Saturday, October 14, 2017
Alan Lasser's Game Of The Week
Monday, October 9, 2017
Derek Meredith wins clear 1st at Harvest Moon Open
Four national experts and six other chess enthusiasts competed in the Harvest Moon Open Chess Tournament in Coventry Connecticut on Oct 7.
Derek Meredith, clear winner 3-0, won the top prize. Joe Bihlmeyer won second place prize with two wins and a draw.
We take notice of Nakul Ramaswamy, a junior player, who scored two wins in this three round tournament for adults. He picked up 36 rating points, and 53 Quick rating points.
Gaetano Bompastore from Westfield MA commuted 55 miles. John Hooper, from Westerly Rhode Island, had the 2nd longest commute, 52 miles.
Rob Roy organized, hosted, and served as TD. The Beaver Moon Open Chess Tournament on Nov. 4 Sat. is the next event in Coventry Conn.
Written by Gaetano Bompastore: Rob Roy's girlfriend, Liz, made homemade meatballs with onion and garlic in 'em, a delicious sauce, ziti, rolls, a three been salad with tomatoes, scallions, marinated in balsamic and lime juice, an Indian chicken curry dish with rice. It was outstanding! Rob provides an open bar with beer, wine, Jim Beam, Johnnie Walker, Yukon Jack, Hennessy, etc.. They are very generous and kind; they open their home and their lives to all for chess. I'm honored to go.
Bob Cyr brought donuts and ice tea for everyone to enjoy. Congrats to Bob Cyr for his 30 years of service to the New Britain Chess Club. Bob Cyr has been composing "History of Chess Clubs in Connecticut" from very old newspaper reports archived in our state library system.
The Connecticut State Chess Association, at its annual meeting this past Oct 1, certified Rob Roy's "Connecticut Chess Magazine" as the official chess publication for Connecticut, like it was back in the 70's, 80's and 90's, when Rob was President. Rob wants to promote, and report on, all chess activity in Connecticut.
Rob was elected to serve on the board of directors. Rob was elected to manage the membership database of Connecticut chess players.
Connecticut Chess Magazine currently has about 200 subscribers to its blog for local chess news, this will increase dramatically in the upcoming year. CCM on Facebook has more than 10,000 readers, but most live too far away to attend chess events held in Connecticut.
Several chess programs were represented at our recent CSCA meeting with representatives Jim Celone, Glenn Budzinski, Norman Burtness, Alex Lumensky, Jan Van de Mortel, and Rob Roy. Many-time Conn State Champion Rick Bauer attended. C.J. took notes as secretary. Gert Hilhortz was elected the new Treasurer.
Many thanks to Bob Milardo who served many years as Treasurer and also as VP. Milardo, with his expertise on "Robert's Rules of Order" parliamentary procedures, chaired many CSCA meetings. Among his many accomplishments Milardo won many tournaments and served as an officer for many years at the New Britain Chess Club. Milardo represented Connecticut as a delegate to many national federation meetings. Milardo volunteered to teach many chess classes at state prisons. Milardo is also a strong backgammon player.
CSCA award bids to conduct the state championships. The NBCC will run the Connecticut Blitz Championship (Dec 12, 2017) and the Connecticut State Championship (tentatively scheduled for March 10, 2018).
