REPORT BY BOB CYR, CT STATE CHESS HISTORIAN

Brought back by popular demand, the annual Planet Earth Chess Championship was hosted again by the historic NBCC at its home at the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection. 

 

This galactic event, last held in 2018, drew its second-highest turnout since its inaugural event held in 2011, with thirty-nine players from the region competing in this three-section tournament. 

 

This event could not have been a success without the incredible work of Norman Burtness, who did an excellent job with planning, promoting, and directing. He was the man! 

 

Of course, there were many other people who were instrumental in helping with the setup, breakdown, food delivery and preparation, and much more. They all worked tirelessly to ensure that everything went smoothly for this event. 

 

And these people deserve recognition for their efforts: Suhas Kodali, George Himes, Roger Bessette, Estee Axelrad, David Herscovici, Lisa Smith, and Bob Cyr. My apologies if I forgot to mention someone. 

 

Lunch was provided by Jersey Mike's in Simsbury. Our hungry chess warriors were treated to meat and veggie subs, potato chips, apples, cookies, and bottled water. It was a delicious lunch fit for a king! After lunch, play resumed. 

 

After an afternoon of spirited competition on this very hot day, where our games were forced to be played inside due to the excessive heat, a new Planet Earth chess champion was crowned. And that was FM Yoon-Young Kim. 

 

Member Bill Campbell won the U1600 section, and member Jeraldin Sundar won the scholastic section, his first major club event win. 

 

Overall, it was a glorious day for chess. We thank everyone who helped support the club in this incredible, out-of-this-world event. We look forward to seeing you all at next year’s event.

 

Planet Earth Chess Championships - Saturday May 21

NBCC Weekly News May 8, 2022

This Week’s News Items:

• Planet Earth 2022 - 5/21

• Strazdins Cup - 5/10

• Tournament Results and updates

• DIG bringing MVL to CT!

• SwissSys Training Offering

• New Lecture Series 

• Saturday Study Group - 5pm Saturday 

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

Planet Earth 2022 - 5/21

Planet Earth is staging a comeback this year at NBCC. It will be an outdoor event similar to our annual Summer Open, but unlike the Summer Open, there will be $1100 in cash prizes! It will take place outside the church, and we will have tents and tables set up. Please take a look at the flyer for more details. If you are interested in helping out with setting up on the day of the event, please contact us.

Planet Earth 2022 Tournament Details

• May 21 at Armenian Church, New Britain CT

• Two sections: Open and U1600

• 4-SS G/45;d5 & 5-SS G/25;d5

• Entry Fee - $50; $60 on-site

• Open prizes: 1st - $200, 2nd - $150, 3rd - $100, U2000 - $100

• U1600 prizes: 1st - $200, 2nd - $150, Top U1200 - $100, Top Scholastic - $100

• Register online for $50 or on-site for $60. Lunch Included.

• Onsite registration 9:30-9:45 AM. Rd 1 starts at 10 AM

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

Strazdins Cup - 5/10

We are returning to classical chess next week. You can sign up online via Paypal on our club website. This tournament commemorates our greatest contributor to the New Britain Chess Club - Arkadijs Strazdins. He was our president for 31 years! See our historian, Bob Cyr, record of him for more information - https://www.chessct.org/nbcc/UplHist/StrazdinsSr.pdf

14th Strazdins Cup Tournament Details:

  •    Tuesday, May 10, 17, 24, 31 and Jun 7, 2022

  •    5-SS G/85;d15 (G/60;d10 option for scholastic)

  •    sections: 2, Open and U1600

  •    Entry Fee: $20 members, $35 non-members

  •    Prizes: Arkadijs Strazdins Cup, Andris Strazdins Stein, $$$ based on entries

  •    USCF regular rated (USCF membership is required)

  •    Registration 6:45-7:00 P.M.

  •    Pairings and rounds will start at 7:15

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

Tournament Results & Updates

Last Tuesday, we had our Outreach tournament. We had a nice turnout and a few new players joined us on Tuesday. As for the results of the tournament, congrats to NM Suhas Kodali and Justin Lalor for taking first and second respectively in the Open section. In the scholastic section, Yonatan Axelrad took clear first with 5/5pts. In second place was a tie between Aiden Paradis and Sumaanyu Jagtiani. 

