Saturday, November 9, 2019

HOLIDAY PARTY OPEN CHESS TNMT SAT DEC 14

DEC 14 - CHESS IN COVENTRY
GAME OF THE WEEK BY ALAN LASSER
TNMT & CAMP SAT NOV 23 W HARTFORD
REPORT ON 2019 STAMFORD OPEN
GOING BACK IN TIME WITH BOB CYR
TUE DEC 10 CONN STATE BLITZ CHAMP
THIS WEEK IN WORLD CHESS
SAT DEC 14 HOLIDAY PARTY OPEN
TOP PLAYERS AT COVENTRY CHESS CLUB
DATES FOR COVENTRY 2020 TOURNAMENTS
BOB MILARDO WON 1978 NBCC CHAMPIONSHIP
WINDSOR LOCKS CLUB - TOURNEY WINS 1978

CONNECTICUT STATE CHESS ASSOC

The 2019 Stamford Open was won by Connecticut's top 14-year-old FM Max Lu who tied for first with GM John Fedorowicz, IM Justin Sarkar, FM Jason Liang and Lev Paciorkowski, all from New York state.

In the U2010 section Nathan Chang took (CT) clear first, the U1710 was won by Sinclair Kennedy-Nolle (NY) and the U1310 saw a tie for first by Nishant Jain (CT) and Kenneth Crump (NY).

Final standings of the Major Section, Under 2010, Under 1710, Under 1310 and the US Chess Rating Report.

BREAKING NEWS - CONNECTICUT CHESS MAGAZINE

Above link displays our past 9 editions, along with a short summary.

GAME OF THE WEEK by Alan Lasser

Congratulations to Wesley So. He won 2019 Fischer-Random Championship. He defeated Magnus Carlsen in the finals, which left a lot of chess fans wondering how could that happen. I thought it was Magnus’s excellent endgames and superior speed chess that made him the regular Chess Champion. Here So tests Carlsen’s calculation ability in one of those difficult more-pieces-than-pawns positions worthy of determining a champion in any game.

None of my computer software is written to analyze Fischer-Random Chess. The programs can be forced to analyze from the starting position, but as soon as anyone castles Fischer-Random style they grind to a halt over what would be an illegal move in chess. The only way I can show you a game is to start after both sides have castled, which in this game is move eight.

If you are setting up a board without using the pgn in this email, begin with White king on g1, queen on a1, rooks on d1 and f1, knights on c3 and g3, bishops on d3 and c1, and pawns on a2, b3, c4, d4, e3, f2, g2, and h2. The Black king is on g8, queen on a8, rooks on d8 and f8, knights on b8 and g6, bishops on a6 and e7, and pawns on a7, b6, c7, d5, e6, f7, g7 and h7. It is Black to move.

GM Wesley So(2802)-GM Magnus Carlsen(2849)

10/31/19

2019 Fischer Random Championships

Norway

1...Nd7

2.cxd5 Bxd3

3.Rxd3 exd5

4.Nf5 Rfe8

5.Nxe7+ Rxe7

6.b4 Nf6

7.b5 c6

8.a4 h5

9.h3 Qc8

10.bxc6 Re6

11.f3 Rxc6

12.e4 dxe4

13.fxe4 Ne5?! +0.35/26

13...Rd7 +0.09/22 14.Bb2 Re6 15.Re1 Qc4 16.Qd1 Re8 17.Rd2 Red8 18.d5 Re8 19.Rd4 Qc8 20.Qe2 Qc5 21.Rd1 h4

13...Ne8 14.Bg5 Rd7 15.Nb5 Nd6 16.Nxd6 Rdxd6 17.Rdf3 Rd7 = Stockfish

14.Re3 Nc4

15.Ref3 Rxd4

16.Nd5 Rxe4

17.Bh6?! -0.14/23

17.Rxf6 +0.22/25 17...gxf6 17.. Rxf6 18. Nxf6+ gxf6 19. Qxf6 Qc5+ 20. Kh1 Qe7 21. Qf3 h4 22. Bg5 Qe6 23. Bxh4 Ne3 24. Re1 Rxh4 25. Rxe3 Qd6 = Stockfish 18.Nxf6+ Rxf6 19.Qxf6 Qe6 20.Qg5+ Qg6 21.Qd8+ Kg7 22.Bg5 Re6 23.Be7 Ne5 24.Rf2 Qb1+ 25.Kh2 Qg6 26.Rf1 Rc6 27.Qb8 Re6 28.Bf8+ Kh7 29.Qxa7 Rf6 30.Qa6 h4 31.Be7 Qg3+ 32.Kg1 Re6 33.Bf6 Kg6 34.Bxe5

17...Ne8

18.Bxg7 Nd2

19.Rxf7 Nxf1

20.Rf8+ Kh7

21.Be5 Rc1

22.Rh8+ Kg6

23.Ne7+ Kf7

24.Rh7+ Ke6?! +0.62/26

24...Kf8 +0.11/25 25.Nxc8 Rxa1 26.Bxa1 Ng3 27.Bb2 27. Kf2 Rxa4 28. Rxa7 Rxa7 29. Nxa7 Nf5 30. Kf3 Ned6 +0.09 Stockfish 27...Rxa4 28.Nxa7 Nd6 29.Nc6 b5 30.Ne5 Kg8 31.Rh6 Nde4 31... Ndf5 32. Rc6 Re4 33. Rc8+ Kh7 34. Nd3 h4 35. Rh8+ Kg6 36. Ne5+ Kf6 37. Nf3+ Kg6 38. Ne5+ = Stockfish 32.Nd3 Ra2 33.Rb6 Ne2+ 34.Kh2 Nc5 35.Nxc5 Rxb2 36.Rb8+ Kg7 37.Rb7+ Kg6 38.Nd3 Rb1 39.Re7

25.Nxc8 Rxa1

26.Bxa1 Ng3

27.Rxa7 Nf5

28.Bh8 Re2? +2.65/30

28...Rc4 +0.58/25 29.Nxb6 Rc1+ 30.Kf2 Rc2+ 30...Ned6 31. Ra5 Rc2+ 32. Ke1 Nf7 33. Ra8 Rxg2 34. Re8+ Kd6 35. Bc3 Rg3 +0.17 Stockfish 31.Ke1 Rxg2 32.Ra5 Ned6 33.Nd5 Rg3 34.Rc5 Rf3

29.g4 hxg4

30.hxg4 Ne3

31.Re7+ Kd5

32.Rxe8

32.Nxb6+ Kc6 33.Bd4 Rg2+ 34.Kh1 Rxg4 35.Bxe3 Nc7 36.Bf2 Rg6 37.Nc4 Rf6 38.Kg1 Ne6 +5.25 Stockfish

33.Kh1 Rxg4

34.Rxe3 Rh4+

35.Kg2 Rxh8

36.Nxb6+ Kc5

37.Rb3 Rh4

38.Rb5+ Kc6

39.Rb1 Rh5

40.Nc4 Rh4

41.Nb6?! +4.37/3 According to the endgame database it's mate on move 76 after 41.Nb2

41...Rh5

42.Nc4 Rh4

43.Nb2 Kb6

44.Kg3 Rd4

45.Kf3 Ka5

46.Ke3 Rd8

47.Rh1 Rd5?! +7.16/33

47...Kb4 48.Rh5 Kc3 49.Rb5 Re8+ 50.Kf4 Kd4 51.Kf5 It's mate on move 80 after 47...Kb4

48.Rh4 Rg5?! +10.99/36

48...Rd8 48...Rg5 and 48...Rd8 are both mate on move 76 according to the endgame database. 49.Rd4 Rh8 50.Kd3 Kb6 51.Kc4 Rh2 52.Kc3 Kc6 53.Nd3 Rh5 54.Kb4

48...Kb6 Endgame database says this is mate on move 77.