USCF-Rated Quick-Chess is prospering at the Stafford Springs Chess Club. Mark Bourque runs tournaments on Thursday evenings at the town hall, 1 Main St., Stafford Springs. write to BourqueChess@hotmail.com
No report from the Norwich Chess Club. Rob Roy has stepped down as acting president of Norwich's Otis Library Chess Club after serving more than a year. This club is in desperate need of leadership. We are asking for volunteers from this club to step forward and help provide organized activity for their members. I can provide advice and help, write to ConnecticutChess@gmail.com
----------------------------------------------------------------- Pair | Player Name |Total|Round|Round|Round| Num | USCF ID / Rtg (Pre->Post) | Pts | 1 | 2 | 3 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | MATTHEW DEREK MEREDITH |3.0 |W 7|W 6|W 3| CT | 10031443 / R: 2135 ->2155 | | | | | | Q: 1987 ->2014 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2 | JOSEPH E BIHLMEYER |2.5 |D 9|W 7|W 6| CT | 12686352 / R: 2081 ->2083 | | | | | | Q: 2020 ->2020 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 3 | DAVID S HERSCOVICI |2.0 |W 8|W 5|L 1| CT | 12486399 / R: 2133 ->2125 | | | | | | Q: 2013 ->2002 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 4 | NAKUL RAMASWAMY |2.0 |L 6|W 10|W 8| CT | 15323071 / R: 1450 ->1486 | | | | | | Q: 1242 ->1295 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 5 | JOHN N HOOPER III |1.5 |W 10|L 3|D 9| RI | 15532702 / R: 1225P25->1246 | | | | | | Q: 1170P6 ->1216P9 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 6 | SUHAS KODALI |1.0 |W 4|L 1|L 2| CT | 13764792 / R: 2031 ->2014 | | | | | | Q: 1897 ->1879 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 7 | GAETANO BOMPASTORE |1.0 |L 1|L 2|W 10| MA | 12906776 / R: 1803 ->1800 | | | | | | Q: 1734 ->1723 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 8 | ARTHUR C NAGEL |1.0 |L 3|W 9|L 4| CT | 10264669 / R: 1700 ->1700 | | | | | | Q: 1543 ->1525 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 9 | ROBERT CYR |1.0 |D 2|L 8|D 5| CT | 12489098 / R: 1613 ->1600 | | | | | | Q: 1511 ->1496 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 10 | PARTHIV VENKAT MALIPEDDU |0.0 |L 5|L 4|L 7| CT | 16419952 / R: 618P5 -> 618P8 | | | | | | Q: 620P5 -> 620P8 | | | | | -----------------------------------------------------------------
2018 NATHAN HALE OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT
SATURDAY APRIL 21 COVENTRY CONNECTICUT
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FREE USCF-RATED CHESS GAMES; 11am - 3pm
Sunday, September 10, 2017
Meredith and Lafosse share Seinfeld Cup
Meredith and Lafosse share Seinfeld Cup
Derek Meredith of West Hartford, and Laurent "Larry" Lafosse, also from West Hartford, tied for first place (each with 3-0 score) of the Seinfeld Cup chess tournament held 9-9-17 in Coventry Connecticut.
Meredith is a USCF Certified tournament director, and is a former president of the New Britain Chess Club. Currently he is a volunteer chess coach at the NBCC.
Joe Bihlmeyer was defeated by Meredith in the final round. Joshua Berkun was defeated by Lafosse in their final round. The tournament had 15 players.
We wish to thank Liz who cooked the Chicken Curry, the Mac & Cheese, and baked the cookies. She also made the Black Bean and Corn Salad.
We wish to thank Mark Denihan for being grill cook. This happens at same time as Rob supervises the end of round one, then does the round two pairings.
October 7 Harvest Moon Open
Liz will cook Chicken Curry, Mac & Cheese, and cookies again. She will also make the Black Bean and Corn Salad again. We are adding Lasagna to the menu. To stay within budget no more items such as snacks and ice cream.
We feel the Juniors who are rated under 1000 have little to gain from our event. So, starting in October, juniors must have an established rating of 1000 or higher to order to play in our tournament. There are no minimum rating requirment for adults.
The basement skittles room will have 4 chess boards set up. The "parent's lounge" will be there, and will have lichess-TV projected up on the giant screen. Beverages and Lunch will be located in the basement skittles room.
The front porch will be set up with 4 chess boards, The garage will be set up with 4 chess boards. So there will be 3 different places to go to between USCF games.
Upstairs living room and kitchen becomes "the back of the house" set aside for staff and their work: Liz the chef, Rob the TD, our devoted assistant-host Mark Denihan, and other volunteers doing work for the tournament and/or the lunch.
We greatly appreciate those players who can help us between games. We work under great pressure during registration and during lunch. Please see Rob if you can help.
