UCONN VS. SIMSBURY MATCH by Bob Cyr

 TWO SCHOLASTIC CHESS PROGRAMS IN ACTION

 

 

 

 

Gert Hilhorst (left)

and IM Jan Van de Mortel

 

 

 

A number of years ago, I started publishing in the annual NBCC newsletter a major chess story in Connecticut chess that occurred during the year. Last year, my report focused on the growth of scholastic chess in our state and how this has been vital to the future of local and regional chess. 

This year, I had the pleasure of being invited to watch a very historic scholastic event in the annals of Connecticut Chess - the third in a series of matches between the University of Connecticut Chess Club and the Simsbury Public Library Chess Club. The match took place in McHugh Hall at UConn on Friday, November 9. Despite the heavy rain and breezy conditions, which caused a slight delay in the match, the inclement weather did not stop the warriors from Simsbury! The school bus from Simsbury was only twenty minutes late.

 

 

 

Before this match, each school had earned a win in their previous matches, so everything was on the table in this crucial match. UConn had the home court advantage this time because the Simsbury young men and women were comprised of elementary, middle school, and high school students.  This was unlike a few years ago, when this organization was comprised of primarily high school students. Nevertheless, Simsbury gave it their all, but they resoundingly lost to UConn.

 

 

 

The SPLCC and the UConn CC owe their successes to their coaches, Gert Hilhorst and IM Jan van de Mortel (featured right). Both scholastic chess programs, especially at UConn, have seen tremendous growth and a surge in membership. It is devoted people like Jan and Gert who are making a significant difference in the lives of today’s youths. Kudos to these chess stalwarts!

 

Tournament Report for Greater Hartford Scholastic Chess Championship, Nov 10, 2018 at Hall High School.

 

30 students came tot he Greater Hartford Scholastic Chess Championship on Nov 10, 2018, which was held at Hall High School, in West Hartford.  The time controls were 25 min per player per game, with a 5 second delay, which made it USCF dual rated (affects both quick and regular rating).  The tournament had 2 sections, OPEN and U600 and went for 5 rounds, starting at 10 am. The U600 section finished by 2:45, with the Open section lasting until 3:30.  After round 2, the students enjoyed a pizza lunch, served by the school.  The tournament was directed by Norman Burtness, assisted by Bob Cyr.  I would like to thank the parents and children for making this tournament a success.  I expect to run this tournament again in the coming year.

 

Winners in the OPEN section: 

1st Juthu Sajeevan, 

2nd Ethan Striff-Cave, 

3rd, Carter Clayton, 

U900 Shawn Parker, 

Top grade 6-8 Nicolas Marques.  

 

In the U600 section: 

1st, Subhang Prabhala, 

2nd, Nabeel Chasmawala, 

3rd, Nathan Mezheritskiy, 

Top K-5 Zaynab Chasmawala, 

Top K-2 James Shemo.  

 

In the Team standings, composed of up to 3 students in the same school, family or group, 

1st, Hartford YMCA DIG (Gabe Watson, Shawn Parker, David Brown),

2nd, Clayton family (Carter, Jack, Elle),

3rd, Middletown (Nabeel & Zaynab Chasmawala) 

 

The complete crosstable can be found at USCF Crosstable - Greater Hartford Scholastic Championship .

 

 

Upcoming Opportunities

 

I would also like to take this opportunity to mention a few opportunities you might be interested in.  

1.   On Nov 24, the New Britain Chess Club will be having an open house to watch the World Championship match between Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana.  While the match is going on, we will be having a day of casual chess and while we watch the commentary.  

2.  On Dec 1, the NBCC will be having a tournament with both an unrated an a rated section.  The entry fee is $15.  http://www.uschess.org/tlas/10580.tla

 

Norman Burtness

President NBCC

Director CSCA

 

 

New Chess Club at Public Library in Coventry CT

A new chess club is forming at the Booth & Dimmock Public Library in Coventry CT.  Tuesday evening, January 8, at 6:30 p.m. will be the first chess meeting at the library.

Kids and grown-ups are all invited to the new Booth & Dimmock Library Chess Club.  Rob Roy, from Connecticut Chess Magazine and Coventry Chess Club, will demonstrate how easy it is to play tournament chess.

The program is free. Tournament chess sets will be provided, along with official chess clocks.  A three-round Swiss tournament, with a G/10 time control, may be conducted.

 

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Report on 2018 Connecticut Yankee Open

Report on 2018 Coventry Summer Open

  

 

Top Ten Players Playing in

Coventry Chess Tournaments:

20 Joe Bihlmeyer

13 Rob Roy

12 Derek Meredith

11 Rev. Hugh James

10 Art Nagel

9  Mark Bourque

9  Joshua Berkun

8  Suhas Kodali

7  Nelson Castaneda

7  Larry Laffosse

7  Dan Smith

Thank you for your support.

 

 

FUTURE DATES COVENTRY CHESS CLUB:

Dec 15 2018 Holiday Party Open

Jan 12 2019 Coventry Open

Feb 23 2019 Eastern Connecticut Open

Mar 16 2019 Greater Hartford Open

Apr 13 2019 Nathan Hale Open

May 18 2019 Constitution State Open

June 22 2019 Coventry Summer Open

 

 

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Connecticut Chess Magazine and Coventry Chess Club are each philanthropic enterprises by Rob Roy.

They are not governmental initiatives nor are they business endeavors.

They are private initiatives by Rob Roy, for the public good, focusing on quality of life, and on chess in Connecticut.

They should never be misconstrued to represent the State of Connecticut, the Town of Coventry Connecticut, nor with any other chess associations.

The monthly tournaments in Coventry are conducted by Rob Roy acting as an independent organizer, and not by any chess club, state chapter, nor federation.

I have never written for, nor spoken for, anyone besides myself, Rob Roy, acting as an independent chess journalist.

Rob Roy derives no material gain from these two entities, in contrast; Rob Roy suffers significant monetary loss from their operations.

 

Upcoming USCF Tournaments in and near Connecticut

 

 

Great game from 25 years ago

John A Curdo vs Michael Casella
Greater Boston open (1993), Framingham MA, Oct-03 
Sicilian Defense: Nezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack (B30)  ·  1-0 

 

 

2019 Constitution State Open

Saturday May 18

$160-1st, $80-2nd. Guaranteed.

      

3 Round Swiss, G/60;d5 Affects both quick and regular rating. Round Times: 10:30, 1:30, 3:45.  Entry Fees: $30 Cash Only On-site Only: 9:45 am - 10:10 am. No Advance Entry of any kind. No USCF memberships sold or renewed.  One Section. Accelerated Pairings. Wheelchair Accessible.  USCF TLA

Site: Mill Brook Place, 1267 Main St., Coventry, CT 06238

Across street from Bidwell Tavern is our stone building at rear of parking lot 

Web Site:  https://ConnecticutChess.blogspot.com/ 

E-mail:     ConnecticutChess@Gmail.com 

Lunch:     12:30 - 1:30.  Four restaurants in immediate area.

Please bring your own equipment, especially digital chess clocks.