49.Kd3 Rc5 50.Rc4 Rh5 51.Kc2 Rh3 52.Rc3 Rh6 53.Kb3 Rb6+ 54.Ka3 Rc6 55.Rc4 Rh6 56.Rc5+ Ka6 57.Kb4 Rh1 58.Rc6+ Ka7 59.Nc4 Kb7 60.Rb6+ Ka7 61.Rg6 Rb1+ 62.Ka5 Rh1 63.Rg7+ Kb8 64.Ka6 Rh5 65.Rg8+?! +6.31/20

65.Nd6 #14/36 65...Rh8 66.Rb7+ Ka8 67.Nb5 Rh6+ 68.Rb6 Rxb6+ 69.Kxb6 Kb8 70.Nd6 Ka8 71.a5 Kb8 72.a6 Ka8 73.Nb5 Kb8 74.a7+ Kc8 75.a8=Q+ Kd7 76.Qe4 Kd8 77.Kc6 Kc8 78.Qe8#

1-0

[Event "2019 Fischer Random Championships"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.10.31"]
[Round "?"]
[White "GM Wesley So"]
[Black "GM Magnus Carlsen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2849"]
[FEN "qn1r1rk1/p1p1bppp/bp2p1n1/3p4/2PP4/1PNBP1N1/P4PPP/Q1BR1RK1 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]

1...Nd7 2.cxd5 Bxd3 3.Rxd3 exd5 4.Nf5 Rfe8 5.Nxe7+ Rxe7 6.b4 Nf6 7.b5 c6 8.a4 h5 9.h3 Qc8 10.bxc6 Re6 11.f3 Rxc6 12.e4 dxe4 13.fxe4 Ne5 $6 { +0.35/26 } ( 13...Rd7 { +0.09/22 } 14.Bb2 Re6 15.Re1 Qc4 16.Qd1 Re8 17.Rd2 Red8 18.d5 Re8 19.Rd4 Qc8 20.Qe2 Qc5 21.Rd1 h4 ) ( 13...Ne8 14.Bg5 Rd7 15.Nb5 Nd6 16.Nxd6 Rdxd6 17.Rdf3 Rd7 { = Stockfish } ) 14.Re3 Nc4 15.Ref3 Rxd4 16.Nd5 Rxe4 17.Bh6 $6 { -0.14/23 } ( 17.Rxf6 { +0.22/25 } 17...gxf6 { 17.. Rxf6 18. Nxf6+ gxf6 19. Qxf6 Qc5+ 20. Kh1 Qe7 21. Qf3 h4 22. Bg5 Qe6 23. Bxh4 Ne3 24. Re1 Rxh4 25. Rxe3 Qd6 = Stockfish } 18.Nxf6+ Rxf6 19.Qxf6 Qe6 20.Qg5+ Qg6 21.Qd8+ Kg7 22.Bg5 Re6 23.Be7 Ne5 24.Rf2 Qb1+ 25.Kh2 Qg6 26.Rf1 Rc6 27.Qb8 Re6 28.Bf8+ Kh7 29.Qxa7 Rf6 30.Qa6 h4 31.Be7 Qg3+ 32.Kg1 Re6 33.Bf6 Kg6 34.Bxe5 ) 17...Ne8 18.Bxg7 Nd2 19.Rxf7 Nxf1 20.Rf8+ Kh7 21.Be5 Rc1 22.Rh8+ Kg6 23.Ne7+ Kf7 24.Rh7+ Ke6 $6 { +0.62/26 } ( 24...Kf8 { +0.11/25 } 25.Nxc8 Rxa1 26.Bxa1 Ng3 27.Bb2 { 27. Kf2 Rxa4 28. Rxa7 Rxa7 29. Nxa7 Nf5 30. Kf3 Ned6 +0.09 Stockfish } 27...Rxa4 28.Nxa7 Nd6 29.Nc6 b5 30.Ne5 Kg8 31.Rh6 Nde4 { 31... Ndf5 32. Rc6 Re4 33. Rc8+ Kh7 34. Nd3 h4 35. Rh8+ Kg6 36. Ne5+ Kf6 37. Nf3+ Kg6 38. Ne5+ = Stockfish } 32.Nd3 Ra2 33.Rb6 Ne2+ 34.Kh2 Nc5 35.Nxc5 Rxb2 36.Rb8+ Kg7 37.Rb7+ Kg6 38.Nd3 Rb1 39.Re7 ) 25.Nxc8 Rxa1 26.Bxa1 Ng3 27.Rxa7 Nf5 28.Bh8 Re2 $2 { +2.65/30 } ( 28...Rc4 { +0.58/25 } 29.Nxb6 Rc1+ 30.Kf2 Rc2+ { 30...Ned6 31. Ra5 Rc2+ 32. Ke1 Nf7 33. Ra8 Rxg2 34. Re8+ Kd6 35. Bc3 Rg3 +0.17 Stockfish } 31.Ke1 Rxg2 32.Ra5 Ned6 33.Nd5 Rg3 34.Rc5 Rf3 ) 29.g4 hxg4 30.hxg4 Ne3 31.Re7+ Kd5 32.Rxe8 ( 32.Nxb6+ Kc6 33.Bd4 Rg2+ 34.Kh1 Rxg4 35.Bxe3 Nc7 36.Bf2 Rg6 37.Nc4 Rf6 38.Kg1 Ne6 { +5.25 Stockfish } ) 32...Rg2+ 33.Kh1 Rxg4 34.Rxe3 Rh4+ 35.Kg2 Rxh8 36.Nxb6+ Kc5 37.Rb3 Rh4 38.Rb5+ Kc6 39.Rb1 Rh5 40.Nc4 Rh4 41.Nb6 $6 { +4.37/31 } ( { According to the endgame database, it's mate on move 76 after 41.Nb2 } ) 41...Rh5 42.Nc4 Rh4 43.Nb2 Kb6 44.Kg3 Rd4 45.Kf3 Ka5 46.Ke3 Rd8 47.Rh1 Rd5 $6 { +7.16/33 } ( 47...Kb4 48.Rh5 Kc3 49.Rb5 Re8+ 50.Kf4 Kd4 51.Kf5 { It's mate on move 80 after 47...Kb4 } ) 48.Rh4 Rg5 $6 { +10.99/36 } ( 48...Rd8 { 48...Rg5 and 48...Rd8 are both mate on move 76 according to the endgame database. } 49.Rd4 Rh8 50.Kd3 Kb6 51.Kc4 Rh2 52.Kc3 Kc6 53.Nd3 Rh5 54.Kb4 ) ( 48...Kb6 { Endgame database says this is mate on move 77. } ) 49.Kd3 Rc5 50.Rc4 Rh5 51.Kc2 Rh3 52.Rc3 Rh6 53.Kb3 Rb6+ 54.Ka3 Rc6 55.Rc4 Rh6 56.Rc5+ Ka6 57.Kb4 Rh1 58.Rc6+ Ka7 59.Nc4 Kb7 60.Rb6+ Ka7 61.Rg6 Rb1+ 62.Ka5 Rh1 63.Rg7+ Kb8 64.Ka6 Rh5 65.Rg8+ $6 { +6.31/20 } ( 65.Nd6 { #14/36 } 65...Rh8 66.Rb7+ Ka8 67.Nb5 Rh6+ 68.Rb6 Rxb6+ 69.Kxb6 Kb8 70.Nd6 Ka8 71.a5 Kb8 72.a6 Ka8 73.Nb5 Kb8 74.a7+ Kc8 75.a8=Q+ Kd7 76.Qe4 Kd8 77.Kc6 Kc8 78.Qe8# ) 1-0

Alan Lasser
blacklightmazes@icloud.com
website: blacklightmazes.com

New Britain Chess Club

Norman Burtness, President

newbritainchessclub@gmail.com

Armenian Church, 1910 Stanley St.

Tues. 6:30 pm

Adult/Student Opening Partnership - A NEW EVENT

On Saturday, Nov. 23, the NBCC will be having a new activity designed to use the vast chess knowledge of the club to help our up and coming scholastic players. Adults who are willing (I’m hoping we get a good turnout for this) will pair up with a scholastic player and teach them a favorite opening of theirs. In a series of 5 minute games, the adult can show a number lines and strategies of an opening they know best (so you don’t need to be an expert, just show what you know as you play through some games). Following the teaching time, students will play in a G/10;d5 tournament (no entry fee) where they can test their newfound skills.

The games will not be rated, so the student can practice the openings without worrying about their rating. Adults will also have a G/10;d5 2-game match with a competitor of their choice (or nearest rated). Adults can indicate the openings they are comfortable teaching, and kids can choose an adult or an opening.

Signup sheet for adults to indicate their openings. Adults, please fill in your info before Nov 21, and students, wait until after Nov 21 to sign up.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

West Hartford Scholastic Chess Camp and Tournament

At Hall High School 975 N. Main St. West Hartford, 06117

$45 Entry Fee; Pizza Lunch Included*

Chess Camp: 9:00 a.m. to Noon

8:45-9:00 a.m. Check in and registration (same day registration $55)

Starting at 9 am there will be 3 ~ 1hr training classes (for details see "Training Classes" below) taught by experienced chess teachers and coaches. Coaches: NM Derek Meredith, Expert Suhas Kodali, Expert Joseph Bihlmeyer. Certificates of Completion awarded to all participants.

Lunch: Noon -12:30

Lunch is included in the registration fee. Parents who stay may add $5 to the registration fee for their lunch.

Chess Tournament: 12:30 - 3:30

3-SS G/25;d5 In 2 sections, rated and unrated, with accelerated pairings.

3 round tournament where everyone plays 3 games and has 25 minutes to make their moves. Bring a clock if you have one.

Rated Section: (USCF membership is required). (May be split into 2 sections if there are enough players) Trophies to top High School, Top Middle School, Top Elementary, Top Grade K-3 (conventional tie-breaks used). Affects both quick and regular rating. Trophy to players from the top school (3 players per school team)

Unrated Section: (USCF membership is not required) Trophy to 1st place.

