Monday, November 27, 2017

Connecticut Chess Magazine - December 2017













Dec 2, Saturday, 2017

National Mutt Day Open Chess Tournament

3-SS, G/60;d5. Rob Roy Chess Center,
3111 South St., Coventry, Connecticut 06238
Prizes based on 12 players. $160, $80. More per entries.
Affects both Quick and Regular USCF Ratings.
Entry Fees $30 onsite only 10 - 10:15 am
Round Times: 10:30, 1:15, 3:30
All ages and ratings in one section
Accelerated pairings round one
Free ice-cold beverages all day.
https://sites.google.com/site/coventrychess
Good things to know about our procedures:
https://sites.google.com/view/robroychess
Details as listed on USCF website:
http://www.uschess.org/tlas/8976.tla
(860) 742-5562 (cannot text)
ConnecticutChess@Gmail.com

================================

Chess for kids on December 2
Connecticut Scholastic Blitz-Chess Championships
Farmington Library

================================

Dear fellow chess organizers in Connecticut,


I will continue organizing my small USCF Saturday tournaments in Coventry every month for as long as I can.  A total of 92 players have participated in my program since it was started May 2016.

We are fortunate here in Connecticut that Bill Goichberg runs top-notch chess tournaments in Stamford, Windsor Locks, and Sturbridge Mass. on a regular basis.

We need a big annual event in downtown Hartford, with media coverage, conducted by a team composed of all the local organizers and tournament directors.  A large one-day event for adults, with a separate section for Juniors. Maybe Spring 2018 ?

I will coordinate all the volunteers needed to conduct such an event. I will be backup for any function when it is needed. I can use help with acquiring the site, arranging for the date, sending details and reports to the USCF.

I am unable to do all of this myself, so volunteers are needed to jump onboard early on in the process.  I need TD's to commit to serving as floor directors, and pairing directors. I will award each volunteer with free entry.

Do any of you have influence with the people at the new UConn facilities in downtown Hartford ?  We would all together decide on the format, time control, entry fee, and prizes etc...

Yours In Chess,

Rob Roy, USCF Senior TD





================================


NEW BRITAIN CHESS CLUB NEWS



Blitz XVII, December 5, 2017


In preparation for the CSCA State Blitz Championship on Dec 12, we will be having the same time control this week as a warm-up for that event.



Blitz XVII Tournament Details:
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
• 8-SS G/5;d5
• sections: 1 
• Entry Fee: $5 members, $15 non-members
• Prizes: based on entries; 80% returned,
• USCF quick rated (USCF membership is required)
• Quick Ratings used for pairings
• Registration 6:45-7:00 P.M.
• Pairings made at 7:15



================================







Computers fail to understand Queen versus 3 pieces

Clubs of Connecticut State Chess Association
Back Issues of Connecticut Chess Magazine
Our Facebook Page - Our Facebook Public Group
Upcoming Events  -   Subscribe to our blog
Connecticut Scholastic Chess Programs
Active USCF TD's of CSCA
================================








Saturday, November 25, 2017

Connecticut State Chess Association new web pages



Clubs of Connecticut State Chess Association

Back Issues of Connecticut Chess Magazine

Our Facebook Page        Our Facebook Public Group

Upcoming Events  -   Subscribe to our blog

Connecticut Scholastic Chess Programs

Active USCF TD's of Connecticut State Chess Association





Dear fellow chess organizers in Connecticut,

I will continue organizing my small USCF Saturday tournaments in Coventry every month for as long as I can.  A total of 92 players have participated in my program since it was started May 2016.
We are fortunate here in Connecticut that Bill Goichberg runs top-notch chess tournaments in Stamford, Windsor Locks, and Sturbridge Mass. on a regular basis.
We need a big annual event in downtown Hartford, with media coverage, conducted by a team composed of all the local organizers and tournament directors.  A large one-day event for adults, with a separate section for Juniors. Maybe Spring 2018 ?
I will coordinate all the volunteers needed to conduct such an event. I will be backup for any function when it is needed. I can use help with acquiring the site, arranging for the date, sending details and reports to the USCF.
I am unable to do all of this myself, so volunteers are needed to jump onboard early on in the process.  I need TD's to commit to serving as floor directors, and pairing directors. I will award each volunteer with free entry.
Do any of you have influence with the people at the new UConn facilities in downtown Hartford ?  We would all together decide on the format, time control, entry fee, and prizes etc...
Yours In Chess,
Rob Roy, USCF Senior TD