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

DIG Bringing MVL to CT - August 2022

MVL is the current World Blitz Champion and among the Top 10 chess players in the world. On his way to the Sinquefield Cup in St. Louis, he will be stopping by in Bridgeport to interact with you! There will be tournaments, simuls, game analysis and lessons. Scan the QR code on the flyer to continue receiving more information about this amazing opportunity.

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

SwissSys Training Offered

I’ve heard a few folks express interest in learning SwissSys and help run events at the club. There is definitely a demand for TDs and those who know SwissSys across CT. As such, we will be hosting a SwissSys training on one of the Saturdays at NBCC. If you or someone you know is interested in learning, please email the club and we will try to find a Saturday that works for most of us.

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

New Lecture Series

The next few weeks will have a series of lecturers, each focusing on a different chess piece. Coming up will be Justin Lalor focusing on the King.

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

Saturday Study Group at 5pm

The Saturday Study group will be back on Saturdays. It will start at 5pm and run for two hours. 

FM Rick Bauer will send the zoom links on Saturday to those on his email list. If you are interested in attending the Saturday Study Group, please email the club and we will get you on that distribution list.

Cheers,

Suhas Kodali

President

New Britain Chess Club

newbritainchessclub.com

newbritainchessclub@gmail.com

 

 

 

2 Attachments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sebastian's Next Chess Challenge - The Chicago Open

Hi Everyone,

 

Many of you have heard about 7th grader, Sebastian Lopez, one of our top DIG chess players who lives in Bridgeport. Sebastian has been living an incredible chess journey in the past year. A year ago, he started participating in chess tournaments and classes. He began with a rating of around 800 USCF. Within a year, he was able to bring his rating from 800->1417 (his current rating). It takes years of consistent studying/playing for most players to get to that level, but Sebastian is showing rapid improvement. 1417 is higher rated than some of our DIG coaches!

 

Sebastian's major achievements include placing 5th in the Annual New York Scholastic Championship (around 100 participants in his section), winning 2nd place in the U1400 section at Foxwoods Open (including adults) and receiving a cash prize of $1,300 along with winning the Fairfield County Interscholastic Chess Individual Championship (best high school chess players in Fairfield County). He is catching the eyes of private high schools in the area. Yes, chess players get recruited too!

 

Here are some recent news stories about Sebastian:

 

1.

https://bronx.news12.com/bridgeport-7th-grader-ranked-among-best-amateur-chess-players-in-the-nation

 

2.

https://connecticut.news12.com/7th-grader-wins-fairfield-county-interscholastic-chess-league-individual-championship

 

3. 

https://bronx.news12.com/2-bridgeport-teens-win-regional-chess-competition-at-foxwoods-open

 

Sebastian Lopez has a big interest in participating in the Chicago Open Chess Tournament from May 26th-May 30th (https://new.uschess.org/31st-annual-chicago-open). This is a prestigious tournament with top players from all across the nation participating (1st place winner in his section will win $4000.00). Sebastian's family will not be able to afford the expense of the tournament.

 

Playing at a tournament this high level would be an amazing opportunity for Sebastian. We want to sponsor Sebastian and his coach, Jithu Sajeevan (who has been with Sebastian at every major tournament he participated in) to attend the Chicago Open. We are hoping that some of our DIG parents can help us with a small donation to make this trip happen.

 

The total budget for this trip is $3000.00 (hotel fee, tournament entry fee, flight, and other transportation fees). Please Venmo the Starbuck Foundation (@StarbuckFoundation) if you would like to support Sebastian and Coach Jithu!

 

If Sebastian can become a professional chess player in the future, he will become a motivator for so many other Bridgeport kids to focus on chess and become great at it too. The effects that would have on the Bridgeport community would be amazing in so many ways.

