;GDD=?=;@=KK>AF9D>GMJ2ML%JAG?

J9F<=N9DD=QKF9HKO=:KL=JK>AF9D>GMJKLJ=9C

June 2018 | USChess.org

GM Fabiano Caruana
America’s World Championship Candidate
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2 June 2018 | Chess Life

119TH ANNUAL U.S. OPEN JULY 28 - AUGUST 5, 2018
MADISON MARRIOTT WEST · 1313 JOHN Q. HAMMONS DRIVE, MIDDLETON WI 53582

Please see www.uschess.org/tournaments/2018/usopen/

for full information including updates, schedules, meetings,
and other special events and happenings.

www.uschess.org 3
 On The Cover
Chess Life After Fabiano Caruana won the 2018 Candidates tournament, Chess Life asked

JUNE photographer Maria Emelianova to shoot a photo of Caruana draped in the American
flag. Here she relates the behind-the-scenes story about finding an American flag in
Berlin, Germany:

COLUMNS The story behind the flag was that when I came to Baden-Baden [Germany], I
realized there [was] absolutely no place to buy the flag, except online, and I was
16 CHESS TO ENJOY / ENTERTAINMENT
simply too late. So my first idea was to check the Kuhlhaus (ed. note: the
Every Which Way
By GM Andy Soltis tournament’s event space), which has the flags in front of it all year round. I don’t
speak German well and the guy at the desk there wasn’t speaking English, so my
18 BACK TO BASICS / READER ANNOTATIONS
boyfriend Peter Doggers did the job. [Peter] first asked, “Do you happen to have a
Colle-Zukertort, Ever Green
By GM Lev Alburt
U.S. flag?” [as] they didn't have [one] outside. And the guy said yes. Then [Peter]
explained the story: Grenke tournament, Berlin Candidates, Fabi winning it, and, of
20 IN THE ARENA / PLAYER OF THE MONTH course, the idea that [Chess Life] wanted to execute. So then the guy calls his boss,
Caruana versus Grischuk at the tells the same story again (in perfect German, of course), and then says, “Please wait
Candidates
here,” and disappears. So we felt like this [was] going well. And five minutes later he
By GM Robert Hess
appeared with a perfect (but huge) flag on the wooden pole! He took our passport
22 LOOKS AT BOOKS / SHOULD I BUY IT? details, we signed some form (they had a form for this case?!), and left with a flag!
Decisions, Decisions
By John Hartmann

44 SOLITAIRE CHESS / INSTRUCTION

The Tragic Rudolf Charousek
By Bruce Pandolfini
46 THE PRACTICAL ENDGAME / INSTRUCTION
The Devil is in the Detail
By GM Daniel Naroditsky
26 COVER STORY / 2018 CANDIDATES
Caruana Wins Candidates Tournament
in Berlin
BY GM IAN ROGERS
Fabi is the first American in almost a half century to
compete for the unified world championship title.

DEPARTMENTS
36 COLLEGE CHESS / FINAL FOUR
UT-Rio Grande Valley Snaps Webster’s
Final Four Streak
6 JUNE PREVIEW /
THIS MONTH IN CHESS LIFE AND US BY AL LAWRENCE
CHESS NEWS “Subtle trap” in the last game going decides the title.
7 COUNTERPLAY / READERS RESPOND

8 FIRST MOVES /
CHESS NEWS FROM AROUND THE U.S.

9 FACES ACROSS THE BOARD /

BY AL LAWRENCE

13 US CHESS AFFAIRS /
NEWS FOR OUR MEMBERS

49 TOURNAMENT LIFE / JUNE

71 CLASSIFIEDS / JUNE

71 SOLUTIONS / JUNE

72 MY BEST MOVE / PERSONALITIES

THIS MONTH: FRED WILSON

4 June 2018 | Chess Life

 The Unite
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June Preview / This month in Chess Life and US Chess News

CONTRIBUTORS
US CHESS NEWS PREVIEW JUNE
GM IAN ROGERS
(Candidates) of Australia covers
international events for Chess Life.

AL LAWRENCE
(Final Four) is the former Executive
Director of both US Chess and the
World Chess Hall of Fame. He is
currently Managing Director for the
US Chess Trust. His latest book,
GRAND CHESS TOUR ABROAD with GM Lev Alburt, is Chess for the
As the Grand Chess Tour begins its third season, look for tactics quizzes from the opening rapid Gifted and Busy.
and blitz events in Brussels-Leuven (Belgium) and Paris, which will feature our Big Three:
World Championship Challenger Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So, and Hikaru Nakamura. Jen DR. ALEXEY ROOT, WIM

BY SKADELIK - OWN WORK, CC BY-SA 4.0, HTTPS://COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG/W/INDEX.PHP?CURID=65307244; GRAND CHESS TOUR PLAYERS;
Shahade will talk about what’s coming next for the Grand Chess Tour in her June segment with (Chess and Libraries) is the author
Dan Lucas on “Cover Stories with Chess Life.” of seven books, including Read,
Write, Checkmate: Enrich Literacy
With Chess Activities (Libraries
Unlimited, Santa Barbara,
California, 2009). She teaches college
credit courses, available worldwide
via University of Texas at Dallas
eLearning, about chess in education.

VIVA CHESS VEGAS!

Follow our coverage of the Las Vegas Chess Festival from June 21-24. In addition to the National
Open, festivities include simultaneous exhibitions, a youth tournament, a Walter Browne Blitz
Memorial, and the U.S. Women’s Open (2017 U.S. Women’s Open participants, above). Photo by Tim Hanks.

COURTESY OF CHESS CLUB AND SCHOLASTIC CENTER OF SAINT LOUIS

FIREWORKS
IN PHILLY
The Philadelphia
International, a norm
opportunity nine-round
event, is held from June
28-July 2 and precedes the
biggest open tournament
of the year, the World
Open, held from July 3-8.
Look for reports, key
games, and photos on our
site and Twitter feed
@USChess.
CROSSING CHESS GENERATIONS
IN NOLA
Cajun Chess hosts the U.S. Senior and U.S. Junior Open
tournaments in New Orleans from June 21-24. Look for news
from both events on uschess.org.
LISTEN TO OUR
PODCAST!
The June edition of “Cover Stories
with Chess Life,” our new podcast
hosted by Chess Life Editor Dan Lucas,
features GM Ian Rogers, who wrote
about the Candidates and Fabiano
Caruana’s thrilling victory. The
podcast also includes a conversation
between Lucas and Senior Digital
Editor Jennifer Shahade about what
will be posted on the website and
social media this month. And don’t
miss the cover trivia contest
sponsored by USCFSales.com and your
chance to win a $50 gift certificate!