New Britain Chess Club Weekly News Nov 24, 2017




New Britain Chess Club Weekly News Nov 24, 2017


This Week’s News Items:









  • Julius Fuster Double Quads results



  • Movie Night Recap



  • Blitz XVII Dec 5, 2017



  • CSCA Blitz Championship Dec 12, 2017





    • Best Game of the Year Contest submissions needed



    • NBCC will support U.S.A.T.E teams representing our club




      ==================================================================

      Special Historical Report - The Growth of Scholastic Chess - by Bob Cyr

      Historian Bob Cyr writes about the increase in participation by scholastic players, which now amounts to approximately 20% of the NBCC membership

      ==================================================================

      Michael Pascetta Honorary Quick Tournament

      Our next named tournament is this coming Tuesday in honor of long-time member and former NBCC President, Michael Pascetta.  Bob Cyr has written a nice bio of his history which is on our web-site features page,  Mike Pascetta Chess Biography.


      Michael Pascetta Quick Tournament Details:
      • Tuesday, Oct 24, 2016
      • 5-SS G/15;d5, 2 sections: Open, U1800
      • Entry Fee: $5 member ($15 non-member)

      • Prizes: 1st – 3rd , class, Trophy to 1st in each section

      • 80% of regular entry fees distributed as prizes .
      • USCF Quick-rated (USCF membership is required)
      • Regular Ratings used for pairings
      • Registration: 6:45 – 7 P.M.
      • Pairings will be made at 7:00


      ========================================================================

      Julius Fuster Double Quads Tournament

      Congratulations to Nelson Castandea, Joe Hricko/James Wilkin, John Nitz, Vijay Yammanuru, and Michael Chen, winners of the Julius Fuster Double Quads Tournament, which finished this past Tuesday.  Click on the link to the standings for complete quad results and prizes.  Note that the scholastic players, in particular, are able to take chess lessons in lieu of their winnings.   Julius Fuster Quads Final Standings.   For updated ratings, click on the USCF crosstable.  USCF Crosstable


      =============================================================

      The Queen of Katwe Movie Night recap

      This past Friday 20 members and their families came to the NBCC for a little casual chess and to see the feature movie, The Queen of Katwe about a Ugandan girl who takes up chess and becomes the Ugandan Woman’s champion (click here for the movie trailer).  If you were unable to come, but would like to borrow the movie, just let me know, it is available for a fully refundable $10 deposit.    


      The date for the next movie night has not yet been set, but we are planning to show Searching for bobby Fischer.

      ==================================================================

      Blitz XVII, December 5, 2017

      In preparation for the CSCA State Blitz Championship, on Dec 12, we will be having the same time control this week as a warm-up for that event.


      Blitz XVII Tournament Details:
      Tuesday, December 5, 2017
      • 8-SS G/5;d5
      • sections: 1   
      • Entry Fee: $5 members, $15 non-members
      • Prizes: based on entries; 80% returned,
      • USCF quick rated (USCF membership is required)
      • Quick Ratings used for pairings
      • Registration 6:45-7:00 P.M.
      • Pairings made at 7:15

      ========================================================


      Training Classes - training class information is not available as of this writing (11/24).  Check the club calendar or the digital version of  Weekly News Nov 24, 2017 for updated information.
      ====================================================================


      NBCC BEST GAME CONTEST 2017


      Brought back by popular demand, FM Richard Bauer will be judging games for the club's annual best game contest. Only games played by NBCC members in 2017 will be accepted. There is no limit on submissions, but the deadline is November 30. As has historically been done, Bauer will be awarding prizes to the winner and the loser of the best game.  Bob Cyr will be in charge of all game submissions, so please send them to him at doctork87@yahoo.com.   Rick Bauer is also in the process of compiling games for a best club game of all time contest. If you have a great game that you would like to submit for this historic contest, please also send them to Bob.

      Good luck!