Entry Fee Schedule:

Full Day: Camp + Lunch + Tournament: $45 (2nd child family rate: $30), $55 on-site (8:30-9:00)

Camp Only: $30

Tournament Only: $15

Same Day Reg. fee, add $10.

When registering, include Player Name, USCF ID & Expiration date, school and grade, and Section. Pay by secure PayPal link https://www.paypal.me/NBChess or mail to Norman Burtness c/o Hall High School, 975 N. Main St. West Hartford, CT 06117.

Training Classes (Nov 23)

Hippopotamus, Monkey’s Bum, Dragon, Orangutan, Hillbilly Attack, Toilet Variation, Wild Bull, Sicilian Pterodactyl, Creepy Crawly Formation, Fried Liver Attack. These are all names of chess openings. NM Derek Meredith will teach you many of the craziest named openings and give you ideas for how to hone your opening repertoire.

Maneuvers, Tactics, Pawn Breaks, Sacrifices. Expert Suhas Kodali will conduct his session on the middle game where maneuvers can improve your piece positions, tactics can win material, pawn breaks can open up lines of attack and sacrifices can lead to a massive advantage or checkmate.

Beware of German Words. Expert Joe Bihlmeyer will teach you critical aspects of the endgame; how to Zugswang your opponent and critical endgame positions you should know how to win or defend against.

Tuesday Dec 10, 2019

2019 CSCA Blitz Championship

NBCC - Armenian Church

1910 Stanley St

New Britain, CT 06053

G/5;d5 Pairings and Prizes based on Blitz Ratings.

Unrated players not eligible for class prizes.

Prizes:: Trophy + $20 to top 3 and top U2000
Format:: 8 Round Swiss, G/5;d5 Byes: No final round byes
Entry Fees:: $10. State Affiliate membership required, dues $2 of each entry goes to CSCA (and purchases membership).
Entries To:: On-site Reg: 6:45-7:00

E-mail:: newbritainchessclub@gmail.com
Official Web Site:: http://newbritainchessclub.com
Event Limitations and Site Conditions:: No Smoking. Wheelchair Accessible.

SAT. DEC. 14 2019 HOLIDAY PARTY OPEN

3SS, G/60 d5. Mill Brook Place, 1267 Main St. (Rt 31), Coventry, CT 06238. EF: $35 Cash Only Onsite Only. $$GTD: $160-80. Reg.: 9:45 am - 10:10 am. Rds.: 10:30, 1:30, 3:45. INFO: ConnecticutChess@Gmail.com Dir: One Section. Accel.Pairings. https://ConnecticutChess.blogspot.com W. USCF TLA

SAT. JAN. 18 2020 GREATER HARTFORD OPEN

3SS, G/60 d5. Mill Brook Place, 1267 Main St. (Rt 31), Coventry, CT 06238. EF: $35 Cash Only Onsite Only. $$GTD: $160-80. Reg.: 9:45 am - 10:10 am. Rds.: 10:30, 1:30, 3:45. INFO: ConnecticutChess@Gmail.com Dir: One Section. Accel.Pairings. https://ConnecticutChess.blogspot.com
W.

SAT. FEB. 22 2020 EASTERN CONNECTICUT OPEN

COVENTRY CHESS CLUB 2020 CALENDAR

Mill Brook Place, 1267 Main St. (Rt 31)

JAN 18 2020 GREATER HARTFORD OPEN

FEB 22 2020 EASTERN CONNECTICUT OPEN

MAR 21 2020 CONSTITUTION STATE OPEN

APR 18 2020 MILL BROOK PARK OPEN

May thru August - No Tournaments

SEP 26 2020 CONNECTICUT HARVEST OPEN

OCT 17 2020 CHARTER OAK OPEN

NOV 14 2020 CONNECTICUT YANKEE OPEN

DEC 12 2020 NUTMEG STATE OPEN

COVENTRY CHESS CLUB

Most Frequent Players

31 Joe Bihlmeyer

18 Art Nagel

18 Rob Roy

11 Dan Smith

Recently Active Players

THIS WEEK IN WORLD CHESS

Wesley So Wins Fischer Random World Championship

Trevor Noah making movie about 8-Year Old Nigerian Prodigy

World Chess Calendar - November 2019

Carissa Yip Youngest American Female IM Ever

Do Chess Arbiters Intervene Too Much?‎

Shtembuliak, Shuvalova, World Junior, Girls' Champs

The Brilliant, Young Samuel Reshevsky‎

Are Bad Openings Good For Your Chess?‎

Wang Hao Wins Grand Swiss, Qualifies For Candidates

Sasha Chapin's memoir All the Wrong Moves

Hans-Walter Schmitt interview

Radjabov Wins 2019 FIDE World Cup

So Wins Speed Chess Championship

Kid Chess Champions Share Their Secrets

The Early Life Of Pal Benko‎

GOING BACK IN TIME

with Bob Cyr

Here are Bob's latest writings...

Remembering Arkadijs and Andris Strazdins

Remembering David Lees

New Britain Chess Club Hall of Fame

Chess Biography of David Lees

Chess Biography of Will Torres

Highlights of 2019 by Bob Cyr

Biography of Bob Cyr, Chess Historian

Fun Facts of the New Britain Chess Club

An Inspirational Chess Story

"What are the Odds" annual NBCC tournament, 19th year

NBCC Highlights from January 2019 thru August 2019

CHESS COLUMNS FROM THE PAST by Rob Roy

Rob Roy did 1300 columnsWaterbury Sunday Republican 1977-2000. Enabling Waterbury Chess Club to be successful.

Conn Chess Magazine - 9 recent

Conn Chess Magazine - 95 posts

Conn Chess Magazine Facebook

Calendar of Upcoming Tournaments

Coventry Connecticut Chess Club

Eastern Connecticut Chess Assoc

Subscribe to our free weekly e-zine

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR - SAT NOV 16

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - NEW BRITAIN CHESS CLUB

DANIEL ZHOU WINS 2019 CONNECTICUT HARVEST OPEN

GAME OF THE WEEK BY ALAN LASSER

HIGHLIGHTS OF YEAR 2019 BY BOB CYR

BIOGRAPHY OF BOB CYR, CHESS HISTORIAN

REPORT - 2019 CHARTER OAK OPEN

FUN FACTS ABOUT THE NBCC BY BOB CYR

INSPIRATIONAL CHESS PROGRAM BY DAN PELLETIER

GOING BACK IN TIME BY BOB CYR

FROM NBCC PRESIDENT NORMAN BURTNESS

Monday, November 4, 2019

IM JAN VAN DE MORTEL RE-ELECTED STATE PRESIDENT

MINUTES TO CSCA ANNUAL MEETING
NBCC PRESENTS NEW EVENT TUE NOV 23
TOP PLAYERS AT COVENTRY CHESS CLUB
GAME OF THE WEEK BY ALAN LASSER
THIS WEEK IN WORLD CHESS
NOV 5, 12, 19. TUESDAYS DAVID LEES TNMT
SAT NOV 23 CHESS CAMP WEST HARTFORD
TUE DEC 10 CT STATE BLITZ CHAMPIONSHIP
SAT DEC 14 HOLIDAY PARTY OPEN
REMEMBERING THE STRAZDINS BY BOB CYR
DR EMANUEL SZTEIN AT WOLCOTT SPEED-CHESS
CHESS CLUB CHANGES MEETINGS TO FRIDAYS

CONNECTICUT STATE CHESS ASSOC

At the Annual Meeting held on October 20th at the Weston Public Library the CSCA welcomed two new Directors, Nevena Lanzo and Bryant Mercado, to the Board.

IM Jan van de Mortel ran for re-election unopposed and will continue as President of the CSCA for the year 2019-2020.

See the draft Meeting Minutes including Officer Reports; the Treasurer's Report is pending.

New Britain Chess Club

Norman Burtness, President

newbritainchessclub@gmail.com

Armenian Church, 1910 Stanley St.

Tues. 6:30 pm

Adult/Student Opening Partnership - A NEW EVENT

On Tuesday, Nov. 23, the NBCC will be having a new activity designed to use the vast chess knowledge of the club to help our up and coming scholastic players. Adults who are willing (I’m hoping we get a good turnout for this) will pair up with a scholastic player and teach them a favorite opening of theirs. In a series of 5 minute games, the adult can show a number lines and strategies of an opening they know best (so you don’t need to be an expert, just show what you know as you play through some games). Following the teaching time, students will play in a G/10;d5 tournament (no entry fee) where they can test their newfound skills.

Signup sheet for adults to indicate their openings. Adults, please fill in your info before Nov 21, and students, wait until after Nov 21 to sign up.

COVENTRY CHESS CLUB

Most Frequent Players

31 Joe Bihlmeyer

18 Art Nagel

18 Rob Roy

11 Dan Smith

Recently Active Players

BREAKING NEWS - CONNECTICUT CHESS MAGAZINE

Above link displays our past 9 editions, along with a short summary.

