NEW BRITAIN SUMMER OPEN TO BE SATURDAY AUG 28 AT ARMENIAN CHURCH

Dear family and friends of the historic New Britain Chess Club: As you probably know by now, from our esteemed club president, Suhas Kodali, the 56th annual New Britain Summer Open Chess Championship has be RESCHEDULED to THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, at the NBCC's home at the ARMENIAN CHURCH OF THE HOLY RESURRECTION. The first round will start at 10:00 a.m. sharp! This is still an outdoor event with a barbeque lunch between rounds one and two. Currently, we have fifty-seven players competing in this biggest social chess gathering of the year in Connecticut, and I hope to see you there. Yes, there is still time to register for the tournament! You can do that by logging onto the club website or by paying in person on the day of the tournament. Please see Norman and me to register on-site. Either way, we would love you to join us for a fun day of chess! The weather is expected to be much better on Saturday, with temperatures in the 80s with LOW humidity. Have a splendid week, everyone. See you on Tuesday at the club for FM Nelson Castaneda's simul and at the Summer Open this Saturday. With warmest regards, Bob Cyr NBCC Historian and Lifetime Member CSCA Historian USCF Local Tournament Director Former NBCC Vice President and Librarian

56th Annual New Britain Summer Open - SATURDAY AUGUST 28, 2021

Dear family and friends of the historic New Britain Chess Club: As you probably know by now, from our esteemed club president, Suhas Kodali, the 56th annual New Britain Summer Open Chess Championship has be RESCHEDULED to THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, at the NBCC's home at the ARMENIAN CHURCH OF THE HOLY RESURRECTION. The first round will start at 10:00 a.m. sharp! This is still an outdoor event with a barbeque lunch between rounds one and two. Currently, we have fifty-seven players competing in this biggest social chess gathering of the year in Connecticut, and I hope to see you there. Yes, there is still time to register for the tournament! You can do that by logging onto the club website or by paying in person on the day of the tournament. Please see Norman and me to register on-site. Either way, we would love you to join us for a fun day of chess! The weather is expected to be much better on Saturday, with temperatures in the 80s with LOW humidity. Have a splendid week, everyone. See you on Tuesday at the club for FM Nelson Castaneda's simul and at the Summer Open this Saturday. With warmest regards, Bob Cyr NBCC Historian and Lifetime Member CSCA Historian USCF Local Tournament Director Former NBCC Vice President and Librarian

ZOOM TODAY

Dear Chess Enthusiast,

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.

A few feelers went out last week, but at 5 PM, it was our core group of four.  We still had a very good, informative discussion, with reviews of two of Nelson Castaneda's games.  Mike Smith showed some study insights with Chessible.com and Kevin Corteville presented a game from the World Cup.

 

Hopefully, we will attract a few more today (online chess may soon make a comeback!).   Nelson (thanks!) has posted a very compelling draw against Mark Bourque.  He lost a piece in the opening, played a piece down the entire game, and was able to secure the draw through the elimination of all pawns despite a problem-like "stockfish win" for Mark in the final position.

 

In addition, I have been working on some king and pawn basics and was reminded by Andy Soltis in Chess Life of the Shirazi Gambit against the Caro-Kann, giving me a chance to review some of the changes in the Caro over the last 30 years.  Those and any other chess-related topics that you wish to discuss should lead to another interesting session.

 

All are welcome,

 

Rick

 

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/85697496782?pwd=T3FnRi9lNVp5VkRrMjRoZmFPWkpjZz09

Meeting ID: 856 9749 6782

Passcode: NBCC

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.　

SATURDAY NIGHT BLITZ TOURNAMENT

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USCF Organizer since 1976.
Connecticut Chess Magazine,
Coventry Chess Club.
View my complete profile

 

 

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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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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:

 

Hi Jithu. 

