Tuesday, August 24, 2021
56th Annual New Britain Summer Open - SATURDAY AUGUST 28, 2021
Saturday, August 7, 2021
ZOOM TODAY
The Saturday Study group has been fun for and because of the core players that have become regulars, but I still have hopes for providing a broader appeal. We will be trying out a new format, starting today. Instead of a 3-4 hour marathon starting at 4 PM, we will try three one-hour sessions, starting at 5 PM, 6 PM and 7 PM.
The first hour will be fast-moving and light-spirited. This week's topics include the Polish Opening 1 b4!?, the Smith-Morra, Joe B - Castaneda, pawn endings and maybe a game or two from the World Cup. The second hour will be unstructured "practice play" as a group or individually.
ore depth on some of the games or concepts that come up.
Hope to see you then,
Link to Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 856 9749 6782
Passcode: NBCC
Thursday, July 22, 2021
Continental Open, Sturbridge Mass. AUGUST 12-16, 12-15, 13-15 or 14-15
A Heritage Event
US Chess Junior Grand Prix points available to players under 21
51st annual
CONTINENTAL OPEN
AUGUST 12-16, 12-15, 13-15 or 14-15, 2021
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
(near the Connecticut border)
Sturbridge Host Hotel at Cedar Lake, 366 Main St (Rt 20 West), Sturbridge MA 01566 (I-84 Exit 3, near I-90). Free parking.
Masks are not expected to be required.
60 miles from Logan Airport (Boston), 55 miles from Bradley Airport (Hartford), 20 miles from Worcester Airport. Experience early 19th century New England at Old Sturbridge Village (see www.osv.org). In 7 sections. Unrated allowed only in U2000, U2000, or U1200.
$40,000 PROJECTED PRIZES, $30,000 MINIMUM GUARANTEED
Master Section 9 rounds, FIDE rated, GM & IM norms possible!
Others 7 rounds, including FIDE rated Under 2200 and Under 2000 sections!
NOTE CHANGE TO SLOWER TIME CONTROL IN U1400 AND ABOVE SECTIONS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 200 (enhanced)
Prizes based on 320 paid entries; GMs, IMs/WGMs, FIDE foreign, U1200 Section & re-entries count as half entries; scholastic prize free entries not counted); else raised or lowered in proportion with 75% of each prize minimum guaranteed. Due to Covid conditions, it is possible the tournament is limited to fewer players.
MASTER SECTION: 9 rounds, Aug 12-16, 40/80, SD/30 +30. FIDE rated, GM & IM norms possible. Open to FIDE 2100/up or USCF 2200/up (see peakrating.us). Prizes $3000-1800-1200-1000-800-700-600-500-400-400, clear or tiebreak win $200 bonus, top FIDE U2300/Unr $2000-1000. Foreign GM bonus prize pool: $4000 projected divided evenly among foreign GMs who play all 9 games with no byes. Minimum prize $300 to US GMs and foreign IMs/WGMs who play all 9 games with no byes.
UNDER 2200 SECTION, UNDER 2000 SECTION, UNDER 1800 SECTION: Each 7 rounds, 40/80, SD/30 +30 (3-day rounds 1-2 G/60 d10) with option of 4-day schedule Aug 12-15 or 3-day Aug 13-15, both merge and play for same prizes. 40/80 games in U2200 and U2000 are FIDE rated. Prizes each section $2000-1000-500-300-200.
UNDER 1600 SECTION, UNDER 1400 SECTION: Each 7 rounds, 40/80, SD/30 +30 (3-day rounds 1-2 G/60 d10) with option of 4-day schedule Aug 12-15 or 3-day Aug 13-15, both merge and play for same prizes. Prizes each section $1500-750-400-300-200.
UNDER 1200 SECTION: 7 rounds, Aug 14-15, G60 d10. Prizes $800-400-300-200-100, top Under 1000 (no Unr) $200-100.
MIXED DOUBLES BONUS PRIZES: best male/female 2-player team combined score among all sections:
$1000-500-300-200. Team must average under 2200; may play in different sections; register (no extra fee)
before both players begin round 2; prize limits do not apply. In the Master Section, only rounds 1-7 count towards mixed doubles.
Prize limits: 1) If any post-event regular OTB rating posted 1/1/20-8/10/21 was more than 50 points over section or prize maximum, prize limit $400. 2) If current Online Regular rating is more than 50 points over section or prize maximum, prize limit $400. 3) Unrated limits $800 in U2100, $300 in U1200. 4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line.
Foreign player ratings: see foreignratings.com. US player ratings: Official August ratings used; August FIDE ratings used for Master Section. Unofficial or Online Regular USCF ratings usually used if otherwise unrated.
Master entry fee: $198 online at chessaction.com by 7/15, $228 online by 8/5, $250 until 12 noon 8/12 or at site. GMs, IMs, WGMs, FIDE rated foreign players: $50 at chessaction by 7/15, $75 by 8/5, $100 until 12 noon 8/12 or at site. FMs or FIDE 2300/over: $100 at chessaction.com by 7/15, $125 by 8/5, $150 until 12 noon 8/12 or at site.
U2200 through U1400 sections EF: $148 at chessaction.com by 7/15, $163 by 8/5, $180 until 1 hour before rd 1.
U1200 section EF: $83 by 8/5, $100 until 1 hour before rd 1.
No checks at site, credit cards OK.
Online EF $5 less to MACA members; join at masschess.org.