GAME OF THE WEEK by Alan Lasser

It may seem like a warp in the chess/time continuum, but sometimes two highly improbable bits of chess geometry can occur at the same time in the same place. The odds of this game occurring must be a gazillion-to-one. First of all, the latest Benko-file I have ever observed in a game is there on move 29.

If that wasn’t rare enough, one of the reasons that the Benko-file exists is that neither queen has been moved. It could be some kind of a record, 57 ply and the most powerful pieces on the chessboard don’t want to get involved.

When the grandmasters finally move their queens, it’s the end of the Benko-file, and one of the rarest chess positions ever seen vanishes from the board and into your chess column.

GM Erwin L’Ami(2619)-GM Luke McShane(2682)
10/27/19
2019 European Teams
Batumi, Georgia
1.d4 Nf6
2.c4 g6?
3.Nc3 Bg7
4.e4 d6
5.Nf3 O-O
6.Be2 e5
7.O-O Na6
8.Be3 c6
9.d5 Ng4
10.Bg5 f6
11.Bh4 Nh6
12.Ne1?! +0.67/22
12.c5 +1.07/20 12...g5 12... Nxc5 13. b4 Nd7 14. dxc6 bxc6 15. Qxd6 Nf7 16. Qxc6 Nb6 +0.70 Stockfish 13.Bg3 dxc5 14.dxc6 bxc6 15.Qa4 Qb6 16.Rac1 Nf7 17.Rfd1 Nc7 18.Nd2 Nb5 19.Nc4 Qb7 20.Na5
12.Nd2 Bd7 13.a3 cxd5 14.Nxd5 g5 15.Bg3 f5 16.f3 Nc5 17.Bf2 Ne6 18.exf5 Nxf5 19.Bd3 +1.09 Stockfish
12…c5
13.Nd3 g5
14.Bg3 f5
15.exf5 Bxf5
16.Bf3 b6
17.Be4 Bd7
18.f3 Nf5
19.Bf2 Nd4
20.a4 Nc7
21.Be3 Rf7
22.Nf2 Bf8
23.Bd3 Be7
24.Nfe4 Kh8
25.Nb5 Ne8
26.Nxd4 cxd4
27.Bd2 Nf6?! +1.65/25
27...a5 +0.89/21 28.b4 28. h4 gxh4 29. f4 exf4 30. Bxf4 Bf5 31. Bc2 Bxe4 32. Qxd4+ Bf6 33. Qxe4 Raa7 34. Bh6 Qe7 35. Rae1 Qxe4 36. Rxe4 Be5 37. Rxh4 Rxf1+ 38. Kxf1 +2.12 Stockfish 28...axb4 29.Bxb4 Bf5 30.Ng3 Ng7 31.Nxf5 Nxf5 32.Bd2 Ng7 33.Qb3 Nh5 34.Rfb1 Nf4 35.Bxf4 gxf4 36.Qxb6
27...Rf8 28.b4 +1.75 Stockfish
28.Nxg5 Rg7
29.f4 Qg8
30.Qe2?! +0.87/21
30.fxe5 +1.35/21 30...dxe5 30...Ng4 31. e6 Bxg5 32. Bxg5 Rxg5 33. Rf7 Rg7 34. Rxd7 Rxd7 35. exd7 Ne5 +2.52 Stockfish 31.d6 Bd8 32.Qf3 Rc8 33.Ne4 33. Bf5 Bxf5 34. Qxf5 Rc6 35. Rae1 Rxd6 36. Qxe5 Be7 37. Qf4 +4.37 Stockfish 33...Bc6 34.Rae1 Rg6 35.b3 Qg7 36.Re2 Bxe4 37.Bxe4 Nxe4 38.Qxe4 Rxd6 39.Qf5 Rc5 40.Qh5 Rf6 41.Ref2 Qg6
30...Re8?! +1.45/21
30...Bg4 +0.87/21 31.Qf2 31. Qe1 Nh5 32. Be4 Rf8 33. Ne6 Bxe6 34. dxe6 Qxe6 35. Bd5 Qg6 36. fxe5 Rxf1+ 37. Kxf1 +1.19 Stockfish 31...Rf8 32.h3 Bc8 33.Qe2
31.Rae1 Ng4
32.Kh1? -0.03/24
32.Ne4 +1.45/21 32...Rf8 33.Kh1 33. Rf3 exf4 34. Bxf4 Rgf7 35. Ref1 Ne3 36. Bxe3 dxe3 37. b3 Rxf3 38. Rxf3 Rxf3 39. Qxf3 +2.46 Stockfish 33...exf4 34.Bxf4
32…exf4
33.Ne6 Bh4
34.Bxf4? -1.87/23
34.Bf5 0.00/22 34...Bxe1 35.Bxe1 Nh6 35...Ne3 36. Nxg7 Qxg7 37. Bxd7 Qxd7 38. Rxf4 Nxg2 39. Re4 Rxe4 40. Qxe4 Nxe1 41. Qxe1 = Stockfish 36.Bh3 Ng4 37.Bxg4 Rxg4 38.Bf2 Qg6 39.h3 Bxe6 40.dxe6 f3 41.Qxf3 Re4 42.e7 R4xe7 43.Bxd4+ Kg8 44.Qd5+ Qe6 45.Qg5+ Qg6 46.Qd5+
34…Bxe1
35.Rxe1?! -2.83/25
35.Qxe1 -1.87/23 35...Bxe6 36.dxe6 Qxe6 36...Rxe6 37. Qd2 Ne3 38. Rf2 Qe8 39. Bf1 Re4 40. g3 Nxf1 41. Rxf1 Qc6 -3.46 Stockfish 37.Qxe6 Rxe6 38.g3 Ne5 39.Bf5 Rf6 40.Be4 Ng6 41.Bxg6 Rgxg6 42.Rd1 Re6 43.Rxd4 Re1+
35…Bxe6
36.dxe6 Rxe6
37.Qd2 Ne3
38.g3?! -4.38/27
38.Re2 -2.88/22 38...Qe8 38...Qa8 39. Bxe3 dxe3 40. Qe1 Qe8 41. a5 bxa5 42. Qxa5 Qf8 43. Kg1 Qf6 44. h3 Rf7 45. c5 Re5 46. Qe1 dxc5 -4.54 Stockfish 39.Rf2 Qxa4 40.h3 Qd1+ 41.Qxd1 Nxd1 42.Rd2 Rf7 43.g3 Re1+ 44.Kh2 Rf6 45.b4 Nc3 46.Rf2 a5 47.bxa5 bxa5
38...Qa8+
39.Kg1 Qf3
40.Qf2 Qxf2+
41.Kxf2 Ng4+
42.Kf1 Nxh2+
43.Kf2 Ng4+
44.Kf1 Rxe1+
45.Kxe1 Ne5
46.Kd2 Kg8
47.b3 Kf7 0-1

Cut and paste the text below for input to a PGN viewer.

