Open 2009 Standings – Open Section
Current Standings

# Name Rtng St Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Rd 4 Rd 5 Tot

1 GM Hikaru Nakamura 2773 NY W42 D15 W41 W69 W64 4½

2 GM Ilya Smirin 2754 ISR D40 W93 W29 W26 D6 4
3 GM Evgeny Najer 2714 RUS W34 W92 D23 D18 W27 4
4 GM Jaan Ehlvest 2691 NY W60 W47 D7 W28 D8 4
5 GM Victor Mikhalevski 2670 ISR W62 W33 W16 D8 D7 4
6 GM Timur Gareev 2661 UZB W55 W48 D31 W25 D2 4
7 IM Alex Lenderman 2654 NY W63 W35 D4 W31 D5 4
8 GM Alexander Shabalov 2624 PA W74 W37 W12 D5 D4 4
9 GM Alonso Zapata 2520 COL W94 L12 W55 W63 W23 4

10 GM Gata Kamsky 2799 NY W39 D17 D20 W53 D14 3½
11 GM Yury Shulman 2712 IL W89 L31 W38 D32 W48 3½
12 GM Varuzhan Akobian 2684 CA W54 W9 L8 W33 D18 3½
13 GM Robert L Hess 2670 NY D61 W65 D32 W46 D19 3½
14 GM Joel Benjamin 2641 NJ W73 D50 D46 W36 D10 3½
15 GM Leonid G Yudasin 2630 ISR W64 D1 W42 L41 W69 3½
16 GM Alejandro Ramirez 2585 CRC W77 W91 L5 D39 W50 3½
17 GM Alexander Ivanov 2564 MA W67 D10 L53 W74 W54 3½
18 GM Evgeny Bareev 2556 NY D52 W86 W30 D3 D12 3½
19 IM Ray Robson 2553 FL W95 L23 W57 W45 D13 3½
20 GM John P Fedorowicz 2544 NY D27 B— D10 D54 W53 3½
21 IM Bryan G Smith 2528 PA L92 W95 D34 W44 W52 3½


Some Round Five Games












Friday, July 3, 2009

World Open 2009 Top Scores After Five Rounds



Hikaru Nakumura Current U.S. Chess Champion 2009

Here are the scores of the top six players after five rounds after the five day and seven day schedules merged. A wild card in the field is when the three day schedule merges with the five day and seven schedule tomorrow Satuday July 4, 2009 , Saturday .


That wild card is Hikaru Nakumura current U.S. Chess Champion. He already has 3 1/2 points coming out of the three day schedule event. Since tomorrow is the Fouth of July it is only fitting that Mr. Hikaru Nakumura set off the fireworks on the chess board at the World Open.





Will this be a showdow between Nakumura and Shabalov ? Time will only tell in the last round of the World Open.

All GM's listed below now have four points each after five round of phay.


1 GM Ilya Smirin 2754 ISR

2 GM Jaan Ehlvest 2691

3 GM Victor Mikhalevski

4 GM Timur Gareev 2661 TX

5 IM Alex Lenderman 2654 NY

6 GM Alexande Shabalov 2624 PA

CCA Chess Tournaments » World Open 2009 Standings – Open Section

CCA Chess Tournaments » World Open 2009 Standings – Open Section

Standings in the Open Section at the World Open in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after four rounds. There are six GrandMasters tied for first place with 3 1/2 points.

Note: Shabalove and Elvest drew their fifth round game early in the opening. This now gives both of them a total of four points each. This is a nine round event.

Standings After Four Rounds

Jul

02

2009
World Open 2009 Standings – Open Section
Current Standings, Merged 7-Day, 5-Day & 4-Day Schedule

# Name Rtng St Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Rd 4 Rd 5 Tot
1 GM Ilya Smirin 2754 ISR D33 W84 W25 W20 ~4 3½
2 GM Jaan Ehlvest 2691 NY W71 W58 D5 W21 ~6 3½
3 GM Victor Mikhalevski 2670 ISR W48 W40 W22 D6 ~5 3½
4 GM Timur Gareev 2661 TX W60 W29 D27 W19 ~1 3½
5 IM Alex Lenderman 2654 NY W49 W31 D2 W27 ~3 3½
6 GM Alexande Shabalov 2624 PA W62 W44 W9 D3 ~2 3½


Second Place

7 GM Gata Kamsky 2799 NY W32 D23 D24 W35 ~12 3
8 GM Evgeny Najer 2714 NY W41 W83 D10 D14 ~13 3
9 GM Varuzhan Akobian 2684 CA W36 W16 L6 W40 ~14 3
10 GM Gior Kacheishvili 2673 NY W42 W15 D8 D34 ~16 3
11 GM Robert L Hess 2670 NY D72 W63 D28 W39 ~15 3
12 GM Joel Benjamin 2641 NJ W61 D30 D39 W43 ~7 3
13 GM Nick E De Firmian 2595 D24 W50 D43 W44 ~8 3
14 GM Evgeny Bareev 2556 NY D34 W69 W38 D8 ~9 3
15 IM Ray Robson 2553 FL W87 L10 W57 W56 ~11 3
16 GM Alonso Zapata 2520 COL W85 L9 W60 W49 ~10 3

Round Four World Open Games, July 3, 2009



GM Alex Shabalov

Chess Games Of Shabalov


Some of the games played in Round four of the World Open in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , today July 4, 2009 in the afternoon. Alexander Shabalov fought back hard despite being a pawn down for a draw.

A link to the fourth round open standings will be posted here in this blog post as soon as it becoames available on the
World Open 2009 Chess Tournament web page.

I will try to post more games in Chess Flash format along with the games here provided by Mon Roi.













World Open Standings After Three Rounds, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Current Standings 7-Day Schedule



Current Standings After Five Day and Four Day Merged







GM Yury Shuman







Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Zurich International Chess Tournament 1953 Taimanov vs Gligoric


Here is a game from the famous book Zurich International Chess Tournament 1953 by David Brostein, between Taimov and Gligoric, game number 119 for the book Zurich International Chess Tournement 1953

David Bronstein participated in the tournament with the strongest in the world at that time as a Candidates match to determine the challenger for then world champion Mikhail Botvinnik. The complete list of participants in addition to Bronstein include: Smyslov, Keres, Reshevsky, Petrosian, Geller, Najdorf, Kotov, Taimanov, Averbakh, Boleslavsky, Szabo, Gligoric, Euwe, and Ståhlberg. A treasury of games, as Bronstein (and two of his fellow players who also compiled books) well knew, which are as interesting to read about as to play through.


Some of the notes are extracted from the book Zurich International Chess Tournament 1953 for this game.

B52) Sicilian, Canal-Sokolsky (Rossolimo) Attack


Glligor.pgn



Same Opening 1996 Salov vs Shirov Madrid



mscw_0.pgn