6 June 2018 | Chess Life


Letters: Correction, Ethics
CORRECTION
Thanks for publishing my article “Chess
Changing Academic Trajectories” in the
May issue of Chess Life. However, there were
two editing errors. First, “Sharon” was
changed to “Sharron” three times in the
paragraph-long excerpt from my 2006 book
Children and Chess: A Guide for Educators.
Second, what I wrote immediately after that
excerpt was changed, from, “I made at least
one mistake in that paragraph: Monohon’s
first name is ‘Sharron’ not ‘Sharon.’ ” to, “I
made at least one mistake in the above
paragraph: I stated that chess tournaments
provide peers who inspire academic
achievements.”
In contrast to that edited sentence, my
article supports my 2006 book’s general-
ization, “Chess tournaments give a child
intellectually motivated peers, who then
inspire one another to early or advanced
achievements.” The apparent confusion for
the editor was that I wrote, about that 2006
generalization, “I wondered whether I made
a mistake.” The mistake I wondered about
is whether I should have generalized from
my experience. Perhaps only a few people,
including me, have been inspired academ-
ically by their chess peers. Research is needed
to see if that inspiration is universal.
Dr. Alexey Root, WIM
Denton, Texas
SOLTIS ON ETHICS
Ironically, Andy Soltis’ column on ethics in
chess (April 2018) is itself guilty of revisionist
history. Soltis states that Petrosian, Geller,
and Keres agreed to quick draws with each
other at Curaçao, and that Bobby Fischer called
this cheating. Not quite. Fischer’s claim was
that Korchnoi threw games to Petrosian, Geller,
and Keres (why he would throw games to all
three of them rather than to one designated
winner, Fischer never explained), and that it
was these thrown games that made the draws
possible. Nobody believes that Korchnoi threw
those games any more (according to Korchnoi,
Fischer himself backed off from the claim. See
Chess Life & Review, January 1977), and so this
part of Fischer’s claim is now usually edited
out of history when the story is retold, in
order to make Fischer look better by making
it appear that Fischer’s main objection was to
the draws themselves. It wasn’t. To get an idea
of how Fischer’s charges were viewed at the
time, see Eliot Hearst’s column, “The Selfmate
of Bobby Fischer,” in the July 1964 issue of
Chess Life.
Soltis also repeatedly conflates “Quick Draws”
with “Pre-arranged Draws.” According to Soltis,
the four Tal-Petrosian games at the 1959
Candidates were also pre-arranged, as were their
games at Varesse, 1976. I’ve never heard that
claimed before by anyone, and Soltis provides
no evidence, and there’s no reason to pre-suppose
it. When you play multiple games with the same
opponent, and they were amenable to a quick
draw last time, it stands to reason that they might
be amenable next time as well. Pre-arrangement
is possible, but not necessary.
One minor factual correction. Soltis claims
that the Benko-Keres game took place in the
last round of the Curaçao tournament. In fact,
it took place in the penultimate round.
Now, if Mr. Soltis had wanted to provide an
example of an ethical conflict involving Bobby
Fischer, a very good one can be found in the
Santiago 1959 tournament. In this tournament,
Fischer was annoyed by his loss to Ludek
Pachman. To retaliate, Fischer prepped Luis
Sanchez before his game with Pachman, with
the result that Sanchez beat Pachman.
A few rounds later, just before Fischer’s game
with Carlos Jauregui, Fischer saw Jauregui and
Pachman talking before the game. Fischer
accused Pachman of prepping Jauregui. Pachman
claimed that he had, when in fact he hadn’t, just
to psych Fischer out. As a result, Fischer lost his
game to Jauregui. Did Fischer behave unethically?
Did Pachman?
Graeme Cree
Austin, Texas
GM SOLTIS RESPONDS:
What really happened at Curacao 1962 remains
fuzzy for many observers because the Keres-Geller-
Petrosian draws are not even mentioned in most
sources and because the information from other
sources is contradictory. The person who talked
most about them was Viktor Korchnoi. At various
times, he claimed the draws were a plot directed
solely at him. Then he said they were aimed at him
and Bobby Fischer. Then he said the targets were
him, Fischer, and Mikhail Tal.
Mr. Cree is clearly knowledgable about some
aspects of that era. But he said he’s “never heard”
about the Petrosian-Tal draws in the 1959 Candi-
dates tournament. That’s odd because there’s been
quite a bit written about them—including by Tal
Counterplay / Readers Respond
himself. In his memoirs Tal said there was “practi-
cally unanimous” press criticism after his two short
draws with Petrosian in the first half of the
tournament. “We decided, ‘Right, we’ll show them
how to really draw without a fight!!’” Tal recalled
(page 122 of the 1976 edition of The Life and
Games of Mikhail Tal).
So their third game was over in five minutes and
15 moves. Chess Life readers may remember my
April 2013 column in which I discussed their equally
bogus fourth game, a 25-move draw. It was so hastily
composed in advance that it allowed Tal two forced
wins, which he conveniently overlooked.
Tal claimed the first two games with Petrosian
were legitimate. I don’t see how any reasonable player
can look at their first game—1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3.
Nf3 d5 4. d4 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. g3 cxd4 7. Nxd5 Qxd5
8. Qxd4 Qb5 9. e3 Qb4+ 10. Bd2 Nc6 11. Qxb4 Bxb4
12. Bg2 Bd7, Draw agreed—and believe it was real.
Mr. Cree explains games like this by saying,
“When you play multiple games with the same
opponent, and they were amenable to a quick draw
last time, it stands to reason that they might be
amenable next time as well.”
Fine. But of the previous Tal-Petrosian games,
only one out of the six could be considered bloodless
and even that lasted 22 moves.
I can more readily understand why Mr. Cree is
unaware of the Tal-Petrosian pact at Varese 1976. It
has been discussed at some length, but mainly in non-
English media. For example, Lajos Portisch gave his
account in a 2016 interview on a Russian website,
https://chesspro.ru/interview/portisch _interview.
Now to Curaçao 1962. Bobby Fischer’s allegations
appeared in the August 20, 1962 issue of Sports
Illustrated (you can find it on the internet if you
hunt). He said Soviet players cheat in various ways
and it was “flagrant” at Curaçao. One way was to
agree to quick draws in advance. “There was open
collusion between the Russian players,” he wrote.
“They agreed ahead of time to draw the games they
played against each other.”
Mr. Cree concludes that it is “not quite” true that
Fischer called this cheating. Huh?
Instead, he says what Fischer accused the Soviets
of doing was throwing games. Not quite. What
Fischer said was that during a mid-tournament
break there was “talk” that when the second half of
the tournament began “one of the four [leading
Soviet players] was certain to begin losing to the
others.” When play resumed Viktor Korchnoi lost
to Paul Keres, Tigran Petrosian, and Yefim Geller.
But Fischer stopped short of claiming the games
were fixed. “Anyone could draw his own conclusions
from this sequence of events,” he said.
www.uschess.org 7
First Moves / Chess news from around the U.S.
Chess and Libraries
A strategy for increasing chess visibility
By DR. ALEXEY ROOT, WIM
A LIBRARY-CHESS PARTNERSHIP IS A LOW-COST INVESTMENT TO GET MORE PEOPLE INTO THE GAME, INCREASES LIBRARY TRAFFIC, AND
OFFERS A NEW COMMUNITY SERVICE.
S
ince I last wrote about International Games Day for Chess Life
(August, 2013), “games day” has become “games week.” The
American Library Association reported, “Due to ever-increasing
demand, International Games Day became International Games Week
in 2017! Each year libraries are encouraged to participate by creating
fun, educational and innovative programs encouraging gaming in their
communities, in order to reconnect those communities around the
educational, recreational and social value of all types of games.” Companies
and organizations become sponsors by donating games to libraries. One
of the sponsors is Chess in Schools and Communities, which donates 50
chess sets and boards.
In addition to sponsors, volunteers and participants are essential for
International Games Week (November 4-10, 2018). As I wrote in 2013,
“Even though November is months away, contact academic, public, or
school librarians now to plan for chess to be at your local library (or
8 June 2018 | Chess Life
libraries). Academic librarians work at college and university libraries.
Public librarians work at public libraries. School librarians work at K-12
school libraries (which are sometimes called media centers).”
I asked librarians Kerol Harrod of Denton Public Library and Neil
Krasnoff of Highland Park High School Library about chess in libraries.
Kerol emailed, “I would like chess players to make the first move and
approach librarians with programming ideas. Librarians can plan chess
programs, but we are not always chess players. Tell us what you want!
Do you want chess classes, chess tournaments, a chess club, chess
exhibitions (like simuls)? Knock on your librarian’s door and suggest
programs. Start a conversation. See the library as a resource. You may be
surprised at the possibilities.”
Neil began an annual district-wide non-rated tournament as a fundraiser
for his high school chess club. He emailed, “All the district elementary
schools participate in the annual non-rated tournament. We raise enough

GM IRINA KRUSH, A SEVEN-TIME U.S. WOMEN’S CHAMPION, ASSISTING AT A LIBRARY PROGRAM.
money each year for a six-to-eight person
team to attend the US Chess high school
nationals. In 2017, our team participated in
SuperNationals VI.” Even though tournaments
and events at libraries are often non-rated,
they grow interest in chess and ultimately
support US Chess.
Neil elaborated, “The rating system of US
Chess is a great motivator for the most serious
chess students. I encourage my students to
become members of US Chess when they start
to succeed in non-rated tournaments. Once
they play in rated tournaments, they often
become obsessed with raising their ratings.
While I don’t completely think that obsession
is healthy, it helps the students become more
goal-directed and they study the game more
seriously, sometimes going over interesting
games on the US Chess website. Also, the
major tournaments, like state and nationals,
are rated. So if they want to be involved in
our team’s goals, such as being one of the top
five high school teams in Texas, they need to
join US Chess.”
Kerol emailed that chess helps librarians
serve their communities: “We strive to provide
relevant programming and resources to the
community, and to do that we need to know
what the community values. When chess players
First Moves / Chess news from around the U.S.
By AL LAWRENCE
partner with the library, they get a space to
learn, play chess, and engage with other
members of the community. My library also
provides chess boards and pieces, tables, chairs,
and even some advertising of events. Why do
we do this? It helps us bring more people into
the physical space of the library and, through
feedback from chess players, allows us to make
better collection development choices (e.g.
books, videos, and online resources).”
The website for International Games Week
is http://games.ala.org/international-games-
week/. Your “first moves” might be to alert
academic, public, or school librarians to the
free games they can get if their libraries join
International Games Week or to help them
include chess during that week. From your
first moves, chess games will happen, as they
have at the Denton Public Library and the
Highland Park High School Library. Chess
helps librarians achieve their goals and
connects chess players with their libraries.
Web extra: Alexey Root, Kerol Harrod, and
Neil Krasnoff presented “Winning with Chess
in Your Library” on April 4, 2018 at the Texas
Library Association Annual Conference. To
view the presentation, go to uschess.org and
search for the title.
FACES
ACROSS
THE BOARD
BRENAN
NIERMAN
FALLS CHURCH,
VIRGINIA
Horsies to knights
“I’m a Bobby Baby,” Nierman said. He grew up
on a horse farm, which would seem idyllic to
many. But his 1972 summer vacation from fifth
grade was roiled by parental divorce. The Fis-
cher-Spassky World Championship match in
Reykjavik, Iceland, provided some diversion. The
effect of Bobby’s dramatic delays and final vic-
tory, coupled with the background of U.S.A.-Rus-
sia Cold War tensions, made Fischer the most
famous man in the world. For the first time,
chess was cool, even for kids.
“But I really didn’t start to study chess until I
was in the ninth grade at Staunton Military
Academy”—a foretelling but accidental allusion
to the 19th-century British chess champ. Since
then, “Chess has been a joy and a harsh mis-
tress. I’ve been so disgusted with my lack of
progress and so discouraged that I’ve quit at
least twice. But it has also taught me persever-
ance, and for that lesson, I owe all to my dear
coach Nazi” (newly-minted 2018 U.S. Women’s
chess champ, IM Nazi Paikidze). A member of
the of the Arlington Chess Club, the oldest in
the District of Columbia area, Brenan now sets
“a yearly goal of reaching a certain rating.”
Brenan started serious training later in life, after
academic accomplishments and the start of his
career. Valedictorian in high school, he went on
to earn a Ph.D. in government from Georgetown
University. In 1995, he moved to Falls Church,
where he works with counseling terminally ill
patients. He married his wife Josefina, and has
a daughter, Jereille, and a son, Frankie.
.
FM Jennifer Yu, who lives in nearby Ashburn,
seems to bring Brenan good luck at tourna-
ments. “She walked by my board a couple of
times, and because she reminds me of Coach
Nazi, I was able to remember Nazi’s tips on
playing better, winning one of my better games,”
Brenan recalls. “That’s how strong these women
are: Sometimes they can help, even just by
walking by!”
Write to faces@uschess.org.
www.uschess.org 9
First Moves / Chess news from around the U.S.
Chess for Life
A Canadian program uses chess as part of a novel youth
sentencing initiative.
By JAMAAL ABDUL-ALIM
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ARE DR. JEFFREY MACCORMACK, JOSH MARKLE, DR. MONIQUE SEDGWICK, RILEY KOSTEK AND DR. LANCE GRIGG.
W
hen Lance Grigg read about a 12-
year-old boy who had been
sentenced to practice basketball after
he pulled a knife on another youth and demanded
money, Grigg thought to himself: Why not
sentence young offenders to learn chess?
Grigg got the chance to pitch the proposal
when he ran into Derek Redman—the Canadian
judge who imposed the novel basketball
sentence—when the judge was working out at
a fitness center at the University of Lethbridge
in the province of Alberta, where Grigg is an
associate professor of education.
“When I read that and ran into Derek, I said,
‘Wow, what about chess?’ ” Grigg recalls of his
encounter with the judge, whom he knows
personally. “Talk about a sport, an art form, a
game that is about thinking of consequences of
moves before you make them, trying to identify
10 June 2018 | Chess Life
a number of possible solutions, keeping in mind
a healthy respect for rules,” he says of chess.
“Rules are helpful and create the possibility for
all that creative thinking.”
The judge told Grigg his proposal sounded
interesting and asked Grigg to send him some
research.
And so began the Chess for Life program—
an alternative sentencing program for young
people who become involved in the criminal
justice system in Alberta.
While the program is located in Canada, some
of the inspiration for the program comes from
the United States.
“I stumbled onto besomeone.org,” Grigg says
of the chess program begun by Orrin “Check-
mate” Hudson, a former Georgia state trooper
and founder of Be Someone Inc., a Stone
Mountain, Georgia-based nonprofit that uses
chess to teach analytical thinking to children.
Grigg says he also drew inspiration from news
articles he found about GM Maurice Ashley and
a chess program for kids that Ashley runs in
Brooklyn. The program involves the Police
Athletic League and the Brooklyn District
attorney’s office.
“I was looking for stuff that I could give the
judges and the probation officers and the Crown
Attorney (the Canadian prosecutor’s office) to
say: ‘This is something worthwhile,’” Grigg says.
PLAYED CHESS AS A KID
Grigg says one reason he chose to develop
an alternative sentencing program that involves
chess is because he played chess in the Calgary
Chess Club as a youth.
“It made a huge impact on me,” Grigg says,
recalling that he played in tournaments as a youth.