[Event "2019 European Teams"] [Site "Batumi, Georgia"] [Date "2019.10.27"] [Round "?"] [White "GM Erwin L'Ami"] [Black "GM Luke J McShane"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2682"] [ECO "E94"] [WhiteElo "2619"] 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O Na6 8.Be3 c6 9.d5 Ng4 10.Bg5 f6 11.Bh4 Nh6 12.Ne1 $6 { +0.67/22 } ( 12.c5 { +1.07/20 } 12...g5 { 12... Nxc5 13. b4 Nd7 14. dxc6 bxc6 15. Qxd6 Nf7 16. Qxc6 Nb6 +0.70 Stockfish } 13.Bg3 dxc5 14.dxc6 bxc6 15.Qa4 Qb6 16.Rac1 Nf7 17.Rfd1 Nc7 18.Nd2 Nb5 19.Nc4 Qb7 20.Na5 ) ( 12.Nd2 Bd7 13.a3 cxd5 14.Nxd5 g5 15.Bg3 f5 16.f3 Nc5 17.Bf2 Ne6 18.exf5 Nxf5 19.Bd3 { +1.09 Stockfish } ) 12...c5 13.Nd3 g5 14.Bg3 f5 15.exf5 Bxf5 16.Bf3 b6 17.Be4 Bd7 18.f3 Nf5 19.Bf2 Nd4 20.a4 Nc7 21.Be3 Rf7 22.Nf2 Bf8 23.Bd3 Be7 24.Nfe4 Kh8 25.Nb5 Ne8 26.Nxd4 cxd4 27.Bd2 Nf6 $6 { +1.65/25 } ( 27...a5 { +0.89/21 } 28.b4 { 28. h4 gxh4 29. f4 exf4 30. Bxf4 Bf5 31. Bc2 Bxe4 32. Qxd4+ Bf6 33. Qxe4 Raa7 34. Bh6 Qe7 35. Rae1 Qxe4 36. Rxe4 Be5 37. Rxh4 Rxf1+ 38. Kxf1 +2.12 Stockfish } 28...axb4 29.Bxb4 Bf5 30.Ng3 Ng7 31.Nxf5 Nxf5 32.Bd2 Ng7 33.Qb3 Nh5 34.Rfb1 Nf4 35.Bxf4 gxf4 36.Qxb6 ) ( 27...Rf8 28.b4 { +1.75 Stockfish } ) 28.Nxg5 Rg7 29.f4 Qg8 30.Qe2 $6 { +0.87/21 } ( 30.fxe5 { +1.35/21 } 30...dxe5 { 30...Ng4 31. e6 Bxg5 32. Bxg5 Rxg5 33. Rf7 Rg7 34. Rxd7 Rxd7 35. exd7 Ne5 +2.52 Stockfish } 31.d6 Bd8 32.Qf3 Rc8 33.Ne4 { 33. Bf5 Bxf5 34. Qxf5 Rc6 35. Rae1 Rxd6 36. Qxe5 Be7 37. Qf4 +4.37 Stockfish } 33...Bc6 34.Rae1 Rg6 35.b3 Qg7 36.Re2 Bxe4 37.Bxe4 Nxe4 38.Qxe4 Rxd6 39.Qf5 Rc5 40.Qh5 Rf6 41.Ref2 Qg6 ) 30...Re8 $6 { +1.45/21 } ( 30...Bg4 { +0.87/21 } 31.Qf2 { 31. Qe1 Nh5 32. Be4 Rf8 33. Ne6 Bxe6 34. dxe6 Qxe6 35. Bd5 Qg6 36. fxe5 Rxf1+ 37. Kxf1 +1.19 Stockfish } 31...Rf8 32.h3 Bc8 33.Qe2 ) 31.Rae1 Ng4 32.Kh1 $2 { -0.03/24 } ( 32.Ne4 { +1.45/21 } 32...Rf8 33.Kh1 { 33. Rf3 exf4 34. Bxf4 Rgf7 35. Ref1 Ne3 36. Bxe3 dxe3 37. b3 Rxf3 38. Rxf3 Rxf3 39. Qxf3 +2.46 Stockfish } 33...exf4 34.Bxf4 ) 32...exf4 33.Ne6 Bh4 34.Bxf4 $2 { -1.87/23 } ( 34.Bf5 { 0.00/22 } 34...Bxe1 35.Bxe1 Nh6 { 35...Ne3 36. Nxg7 Qxg7 37. Bxd7 Qxd7 38. Rxf4 Nxg2 39. Re4 Rxe4 40. Qxe4 Nxe1 41. Qxe1 = Stockfish } 36.Bh3 Ng4 37.Bxg4 Rxg4 38.Bf2 Qg6 39.h3 Bxe6 40.dxe6 f3 41.Qxf3 Re4 42.e7 R4xe7 43.Bxd4+ Kg8 44.Qd5+ Qe6 45.Qg5+ Qg6 46.Qd5+ ) 34...Bxe1 35.Rxe1 $6 { -2.83/25 } ( 35.Qxe1 { -1.87/23 } 35...Bxe6 36.dxe6 Qxe6 { 36...Rxe6 37. Qd2 Ne3 38. Rf2 Qe8 39. Bf1 Re4 40. g3 Nxf1 41. Rxf1 Qc6 -3.46 Stockfish } 37.Qxe6 Rxe6 38.g3 Ne5 39.Bf5 Rf6 40.Be4 Ng6 41.Bxg6 Rgxg6 42.Rd1 Re6 43.Rxd4 Re1+ ) 35...Bxe6 36.dxe6 Rxe6 37.Qd2 Ne3 38.g3 $6 { -4.38/27 } ( 38.Re2 { -2.88/22 } 38...Qe8 { 38...Qa8 39. Bxe3 dxe3 40. Qe1 Qe8 41. a5 bxa5 42. Qxa5 Qf8 43. Kg1 Qf6 44. h3 Rf7 45. c5 Re5 46. Qe1 dxc5 -4.54 Stockfish } 39.Rf2 Qxa4 40.h3 Qd1+ 41.Qxd1 Nxd1 42.Rd2 Rf7 43.g3 Re1+ 44.Kh2 Rf6 45.b4 Nc3 46.Rf2 a5 47.bxa5 bxa5 ) 38...Qa8+ 39.Kg1 Qf3 40.Qf2 Qxf2+ 41.Kxf2 Ng4+ 42.Kf1 Nxh2+ 43.Kf2 Ng4+ 44.Kf1 Rxe1+ 45.Kxe1 Ne5 46.Kd2 Kg8 47.b3 Kf7 0-1

Alan Lasser
blacklightmazes@icloud.com
website: blacklightmazes.com

THIS WEEK IN WORLD CHESS

Wesley So Wins Fischer Random World Championship

Trevor Noah making movie about 8-Year Old Nigerian Prodigy

World Chess Calendar - November 2019

Carissa Yip Youngest American Female IM Ever

Do Chess Arbiters Intervene Too Much?‎

Shtembuliak, Shuvalova, World Junior, Girls' Champs

The Brilliant, Young Samuel Reshevsky‎

Are Bad Openings Good For Your Chess?‎

Wang Hao Wins Grand Swiss, Qualifies For Candidates

Sasha Chapin's memoir All the Wrong Moves

Hans-Walter Schmitt interview

Radjabov Wins 2019 FIDE World Cup

So Wins Speed Chess Championship

Kid Chess Champions Share Their Secrets

The Early Life Of Pal Benko‎

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS

Saturday, November 23, 2019

West Hartford Scholastic Chess Camp and Tournament

At Hall High School 975 N. Main St. West Hartford, 06117

$45 Entry Fee; Pizza Lunch Included*

Chess Camp: 9:00 a.m. to Noon

8:45-9:00 a.m. Check in and registration (same day registration $55)

Lunch: Noon -12:30

Lunch is included in the registration fee. Parents who stay may add $5 to the registration fee for their lunch.

Chess Tournament: 12:30 - 3:30

3-SS G/25;d5 In 2 sections, rated and unrated, with accelerated pairings.

3 round tournament where everyone plays 3 games and has 25 minutes to make their moves. Bring a clock if you have one.

Unrated Section: (USCF membership is not required) Trophy to 1st place.

Entry Fee Schedule:

Full Day: Camp + Lunch + Tournament: $45 (2nd child family rate: $30), $55 on-site (8:30-9:00)

Camp Only: $30

Tournament Only: $15

Same Day Reg. fee, add $10.

Training Classes

Tuesday Dec 10, 2019

2019 CSCA Blitz Championship

NBCC - Armenian Church

1910 Stanley St

New Britain, CT 06053

G/5;d5 Pairings and Prizes based on Blitz Ratings.

Unrated players not eligible for class prizes.

Prizes:: Trophy + $20 to top 3 and top U2000
Format:: 8 Round Swiss, G/5;d5 Byes: No final round byes
Entry Fees:: $10. State Affiliate membership required, dues $2 of each entry goes to CSCA (and purchases membership).
Entries To:: On-site Reg: 6:45-7:00

E-mail:: newbritainchessclub@gmail.com
Official Web Site:: http://newbritainchessclub.com
Event Limitations and Site Conditions:: No Smoking. Wheelchair Accessible.

SAT. DEC. 14 2019 HOLIDAY PARTY OPEN

SAT. JAN. 18 2020 GREATER HARTFORD OPEN

SAT. FEB. 22 2020 EASTERN CONNECTICUT OPEN

COVENTRY CHESS CLUB 2020 CALENDAR

Mill Brook Place, 1267 Main St. (Rt 31)

JAN 18 2020 GREATER HARTFORD OPEN

FEB 22 2020 EASTERN CONNECTICUT OPEN

MAR 21 2020 CONSTITUTION STATE OPEN

APR 18 2020 MILL BROOK PARK OPEN

May thru August - No Tournaments

SEP 26 2020 CONNECTICUT HARVEST OPEN

OCT 17 2020 CHARTER OAK OPEN

NOV 14 2020 CONNECTICUT YANKEE OPEN

DEC 12 2020 NUTMEG STATE OPEN

GOING BACK IN TIME by Bob Cyr

More NBCC history about two of the greatest NBCC contributors in history.