----------------------------------------------------------------- Pair | Player Name |Total|Round|Round|Round| Num | USCF ID / Rtg (Pre->Post) | Pts | 1 | 2 | 3 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | MATTHEW DEREK MEREDITH |3.0 |W 10|W 8|W 3| CT | 10031443 / R: 2137 ->2155 | | | | | | Q: 1962 ->1987 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2 | LAURENT LAFOSSE |3.0 |W 15|W 12|W 6| CT | 12431094 / R: 1271 ->1327 | | | | | | Q: 1160 ->1251 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 3 | JOSEPH E BIHLMEYER |2.0 |W 4|W 5|L 1| CT | 12686352 / R: 2080 ->2074 | | | | | | Q: 2046 ->2033 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 4 | DANIEL ZHOU |2.0 |L 3|W 15|W 11| CT | 14927462 / R: 1625 ->1640 | | | | | | Q: 1461 ->1476 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 5 | ISAIAH D GLESSNER |2.0 |W 9|L 3|W 12| CT | 14336631 / R: 1503 ->1561 | | | | | | Q: 1361P20->1439P23 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 6 | JOSHUA BERKUN |2.0 |W 7|W 14|L 2| CT | 16080502 / R: 1247 ->1231 | | | | | | Q: 1234 ->1214 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 7 | PARTHIV VENKAT MALIPEDDU |2.0 |L 6|B |W 15| CT | 16419952 / R: 433P3 -> 618P5 | | | | | | Q: 436P3 -> 620P5 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 8 | MICHAEL UWAKWE |1.5 |W 11|L 1|D 9| NC | 15610873 / R: 2064 ->2054 | | | | | | Q: 1803 ->1801 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 9 | SUHAS KODALI |1.5 |L 5|W 10|D 8| CT | 13764792 / R: 2003 ->1985 | | | | | | Q: 1900 ->1873 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 10 | ARTHUR C NAGEL |1.0 |L 1|L 9|B | CT | 10264669 / R: 1705 ->1700 | | | | | | Q: 1551 ->1543 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 11 | NATHAN HSICHEN CHANG |1.0 |L 8|W 13|L 4| CT | 14698034 / R: 1624 ->1604 | | | | | | Q: 1398 ->1378 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 12 | ALAN P PINTO JR |1.0 |W 13|L 2|L 5| CT | 13975033 / R: 1224 ->1204 | | | | | | Q: 1204 ->1177 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 13 | JUDY J SIMONDS |1.0 |L 12|L 11|W 14| CT | 13745435 / R: 700 -> 705 | | | | | | Q: 765 -> 763 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 14 | SOUMYA DEB SIKDER |1.0 |B |L 6|L 13| CT | 15203697 / R: 405P16-> 392P18 | | | | | | Q: 384P16-> 375P18 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 15 | JANICE ELAINE JENKINS |0.0 |L 2|L 4|L 7| MA | 16175144 / R: 831P18-> 782P21 | | | | | | Q: 836P18-> 784P21 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
Thursday, September 7, 2017
SEINFELD CUP RESULTS
Meredith and Lafosse share Seinfeld Cup
Derek Meredith of West Hartford, and Laurent "Larry" Lafosse, also from West Hartford, tied for first place (each with 3-0 score) of the Seinfeld Cup chess tournament held 9-9-17 in Coventry Connecticut.
Meredith is a USCF Certified tournament director, and is a former president of the New Britain Chess Club. Currently he is a volunteer chess coach at the NBCC.
Joe Bihlmeyer was defeated by Meredith in the final round. Joshua Berkun was defeated by Lafosse in their final round. The tournament had 15 players.
We wish to thank Liz who cooked the Chicken Curry, the Mac & Cheese, and baked the cookies. She also made the Black Bean and Corn Salad.
We wish to thank Mark Denihan for being grill cook. This happens at same time as Rob supervises the end of round one, then does the round two pairings.
October 7 Harvest Moon Open
Liz will cook Chicken Curry, Mac & Cheese, and cookies again. She will also make the Black Bean and Corn Salad again. We are adding Lasagna to the menu. To stay within budget no more items such as snacks and ice cream.
We feel the Juniors who are rated under 1000 have little to gain from our event. So, starting in October, juniors must have an established rating of 1000 or higher to order to play in our tournament. There are no minimum rating requirment for adults.
The basement skittles room will have 4 chess boards set up. The "parent's lounge" will be there, and will have lichess-TV projected up on the giant screen. Beverages and Lunch will be located in the basement skittles room.
The front porch will be set up with 4 chess boards, The garage will be set up with 4 chess boards. So there will be 3 different places to go to between USCF games.
Upstairs living room and kitchen becomes "the back of the house" set aside for staff and their work: Liz the chef, Rob the TD, our devoted assistant-host Mark Denihan, and other volunteers doing work for the tournament and/or the lunch.
We greatly appreciate those players who can help us between games. We work under great pressure during registration and during lunch. Please see Rob if you can help.