Grigg says he stopped playing chess after he
began college but rediscovered the game when
he began his career as an education professor.
He joined the professors’ chess team, which plays
the student chess team every year for a trophy.
He recently got back into tournament chess
to sharpen his game as he runs the Chess for
Life program.
“I want to make sure my game is up to speed,”
Grigg said.
TRIAL RUN
Grigg says Judge Redman had him do a trial
run of the Chess For Life program at the
beginning of 2017. About three or four youths
referred by Redman began to attend chess lessons
Foundations
By SCOTT MILLER
“Hi, I’m Scott.”
“Hello, young man. I’m the King of
Sweden.”
The King was visiting Grandpa Lenk, and
Grandpa Lenk was teaching me chess. So,
from my earliest days my instruction in
chess was indirectly connected with royalty.
This didn’t improve my capabilities, I
hasten to add. I remain at best a player of
middling talents. But it does mark a rare
and unusual beginning in the game we love,
and leads me often to reflect upon its
attributes.
Grandpa Lenk was not my grandfather.
He was the grandfather of my best friend
when I was just four years of age. Grandpa
Lenk was well into his eighties when he
and I first met, and I can still remember
clearly how he affected me with the
combination of his frail physical form and
sharp, incisive mind. He may have been
elderly, but he was not to be trifled with,
and that message radiated from his body
PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
language outwards.
A formidable adversary. A great friend.
I was four years old in 1974. It must have
been an interesting and challenging year for
the Swedish monarch, who had recently
succeeded his own grandfather to the throne.
Carl XVI Gustaf ascended the Swedish
throne during a time of rapid change. Not
long thereafter, the 1974 Instrument of
Government modernized the country, but
did so by depriving the King of his formal
powers to appoint the prime minister and
function as commander-in-chief of the
military. The monarchy had been rendered
more symbolic, in a significant way. This
was now a King who could only move one
First Moves / Chess news from around the U.S.
with Grigg at the University of Lethbridge.
The classes took place in the afternoon on
campus in Turcotte Hall.
The youths came to campus with their
probation officers or by themselves. Grigg made
sure they had granola bars and juice and other
“goodies.”
Classes began with chess videos from
tournaments around the world.
“They really got excited about speed chess
and blitz chess,” Grigg says.
Other lessons involved chess puzzles on a
whiteboard or projection screen. They might
study openings up to about the seventh move
and then play out the rest of the games on
their own.
step at a time, in one direction at a time,
much like the king on our chessboard.
Grandpa Lenk directed a company for
many years that dealt in high quality fishing
reels, and was also associated with the famed
Mitchell fishing reel coveted by collectors
today. His company later became known as
ABU Garcia. Newell Rubbermaid owns it
now, but it was a force to be reckoned with
in its heyday, as was Grandpa Lenk himself.
Was the young King dining with Grandpa
Lenk, his family, and me on a trip to take
counsel of an éminence grise, as constitu-
tional changes advanced towards him? I will
never know the answer to that question.
The perceptions of a four-year old are
insufficient to judge. But while King Carl
XVI Gustaf may have lost that particular
round of real-life chess, both he and I appear
to have learned from the best.
My foundation in chess began in the
fashion that characterizes everyone’s intro-
duc tion to the game. Grandpa Lenk
acquaint- ed me with the chess pieces, their
names, and their respective capabilities on
the board. When you’re young and learning
chess for the first time, your imagination
fires. That’s all the more true when you’re
four years of age, and have recently met a
real King at dinner. The pieces have person-
alities. The king looks regal, austere. The
queen looks kind, but her power and ability
to do almost anything is exciting. The knight
intrigues for his ability to jump and move
in two directions at once. Castles ignite the
imagination with fortresses of old. For the
youthful student of chess, the chessboard
comes to life.
It doesn’t dawn on the young student of
chess that the queen’s characteristics, being
a blend of the rook and the bishop, may
symbolize the melding of temporal and
spiritual power. That comes later. Children
The program began on a more formal basis
with the Alberta Justice Office earlier this year.
Seven or so youths have been referred to the
program thus far. Their sentences require them
to spend 25 hours studying chess. Since the
program meets for 90 minutes on Fridays, that
translates to about four months of Friday
afternoon chess lessons.
Grigg says he and a team of researchers hope
to learn if 25 hours of chess instruction can help
young offenders make better decisions.
The hoped-for outcome is captured in a
description of the program: “Engaging youth
in developing disciplined thinking skills can
only help them make good choices now and in
the future.”
can’t make those connections, nor fully
understand them yet even if we take the
time to explain. But the young student of
the game can learn quite a lot. The mind
ponders and weighs alternatives, and learns
to think before acting. The tradeoffs that
choices represent become increasingly
apparent. While a child may not be able to
construct a highly complicated stratagem,
chess can help their mind to grow in that
direction. Excellence can follow from a
strong foundation.
I see it every day teaching my daughter
to play chess. She is just a year older than I
was when I first began to learn the game
from Grandpa Lenk. In many ways, her
experience is like my own. We begin with
basic elements. We take our time.
Expectations are set for the level of a
beginner. Even the brightest kindergartener
runs out of patience, and only wants to
return to the game later. I’m sure Grandpa
Lenk went through all that with me. That
he did so willingly and enthusiastically is
one of life’s finer compliments, and his
foundation is one that I am passing on every
time that my daughter and I take out the
chessboard.
Once in a while, special people come into
our lives. The thing to do is appreciate them.
Equally, moments in life arise occasionally
when, through a special person or some
other form of introduction, an undertaking
of value and consequence presents itself.
The thing is to recognize it when it happens.
Chess cultivates in our youth all the traits
they need now more than ever in a changing
world: persistence, caution in action, percep-
tivity, the ability to adapt to new situations
and to think through a complicated problem.
Showing your child how to play chess is
showing that child how to live life.
That’s a great foundation, and a fine legacy.
www.uschess.org 11
 MORPHY MORSELS:
A TOP TEN LIST
IN HONOR OF PAUL MORPHY’S BIRTHDAY (June 22, 1837 – July 10, 1884)

3. Rumored to have relied on his remarkable

2. Won three games memory and natural intuition, rather than

against Hungarian study or train regularly
chess master
1. Johann Löwenthal
at age 12 (some 4. Began playing competitively only
because he was too young to start
Learned to play sources claim practicing law after
chess simply by one game was
Rue D’ Orléans
graduating law
Orleans watching games drawn) school at age 19
between his
father and uncle;
by age nine, was
considered one
of New Orleans’

6.
best players Played blindfold chess against

5. Considered the first eight players in an 1858 exhibition

unofficial World Champion in Paris that
after defeating the best rocked the
players of his time (with the chess world
exception of and solidified

PHOTO CREDIT: MORPHY BY SOLARGREENCOLOR VIA WIKIMEDIA; ICONS BY FREEPIK

Howard Staunton, his celebrity
who managed to
avoid a match)

7. Nicknamed “The Pride and

Sorrow of Chess” because even
though he was one of the world’s
most brilliant players, he left
chess to become a lawyer
and later struggled with
mental illness.

8. Chess “career,” in
total, lasted no
more than 18
months

9.
Never launched his law
career because his chess
fame eclipsed his chosen
profession

10. Included in Bobby Fischer’s

list of the 10 greatest
players of all times

12 June 2018 | Chess Life

, US Chess Affairs / News for our Members

Our vision is to enrich the lives of all persons

US CHESS and communities through increasing the play,
VISION study, and appreciation of the game of chess.

2018 EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTION

Candidates are listed in an order determined during a
double blind drawing held in our office with the City of
Crossville Mayor James Mayberry. Ballots will be distrib-
uted to all voting members who are a current US Chess
member for the entire day Central time on May 5, 2018,
who will be age 16 or older by June 30, 2018, and who
registered to vote by May 1, 2018.
The deadline to register to vote was May 1, 2018.
To check your registration status and for additional
information, go to your MSA page at https://secure2.
uschess.org/voter-registration.php and verify that
your “Voting Member Status” is “Registered Voting Member.”
–Ken Ballou, US Chess election committee chair
YOUTH CATEGORY
Any Youth category member who wants the May
candidates’ statements may receive them on request
since they do not receive the May issue of Chess Life.
This applies only to Youth members who will be age 16
or older by June 30, 2018, since otherwise the Youth
member will not be receiving a ballot. For more infor-
mation, contact Kathleen Collins either by email at
kcollins@uschess.org or by phone at 931.787.1234 ext. 131.
In addition to the statements that appear on the following pages, a 150-word
statement appeared in the April 2018 Chess Life and a half-page statement in
the May 2018 Chess Life. These are available in the Chess Life archives on
uschess.org.

2018 SCHOLAR-CHESS US CHESS

PLAYER AWARDS
US Chess is pleased to announce the five winners of
the 2018 Scholar-Chessplayer Awards. The Scholar-
Chessplayer Awards target high school juniors and
seniors who excel in academics, chess, and leadership.
The five winners receive equal $1,500 scholarships
totaling $7,500.00 in awards.
These annual recognitions, provided by the US Chess
Trust with the support of the National Scholastic
Chess Foundation and US Chess, are intended to
encourage high school students who promote a
positive image of chess. This year’s recipients are:
Abhimanyu Banerjee, 16,
from Gainesville, Florida;
Maggie Feng, 17, from Dublin, Ohio;
Craig Hilby, 18, from Irvine, California;
Seth Talyansky, 17, from Portland, Oregon;
and
Andrew Tang, 18, from Plymouth, Minnesota.
CORE VALUES
•Education.
Chess is an educational tool aiding in
the learning of planning, cause and
effect relationships, pattern recognition,
and research, all key skills for success in
STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Mathematics).
•Customer Service.
We strive to be responsive, adaptive,
and proactive in providing services to
our customers.
•Excellence.
We recognize the value of excellence
both in chess as an activity and the
services we provide to our customers.
•Communication.
We will continually inform and be
responsive to our members and customers.
•Integrity.
We respect and maintain good
relationships with our customers and
stakeholders as well as the game of
chess itself.
•Accessibility.
Chess can and should be enjoyed by
individuals regardless of social or
economic status or physical or
developmental capability.
•Love of the Game.
Chess is a historic and iconic game,
and we celebrate its history, growth
and evolution in our activities and
services.
•Outreach. We work to extend the
knowledge and appreciation
of chess.