 

Respectfully,

 

Coach Dan

 

502-468-6930

Coach Dan Bio

www.facebook.com/TeamDIGUSA

 

 

 

2022 CT SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP, April 30, Wesleyan Univ. Middletown CT

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Pair | Player Name                     |Total|Round|Round|Round|Round| 
 Num  | USCF ID / Rtg (Pre->Post)       | Pts |  1  |  2  |  3  |  4  | 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    1 | SERGEY KUDRIN                   |4.0  |W   4|W   2|W   3|W   6|
   CT | 11257585 / R: 2460   ->2462     |     |W    |B    |W    |B    |
      |            Q: 2420   ->2424     |     |     |     |     |     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    2 | MIKHAIL KOGANOV                 |3.0  |W   7|L   1|W   4|W   3|
   CT | 12656022 / R: 2221   ->2224     |     |B    |W    |B    |B    |
      |            Q: 2108   ->2112     |     |     |     |     |     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    3 | DAVID S HERSCOVICI              |2.0  |W   5|W   6|L   1|L   2|
   CT | 12486399 / R: 2020   ->2014     |     |W    |B    |B    |W    |
      |            Q: 1857   ->1858     |     |     |     |     |     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    4 | GERT M HILHORST                 |2.0  |L   1|W   8|L   2|W   7|
   CT | 13494233 / R: 1856   ->1857     |     |B    |W    |W    |B    |
      |            Q: 1779   ->1780     |     |     |     |     |     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    5 | CHARLES RICHARD RUTAN           |2.0  |L   3|L   7|W   8|B    |
   CT | 12400615 / R: 1448   ->1443     |     |B    |W    |B    |     |
      |            Q: 1420P12->1399P15  |     |     |     |     |     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    6 | DAVID MAMULA                    |1.5  |H    |L   3|W   7|L   1|
   CT | 12513609 / R: 1500   ->1516     |     |     |W    |B    |W    |
      |            Q: 1580   ->1587     |     |     |     |     |     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    7 | DR. KENNETH A KOUSEN            |1.0  |L   2|W   5|L   6|L   4|
   CT | 11172865 / R: 1459   ->1457     |     |W    |B    |W    |W    |
      |            Q: 1493P14->1485P18  |     |     |     |     |     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    8 | ROB ROY                         |0.5  |H    |L   4|L   5|U    |
   CT | 10574790 / R: 1400   ->1400     |     |     |B    |W    |     |
      |            Q: 1040   ->1033     |     |     |     |     |     |

Wesleyan University hosts Chess Championships this Saturday April 30

CT State Chess Association	5:37 PM (5 minutes ago)
to bcc: me

 

 

 

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS! April 30 @ Wesleyan University. Registration ends April 29 at 6 PM.

Connecticut Collegiate Championship, $900 in Guaranteed Prizes! Awards for Players and Teams! Register here.
Scholastic players rated 1800 and over are invited to participate in Open section! 

Connecticut Senior Championship, $600 in Guaranteed Prizes!!! Other Awards for Players! Register here.
Unrated section included for seniors new to chess competition. 

Connecticut Women & Girls Championships, $450 in Guaranteed Prizes!!! Awards for Players and Teams! Register here.
Unrated section included for women and girls new to chess competition. 

Final Chance to Register for CT Speed Chess Championships on April 23

CT State Chess Association 1:04 PM (57 minutes ago)     to bcc: me       Registration ends Today at 6 PM! 2022 Connecticut Speed Championships  April 23 at Manchester High School.  Over $2,000 in Guaranteed Prizes!!! Awards for Players and Teams!  Register here.         ReplyForward

Meet

 

New meeting

 

 

Join a meeting

 

Hangouts

Hangouts

 

 

USCF-rated, K-12, chess tournament on April 30th at Farmington Library

Hi Rob,

 

How are you? Long time no see! Hope you're doing well.

 

I'm hosting a USCF-rated, K-12, chess tournament on April 30th at Farmington Library. There will be 3 sections: High School, Middle School, and Elementary School, and unrated. The unrated section is open for parents and students who are new to chess. We will also have sports activities for players in-between games.

 

Can you please post this on your website and pass the word? I've attached the flyer below.

Thank you!

 

Respectfully,

 

Coach Jithu

Director of Operations

860-801-7630

www.TeamDIGUSA.com

www.facebook.com/TeamDIGUSA

ABOUT COACH JITHU

 

 

 

Attachments area