      =====================================================================

      U.S.A.T.E. Teams forming now (Feb 17-19, 2018)


      NBCC will support all-NBCC teams competing at next year’s US Amtuer Team East tournament, the largest tournament in the country, with over 1300 players.  The tournament runs from Feb 17-19, 2018, on President’s Day weekend.  The NBCC will provide T-Shirts and reimburse the team’s $175 registration fee.  This is a great tournament for scholastic players, too, with hundreds of children participating.

      Joe Bihlmeyer will be organizing the teams.  Reply to this email or see Joe if you are interested in playing on a team.

      =============================================================


      Norman Burtness, President


      New Britain Chess Club








      Computers fail to understand Queen versus 3 pieces

        The computers at TCEC 10 tried the three pieces for the queen, but they don’t  understand it;  a human player with the Black pieces in this game would not cease hostilities on move 23.  White does have a space advantage and the White rooks are well-placed, but it’s not until White gets the three connected passed pawns in the analysis that there is a chance to counter the inevitable swarm of Black pieces.  
         By the way, an explanation of the opening choices for TCEC can be seen at

      Komodo-Stockfish
      11/20/17
      TCEC 10
      1.d4 f5 
      3.Bg2 d5 
      5.c4 Bd6 
      6.O-O c6 




      [Event "TCEC 10, bonus game"]
      [Site "?"]
      [Date "2017.11.20"]
      [Round "?"]
      [White "Komodo"]
      [Black "Stockfish"]
      [Result "1/2-1/2"]
      [ECO "A90"]

      1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 d5 4.Nf3 e6 5.c4 Bd6 6.O-O c6 7.Nc3 O-O 8.Qc2 Ne4
      9.Nxe4 $6 { 0.00/22 } ( 9.Bf4 { +0.28/19 } 9...b6 10.Ne5 Bxe5 11.Bxe5 Nd7
      12.Bf4 Ba6 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.Qa4 ) 9...dxe4 10.Bg5 exf3 11.Bxd8 fxg2 12.Kxg2
      Rxd8 13.Rad1 Na6 14.f3 Bd7 15.a3 ( 15.Qb3 b6 16.e4 Nc7 17.Qd3 b5 18.c5 Be7
      19.Qe3 fxe4 20.fxe4 Be8 { +0.30 Stockfish } ) 15...Nc7 16.e4 Be8 ( 16...b5
      17.cxb5 Nxb5 18.g4 fxe4 19.fxe4 Be8 20.Rf3 Rab8 21.Rb3 Be7 22.a4 Nd6 23.Rxb8
      Rxb8 24.b3 Rb7 25.Rd2 Nf7 { +0.14 Stockfish } ) 17.Rfe1 ( 17.h4 a5 18.Rd2 b5
      19.cxb5 Nxb5 20.Qc4 Nc7 21.Rff2 fxe4 22.fxe4 Ra6 23.Qc3 Rb8 24.Rf3 a4 25.Qc4
      Rd8 26.Kh3 Bg6 { +0.14 Stockfish } ) 17...fxe4 18.fxe4 Rd7 ( 18...a5 19.h4 a4
      20.Rd2 Rd7 21.Kh3 Be7 22.Qd1 Bg6 23.Kh2 Be8 24.Kh3 { = Stockfish } ) 19.Qb3
      Rb8 20.h4 Be7 21.Kh3 Bf7 ( 21...b5 22.cxb5 Rxb5 23.Qc2 Rb6 24.g4 Bf6 25.b4
      Ra6 26.Rd3 Bxd4 27.Rf1 c5 28.bxc5 Rd8 29.a4 h6 30.Qb3 Bc6 31.Rxd4 Rxd4
      32.Qb8+ Kh7 33.Qxc7 Rd3+ 34.Kh2 Rxa4 { +0.25 Stockfish } ) 22.Qa4 Ra8 ( 
      22...a6 23.Qa5 b5 24.b3 h6 25.Re3 Bf6 26.Rd2 Bg6 27.Ree2 Be7 28.Re1 Be8
      29.Re3 Bg6
      { The computer does not come up with a plan for the three pieces here so it
      thinks White is winning by 0.10. } ) 23.Qb3 ( 23.Rd2 e5 24.d5 b5 25.Qa5 Bc5
      26.dxc6 Bb6 27.cxd7 Bxa5 28.d8=Q+ Rxd8 29.Rxd8+ Ne8 30.Red1 Bxd8 31.Rxd8 bxc4
      32.Ra8 Kf8 33.Kg2 Bg6 34.Rxa7 Bxe4+ { +0.11 Stockfish } ) 23...Rb8
      { 24. Rf1 Bg6 25. d5 exd5 26. exd5 cxd5 27. Qa4 Rbd8 28. Qxa7 d4 29. Qxb7
      d3 30. Qc6 d2 31. b4 Bf7 32. Rf2 Be6+ 33. Kg2 Bg4 34. Rdxd2 Rxd2 35. Qxc7
      Bf6 36. b5 Rxf2+ 37. Kxf2 Bd4+ 38. Ke1 Bc3+ 39. Kf2 Bd4+ 