US CHESS Empowering people through

MISSION chess one move at a time.
www.uschess.org 13
US Chess Affairs / News for our Members

RANDY BAUER
Experience. Leadership. Proven Results.
In past Executive Board elections, the voters have put their trust in me by electing me four times. On each
occasion, the overall condition of US Chess has improved. I have provided leadership that led to key
accomplishments:
• Cleaned up the US Chess finances and ensured sound budget practices
• Lined up the sponsor for the highly successful U.S. and Women’s Chess Championships
• Secured non-profit tax status for US Chess
• Re-shaped the organization’s mission and vision statements and instituted a long-range strategic planning
and performance measuring process.
These past successes uniquely position US Chess for new and greater successes. However, we must resist “the
kid in the candy shop” philosophy that US Chess should go on a spending spree or make haphazard choices. I will provide experienced leadership
that will make the tough choices and achieve quantifiable results.
There are promising opportunities for US Chess to build on these past successes—to “grow the game” and advance our mission of empowering
people through chess. That will require Executive Board members with the experience, leadership and proven results. I am pleased and gratified
that many eminent US Chess thought leaders are endorsing my candidacy. These include:
• Rex Sinquefield, the greatest chess benefactor in US Chess history—a man whose vision has put St. Louis on the world chess map and whose
generous support has made the U.S. Chess Championships world-class events for the past decade.
• Bill Goichberg, arguably the most prominent chess organizer and tournament director in US Chess history—and, in my experience, the best
Executive Board member I ever served with.
• Ruth Haring, the best US Chess President with whom I served—a leading champion of our organization’s role in FIDE and in increasing our
focus on women’s chess activities.
• Gary Walters, the US Chess President during my last term on the Board, whose leadership helped advance many of the financial and strategic
improvements for US Chess.
I asked each of these US Chess leaders for their support, and they were happy to provide it. I sincerely ask the same of you—please support my
candidacy and vote in the 2018 Executive Board election.

LAKSHMANA VISWANATH
Retention
Last time I talked about committee revamping. This month it is about retention of the young adults.
We all know from elementary to middle to high school to young adult, our membership is always
declining. For thousands of reasons we lose players in those age groups.
I do not have to go through an exhaustive list of reasons why the retention will help. Here is a crazy
idea. Any way you want to call it or market it. Buddy system. Buy one, get one free. Idea is for each
young adult membership to give another young adult membership free. They have to enroll together.
This will keep that age group interested in chess. There is no guarantee that this will increase the
membership. It is also possible that rather than increasing the membership numbers we may end up getting less monies. The goal
here is simply peer influence (pressure).
It is not the amount collected. This incentive makes two folks join hands to become a member and keep their membership current.
And the expectation is that they keep playing and being active. I am amenable to reasonable ideas to make this a better proposal. Let
us grow to six figures!
As you all know, I got elected into a position that was vacated mid term. I have only served for one year. No, I do not yet have a long
list of accomplishments to my belt. I have made a difference in the Executive Board meetings, networked with a lot of people, and
am listening to them. I continue to be a tournament director running small and large events. None of my other activities will
diminish my passion for chess. Lastly, I have no financial self interest in being a board member. I humbly request your support.

14 June 2018 | Chess Life

 US Chess Affairs / News for our Members

ANJELINA BELAKOVSKAIA
Why am I running for re-election?
Because I care deeply about US Chess and its future—for my own kids, my students, my chess friends and
colleagues, and for the welfare of the entire membership.
In addition to bringing more women and girls into chess, we are now revitalizing senior chess, expanding
youth opportunities, helping players with special needs, and providing more opportunities and value to all
members. This year, US Chess will send teams to the World Senior Team Championship and Under 16 Chess
Olympiad. We’ll be supporting our professional players and new scholastic members alike, as well as working
with clubs and affiliates, enhancing our mutually-beneficial cooperation with US Chess Trust, and far more.
Some of the members have lived through the tough times of US Chess, when the future was a matter of
survival. Now, as our financial situation is consistently improving, it is time to move forward and concentrate
on growth. A balanced Executive Board ensures that we make financially sound moves, but also don’t stagnate
and lose momentum, or risk losing our accumulated advantage.
I am a strong proponent of growth and expansion for US Chess through wise and responsible financial investments.
Since there are many topics that can’t be addressed here due to space limitation, please visit my dedicated Facebook page—https://www.facebook.com/
AnjelinaUSChess/ It covers:
▪ Membership Organization and/or 501(c)(3) ▪ Benefits of Chess in Education Fundraising
entity ▪ College Chess, Affiliates and Chess Clubs for ▪ Expanding and Enhancing US Chess
▪ US Chess and US Chess Trust relationship Adults Partnerships
▪ US Chess and FIDE relationship ▪ Professional (Top) US Chess Players ▪ Outreach
▪ US Chess website ▪ Chess Seniors ▪ US Chess Membership
▪ Women and Girls in chess ▪ Players with Special Needs ▪ US Chess Governing Body and Future
▪ Scholastic Chess ▪ Finances, Corporate Connections and https://www.facebook.com/AnjelinaUSChess/

Thank you for giving me an opportunity to serve US Chess in the last three years! It has been a great and fulfilling experience that I intend to
continue! Please support me in my goal to expand US Chess to a new level.

RYAN VELEZ
I am offering to serve on the Executive Board not just because I want to but because I am concerned
the future of US Chess may be in jeopardy. As a life member, I don’t want to see my investment
squandered because we end up with bad leadership. I see US Chess’ future threatened in two primary
ways.
First, we need to begin transitioning knowledge and responsibilities from older generations to
younger ones. Younger generations need training and knowledge, so they do not reinvent the wheel
or repeat mistakes. One suggestion I’ve made is US Chess must create a Tournament Organizer’s
Handbook. It allows previous generations to write down their ideas and younger generations to
benefit. If we do not transition this knowledge, then US Chess will suffer.
The second reason I fear for US Chess’ future has to do with the reserve fund. For those that don’t
know, as of August 2017 US Chess had $1,000,000 in a reserve fund. This money is intended to be saved to cover ourselves in hard
times. However, there are some people who feel we should dip into that fund to pay for chess programming. I disagree with
spending it because that figure only represents about 3½ months of operating budget. If we dip into the reserve fund, then Chess
Life, our office staff, or other systems could be adversely affected. I don’t want to see that happen, which is why I am advocating we
grow the reserve fund and to cover 9-12 months of operating budget.
I believe if we successfully transfer knowledge to younger people and we keep the reserve fund intact, the future of US Chess will be
secure. With a secure future, US Chess can focus its efforts on membership acquisition and retention. The main area for acquisition
I have identified is looking to the needs of underrepresented groups. We need to help show people how chess can permeate and
strengthen any culture or community.
If you give me your vote, I will give you a voice. I am a very accessible person on the US Chess forums, Facebook, and through e-
mail. I will listen to what you have to say and do my best to represent you. I also have no problem explaining why I voted a certain
way on an issue. I will also respect anyone whose opinion differs from mine. Thank you.

www.uschess.org 15
Chess to Enjoy / Entertainment
Every Which Way
Forward is not the only good direction on the board.
By GM ANDY SOLTIS
CHESS IS PRIMARILY A VERTICAL GAME.
We have hot-wired ourselves to believe that
pieces should advance when they move, just as
pawns must advance.
But that may blind us to the two other
directions: sideways and backwards.
Arnold Denker, a U.S. Champion, discovered
this when he was growing up and read a
textbook by Geza Maroczy. As he put it in Chess
Life in 1974, it is easier to make errors involving
horizontal lines “because players are more
accustomed to thinking vertically on the board.”
This explains blunders like:
QUEEN’S GAMBIT,
CHIGORIN DEFENSE (D07)
Frank Marshall
Mikhail Chigorin
Monte Carlo (4), 02.07.1902
1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 dxc4 4. d5 Na5
5. Bf4 Bd7 6. e4 e6 7. dxe6
Black must have seen how 7. ... Bxe6 allows
the unpleasant 8. Qxd8+! Kxd8 (8. ... Rxd8 9.
Bxc7) 9. 0-0-0+ Kc8 10. Nb5!.
So he played 7. ... fxe6??, overlooking 8. Qh5+!
and 9. Qxa5. When Life magazine—which usually
16 June 2018 | Chess Life
profiled movie stars and world leaders—looked
at the life of Frank Marshall, he showed off this
game, claiming his great Russian rival resigned
here. (In fact, Chigorin played out 8. ... g6 9.
Qxa5 Nf6 until move 20.)
With experience, players develop better
horizontal vision. What is more difficult to
acquire is backward thinking. That is, retreats.
Bobby Fischer was famously punished in this
game:
TWO KNIGHTS DEFENSE,
FRITZ VARIATION (C57)
GM Bobby Fischer
Robert Burger
Simultaneous exhibition, San Francisco,
California, 04.13.1964
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5
5. exd5 Nd4 6. c3 b5! 7. Bf1!
This retreat is the only way for White to
gain an edge, theory says.
7. ... Nxd5 8. cxd4 Qxg5 9. Bxb5+ Kd8 10.
Qf3 Bb7 11. O-O exd4 12. Qxf7??
White would stand well after 12. d3. But
Bobby threatens mate on e8 and d7 and also
grabs a pawn. A move that does three things
at once must be good, right?
Wrong. Fischer overlooked 12. ... Nf6!,
which does five things. It stops both mate
threats. It makes Black’s own mate threat (13.
... Qxg2). It attacks the undefended bishop (13.
... Qxb5).
If that weren’t enough, the retreat also
threatens to win Fischer’s queen with 13. ...
Bd5. Fischer resigned, rather than play out 13.
g3 Bd5! 14. d3 Qf5 15. Bd7!? Qf3.
You might think that strong retreats are most
common in the middlegame, when a player
realizes that the white knight he placed on b5
would be better off on e2. He regroups,
beginning with Nc3! and Ne2!.
Even GMs do this. I remember a wonderful
Boris Spassky quote in Robert Byrne’s book
about the 1974 Candidates matches: “Viktor
[Korchnoi] spends his time in the opening with
the White pieces putting them all in the wrong
places so that he can reposition them in the
early middlegame. He’s done that all his life.
It’s his style.”
But sometimes the retreat comes early:
DUTCH DEFENSE (A84)
IM Alfredo Brito Garcia
Juan Chacon Jerez
Ch Spain (team)(4), Oropesa, Spain, 1996
1. d4 e6 2. c4 f5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qb3 c5 5.
a3 Qa5 6. Bd2 Nc6?
(see diagram next page)
Now 7. d5! Nd4 8. Qd1 is strong because 9.
e3 will win the trapped knight. White preferred
to threaten 8. axb4:
 Chess to Enjoy / Entertainment

PROBLEM I PROBLEM II PROBLEM III

Champions GM Liren Ding
GM Magnus Carlsen
GM Liren Ding
GM Magnus Carlsen
GM Hikaru Nakamura
GM Veselin Topalov
Showdown Quiz
The Champions Showdown was
another treat from the Saint Louis
Chess Club and Scholastic Center:
Eight world-class players, led by
World Champion Magnus Carlsen,
battled it out in blitz and rapid chess
last November. The tournament
provides our six quiz positions this BLACK TO PLAY BLACK TO PLAY BLACK TO PLAY
month. In each diagram you are
asked to find the fastest winning line PROBLEM IV PROBLEM V PROBLEM VI
GM Fabiano Caruana GM Liren Ding GM Lenier Dominguez Perez
of play. This will usually mean the GM Alexander Grischuk GM Magnus Carlsen GM Wesley So
forced win of a decisive amount of
material, such as a minor piece. But
be on the lookout for mating attacks.
For solutions, see page 71.