Special 1 yr USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry: Online at chessaction.com, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Youth $18. Mailed or at site, $45, $27 & $20.
Re-entry: $100, no Master to Master.
5-day schedule (Master only): Reg. ends Thu 12 noon, rds Thu 1 pm & 7 pm, Fri 11 am & 5 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am & 4 pm, Mon 10 am.
4-day schedule (U2200 to U1400): Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, Rds.Thu 7 pm, Fri 11 am & 5 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am & 4 pm.
3-day schedule (U2200 to U1400): Reg. ends Fri 10 am, Rds. Fri 11, 2 & 5, merges with 4-day at 5 pm.
2-day schedule (U1200 only): Reg. ends Sat 9 am, rds. Sat 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm & 7 pm, Sun 10 am, 1 pm & 4 pm.
4-day & 3-day schedules compete for same prizes. Byes: OK all, limit 3 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), must commit by rd 3.
Hotel rates: $99-99-109-119, sturbridgehosthotel.com, use group code 2108CONTIN, or 800-582-3232, reserve by 7/28 or rate may increase.
Foreign player rating info Prizewinner tax info CCA electronic devices policies
For all tournaments, adjusted FIDE or foreign ratings, if higher than USCF, may be used. Players must disclose FIDE or foreign ratings when entering, or may later be expelled. Other over the board ratings such as club, league, scholastic, state or province, etc, adjusted if appropriate, may be used at our discretion if above USCF. No rating below the latest official USCF rating, on the list corresponding to the ending date of the tournament, will be used. For 9 round events offering title norm possibilities, FIDE ratings are used. Click here for further details.
Room or travel sharing: Post a request to share on the USCF "All Things Chess" Forum. If you have trouble posting, email your request to Continental Chess and we will post it for you.
Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online at chesstour.com.
Electronic devices: See devicerules.com. Not all electronic scoresheets are allowed.
Awards: If not claimed at site, paid electronically through Zelle or Paypal.
Entry: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, PO Box 8482, Pelham NY 10803. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: chesstour.com, chesstour.info, Director@Chess.us. Entries posted at chessaction.com (click "entry list" after entering).
BRING SET, BOARD, CLOCK IF POSSIBLE- NONE SUPPLIED.
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ROB ROY
USCF Organizer since 1976.
Connecticut Chess Magazine,
Coventry Chess Club.
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Sunday, May 9, 2021
CHESS WIZARDS CAMP - For Kids 6-12
CHESS WIZARDS CAMP - For Kids 6-12
Join us for challenging chess lessons, exciting games, & cool prizes.
Included are Bughouse games, tournaments, and puzzles.
Each camper gets a T-shirt, trophy, and puzzle folder.
August 16 thru August 20. (Monday thru Friday) 9 AM - Noon.
Fee is $160 for Coventry residents, $170 non-residents.
Location: MILL BROOK PLACE, 1267 Main St. Coventry CT.
Contact: 860-742-4068 or by email at rec@coventryct.org
Chess Friends who became my Best Friends
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Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Jithu Sajeevan attains Chess Expert designation
It's so hard to find people that are good at something and able/willing to teach it. Jithu is one of those people. Check out this email that Jithu and I just got last night from the mom of one of his private lesson students:
Monday, January 4, 2021
"Chess" by Rick Bauer
Sunday, January 3, 2021
College Essay by DIG Chess Player, Cal
College Essay by DIG Chess Player, Cal
"I enter the tournament hall and it’s filled with back-to-back tables with chess boards and clocks on them. The hall echoes with the voices of contestants and onlookers conversing about the impending games. All of a sudden, the speaker system activates with a deafening crackle. The voice of the event host settled the clamorous crowd in an instant.
Before tournaments, I get both nervous and clear-headed. It’s a feeling of butterflies and the thought of something going wrong flashes through my mind, but then the thoughts clear away and I turn my attention to the game ahead of me. Today, I am facing John, a person I have played with before. He defeated me the last time I played against him because I rushed my analysis and blundered majorly. However, today is a new day and I won’t think blindly. I will be patient with my moves and make sure they are the absolute best they can be. As we both sit down at the table, we shake hands and start the clocks that are now counting down the allotted time of one hour. I have the white pieces this morning and I begin with the move e4, and immediately, all distractions fade away and my focus is directed toward the game. As I lose myself in the match, I am reminded of why I love chess. In addition to chess theory, I am learning to read body language, control emotions, and have patience while thinking strategically under pressure; all tools that I will take with me throughout my life.
We go back and forth for several minutes, simply building structures, but shortly after, John makes an attempt to attack. I swiftly defend his attack while continuing to build the structure of my own pieces. This occurs for most of the game, where neither of us gives any ground for the other to encroach on. He decides to make an exchange of pieces, and after a couple of even trades, we are still in a 50-50 position as before. The clocks show ten minutes remaining, despite it only feeling as if a few minutes have passed. In the current position, neither of us has enough of an advantage to make a stunning move. Not seeing a way out, we agree on a draw.
While the ending was not a victory, it is better than a defeat. I take the game to my coach, Jithu, who will review the game with me to see where I made mistakes and could have positioned myself better. We will go over famous games played, watch live chess matches, and discuss what we believe to be the best moves to ensure my chess abilities continue to grow. Because Jithu is only one year older than me, we view each other as good friends and equals, rather than master and student and he is a great resource with whom I am comfortable sharing thoughts and ideas. He is someone I hope to remain in contact with for the rest of my life."