REMEMBERING ARKADIJS STRAZDINS

The New Britain Chess Club has been blessed to have great leaders throughout its history. By far, the greatest was the legendary Arkadijs Strazdins (“Straz”). Mr. Strazdins was born in Latvia, and he achieved chess master strength as a young man. Early in his career, he drew a game with Efim Bogoljubov, the challenger in the 1929 and 1934 World Chess Championship matches. “Straz” served in the Latvian Army during WWII and moved to the United States in 1951. Soon after becoming a New Britain resident, “Straz” joined the city’s chess club. In the first few decades, he gave many simultaneous chess exhibitions and served as club treasurer, secretary, and team captain. In 1970, “Straz” was elected NBCC president, a position that he passionately served for thirty-one years. In addition to this major role, “Straz” was instrumental in establishing a relationship with the newspapers to cover club-sponsored events and local chess news. Under his leadership, the club became the largest chess organization in Connecticut by the mid-1980s. In addition to his work as president and chief tournament director, he meticulously kept and preserved the club records dating back to his joining. Beyond the club, “Straz” was a stanch ambassador of Connecticut chess, having served on the Connecticut State Chess Association Board of Directors and competed in many state championships. For his decades of service to chess in our community, the CSCA honored “Straz” with a special banquet in 1997. He also received a lifetime NBCC membership in 2001. Mr. Strazdins is etched numerous times in the NBCC archives. His biggest achievement, as noted in the NBCC Hall of Fame, was earning the most wins or ties for first place in classical time-controlled tournaments - an astounding seventy-two spanning nearly fifty years, more than double of anyone before or since. Generations of chess players have been inspired by Mr. Strazdins’ devotion and zeal for the club. For five decades, his tireless efforts in this cause enriched the NBCC and chess throughout the region. In 2007, the club held the 1st Arkadijs Strazdins Cup, an annual tournament that is still held today to remember this amazing man. No matter who you were, Mr. Strazdins would always welcome everyone with his charm, warmth, and old-world gentility. He was truly a compassionate and altruistic man and a staunch member advocate. On behalf of everyone whose lives were touched by “Straz,” let us take a moment to reflect on the life of this special person. His spirit lives on!

REMEMBERING ANDRIS STRAZDINS

Andris “Andy” Strazdins was another great contributor in the annals of the New Britain Chess Club. Like his father, his passionate efforts in this respect tremendously benefited our organization. Born in Germany, Andy was only a year old when he moved with his family to New Britain, where he resided since 1951. During high school and college, Andy competed on the school chess team, which did quite well under Andy’s leadership. Of course, he could not have had a better mentor than his father! Andy’s history with the club was one of the longest of any member. He joined the club as a teenager in the 1960s and competed on many team matches and tournaments in his early years. In 1973, he earned second place behind his father in the annual Jan Cendrowski event. Later that year, Andy was elected to the position of club treasurer. At that time, he was the youngest officer in club history. For fortytwo years, a club record, Andy worked besides his fellow officers to ensure that the club ran efficiently. Besides his normal treasurer duties, Andy carried out many other unpaid volunteer tasks. No matter the job, Andy performed it with sheer spirit and enthusiasm, always putting the best interests of the membership first. Because of the enormous amount of time and effort that Andy dedicated to the club, the membership honored him with a lifetime membership in 2011. During the club's social gatherings, Andy would display his comical side by playing songs on his harmonica and regaling his friends with tales and stories about the good old days. It was such a delight to see his boyish charm and to hear his infectious sense of humor enliven the atmosphere at those events. He truly loved the club in every way possible. Andy's compassionate and selfless attitude and approach to life was also evident beyond the club, as much of his free time, especially during retirement, was devoted to providing financial support and spiritual comfort to the less fortunate. Beyond chess, Andy was immensely active in community programs like the boy scouts, the church, and political and environmental causes. He was a busy man who lived life to the fullest, constantly devoting his time to the greater good. Starting in 2016, the lower section of the Strazdins Cup was held in memory of Andy. The lower section was called the Andy Strazdins Stein. Andy treated everyone with dignity and respect and had a big heart like his father. On behalf of everyone whose lives were touched by Andy, let us take a moment to reflect on the life of this special person. His spirit lives on!

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR - SAT NOV 16

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - NEW BRITAIN CHESS CLUB

DANIEL ZHOU WINS 2019 CONNECTICUT HARVEST OPEN

GAME OF THE WEEK BY ALAN LASSER

HIGHLIGHTS OF YEAR 2019 BY BOB CYR

BIOGRAPHY OF BOB CYR, CHESS HISTORIAN

REPORT - 2019 CHARTER OAK OPEN

FUN FACTS ABOUT THE NBCC BY BOB CYR

INSPIRATIONAL CHESS PROGRAM BY DAN PELLETIER

GOING BACK IN TIME BY BOB CYR

FROM NBCC PRESIDENT NORMAN BURTNESS

CHESS COLUMNS FROM THE PAST by Rob Roy

Rob Roy did 1300 columnsWaterbury Sunday Republican 1977-2000. Enabling Waterbury Chess Club to be successful.

Conn Chess Magazine - 9 recent

Conn Chess Magazine - 95 posts

Conn Chess Magazine Facebook

Calendar of Upcoming Tournaments

Coventry Connecticut Chess Club

Eastern Connecticut Chess Assoc

Subscribe to our free weekly e-zine

Thursday, October 31, 2019

COVENTRY CHESS CLUB MEETS DEC 14

COVENTRY CHESS CLUB

Most Frequent Players

31 Joe Bihlmeyer

18 Art Nagel

18 Rob Roy

11 Dan Smith

Recently Active Players

CONNECTICUT STATE CHESS ASSOC

At the Annual Meeting held on October 20th at the Weston Public Library the CSCA welcomed two new Directors, Nevena Lanzo and Bryant Mercado, to the Board.

IM Jan van de Mortel ran for re-election unopposed and will continue as President of the CSCA for the year 2019-2020.

See the draft Meeting Minutes including Officer Reports; the Treasurer's Report is pending.

THIS WEEK IN WORLD CHESS

Carissa Yip Youngest American Female IM Ever

Do Chess Arbiters Intervene Too Much?‎

Shtembuliak, Shuvalova, World Junior, Girls' Champs

The Brilliant, Young Samuel Reshevsky‎

Are Bad Openings Good For Your Chess?‎

Wang Hao Wins Grand Swiss, Qualifies For Candidates

Sasha Chapin's memoir All the Wrong Moves

Hans-Walter Schmitt interview

Radjabov Wins 2019 FIDE World Cup

So Wins Speed Chess Championship

Kid Chess Champions Share Their Secrets

The Early Life Of Pal Benko‎

New Britain Chess Club

Norman Burtness, President

newbritainchessclub@gmail.com

Armenian Church, 1910 Stanley St.

Tues. 6:30 pm

Nov 5, 12 & 19 David Lees Double Quads

The NBCC run a Double Quads yearly in memory of a prominent chess player in our community who has been instrumental in promoting and advancing chess. This year, we share our memories about the late NM David Less. Mr. Lees was the key advocate and supporter of creating the Western Massachusetts Chess Association (MACA). Much of Mr. Lees life can be chronicled in his highly popular memoir, The Chess Games of David Lees. Mr. Lees called Springfield, MA, home, and he belonged to his hometown club since 1959. He was introduced to the game of chess at the age of eight and played chess at summer camps, where he had the grand opportunity to play with players of his own age. He entered the Air Force in the 1960s and won the 1965 Texas State Chess Championship and the 1965 U.S. Armed Forces Chess Championship in Washington, D.C. For his victory in the 1960 Armed Forces Chess Championship, Mr. Lees received some chess playing equipment and a book inscribed: To the Chess Champion of the Armed Forces – with congratulations and best wishes from President Lyndon B. Johnson, 1965. How cool was that! Mr. Lees suffered a heart attack in his thirties, but he still was determined to be an active and serious player and be heavily involved in chess politics throughout New England. The late Arkadijs Strazdins and David became best of friends over the decades, and Mr. Lees was invited annually to the NBCC to host a simultaneous chess exhibition usually in September to kick off the NBCC fiscal year in style. MACA would not exist without Master Lees; MACA was David's bloodline. MACA became a non-profit entity in the 1990s with the help of Mr. Lees. To end my story about this larger than life man, who possessed such energy, passion, and a deep devotion to MACA, the legendary Dr. Platz once said of Dr. Lees, “so, you are the Dr. Platz of Springfield!” May you rest in peace, Mr. Lees, and thank you for everything you have done to enrich this game for players of all skills. - by Bob Cyr Full Biography

David Lees Double Quads Tournament Details:

Tuesday, Nov 5, 12, 19, 2019
6- Double RR G/45;d5, G/30;d/5 for scholastic players
Quads (one 6-person Swiss section may be formed)
This will be a ½-K event, which means that your rating is affected ½ as much as usual.
Entry Fee: $10 member, ($30 non-member)
Prizes: $20 to winner of each quad, $10 to 2nd place
USCF Quick and Regular-rated (USCF membership is required)
Regular Ratings used for pairings
Registration: 7:00-7:15
Pairings will be made at 7:15

Adult/Student Opening Partnership - Nov 26

On Tuesday, Nov. 23, the NBCC will be having a new activity designed to use the vast chess knowledge of the club to help our up and coming scholastic players. Adults who are willing (I’m hoping we get a good turnout for this) will pair up with a scholastic player and teach them a favorite opening of theirs. In a series of 5 minute games, the adult can show a number lines and strategies of an opening they know best (so you don’t need to be an expert, just show what you know). Following the teaching time, students will play in a G/10;d5 tournament (no entry fee) where they can test their newfound skills. The games will not be rated, so the student can practice the openings without worrying about their rating.

Adults will also have a G/10;d5 2-game match with a competitor of their choice (or nearest rated).