WHITE TO PLAY BLACK TO PLAY WHITE TO PLAY

7. Qd1! Bxc3 8. Bxc3 Qc7 9. d5, Black
resigned.
When I was looking over the games of the
late Greg DeFotis, I remembered watching this
game and being astonished.
ENGLISH OPENING (A21)
Greg DeFotis (U.S.)
Daniel Wright (England)
World Student Team Championship (6),
Dresden, Germany, 08.01.1969
1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 Bg7 3. g3 e5 4. Bg2 d6 5.
Rb1 a5 6. a3 Nh6 7. d3 0-0 8. Nf3 Nc6 9.
b4 axb4 10. axb4 Nd4 11. Nxd4 exd4 12.
Ne4 Nf5 13. 0-0 h5 14. Bb2 h4 15. Ra1 Rb8
16. b5! hxg3 17. hxg3 Nh6 18 Qd2 Ng4 19.
Qg5 Qe8
Now 20. b6! would carry out White’s
strategic plan and ensure advantage. Greg had
another idea.
20. Bf3 Qe5 21. Qh4 Nh6 22. Bc1! Nf5 23.
Qh1 Qe7 24. Bg2!
White’s threat is 25. g4, trapping the knight.
It wouldn’t work immediately because 24. g4
Nh4 25. Bg5 Nxf3 is check. Black resigned
on move 37.
Of course, most great retreats are just
temporary. But there are also magical knights
that make powerful backward hops until they
are back where they started:
QUEEN’S INDIAN,
OLD MAIN LINE (E18)
GM Boris Spassky
GM Viktor Korchnoi
Zonal tournament (13), Moscow, 03.07.1964
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5.
Bg2 Be7 6. 0-0 0-0 7. Nc3 d5 8. cxd5
exd5 9. Ne5 Qc8 10. Bg5 Qe6 11. Rc1 c5?
12. Nd3!
White couldn’t play 12. dxc5? Qxe5. Black
likely expected 12. e3 and a double-edge
middlegame after 12. ... Rd8 13. f4 Nc6.
But after 12. Nd3! he faces a powerful Nf4.
He could resign after 12. ... Nbd7 13. Nf4 Qf5
14. Bxf6 Bxf6? 15. Bh3!. Or he could play on a
pawn down after 14. ... Nxf6 15. dxc5 and
Ncxd5.
12. ... cxd4 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Nxd5! Bxd5
15. Nf4 Qd6 16. Nxd5! Bg5 17. f4 Bd8
Or 17. ... Bh6 18. Nc7 and White wins a full
rook.
White wanted more than 16. Bxd5 Nd7 17.
Bxa8 Rxa8. He assured himself of that with 18.
Nc3!.
He will also win the d-pawn and Exchange
after 18. ... Na6 19. Bxa8 Qb8 20. Nd5 Qxa8
21. Qxd4. Even worse for Black is 18. ... Nc6
19. Nb5!.
But what about 18. ... Qb4? Doesn’t that
allow Black to cut his losses with 19. Bxa8 dxc3
or 19. Na4 Nd7 20. Bxa8 b5!?
The answer is a third retreat, 19. Nb1! when
White emerges at least a piece ahead.
Who says horses can’t run backward?
See pages 13-15 for Executive Board election information.

www.uschess.org 17
Back to Basics / Reader annotations
Colle-Zukertort, Ever-Green
This time, the Magic Formula worked!
By GM LEV ALBURT
TO PLAY THE COLLE-ZUKERTORT AS
White is easy and pleasant and requires very
little memorization. After:
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3
2. ... Nf6
Unprepared, who’d dare to go into the 2. ...
Bf5 3. c4 e6 4. Qb3 lion’s den?
ANALYSIS AFTER 4. Qb3
Black is fine after 4. ... Nc6.
3. e3 e6
Why not 3. ... Bf5 and only then ... e7-e6?—
the same challenge through 4. c4 e6 5. Qb3
may be even more frightening here.
18 June 2018 | Chess Life
4. Bd3 c5
Now White is at the crossroads: 5. c3 is the
Colle Opening, and ...
5. b3
... a quite different kind of opening, is the
Zukertort (often called Colle-Zukertort).
5. ... Bd6 6. Bb2 Nc6 7. a3
To stop worrying about Black’s threat, ...
Nc6-b4 (which, strictly speaking, isn’t even a
threat here).
7. ... 0-0 8. Nbd2 b6 9. Ne5
The assault begins!
9. ... Bb7 10. f4 Rc8 11. 0-0
And then either 12. g4 and 13. g5, or 12.
Rf3, 13. Rh3, and 14. Bxh7+.
Easy. Fun. Seems to work with the black
knight on either c6 or d7, with the black queen
on either c7 or e7 (or d8). A truly universal,
almost magic, attack formula.
While Black—unless very well prepared—
must solve difficult problems and make nerve-
wracking decisions (supported by in-depth
calculations)—or collapse under Zukertort’s
“Zuggernaut.”
Drew Lane (azlane on Chess.com), the winner
of this month’s Most Instructive Game and Notes
Award, characterizes his game (on the next
page) as “similar to many that I have read about
in the various Colle books.” As Black was lost
on move 13 and beyond redemption on the
next move, this reads as a full-hearted paean
to Zukertort!
Writes Drew (my further comments are in
italics):
I am recently retired and have decided to
revisit chess in my free time. I have always
been a casual player but have decided to study
chess now so that I can be more competitive

while also keeping my mind sharp. One of the
openings that I have tried to learn is the Colle
as it seems to fit my personality.
The game below was similar to many that I
have read about in the various Colle books I
have been studying and I thought it might be
helpful to readers. My Fritz rating for a first-
time player must be from my tactics score as I
believe I am around a 1200 player (24 games
on Shredder and 15 on Chess.com [11wins/four
losses]). For this reason, I changed my ELO
below to 1200:
COLLE-ZUKERTORT (D02)
Azlane (1200)
Julieta23 (1514)
Chess.com (Game/30), 01.13.2018
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 c5
This is a common move in the Colle-
Zukertort (CZ) books I am reading, but the
first time I have faced it in a game.
4. Bd3
White’s fourth move provokes/invites 4. ... c4.
After 5. Be2, White shall then attack the overstepping
c4-pawn by b2-b3, sometimes by e3-e4. On balance,
I’d take White. Thus: kudos to Black’s subtle (but
threatening) 4. ... Nc6!.
4. ... Nc6
It is Nc6 that makes me think that Black may
have plans to capture my "Colle bishop" on d3.
5. a3
Protects against ... Nb4, attacking my Colle
bishop.
But ignoring ... c4. Stronger was 5. b3, with a
small edge for White (if 5. ... Nb4, 6. Bb5+!).
5. ... cxd4
Here, after 5. ... c4, Black gains not one, but
(almost) two tempi, as in some key lines the move
a2-a3 isn’t needed. For example, after 6. Be2 Bd6 7.
b3 cxb3, Black is at least equal.
6. exd4 Nf6 7. Nbd2
(see diagram top of next column)
I am happy to be able to set up my CZ
position so far.
7. ... Bd6 8. b4
Fritz believes the position is equal. I am not
sure why I didn’t play 8. b3 as that is book.
Perhaps you wanted to threaten to attack the c6-
knight with your b-pawn. At least your opponent
thought so, thus—quite unnecessary—8. ... a6.
8. ... a6
I’d prefer here the freeing 8. ... e5!?.
9. Bb2 0-0
I am happy to see Black castle as almost
every time with CZ my opponent delays
castling or even castles queenside. Now that
the king is in this position I can focus my
attack, though I need to capture or get Black
to move the knight on f6.
10. 0-0 Re8
An error, as the rook is ill-placed on e8, much
better on f8.
11. Ne5
Following book for CZ and opening a
diagonal for the queen.
11. ... Qc7
The idea ... Qc7 is better for White than ...
Qe7, though I need to be mindful of an attack
at h2.
Black’s position is still defendable, but some subtle
play is required: 11. ... Qb6 first, to prevent f2-f4,
and only on 12. Ndf3, 12. ... Qc7.
12. f4
Again a book move to support Ne5.
Ah, but together these book moves make Zuker-
tort’s “Magic Formula.”
Back to Basics / Reader annotations
12. ... Nd7??
This was a blunder by Black and I no longer
need to chase the knight on f6 that was guarding
h7. I decide to attack with bishop on d3 with
plans to follow with Qh5. Better was 12. ... b5
with a small advantage to White.
And I believe White is up, say, half-a-pawn, a
serious advantage.
13. Bxh7+! ±
Not “±” but “almost winning.” (The rook on f8 is
badly missing!!)
13. ... Kxh7??
This makes it easier for me.
His best was 13. ... Kf8 14. Qh5 Nf6.
While 14. Qh5 is OK, 14. Bd3! is stronger (and
simpler). White has a solid extra pawn and a strong
attack.
14. Qh5+
I don't feel there is much Black can do now,
as most of his pieces are sealed off from being
able to help.
No. You shall beat here AlphaZero (or Magnus
Carlsen), ten out of ten.
14. ... Kg8 15. Qxf7+
Keeping the king in check while I lift my
rook and prepare Rh3.
15. ... Kh8 16. Rf3, Black resigned.
The CZ seemed to work as planned, with
black pieces cramped and sealed off from
preventing a kingside attack. The move of the
knight from f6 led to the downfall.
This is a true problem for Black in the Zukertort:
Even a single error could be fatal, as 12. ... Nd7
clearly was.
Send in your games!
If you are unrated or rated 1799 or be-
low, then GM Lev Alburt invites you to
send your most instructive game with
notes to:
Back to Basics, c/o Chess Life
PO Box 3967 Crossville, TN
38557-3967
Or e-mail your material to
backtobasics@uschess.org
GM Alburt will select the “most instruc-
tive” game and Chess Life will award an
autographed copy of Lev’s newest book,
Platonov’s Chess Academy (by Lev Alburt
and Sam Palatnik) to the person
submitting the most instructive game
and annotations.
www.ChessWithLev.com
www.uschess.org 19
In The Arena / Player of the Month
Caruana versus
Grischuk at the
Candidates
Fabiano’s near-perfect play against an in-form Grischuk
By GM ROBERT HESS
FABIANO CARUANA WILL CHALLENGE
Magnus Carlsen for the World Chess Champi-
onship! American chess fans have spent months
celebrating this tremendous achievement. The
psychological roller coaster that Fabi went
through—in addition to the challenges he faced
over-the-board—could only be handled by a player
with nerves of steel. A half point ahead entering
the final round, Caruana was guaranteed qualifi-
cation only by winning his own game. So with
that in mind, what is the best way to play against
an extremely strong opponent? Do you try to
neutralize White’s initial advantage and settle for
a draw while praying the other two fail to win?
Or do you play ambitiously, venturing into
dangerous waters? The answer to this question
can be found by Fabiano’s near-perfect play.
PETROFF DEFENSE (C43)
GM Alexander Grischuk (FIDE 2767, RUS)
GM Fabiano Caruana (FIDE 2784, USA)
Candidates Tournament 2018 (14), Berlin,
Germany, 03.27.2018
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
Caruana’s Petroff Defense was tested repeat-
edly at the Berlin Candidates tournament.
Grischuk, who was no longer in contention
for first, avoided the main lines in which
Caruana is extremely well versed.
3. d4 Nxe4 4. dxe5
More frequently played is 4. Bd3 d5 5. Nxe5
Nd7 6. Nxd7 Bxd7 7. 0-0 Bd6 8. c4 though the
position remains extremely solid. Hikaru
Nakamura failed to get an advantage against
Yaroslav Zherebukh at the 2018 U.S. Champi-
onship in this line after 8. ... 0–0 9. c5 Be7 10.
Qc2 Bf6.
20 June 2018 | Chess Life
4. ... d5 5. Nbd2 Nxd2
The continuation 5. ... Nc5 6. Nb3 Ne6 7.
Nbd4 Nxd4 is most popular at this point.
Granted, this isn’t a particularly common line
to begin with, but the knights’ tango is comedic.
6. Bxd2
Recapturing with the queen is interesting
and ambitious. The plan is to maneuver her
majesty to the kingside: 6. Qxd2 Be7 7. Qf4
and White aims to apply pressure with Qg3.
6. ... Be7 7. Bd3 c5 8. c3 Nc6 9. 0-0 Bg4
10. Re1 Qd7 11. h3 Bh5
A novelty in a rare position. Spanish Super-
GM Francisco Vallejo Pons achieved an advan-
tage after 11. ... Bf5 12. Qc2 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 0-0
14. Rad1 Qe6 15. a3 a6 16. Be3 Rad8 17. b4 cxb4
18. axb4 1-0 (47) Vallejo Pons, Francisco (2696)-
Perez Garcia, Rodney Oscar (2426) Lugo 2009.
12. Bf4 Qe6 13. a3
The retreat 13. Be2 opens up some serious
discoveries on the bishop on h5. Black can in
turn change his bishop’s diagonal, though
White’s initiative quickly grows after 13. ...
Bg6 (13. ... 0-0 14. Qd2 renews the threat of
Nd4, whereas 14. ... Bg6 merely transposes to
this variation.) 14. Qd2 0-0 15. Rad1 with 16.
Ng5 to follow. To my eyes this appears to be
an improvement over the game.
13. ... 0-0 14. b4
(see diagram top of next column)
Caruana makes an essential prophylactic
move. The luft for the king is an added benefit
to permanently preventing Ng5 ideas. For
instance, extremely problematic for Black is
14. ... Bg6 15. bxc5 Bxc5 16. Ng5 with the
intention of Bxg6 and e6.
14. ... h6! 15. Bg3 b6 16. Nd4
Already in time trouble, Grischuk greatly
changes the dynamics of the game by forcing
an exchange of queens. Unfortunately for him,
the middlegame with a two bishops “advantage”
is unfavorable for White, whose pawn on e5
is overextended.
Possible was 16. Qc2 Bg6
a) Compromising White’s kingside pawn
structure only helps him initiate a quick assault:
16. ... Bxf3 17. gxf3 (17. Bf5 fails to trap the queen
and loses because of 17. ... Be4) 17. ... g6 18. f4
Qxh3 19. Bxg6 fxg6 20. Qxg6+ Kh8 21. Qxc6;
b) 16. ... Rad8 is really smart, intending to
meet the queen trapping move 17. Bf5 with
the pin 17. ... Bg6. Note that starting with 16.
Qb1 would prevent this response, but would
make 16. ... Bg6 17. Bxg6 fxg6 more effective
for Black, since White would have to spend an
additional tempo connecting his rooks;
17. Bxg6 fxg6 is a capture away from the
center, yet the semi-open f-file gives Black
serious activity.
16. ... Bxd1 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Raxd1 c4 19.
 In The Arena / Player of the Month