----------------------------------------------------------------- Pair | Player Name |Total|Round|Round|Round| Num | USCF ID / Rtg (Pre->Post) | Pts | 1 | 2 | 3 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | MATTHEW DEREK MEREDITH |3.0 |W 10|W 8|W 3| CT | 10031443 / R: 2137 ->2155 | | | | | | Q: 1962 ->1987 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2 | LAURENT LAFOSSE |3.0 |W 15|W 12|W 6| CT | 12431094 / R: 1271 ->1327 | | | | | | Q: 1160 ->1251 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 3 | JOSEPH E BIHLMEYER |2.0 |W 4|W 5|L 1| CT | 12686352 / R: 2080 ->2074 | | | | | | Q: 2046 ->2033 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 4 | DANIEL ZHOU |2.0 |L 3|W 15|W 11| CT | 14927462 / R: 1625 ->1640 | | | | | | Q: 1461 ->1476 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 5 | ISAIAH D GLESSNER |2.0 |W 9|L 3|W 12| CT | 14336631 / R: 1503 ->1561 | | | | | | Q: 1361P20->1439P23 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 6 | JOSHUA BERKUN |2.0 |W 7|W 14|L 2| CT | 16080502 / R: 1247 ->1231 | | | | | | Q: 1234 ->1214 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 7 | PARTHIV VENKAT MALIPEDDU |2.0 |L 6|B |W 15| CT | 16419952 / R: 433P3 -> 618P5 | | | | | | Q: 436P3 -> 620P5 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 8 | MICHAEL UWAKWE |1.5 |W 11|L 1|D 9| NC | 15610873 / R: 2064 ->2054 | | | | | | Q: 1803 ->1801 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 9 | SUHAS KODALI |1.5 |L 5|W 10|D 8| CT | 13764792 / R: 2003 ->1985 | | | | | | Q: 1900 ->1873 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 10 | ARTHUR C NAGEL |1.0 |L 1|L 9|B | CT | 10264669 / R: 1705 ->1700 | | | | | | Q: 1551 ->1543 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 11 | NATHAN HSICHEN CHANG |1.0 |L 8|W 13|L 4| CT | 14698034 / R: 1624 ->1604 | | | | | | Q: 1398 ->1378 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 12 | ALAN P PINTO JR |1.0 |W 13|L 2|L 5| CT | 13975033 / R: 1224 ->1204 | | | | | | Q: 1204 ->1177 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 13 | JUDY J SIMONDS |1.0 |L 12|L 11|W 14| CT | 13745435 / R: 700 -> 705 | | | | | | Q: 765 -> 763 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 14 | SOUMYA DEB SIKDER |1.0 |B |L 6|L 13| CT | 15203697 / R: 405P16-> 392P18 | | | | | | Q: 384P16-> 375P18 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 15 | JANICE ELAINE JENKINS |0.0 |L 2|L 4|L 7| MA | 16175144 / R: 831P18-> 782P21 | | | | | | Q: 836P18-> 784P21 | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Dr. Antoine Andre St. Louis RIP
https://sites.google.com/…/connecticutchessmagaz…/chess-life
SEPTEMBER ISSUE - CHESS LIFE MAGAZINE
https://sites.google.com/…/connecticu…/new-england-labor-day
SEPT. 2-4 OR 3-4 - 77th New England Open - A Heritage Event
September 9 - Seinfeld Cup - Coventry Connecticut
The Moscow-Hague 1948 World Championship Tournament won by Mikhail Botvinnik. Here's a link to some great footage of the players, the chess sets and the Koopman clocks used in this historic event.
For all you Dubrovnik Chess set fans and collectors, here's a link to some fantastic footage of the 1959 Bled Int'l Candidates Tournament showing Bobby Fischer, Mikhail Tal, Tigrain Petrosian Paul Keres, Svetzar Gligoric, Vasily Smyslov, Pal Benko and Fridrik Olafsson using the Dubrovnik set. To my eyes the set looks like the 1950 Dubrovnik Olympiad set, especially the Knights. Could it be that the original 1950 Dubrovnik Olympiad Sets were in fact used for this historic tournament and possibly others in Yugoslavia? Your thoughts and opinions appreciated.
I am broken hearted to say, this past Thursday, August 24th, my friend and chess colleague, Andre Saint Louis, passed away at 84.(The smiley dark skinned man 😁). He was a member of Western Massachusetts Chess Association, Massachusetts Chess Association, Springfield Chess Club, Westfield Chess Club, New Britain Chess Club, as well as chess clubs in Florida, all for over thirty years. He was also a well known (retired),doctor of anesthesiology, who loved to travel. Andre got frustrated with me often, but always gave me a second chance. He taught me about chess, life, relationships, and socialization skills, even safe driving tips. His warm smile, calm demeanour and deep soft, friendly voice encapsulated one's attention whenever he'd enter the room. Always quick with a joke, he loved playing 10 minute chess. He would hum a gentle tune while we played that put me at ease. I and all of his friends and family around the globe, will miss him terribly. Thank you Andre, for adding to the quality of my life. I'll never forget you my friend. You're alive in my heart. Gaetano Bompastore
Obituary
Dr. Antoine Andre Saint Louis
1933 - 2017
Doctor Antoine Andre Saint Louis, 84, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2017 with his loving wife by his side after a battle with stomach cancer. He was the devoted husband for 45 years to Lise (Lorrain) Saint Louis.