      = (0.00) Depth=55/65 Stockfish } 1/2-1/2

      Saturday, November 18, 2017

      Alan Lasser's game of the week


           Here’s my prediction for the upcoming finals of the TCEC computer championships, the number of decisive games will approach ten.  Last year it was twenty-five wins in a hundred games.  This year it seems even more difficult for the top-rated programs to beat each other.  If the game of chess is ultimately worked out to be a draw, then it stands to reason that as the opponents get evermore highly rated, the more likely a draw will be the result.
         This TCEC round one game is 179 moves of strange.  I really hope you’ve got a pgn reader so you can fast speed from from move 62 to move 128.  In all that time, the position barely changes, as the computers seem to be exploring every mathematical possibility to avoid a three-fold repetition.  A bishop and a pawn for a rook is only the material score, what makes the position hard for the computers understand is king safety, Black has it and White doesn’t have it, so the offensive bishop becomes more valuable than the defensive rook.  Somewhere around move 156, the higher-rated program spots the special position that it will evaluate as three points ahead, even though on the board it is almost the opposite, down an exchange and a pawn.  


      Nirvana 2.4-Komodo 1937
      10/21/17
      TCEC 10
      1.d4 Nf6 
      2.c4 b6 
      3.Qc2 d6 
      4.Nc3 g6 
      6.e4 O-O 
      7.Bg5 h6 
      9.Bd2 e5 
      179.Qxf4 0-1


      [Event "TCEC 10"]
      [Site "?"]
      [Date "2017.10.21"]
      [Round "?"]
      [White "Nirvana 2.4"]
      [Black "Komodo 1937.00"]
      [Result "0-1"]
      [BlackElo "3230"]
      [ECO "A50"]
      [WhiteElo "3034"]