Bc2 b5 Rac8 which prepares ... d4. And White is not

in time to infiltrate: 28. axb5 axb5 29. Ra6 Ra8
30. Rxc6 Ra1+ 31. Re1 Rxe1 mate.
27. ... Re8 28. Bd6 Rac8 29. Ra1 Red8 30.
Bb1

just a draw of his own, but why not just secure

20. a4
There was hardly a choice for Grischuk since
Caruana would have played ... a5, blasting open
the file. The downside of this push is that Black
can soon undermine the protecting of the b-
pawn with ... d4.
20. ... a6
If it was not the final round of the Candidates
tournament, Caruana could have considered
20. ... a5 21. axb5 Nxb4 22. cxb4 axb4 though
the risk of complete liquidation is completely
unnecessary. In the game, Caruana kept firm
control of the winning chances.
21. f3
Defending the e5-pawn with 21. f4 keeps
the bishop stuck on g3. And after 21. ... Rac8
and ... d4 can’t be stopped without losing the
f4-pawn.
21. ... Bg5
A better version of the prior piece sacrifice
line is 21. ... Nxb4 22. cxb4 Bxb4, since Black
snags the second pawn immediately. Even if
objectively the move is strong, it simply is not
the right decision given the event standings. It
is quite conceivable that White plants his bishop
on g6 and threatens f4-f5.
22. Bf2 Bf4 23. Bc5 Rfd8 24. Bd6 Bg3 25.
Re2 g5 26. Kf1 Kf7
the full point he earned? After 41. ... Rd8 42.
R2a6 Bf4+ 43. Ke2 Rb2+ 44. Kf1 Rxd7 45.
Rxd7 c3 46. Rd1 c2 47. Re1 c1=Q 48. Raxe6+
Kg7 (Not 48. ... Kf5?? 49. g4 mate) 49. Rxc1
Bxc1. This ending must be winning, though
30. ... Rd7 the h1 square not matching the color of the
dark-square bishop is worrisome.
Patience is a virtue that the best players in
the world truly comprehend. Hastiness would 42. Ke2 Rd8 43. Rc2 Rxb4
have made Black’s life so much more difficult
A pawn is a pawn, but Caruana had even
here: 30. ... d4 31. axb5 axb5 32. cxd4 Nxd4 33.
better: 43. ... Rg1 44. Kf2 Rd1 45. Bb5 (45. Ba4
Ra7+ Kg8 34. Rea2.
R8d2+ 46. Rxd2 Rxd2+ 47. Kf1 Ra2) 45. ... R8d2+
31. Ra3? 46. Rxd2 Rxd2+ 47. Kf1 c3 48. Ra1 c2 49. Ba4
Grischuk fails to find his last opportunity to Be3 50. Rc1 Rf2+ 51. Ke1 Bxc1 52. Kxf2 Be3+.
seize counter play. A defensive task is much 44. Bc6 c3 45. Rd7 Rc8 46. Be4 h5
more difficult with material equality and no
plan, as compared to being down a pawn with Fixing the weakness on g2, Caruana ensures
activity. 31. axb5 axb5 32. Ra6 Ra7 (32. ... d4 that Grischuk will never wiggle out of his bind.
33. Be4 is always the problem.) 33. Rxa7+ Nxa7 The rest is easy.
34. Ra2 Nc6 35. Ra6 d4! (The greedy 35. ... 47. Kd3 Rb2 48. Ke2 h4 49. Rd1 Ke5 50.
Nxe5 36. Ra7+ Kg8 37. Bh7+ looks suspicious Ra1 Rd8 51. Rd1 Rdb8 52. Ra1 Bd2 53. Ra6
for Black. The king is forced into the corner Rd8 54. Rc6 Rb1 55. Kf2 Ra1 56. Rc4 Rd4
and a true passed pawn will be hard to 57. Rc8 Rb4 58. Ke2
orchestrate.) 36. cxd4 Nxd4 37. Ra7+ Kg8 38.
Bh7+ Kh8 39. Be4 c3 40. Rh7+ Kg8 41. Rxh6
with the threat of perpetual check via h6-g6-f6.
After 41. ... Nf5! and White will be fortunate
to survive; the loss of a piece for several pawns
appears unavoidable.
31. ... d4 32. axb5 axb5 33. cxd4 Nxd4 34.
Rea2 Nc6 35. Be4 Bxe5
Now is not the time for imprecision. After
35. ... Nxe5 36. Ra7 Rcd8 37. Bxe5 Bxe5 38. Bc6
Rxa7 39. Rxa7+ Kf6 40. Bxb5 c3 41. Ra2 the
ending is not easy to win without the second
pair of rooks. 58. ... Kf4

36. Bxc6 Rxd6 37. Bxb5 Rd1+ 38. Ke2 Rg1
39. Ke3 Rb1 40. Ra7+ Kf6 41. Bd7
(see diagram top of next column)
41. ... Bf4+
It wasn’t too late to be careless. 58. ... Rbb1?
59. R2xc3 and the game is immediately
drawn. There was a gorgeous mating net in
place here. 58. ... Re1+ 59. Kf2 Rbb1 60.
R2xc3 Bf4!!

27. Bc7
With such a poorly placed light-square
bishop, White can never seriously fight for the
a-file. The try 27. Ra1 is simply met by 27. ...
Caruana could have gone up a bishop for
two pawns, though he evidently wanted to
keep more pieces on the board in order to
maximize his winning chances. At this point,
Karjakin had drawn and Mamedyarov’s draw
was winding down, meaning Caruana needed
59. Kf2 Rbb1 60. Rf8+ Ke5 61. Bd3 Rb2
62. Ke2 Re1+ 63. Kf2 Rc1 64. Rxb2 cxb2
65. Rb8 Bc3 66. Be4 Bd4+ 67. Ke2 Kf4
68. Rb4 e5 69. Rb7 Kg3, White resigned.
Caruana won by playing practically flawless
chess in the game’s critical moments.