Dr. Saint Louis was born on February 7, 1933 in Port Au Prince, Haiti, a son of the late Olophen and Alice (Moise) Saint Louis. He moved to Canada in 1964 where he studied and did his medical residency. In 1967, Dr. Saint Louis did a fellowship, specializing in anesthesiology and cardiology at Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Saint Louis retired after 27 years as an anesthesiologist at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton. He pursued excellence outside the operating room, too. He was a third degree black belt and an accomplished chess player. On weekends, he used to fly a plane as an instrument pilot.
Besides his wife, Dr. Saint Louis leaves his three children, Marc Saint Louis of Lexington, MA, Catherine Saint Louis and Danielle Saint Louis of Brooklyn, NY; a niece, Nicole Watkins-Bouhbal of Lynbrook, NY and three grandchildren; In Canada, a sister, Solanges Merilus, and nieces.
There are no calling hours. Services are private with burial to take place in Canada. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mortel Charitable Foundation (to fund the education of Haiti’s children.) P.O. Box 405 Hershey, PA. 17033. Family assistance is being provided by the Forastiere Smith Family Funeral Home, East Longmeadow. To offer a personal condolence please visitwww.forastiere.com Published in The Republican on Aug. 29, 2017
Upcoming chess tournaments - Connecticut
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
How to set your chess clock
Derek Meredith has won clear first place of the August Cookout Open held at the
Rob Roy Chess Center in Coventry Connecticut.
Seven players tied for second place when each finished with two points from three rounds of play: Joe Bihlmeyer, Will Torres, Gaetano Bompastore, Jithu Sajeevan, James Beyer, Sean McCabe, and Nakul Ramaswamy.
The tournament awarded $ 300 in prizes. 18 players competed. Time control 60 minutes per player per game. Electronic clocks were needed to handle the 5-second time delay after each move. Everybody had alot of fun at this tournament.
We've had more than a dozen chess tournaments in Coventry since opening the center in May 2016. Each time we learn new things that allow us to become more efficient.
Thanks to our volunteers Liz Glick, who allows us to use her home, who prepared lunch and did clean-up. Mark Denihan helped Liz and Rob with lunch and cleanup. Mark Bourque helped cook on the grill.
Derek Meredith and David Hall, each a USCF-certified TD, helped as floor directors.
USCF MSA - Cross Table for AUGUST COOKOUT OPEN (Event 201708054782)
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Acknowledging Our Most Faithful
7 GARY L COTE 1825
7 REV J HUGH A JAMES 1635
6 ROB ROY 1423
5 DEREK MEREDITH 2090
5 MARK R BOURQUE 2059
5 JOSHUA BERKUN 1258
4 FM NELSON CASTANEDA 2366
4 LUIS R DELGADO 1350
Rob Roy ran 17 chess tournaments
May 1, 2016 - August 5, 2017:
2016-05-01 CHESS CENTER GRAND OPENING2016-07-10 CONN CHESS MAGAZINE SUMMER
2016-09-11 JIM BOLTON MEMORIAL OPEN
2016-10-08 NATIONAL CHESS DAY
2016-11-19 EASTERN CONNECTICUT OPEN
2017-01-07 NATHAN HALE WINTER OPEN
2017-02-04 JULIUS FUSTER OPEN
2017-02-25 STORRS CENTER CHESS # 1
2017-03-11 EAST CONN CHESS OPEN
2017-03-25 NORWICH CHESS OPEN
2017-04-08 VENUS DE MILO OPEN
2017-04-22 STORRS CENTER CHESS 2
2017-05-06 CHESS CENTER 1ST ANNIV OPEN
2017-05-20 STORRS CENTER FREE USCF # 3
2017-06-03 NATIONAL DONUT DAY OPEN
2017-07-15 SUMMER PICNIC CHESS TOURNAMENT
2017-08-05 AUGUST COOKOUT OPEN