      1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 b6 3.Qc2 d6 4.Nc3 g6 5.Nf3 Bg7 6.e4 O-O 7.Bg5 h6 8.Be3 Ng4
      9.Bd2 e5 10.d5 a5 11.h3 Nf6 12.Qc1 Kh7 13.Be3 Nbd7 14.Bd3 Nc5 15.Bc2 Nh5
      16.O-O f5 17.Qd1 Qf6 18.Re1 Nxe4 19.Nxe4 fxe4 20.Bxe4 Bf5 21.Nd2 Nf4 22.Qc2
      Qg5 23.Bxf4 Qxf4 24.Qd1 Qg5 25.Nf3 Qf6 26.Qd2 Rf7 27.Re2 Raf8 28.Rf1 Qd8
      29.Rfe1 Bxh3 30.gxh3 Rxf3 31.Bxf3 Rxf3 32.Kg2 Rf5 33.Re4 h5 34.h4 Bh6 35.Qe2
      Rf8 36.Rh1 Qd7 37.Rh3 Kg7 38.b3 Kh7 39.Qd3 Rf6 40.Qc3 Qf5 41.Qf3 Bf4 42.Kf1
      Kg7 43.Ke2 Bh6 44.Qg2 Qd7 45.Rf3 Bf4 46.Rd3 Qf7 47.Qh3 Rf5 48.Rd1 Kh7 49.a4
      Bh6 50.Rf1 Kg7 51.Qc3 Kf8 52.Qd3 Ke7 53.Qg3 Rf6 54.f3 Bf4 55.Qh3 Kd8 56.Ra1
      Rf5 57.Ra2 Kc8 58.Ra1 Kb7 59.Rg1 Bh6 60.Rd1 g5 61.hxg5 Bxg5 62.Rg1 Bf4 63.Qh4
      Rf6 64.Rg2 Rh6 65.Rg1 Rh8 66.Kf2 Kb8 67.Re2 Rf8 68.Ke1 Kb7 69.Re4 Bh6 70.Rg3
      Qh7 71.Kd1 Bf4 72.Rg2 Qf5 73.Qh1 Qh7 74.Qh4 Qf5 75.Qh1 Rh8 76.Qh4 Qf7 77.Ke1
      Qh7 78.Rg1 Rf8 79.Rg2 Qf5 80.Rg7 Bh6 81.Rg3 Qh7 82.Kd1 Rf5 83.Qh3 Bf4 84.Rg1
      Rf8 85.Qg2 h4 86.Qg7 Qf5 ( 86...Qh5 87.Qg4 Qh8 88.Qd7
      Rd8 89.Qe7 Qh5 90.Rg4 Rh8 91.Ke2 h3 92.Rg7 Rc8 93.Rh7 Qg6 94.Qg7 Qxg7 95.Rxg7
      Rh8 96.Rg1 h2 97.Rh1 { -0.29 Stockfish } ) 87.Qg4 Qf6 $6 { -0.03/25 } ( 
      87...h3 { -0.35/26 } 88.Qxf5 Rxf5 89.Rh1 h2 90.Re2 c6
      { 90...Bg3 91. Re3 Bf2 92. Re4 Bg1 93. Ke2 c6 94. Rg4 cxd5 95. cxd5 b5 96.
      Rhxg1 hxg1=Q 97. Rxg1 Rf4 -0.24 Stockfish } 91.Rc2 Rf8 92.Ke2 Rg8 93.Kf1 Rc8
      94.Rcxh2 Bxh2 ) 88.Rh1 Bg3 89.Ke2 Qf7 90.Rg1 Ka7 91.Rg2 Kb8 92.Rg1 Kb7 93.Rf1
      Qh7 94.Qh3 Rf4 95.Kd3 Kb8 96.Ke3 Kb7 97.Kd3 Rf6 98.Ke2 Qf7 99.Re3 Qg6 100.Re4
      Rf4 101.Kd3 Qh7 102.Ke3 Qg6 103.Kd3 Qh7 104.Ke3 Rf7 105.Ke2 Rf5 106.Rg1 Qh5
      107.Qg4 Qf7 108.Rf1 Qh7 109.Qh3 Rf6 110.Rg1 Rf7 111.Rf1 Rf5 112.Rg1 Qf7
      113.Rf1 Rf4 114.Ke3 Rf6 115.Ke2 Rg6 116.Rh1 Rf6 117.Rf1 Kb8 118.Re3 Qh7
      119.Re4 Qg7 120.Kd3 Qf7 121.Qg4 Qh7 122.Qh3 Qf7 123.Qg4 Kb7 124.Kc3 Qh7
      125.Qh3 Qg6 126.Qg4 Qh7 127.Qh3 Bf4 128.Rg1 Qf7
      { Comparing this position to the one after 61...Bg5, the Black pawn has
      gone from h5 to h4, the Black bishop has gone from g5 to f4, the Black rook
      has gone from f5 to f6, a White rook has gone from d1 to g1 and the White King has gone from e2 to c3. In essence, each side has made only three
      moves, but it took them 134 ply to do it. } 129.Rf1 Rg6 130.Qxh4 Rg2 131.Qe1