www.uschess.org 21
Look at Books / Should I Buy It?
Decisions, Decisions
A thoughtful, didactic account of over-the-board decision
making
By JOHN HARTMANN
SINCE WINNING THE WORLD JUNIOR
Championship in 1987 and becoming the first
Indian grandmaster in 1988, Viswanathan
Anand has almost single-handedly defined
chess in India. His rise to the World
Championship was eagerly followed by his
countrymen, chess fans and lay-people alike,
and his 2013 match in Chennai was, despite
Anand’s loss to Magnus Carlsen, a huge boon
to Indian chess.
Anand’s example served as an inspiration for
an entire generation of Indian chess players,
including Grandmaster Ramachandran Ramesh—
“R.B. Ramesh” as he is widely known—who
served as a commentator for the 2013 match.
He was the first Indian to win the British Open
Championship in 2002, earning his grandmaster
title a year later. In 2014 Ramesh captained an
22 June 2018 | Chess Life
Indian Olympiad team that won its first medal
(bronze, Open section) in that nation’s history,
and he currently coaches the Indian U16 and
Olympiad teams.
Having retired from active competition in
2008, today Ramesh is one of India’s leading
chess trainers. Among his students are IM
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, the youngest
international master in history at 12 years old,
and 18-year-old Grandmaster Chithambaram
Aravindh. He also has launched an online chess
academy at chessgurukul.com and at nurtr.com,
with the ultimate aim of offering chess training
to all comers, regardless of ability to pay. If
Anand is responsible for the current popularity
of chess in India, it will be trainers like Ramesh
who will shape its future.
Now Ramesh has written a fine new book,
Fundamental Chess: Logical Decision Making,
published by Metropolitan Chess Publishing
out of Los Angeles. As its title suggests, the
book offers readers a thoughtful, didactic
account of over-the-board decision making. I
enjoyed it immensely.
At its root, chess is all about decisions. We
use various tools—principles, logic, calculation—
to make the best choices we can in the time we
have available to us. If we make better decisions
than our opponent, we win. If not, well...
Chess training, on Ramesh’s telling, is
designed to teach us to use all of the tools
available to us in the decision-making process.
His emphasis is practical—after all, as he notes,
“Knowing is NOT doing!” (25)—and in this,
he echoes the philosophy of Mark Dvoretsky,
whom he mentions in the Introduction (6-
7) as an important influence on his teaching
and playing.
Ramesh cites a rather famous game between
Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian from the
Bilbao Grand Prix in 2008 to begin to unpack
his point.
AFTER 14. ... a5
Here Carlsen played the amazing 15. d5!!,
and Ramesh writes:
“I remember checking this position with an
engine and 15. d5 was its 31st choice! Does
this make d5 good or bad? ... Carlsen came up
with the surreal move 15. d5!! to open up the
dark-squared bishop and to create attacking
chances against the black king, temporarily
stuck in the center of the board. It is not unusual
for strong players to give up a pawn for the
initiative. But would the mere knowledge of
this principle convince us to play this move in
an actual game? I think not.” (11)
For the record, the game continued: 15. ...
Nxd5 (if [a] 15. ... cxd5? 16. Bb5+ Nd7 17. Ne5
Bc8 18. Qh5 g6 19. Qf3 and White should win;
[b] 15. ... exd5 is met with 16. Nd4 where White
has ideas of Qa4 and Nf5 with full compen-
sation; and [c] 15. ... Qxd5 is answered by 16.
Ne5 Bb4 {16. ... Bd6 17. e4 Qc5 18. Rc1 with
initiative} 17. Qa4 0-0 18. Rfd1 and White has
the initiative).
16. Ne5 Nf6 (after 16. ... Be7 17. Qh5 g6 18.

Qh6 Bf6 19. e4 Nb6 20. Rab1 and White has
the initiative) 17. Qa4 Bb4 18. Nxc6 Bxc6 19.
Qxc6+ Ke7 20. Rfd1 and White has good
compensation for the pawn. Aronian resigned
after the 36th move.
How did Carlsen decide to play such a move?
There are, I think, some terminological difficulties
in Ramesh’s account, but he seems to argue
something along these lines. Neither brute
calculation nor intuition—defined as “the output
of our knowledge, experience, and confidence
at that point in time” (16)—alone could have
guided Carlsen’s choice. Both are required to
accurately assess a nebulous concept like compen-
sation, particularly in such a complex position.
Ramesh contends that “young players” will
often depend heavily on either calculation or
intuition when they should harmoniously
consult both. During his discussion, however,
he appears to argue that there is a tendency
today towards the calculative pole of this
dialectic, especially among the young, and that
the training of “logical, intuitive thinking” is a
necessary counterbalance. Such training is
achieved through “accumulating more knowl-
edge and experience in various types of
positions.” (16)
Fundamental Chess: Logical Decision Making
is clearly constructed with this goal in mind.
In Part I (“Logical Reasoning”), Ramesh tries
to unpack the nature of our thought processes,
and Chapter Two, entitled, “The Problem of
Choices,” is perhaps the core of the book. We
are faced with the necessity of choosing between
multiple reasonable moves in most non-critical
positions, and most of us, I suspect, would
admit that this can be a source of no small angst
over the board!
Ramesh offers general advice for such
situations: we use a “scanning technique” to
make a broad list of possible moves, which we
prune by process of elimination. We analyze
forcing continuations to see if any tactics exist,
and we try to remain practical in our decision-
making. Ultimately, as he puts it, “[c]ontra-
dictory principles occur all over the board ...
We need to choose the principle appropriate
to the position at hand in order to find the best
move or a decent plan.” (68) To me this sounds
like an argument for training intuition in a
more traditional sense.
Part I is largely a series of annotated examples
that unpack elements of our decision making
and thought processes. Part II (“Practical Chess
Play”) turns to more practical applications of
logical reasoning, again through the use of
illustrative examples. Chapters are devoted to
topics like the initiative, conversion of advan-
tages, and prophylaxis, but I was most interested
in Chapter 9, “Playing on Colors.”
Talk of color complexes and weaknesses has
always been opaque to me, and good
explanations of what is meant by a “dark-square
weakness” are somewhat lacking in books on
chess strategy. Here we get a “teacherly”
exposition of how to approach the topic,
focusing mostly on the bishops, and I want to
quote Ramesh’s summary at some length before
turning to one of his examples. (Thanks to
Metropolitan Chess for granting permission
to use these passages in this review.)
“Here is a general guide for knowing which
color to play on, depending on the situation:
1. Same colored bishops for both sides:
Only the bishops should focus on their colors.
All the other pieces should play on opposite
colors. For example: if both sides have dark
colored bishops, we should put all our other
pieces on light squares.
2. Two bishops versus bishop and knight:
The side with the two bishops should play on
the colors where the opponent does not have
a bishop. The side with the bishop and knight
should play on the color of the bishop.
3. Opposite colored bishops: Both sides
should play on the colors of their bishops.
4. One bishop versus one knight: The side
with the knight should play on the opposite
color of the opponent’s bishop. The side with
the bishop should utilize his other pieces on
the opposite color of the bishop.
5. Both sides have both bishops: When
the central pawns are fixed on a particular color,
we should play on the opposite color of our
opponent’s centralized pawns, and try to
exchange the opponent’s bishop of that same
color. For example: if the opponent’s center
pawns are fixed on light squares, then we should
exchange the dark colored bishops and fight for
the dark colors with other pieces.” (208-209)
Ramesh follows this with eight examples,
each demonstrating some element of this general
framework. The discussion of the first position,
taken from Polzin-Motylev (Bundesliga, 2008),
is typical of both Ramesh’s style and analysis:
AFTER 14. Nd3
“14. ... Nc4 Both sides have dark-squared
bishops, so they should try to put their other
pieces on light squares.
“15. Qe2 b5 White at some point could kick
the c4-knight with b2-b3, so Black aims to put
Look at Books / Should I Buy It?
his pawn on a4 to stabilize the c4-square for his
knight. Moreover, if Black castles on the kingside,
where he does not have as many defenders, it is
possible that White could launch a direct attack
with f2-f4, g2-g4 and f4-f5. Hence Black wants
to secure adequate counterplay on the queenside
before he makes the decision to castle short. If
things get too hot on the kingside, then he could
consider keeping his king in the center or even
sending it to the queenside if necessary.
“16. axb5 cxb5 17. f4 Qb6 18. Nd2 If White
tried to launch an attack immediately with 18.
g4 then Black would have adequate resources:
18. ... a4 19. Nd2 Qc6 20. f5 gxf5 21. gxf5 exf5
and Black is much better ... [note that] 22. Rxf5
is impossible in view of 22. ... Qg6+.
“18. ... Qc6 19. Nf3 a4 With a small advan-
tage, Black went on to win from here. In this
example, Black not only used his pieces but
also his pawns to gain control over the light
squares on the queenside.”
Part III (“Fundamentals of Chess Training”) is
devoted to general training advice—how to study
the opening, how to prepare for tournaments,
how to understand the endgame, etc.—and what I
would call Ramesh’s “philosophy of improvement.”
Many teachers warn their students not to worry
about their ratings. Borrowing from the work of
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and classical Indian
philosophy, Ramesh persuasively argues that such
worry has deleterious effects on our results and,
more importantly, our enjoyment of the game.
Parts I and II are very concrete in nature,
offering readers dozens of examples to illustrate
key teaching points. Part III is, in contrast,
almost all text. There is a lot of interesting and
inspirational material here, to be sure, and
Ramesh’s trademark optimism is especially
apparent in these pages. Still, the book feels
somewhat disjointed, and Part III feels in some
ways like an afterthought or appendix to the
main part of the book.
This is particularly true in Chapters 11 and
17, where Ramesh discusses the proper use of
the computer in opening study. ChessBase is
not an intuitive piece of software to use, and
instruction should involve specific how-to’s and
illustrative screenshots. Instead we get text-only
renderings of database screens and opening trees.
It’s an opportunity missed, and one that would
have been very easy for the editors to fix.
Fundamental Chess: Logical Decision Making is a
vastly ambitious book, covering wide swaths of
chess philosophy and practice. Such enthusiasm
makes its small flaws rather forgivable. Its target
audience—“younger players,” or, in Ramesh’s
system, those rated 1500-2400 (!?)—is very wide,
and one could argue that the book tries to cover
too much ground. But I would much rather read
an enterprising work than a limited, modest one,
and at the end of the day, the author has given us
a book that will reward multiple re-readings. Well
done, “Ramesh sir.”
www.uschess.org 23
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Caruana Wins
Candidates Tournament
in Berlin
Fabi is the first American in almost a half century to compete for
the unified world championship title.
By GM IAN ROGERS

26 June 2018 | Chess Life

 Cover Story / 2018 Candidates

abiano Caruana has earned the right to challenge Magnus Carlsen pre-tournament favorite Levon Aronian and fading Russian Alexander

F for the world title in November after a dramatic victory at the

Candidates Tournament in Berlin.
Caruana, 25, led the 14-round tournament, alone or shared,
from the fourth round, so his qualification for the million-
dollar title match, and 95,000 Euro first prize, was well deserved.
However, Caruana needed to show extraordinary mental strength to
recover from a shattering defeat by former challenger GM Sergey
Karjakin in the 12th round, a defeat that left Caruana equal first with
the Russian and behind all his main rivals should a tiebreaker be needed.
Knowing that one-and-a-half points might not be good enough,
Caruana somehow found the energy to win his last two games, beating
Grischuk to finish a point ahead of Karjakin and Azeri GM Shakhriyar
Mamedyarov.
Caruana later said that the loss turned out to be just what was needed
to wake him up; prior to then, he had been too intent on defending his
lead: “For a few hours after I lost that game I felt awful and then the
next day I just felt much better. I don’t know why—it was like a weight
was lifted from me. My play was so heavy for a few games and it
culminated in that loss, and after I lost that game I started to feel much
freer in my play and more confident. I still had the feeling that I had
thrown away the tournament, but I thought I [would have] my chances
and at least I [started] playing better and the games showed it.”