Adults can indicate the openings they are comfortable teaching, and kids can choose an adult or an opening. I may post a signup sheet in an upcoming newsletter for adults to indicate their openings and for kids to sign up with who they’d like to work with.

BREAKING NEWS - CONNECTICUT CHESS MAGAZINE

Above link displays our past 9 editions, along with a short summary.

GAME OF THE WEEK by Alan Lasser

This column was originally published in 1974

So you want to be a grandmaster? When you are paired against Magnus Carlsen, you’d better be ready when he plays the Weissman’s Defense. My thanks to Andy Soltis, who noticed this game from the 2014 World Blitz Championships in Dubai and mentioned it in Chess Life.

GM Laurent Fressinet-GM Magnus Carlsen
2014 World Blitz Championships, Dubai 6/16/14

0-1
1.e4 Nf6
2.e5 Ng8
3.d4 d6
4.Nf3 c6
5.h3 Bf5
6.Bd3 Bxd3
7.Qxd3 dxe5
8.Nxe5 Nd7
9.Bf4 Ngf6
10.Nc3 Nxe5
11.Bxe5 e6
12.O-O-O Be7
13.Kb1 O-O
14.Qg3 Nh5
15.Qf3 Nf6
16.h4 Nd7
17.Ne4 Qa5
18.Qg3 Nxe5 1
9.dxe5 Rad8
20.Nd6 Bxd6
21.Rxd6? -0.44/25
21.exd6 +0.68/21 21...Rd7 22.Rd3 Re8 23.Rhd1 e5 24.Qe3 Re6 25.f3 Qd8 26.Qc5 Qxh4 27.Qxa7 Kf8 28.Qa8+ Re8 29.Qa5 Qg3 30.Qd2 Stockfish-21.ed Rd7 22.Rd3 Rfd8 23.Rhd1 Qc5 24.f3 e5 25.Qg5 f6 26.Qf5 Rd6 27.Rd6 Rd6 28.Qc8 Kf7 29.Qc7 Ke6 30.Qc8 Kf7 0.00/40
21…Rxd6
22.exd6 Rd8? +0.78/24
22...Qd2 -0.46/21 23.Qe3 Qxd6 24.Qxa7 b5 25.a3 c5 26.Qb7 Rb8 27.Qf3 Rd8 28.Qb7 b4 29.a4 c4 30.a5 Rb8 31.Qa7 b3
23.Rd1 Rd7
24.b3?! +0.44/25
24.Qe3 +0.82/20 24...Qh5 25.f3 Qxh4 26.Qxa7 h6 27.a3 Qd8 28.Qd4 Stockfish prefers 24.a3 f6 25.Qd3 Qe5 26.g3 Kf7 27.f4 Qd5 28.Qe2 f5 +0.20/33 and thinks 24.Qe3 is only +0.16/34 after 24…Qb6 25.Qb6 ab 26.c4 f6 27.b4 c5
24…h6
25.Qf4 Qc5
26.g3?! +0.16/24
26.f3 +0.51/21 26...a5 27.g4 Kf8 28.g5 e5 29.Qd2 Stockfish prefers 26.Kb2 f6 27.b4 Qb6 28.Qd4 Qd4 29.Rd4 Kf7 30.c4 e5 +0.17/37
27.Rd3?! +0.01/25
27.Kb2 +0.29/20 27...Kf7 28.a3 a5 Stockfish takes the draw 27.Kb2 Kf7 28.b4 Qb5 29.Kb3 a5 30.a4 Qe2 31.Rd2 Qe1 32.ba Qb1 33.Kc3 Qa1 34.Kb3 Qb1
27…Kf7
28.Qd2 e5
29.Rc3? -1.23/23
29.f4 +0.04/22 29...e4 30.Rd4 e3 31.b4 Qe5 32.Qd3 Qe6 33.f5 Qe5 34.Re4 Rxd6 35.Qb3+ Qd5 36.Qxe3 Rd7 37.g4 a5 38.bxa5
29…Qb4
30.Kb2 Rxd6
31.Qe2 Qd4
32.Qh5+ Kf8
33.Qf5 b5?! -0.61/23
33...Rd8 -1.00/22 34.a3 Kf7 35.Qh5+ Kg8 36.Qf5 Kf8 37.f3 Kf7 38.Qh5+ Kg8 39.Qf5 a6 40.g4 Kf8 41.h5
34.a3 Kg8?! -0.28/22
34...Rd7 -0.61/22 35.b4 Kf7 36.Qh5+ Ke7 37.Qg6 Kf8 38.Qf5 Rd8
35.b4 Kf7
36.Qc8 h5?! 0.00/23
36...e4 -0.30/21 37.h5 Qe5
37.Qf5?! -0.30/24
37.Qc7+ 0.00/23 37...Kg6 38.f3 Kh7 39.Qc8 a5 40.bxa5 b4 41.axb4 Qxb4+ 42.Rb3 Qd4+ 43.Rc3 Stockfish finds a different draw 37.f3 e4 38.Qb7 Kg6 39.Qe7 Kh6 40.Qe8 Rd8 41.Qe4 Qe4 42.fe Rd6 43.Re3 Rd4 44.e5 fe 45.Re5 Rg4 46.Re6 g6 47.Re3 g5 48.Rc3 Kg7 49.hg Rg5 50.Kb3 Kf7 51.Kb2 Kg7 0.00/42
37…Qg4
38.Qxg4?! -1.24/28
38.Qh7 -0.26/23 38...a6 39.Qh8 Kg6 40.Qa8 Last chance to hold the position, Stockfish says 38.Qh7 Qg6 39.Qh8 Qf5 40.f3 a6 41.Qb8 Qd7 42.Qh8 Kg6 43.Qa8 f5 44.Qa6 Kh7 -0.24/37
38…hxg4
39.Kc1 Ke6
40.a4 a6
41.a5?! -1.97/28
41.Rc5 -1.24/27 41...Kf5 42.Rc3 g6 43.Rc5 Ke4 44.Rc3 f5 45.Re3+ Kd5 46.axb5 axb5 47.Rc3 Ke4 48.Re3+
41…Kd7
42.Re3 Rd5
43.c3 c5
44.Kc2? -3.56/31
44.bxc5 -1.93/26 44...Rxc5 45.Kc2 Ke6 46.Kb3 Rd5 47.Re4 f5 48.Re2 Kd6 49.Kb4 Rd1 50.Rc2 f4 51.c4 Rb1+ 52.Ka3 Ra1+ 53.Kb4
44…c4
45.Re4 f5
46.Re3 Ke6
47.Kc1?! -5.31/27
47.Re1 -3.56/29 47...Rd3 48.Rg1 g6 49.Re1 Rf3 50.Re2 Kf6 51.Rd2 f4 52.Kd1 Kf5 53.gxf4
47…Rd3
48.Kc2?? #-14/31
48.Re1 -5.75/25 48...Rxc3+ 49.Kd2 Rb3 50.Rh1 Rb2+ 51.Ke3 Rxb4 52.h5 Rb3+ 53.Ke2 Rb2+ 54.Ke3 c3 55.h6
48…Rxe3
49.fxe3 Kd5
50.Kd2 0-1

[Event "2014 World Blitz Champs"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.16"]
[Round "?"]
[White "GM Laurent Fressinet"]
[Black "GM Magnus Carlsen"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B02"]