 

Thank you so much for this beautiful note. Even though I just burst into tears reading it, they were very necessary, good tears. What a difficult year this has been for everyone and I honestly don’t know where we’d be without DIG. It was/is the most perfect find for West and I’m beyond grateful for the community, the friendships he’s made, and how much he’s learned from you and Dan and Matt. West loves working with you.  He always looks forward to your lessons and has specifically mentioned how much he enjoys learning new tactics and the cool puzzles you give him. I couldn’t ask for better role models and mentors for West than you and Dan. He has grown in independence while simultaneously learning teamwork and good sportsmanship. And, most importantly, he is genuinely enjoying learning in a way I’ve never seen before. 

 

I could feel a seismic shift in him during Sunday’s tournament and am so looking forward to watching his continued growth. Thank you so much for sharing this with me. 

 

Warmly,

 

Allison

Respectfully,

 

Coach Dan

 

502-468-6930

www.TeamDIGUSA.com

www.facebook.com/TeamDIGUSA

 

 

"Chess" by Rick Bauer

"Chess" by Rick Bauer

 

A small but devoted group has been meeting Saturdays.  Suhas and Mike Smith have focussed on middlegame themes, utilizing a modern workbook and "find the plan" challenges.  I have been trying to apply those themes to the analysis of club games.  The format has been open to suggestions from participants and is evolving.

 

Last Saturday, Mike introduced us to an interesting and useful website ChessTree.net which allows you to see online opening repertoires of specified players.  This led to a good-natured debate over how to best construct your opening repertoire.  Mike Smith suggested finding a repertoire that best suits your chess strengths.  This was once my view, so of course, I took the opposing view of selecting a repertoire to challenge your weaknesses.  There is a lot still to be said for both positions, but the value of Mike's web find is unquestioned.

 

We also discussed the best third move for White in the French Defense (after 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5).  Mike likes the "underappreciated" Advance Variation, while I like it for Black.  Our reasoning is eerily similar.  Mike wants to limit Black's avenues of play and establish the cramping e5 pawn.  I would rather not tip my hand with White, defending e4 with the knight (3 Nc3, 3 Nd2).   After this, Black most often plays 3...Nf6, when 4 e5 gives White the same advanced pawn, with tempo, sending Black's knight to the ugly d7 square.

 

I hope that we continue with these and other such "debates" that can flesh out our various approaches to chess.

 

Getting together with good-natured and like-minded folks has been a joy and benefit to me.  I am hopeful that those who have been participating continue to do so and that others from the club join us.  "The more the merrier."

 

Link:  (WebEx link)

Time: 4 pm Saturday

 

Thanks,

 

Rick

 

Saturday, Jan 2, 2021

 

The first study group of 2021 explored two Roger Bessette games.  The first one, with Alan Mo, featured the Tarrasch Attack against the French and resulted in a PIQP (Passed Isolated Queen Pawn) middlegame.  It seemed to toggle back and forth between += and = until Roger found a winning double attack to win a rook (vs mate).

 

The second game was a Scandinavian in which Black quickly equalized.  Eventually Black sacrificed an exchange for an excruciating bind in an RN vs RR endgame.  This dynamically equal position seemed to offer Black the superior chances until white finally found some counterplay and quickly broke through for the win.

 

Both games illustrated the importance of knowing which pieces were best to trade and which were best to retain for either side.  The anti-IQP strategy is to trade minor pieces and retain major pieces (the opposite for the IQP side).  Offers to trade rooks in the RN vs RR would have hugely benefited the remaining R in the resulting R vs N endgame.

 

We also discussed the reverse chronological method of learning chess; starting with the endgame, proceeding to the middle game, and saving deep opening study for last.  

 

Roger mentioned that he had a good Q ending with another regular, Abhijit, following Joe Bihlmayer's lecture on Tuesday night and agreed to provide it for next week's Saturday session. 

 

Doug Fiske and Dr Yablonsky added their strong input to the session.

 

Looking forward to future meetings,

 

Rick