      Qf6 132.Kd3 Qf5 133.Kc3 Bg3 134.Qd1 Bf2 135.Re2 Bd4+ 136.Kd2 Rg3 137.Re4 Bc5
      138.Kc1 Rg2 139.Re2 Ba3+ 140.Kd2 Rg3 141.Qb1 Qh3 142.Qd1 Qf5 143.Qb1 Qg5+
      144.Kc3 Qh4 145.Qd3 Qh8 146.Kd2 Rh3 147.Re4 Qf6 148.Qe2 Qh6+ 149.Kd3 Rh2
      150.Rf2 Rh1 151.Rf1 Rh5 152.Rg4
      { This appears to be the losing move, the White square fortress starts to
      breakdown.  Looking 51 ply deep, Stockfish thinks Black is ahead by only
      0.22 after 152. Qd1 Qg6 153. Kd2 Rh2+ 154. Re2 Rh4 155. Re4 Qg5+ 156. Kc3 Rh3 157. Qe2 Rg3 158. Qd1 Qf5 159. Kd2 Rh3 160. Qe2 Qh7 161. Qd1 Bb4+ 162.
      Kc1 Rh2 163. Re2 Ba3+ 164. Kd2 Rh4 165. Re4 Rh5 166. Re2 Qf5 167. Re4 Rh2+ 168. Re2 Rh3 169. Re4 Rg3 170. Re2 Qh7 171. Re4 Ka7 172. Rg4 Rh3 173. Re4 Qg6 174. Re2 Rh5 175. Re4 Kb7 176. Re2 Rh3 177. Re4 Bc5 178. Re2 Rh4 179. Re4 Rxe4 180. fxe4 Qxe4 181. Qf3 Qd4+ 182. Qd3 Qb2+ 183. Qc2 Bb4+ 184.
      Kd1 Qd4+ 185. Kc1 Qa1+ 186. Qb1 Qc3+ 187. Qc2 Qh3 188. Rf7 Qh1+ 189. Kb2 Qe1 190. Qd3 e4 }
      152...Rh2 153.Rg2 e4+ 154.Kxe4 Rh5 155.f4 Qh7+ 156.Kd4 $2 { -1.25/25 } ( 
      156.Ke3 { 0.00/25 } 156...Rh3+
      { 156...Bb4 157. Qg4 Rh3+ 158. Rg3 Bc5+ 159. Kd2 Rh2+ 160. Rg2 Bb4+ 161.
      Ke3 Rh4 162. Qg6 Qh8 163. Qg7 Rh3+ 164. Ke4 Qe8+ 165. Kf5 Qe3 -3.29
      Stockfish } 157.Rf3 Bc5+ 158.Kd2 Bb4+ 159.Kc1 Ba3+ 160.Kd2 Bb4+ ) 156...Bb4
      157.Rf3 Rh1 158.Rf1 Qh8+ 159.Ke4 Rh7 160.Rg6 Bc5 161.Rf2 $2 { -4.53/23 } ( 
      161.Qf3 { -1.93/25 } 161...Rh4 162.Kd3
      { 162. Kf5 Rh5+ 163. Kg4 Qh7 164. Rg5 Rh4+ 165. Kg3 Rh3+ 166. Kg4 Qh4+ 167.
      Kf5 Rxf3 168. Rxf3 -5.62 Stockfish } 162...Qb2 163.Rg2 Qxb3+ 164.Ke4 Qxc4+
      165.Kf5 Be3 166.Qxe3 Qxd5+ 167.Kf6 Qxg2 168.Qf3+ Qxf3 169.Rxf3 Rg4 170.Kf5
      Rg8 171.Ke6 Kc8 172.f5 Re8+ 173.Kf7 ) ( 161.Qg2 Rh2 162.Qg3 Rh3 163.Qg2 Qh5
      164.Re1 Bf2 165.Qg4 Qh7 166.Qf5 Bxe1 167.Rf6 Qh4 168.Rf8 Qe7+ 169.Qe6 Qxf8
      170.Qxh3 { -5.22 Stockfish } ) 161...Re7+ 162.Re6 Rf7 163.Qd2 Qh1+ 164.Rg2
      Rg7 165.Rh6 Qxh6 166.Rxg7 Qxg7 167.Kf5 Qh7+ 168.Kg5 Qe7+ 169.Kg4 Qe4 170.Qd1
      Qg2+ 171.Kf5 Qg3 172.Qc2 Qh3+ 173.Kg5 Qg3+ 174.Kf5 Qh3+ 175.Kg5 Qf3 176.Qb1
      $2 { -16.92/26 } ( 176.Qf5 { -7.08/25 } 176...Qxb3
      { 176...Bd4 177. Qd7 Qg3+ 178. Kh5 Qxf4 179. Qc6+ Kb8 180. Qe8+ Ka7 181.
      Qc8 Qf3+ 182. Kg5 Qg3+ 183. Kh5 Qg7 184. Qf5 Be3 -9.68 Stockfish } 177.Qd7
      Qg3+ 178.Kh5 Qxf4 ) 176...Be3 177.Qf5 Qg3+ 178.Kf6 Qxf4 179.Qxf4 0-1