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Ng8 3.d4 d6
4.Nf3 c6 5.h3 Bf5 6.Bd3 Bxd3 7.Qxd3 dxe5 8.Nxe5 Nd7 9.Bf4 Ngf6 10.Nc3 Nxe5
11.Bxe5 e6 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Kb1 O-O 14.Qg3 Nh5 15.Qf3 Nf6 16.h4 Nd7 17.Ne4 Qa5
18.Qg3 Nxe5 19.dxe5 Rad8 20.Nd6 Bxd6 21.Rxd6 $2 { -0.44/25 } ( 21.exd6
{ +0.68/21 } 21...Rd7 22.Rd3 Re8 23.Rhd1 e5 24.Qe3 Re6 25.f3 Qd8 26.Qc5 Qxh4
27.Qxa7 Kf8 28.Qa8+ Re8 29.Qa5 Qg3 30.Qd2 Stockfish-21.ed Rd7 22.Rd3 Rfd8
23.Rhd1 Qc5 24.f3 e5 25.Qg5 f6 26.Qf5 Rd6 27.Rd6 Rd6 28.Qc8 Kf7 29.Qc7 Ke6
30.Qc8 Kf7 0.00/40) 21...Rxd6 22.exd6 Rd8 $2
{ +0.78/24 } ( 22...Qd2 { -0.46/21 } 23.Qe3 Qxd6 24.Qxa7 b5 25.a3 c5 26.Qb7
Rb8 27.Qf3 Rd8 28.Qb7 b4 29.a4 c4 30.a5 Rb8 31.Qa7 b3 ) 23.Rd1 Rd7 24.b3 $6
{ +0.44/25 } ( 24.Qe3 { +0.82/20 } 24...Qh5 25.f3 Qxh4 26.Qxa7 h6 27.a3 Qd8
28.Qd4 Stockfish thinks 24.Qe3 Qb6 25.Qb6 ab 26.c4 f6 27.b4 c5 28.a4 Kf7 is
only +0.16/34 Stockfish prefers 24.a3 f6 25.Qd3 Qe5 26.g3 Kf7 27.f4 Qd5
28.Qe2 f5 +0.20//33) 24...h6 25.Qf4 Qc5 26.g3 $6 { +0.16/24 } ( 26.f3 { +0.51/21 }
26...a5 27.g4 Kf8 28.g5 e5 29.Qd2 Stock fish prefers 26.Kb2 f6 27.b4 Qb6
28.Qd4 Qd4 29.Rd4 Kf7 30.c4 e5 +0.17/37) 26...f6 27.Rd3 $6 { +0.01/25 }
( 27.Kb2
{ +0.29/20 } 27...Kf7 28.a3 a5 Stockfish takes the draw 27.Kb2 Kf7
28.b4 Qb5 29.Kb3 a5 30.a4 Qe2 31.Rd2 Qe1 32.ba Qb1 33.Kc3 Qa1 34.Kb3 Qb1)
27...Kf7 28.Qd2 e5 29.Rc3 $2 { -1.23/23 } (
29.f4 { +0.04/22 } 29...e4 30.Rd4 e3 31.b4 Qe5 32.Qd3 Qe6 33.f5 Qe5 34.Re4
Rxd6 35.Qb3+ Qd5 36.Qxe3 Rd7 37.g4 a5 38.bxa5 ) 29...Qb4 30.Kb2 Rxd6 31.Qe2
Qd4 32.Qh5+ Kf8 33.Qf5 b5 $6 { -0.61/23 } ( 33...Rd8 { -1.00/22 } 34.a3 Kf7
35.Qh5+ Kg8 36.Qf5 Kf8 37.f3 Kf7 38.Qh5+ Kg8 39.Qf5 a6 40.g4 Kf8 41.h5 )
34.a3 Kg8 $6 { -0.28/22 } ( 34...Rd7 { -0.61/22 } 35.b4 Kf7 36.Qh5+ Ke7
37.Qg6 Kf8 38.Qf5 Rd8 ) 35.b4 Kf7 36.Qc8 h5 $6 { 0.00/23 } ( 36...e4
{ -0.30/21 } 37.h5 Qe5 ) 37.Qf5 $6 { -0.30/24 } ( 37.Qc7+ { 0.00/23 }
37...Kg6 38.f3 Kh7 39.Qc8 a5 40.bxa5 b4 41.axb4 Qxb4+ 42.Rb3 Qd4+ 43.Rc3
Stockfish draws with 37.f3 e4 38.Qb7 Kg6 39.Qe7 Kh6 40.Qe8 Rd8 41.Qe4 Qe4
42.fe Rd6 43.Re3 Rd4 44.e5 fe 45.Re5 Rg4 46.Re6 g6 47.Re3 g5 48.Rc3 Kg7
49.hg Rg5 50.Kb3 Kf7 51.Kb2 Kg7 0.00/42)
37...Qg4 38.Qxg4 $6 { -1.24/28 } ( 38.Qh7 { -0.26/23 Last chance to hold
position, Stockfish gives 38.Qh7 Qg6 39.Qh8 Qf5 40.f3 a6 41.Qa8 Qh3
42.Qb8 Qd7 43.Qa8 f5 44.Qa6 Kh7 -0.24/37} 38...a6 39.Qh8 Kg6
40.Qa8 ) 38...hxg4 39.Kc1 Ke6 40.a4 a6 41.a5 $6 { -1.97/28 } ( 41.Rc5
{ -1.24/27 } 41...Kf5 42.Rc3 g6 43.Rc5 Ke4 44.Rc3 f5 45.Re3+ Kd5 46.axb5 axb5
47.Rc3 Ke4 48.Re3+ ) 41...Kd7 42.Re3 Rd5 43.c3 c5 44.Kc2 $2 { -3.56/31 } (
44.bxc5 { -1.93/26 } 44...Rxc5 45.Kc2 Ke6 46.Kb3 Rd5 47.Re4 f5 48.Re2 Kd6
49.Kb4 Rd1 50.Rc2 f4 51.c4 Rb1+ 52.Ka3 Ra1+ 53.Kb4 ) 44...c4 45.Re4 f5 46.Re3
Ke6 47.Kc1 $6 { -5.31/27 } ( 47.Re1 { -3.56/29 } 47...Rd3 48.Rg1 g6 49.Re1
Rf3 50.Re2 Kf6 51.Rd2 f4 52.Kd1 Kf5 53.gxf4 ) 47...Rd3 48.Kc2 $4 { #-14/31 }
( 48.Re1 { -5.75/25 } 48...Rxc3+ 49.Kd2 Rb3 50.Rh1 Rb2+ 51.Ke3 Rxb4 52.h5
Rb3+ 53.Ke2 Rb2+ 54.Ke3 c3 55.h6 ) 48...Rxe3 49.fxe3 Kd5 50.Kd2 0-1

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS

Tuesday Dec 10, 2019

2019 CSCA Blitz Championship

NBCC - Armenian Church

1910 Stanley St

New Britain, CT 06053

G/5;d5 Pairings and Prizes based on Blitz Ratings.

Unrated players not eligible for class prizes.

Prizes:: Trophy + $20 to top 3 and top U2000
Format:: 8 Round Swiss, G/5;d5 Byes: No final round byes
Entry Fees:: $10. State Affiliate membership required, dues $2 of each entry goes to CSCA (and purchases membership).
Entries To:: On-site Reg: 6:45-7:00

E-mail:: newbritainchessclub@gmail.com
Official Web Site:: http://newbritainchessclub.com
Event Limitations and Site Conditions:: No Smoking. Wheelchair Accessible.

SAT. DEC. 14 2019 HOLIDAY PARTY OPEN

SAT. JAN. 18 2020 GREATER HARTFORD OPEN

SAT. FEB. 22 2020 EASTERN CONNECTICUT OPEN

COVENTRY CHESS CLUB 2020 CALENDAR

Mill Brook Place, 1267 Main St. (Rt 31)

JAN 18 2020 GREATER HARTFORD OPEN

FEB 22 2020 EASTERN CONNECTICUT OPEN

MAR 21 2020 CONSTITUTION STATE OPEN

APR 18 2020 MILL BROOK PARK OPEN

May thru August - No Tournaments

SEP 26 2020 CONNECTICUT HARVEST OPEN

OCT 17 2020 CHARTER OAK OPEN

NOV 14 2020 CONNECTICUT YANKEE OPEN

DEC 12 2020 NUTMEG STATE OPEN

GOING BACK IN TIME by Bob Cyr

Dear Bob,

I have great memories of David, a good friend and a gentleman, (cigarettes notwithstanding ). I have a signed copy of his book and a game score of a draw I made with him in a simultaneous for a bookmark.

Rick Lee

Dear Bob,

I understand that you have written a Biography of David Lees.

I first encountered and learned of David when Springfield played a match against Pittsfield during the 1958-1961 period when I lived in Pittsfield. He mentioned that he played blindfold chess, and I asked him to come to Pittsfield and demonstrate blindfold chess. He offered to play six games simultaneously blindfolded, did it, and won all six games. We received great publicity in the Berkshire Eagle as a result of his efforts. (For the benefit of people who have not witnessed blindfold play, he actually sits with his back to the six boards and calls out his moves, board by board. He is not actually wearing a blindfold.)

Fred Townsend

Thanks for sharing your memory of David Lees.

I have many but one quick one:

He was very political, leading the drive to separate Western Mass from Massachusetts (ie. Boston) and courting support from Connecticut. I asked him once why chess politics was so brutal, when such small amounts of money were involved. He said that it was because small amounts of money and chess players applying chess principles (one force vs another) to the politics that made it so brutal.

We played many times in New Britain vs Springfield matches and I have many stories from those contests.

He did me the honor of putting one of my victories in his book. It was one of only of his losses that he published. The other was John Curdo and he explained that I was the only other play besides Curdo to have a winning record against him, so he felt it fair to select that game rather than a victory.

Thanks,

Rick Bauer

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - NEW BRITAIN CHESS CLUB

DANIEL ZHOU WINS 2019 CONNECTICUT HARVEST OPEN

GAME OF THE WEEK BY ALAN LASSER

HIGHLIGHTS OF YEAR 2019 BY BOB CYR

BIOGRAPHY OF BOB CYR, CHESS HISTORIAN

REPORT - 2019 CHARTER OAK OPEN

FUN FACTS ABOUT THE NBCC BY BOB CYR

INSPIRATIONAL CHESS PROGRAM BY DAN PELLETIER

GOING BACK IN TIME BY BOB CYR

FROM NBCC PRESIDENT NORMAN BURTNESS