ROUND 14
Going into the final round, Caruana’s main
rival appeared to be Karjakin, who had
recovered from a 1 out of 4 start to score 6½
During that
from his next nine games. Karjakin was playing
hitherto undefeated Chinese Candidates debu-
final game, it was
tant GM Ding Liren, who also had an outside
chance of qualifying should he win and Caruana
said that only
falter.
“It was only after Ding played 27. ... h3+!
Carlsen would be
that I felt very safe about that game,” admitted
Caruana, who now just needed to avoid losing
crazy enough to
and for Mamedyarov not to win against the
tournament’s loose cannon, GM Vladimir risk everything
Kramnik.
just to win one
YAY FOR ... h3!
GM Sergey Karjakin (FIDE 2763, RUS)
more game but
GM Liren Ding (FIDE 2769, CHN)
Candidates Tournament 2018 (14), Berlin, Caruana showed
Germany, 03.27.2018
otherwise.
PHOTO CREDIT: WORLD CHESS, AGON LIMITED

AFTER 27. Nd5

27. ... h3+

“I didn’t really have a chance to look at
Shakhriyar’s game until after the time control
because [Grischuk and I] were in our own time
pressure,” explained Caruana. “After the time
control, [that game] was just dead drawn so it

www.uschess.org 27
Cover Story / 2018 Candidates
didn’t worry me too much.
“Going into the final round I had thought
that a draw would be a good result and I didn’t
want to do anything crazy. Then if one of the
other players won it would just be bad luck. If
Sergey [had scored 5 wins] in the last [eight
rounds], what can you do?”
What Caruana did do is win his last game,
making sure that even another win would not
enable Karjakin to catch him.
(See Robert Hess’ column “In The Arena” on page
20 for this game. ~ed.)
During that final game, it was said that only
Carlsen would be crazy enough to risk every-
thing just to win one more game but Caruana
showed otherwise.
By pushing on and beating Grischuk,
Caruana sent out a message to Carlsen: his will
to win was no less than that of the World
Champion’s. Declining to agree to a draw—a
draw that would have guaranteed Caruana a
title match—while knowing that a single mistake
could hand the world title challenger’s position
to Mamedyarov was a sign of serious self-
confidence. Caruana also topped Carlsen’s
winning Candidates score from 2013 (and
indeed was the best winning Candidates score
of the modern era).
“I am absolutely thrilled,” said Caruana at
the final press conference. “Coming into today
I wasn’t sure what would happen. A few days
ago I thought the tournament was out of my
hands. I really couldn’t be happier.”
Caruana will be the first of Carlsen’s chal-
lengers younger than the Norwegian and, if he
can repeat the form shown in Berlin, could
prove a handful.
“I will prepare hard for the [World Champi-
onship] match,” said Caruana who explained
his pre-tournament strategy for the Candidates
tournament as follows: “[Before Berlin] I went
to Miami for nearly three weeks for a training
camp with several grandmasters. Rather than
freezing in St. Louis, it was 80 degrees in Miami.
We went jogging in the morning, we ate outside
in the evening; it was beautiful. We went to
the beach and worked on chess pretty much
all day. It was the perfect way to prepare for
the event. I came to Europe early because my
coach [GM Rustam Kasimdzhanov] lives in
Germany so I just stayed at his place before I
traveled to Berlin. I didn’t have any jet lag.”
“Maybe he is worried,” joked Caruana when
asked how Carlsen would be feeling, “but
Magnus did say that he would like to play a
match against me.” Carlsen has his wish—but
it is said one must be careful what you wish for.
ROUNDS 1-7
For the first three rounds, Kramnik looked
like Superman, winning two games and winning
the brilliancy of the tournament against Aronian.
28 June 2018 | Chess Life
RUY LOPEZ,
BERLIN DEFENSE (C65)
GM Levon Aronian (FIDE 2794, ARM)
GM Vladimir Kramnik (FIDE 2800, RUS)
Candidates Tournament 2018 (3), Berlin,
Germany, 03.12.2018
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6
The first Berlin Defense in the Berlin Can-
didates.
4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. 0–0
“After 6. 0-0 I already had a good feeling,”
said Kramnik, “since if he doesn’t follow with
7. h3, I simply play 7. ... Bg4.” Carlsen, who
has taken the white side of this line against
many of the world’s best players, has tried 6.
h3, 6. Nbd2, 6. Nc3 and, 6. Qe2—but never 6.
0-0.
6. ... Qe7 7. h3
“I always considered 7. h3 as a very serious
move and I actually spent a lot of time analyzing
it,” explained Kramnik. “But then, a couple of
years ago, I found this very strong resource:”
7. ... Rg8!!
“I had this prepared and was waiting for my
moment to use it,” said Kramnik. “I was looking
for something here and had been analyzing 7.
... h6, with the idea, 8. ... g5, when it is very,
very sharp. And at some point I realized that I
could save a tempi with 7. ... Rg8!. Then when
you analyze it with a computer, everything is
clear. Of course I never thought I would have
a chance to play it against Levon in the
Candidates—there are so many [regular] 1. e4
players who also play 4. d3. For Levon it’s quite
bad luck to meet a strong novelty with White
—it’s happened to me a few times.” In fact 7. ...
Rg8 has been played in a few correspondence
games dating back as far as 2012, but it seems
that even Kramnik did not know about them.
8. Kh1
“Almost the only move,” said Kramnik, “since
8. ... g5 was already a big threat.” The immediate
8. c3 walks into 8. ... g5! 9. d4 exd4 10. cxd4
Bb6, and 11. Bxg5—here or earlier—can always
be met by 11. ... Bxh3!.
8. ... Nh5
Played after 13 minutes and the first new
move. All the correspondence games had seen
8. ... h6, which rather defeats the tempo-saving
purpose of 7. ... Rg8. “I couldn’t really remember
my analysis. I didn’t analyze 7. ... Rg8 for long
because it is obviously so good. I knew Black
has a few good moves here, and I remembered
that 8. ... Nh5 (and 9. ... g5) was one of the very
interesting moves. That’s it.”
9. c3?!
“Maybe I should play 9. Nc3,” said Aronian.
The players then analyzed 9. ... g5 10. Nxe5 g4
11. d4 gxh3 (“11. ... Bd6! is also possible, but it
is already a better version of the game for
White.”) 12. g3 Nf6 when Kramnik commented,
“I remember analyzing these positions with a
computer and White was more or less holding,
but for a human it is really difficult because
White’s king is very weak.” In fact after
Aronian’s counter 13. dxc5! Qxe5 14. Bf4 Qxc5
15. Bxc7, White already has an edge, so 11. ...
Bd6! was the way to go for Black.
9. ... g5 10. Nxe5
“10. d4 is an option,” said Kramnik, “when
10. ... g4 11. dxc5 gxf3 12. Qxf3 Qh4 looks very
dangerous for White as my pieces are entering
the kingside.”
10. ... g4
“This can be played by hand,” said Kramnik.
11. d4
The continuation 11. Nxg4? Bxg4 12. hxg4
Qh4+ 13. Kg1 Ng3 and mate next is typical of
the dangers already surrounding White’s king.
11. ... Bd6 12. g3 Bxe5 13. dxe5 Qxe5 14.
Qd4 Qe7!?
“The most difficult decision in the game,”
said Kramnik. “If I play 14. ... Qxd4! 15. cxd4
gxh3 16. Kh2 f5, Black has a very nice position
—there is no risk and Black is just better. But
then I realized that 14. ... Qe7 was much more
critical—I just want to mate him. Soon I realized
that White [could be] in terrible trouble [along
the h1-a8] diagonal. Still it was a difficult
decision, as I like better endgames!
“Missing 14. ... Qe7 was an oversight on my
part,” added Aronian. “I didn’t realize that Black
doesn’t have to exchange queens. I was hoping
to get a slightly worse position after exchanging
on d4 and then fight for a draw, but 14. ... Qe7
is very strong.”
15. h4 c5 16. Qc4?
“A terrible blunder,” said Aronian. “I didn’t
realize how bad my position was and forgot
that Black [would be] threatening ... f5.”
Kramnik responded, “During the game I
thought that White should play 16. Qd3! Bd7
 Cover Story / 2018 Candidates

GM Fabiano Caruana (USA), GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov GM Sergey Karjakin (RUS),

9/14 (AZE), 8/14 8/14
PHOTO CREDIT: WORLD CHESS, AGON LIMITED (KRAMNIK: PAWEŁ GROCHOWALSKI FROM LONDON CHESS CLASSIC 2010)

GM Liren Ding GM Vladimir Kramnik (RUS),

(CHN), 71⁄2/14 61⁄2/14

GM Alexander Grischuk GM Wesley So GM Levon Aronian (ARM),

(RUS), 61⁄2/14 (USA), 6/14 41⁄2/14

www.uschess.org 29
Cover Story / 2018 Candidates
17. c4 and 18. Nc3. Of course Black is better
but it is kind of holdable.”
16. ... Be6 17. Qb5+ c6 18. Qa4?
White’s last chance was to grovel with 18.
Qd3 Rd8 19. Qe3 but Kramnik dismissed this
line as unplayable with the wave of a hand.
18. ... f5!
“He missed this idea,” explained Kramnik. “I
saw this when I played 16. ... Be6.”
19. Bg5
“While Levon was taking his time I was
walking around [thinking] and I couldn’t find
the slightest chance for White,” said Kramnik.
“My point is that after 19. exf5 Black has 19. ...
Nxg3+! 20. fxg3 Bd5+ 21. Kg1 Qe2 [and it’s
mate].”
19. ... Rxg5! 20. hxg5 f4 21. Qd1
After the more obvious 21. Kh2, the simple
21. ... Qxg5 22. Qc2 0-0-0 23. Rd1 Rxd1 24.
Qxd1 Qh6! leaves White defenseless.
21. ... Rd8 22. Qc1 fxg3 23. Na3 Rd3! 24.
Rd1
24. ... Bd5!!
“Flashy but not very difficult—by the end I
was just trying to make it beautiful. Of course
it is not very professional since any move wins
and I was [a little] afraid that I would miscal-
culate.”
25. f3
“My main idea was 25. Rxd3 Qxe4+ 26. f3
gxf3! 27. Re3 f2+ 28. Rxe4+ Bxe4 mate!,” said
Kramnik with a smile. “But just to be sure I
was calculating this line 10 times—it would be
30 June 2018 | Chess Life
really stupid to miss something when any
[normal] move wins.”
25. ... gxf3 26. exd5 Qe2! 27. Re1 g2+,
White resigned.
After 28. Kh2 g1=Q+! 29. Kxg1 f2+ it is
game over.
Aronian bounced back immediately from
that loss with a win against Karjakin, who
seemed to be out of contention for the top
prize.
Meanwhile Caruana was quietly taking the
lead, starting with an easy first round defeat of
So and then beating Kramnik in round four in
the battle of the tournament—and also the game
that started Kramnik on his downward slide.
Caruana’s win over Aronian in round seven
was another example of Caruana’s ability to
keep control of the craziest complications.
PETROFF DEFENSE (C42)
GM Vladimir Kramnik (FIDE 2800, RUS)
GM Fabiano Caruana (FIDE 2784, USA)
Candidates Tournament 2018 (4), Berlin,
Germany, 03.14.2018
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3
Nxe4 5. Qe2 Qe7 6. Nc3
By now some pundits were concluding that
the players, both already well placed in the
tournament, had decided to take a day off. They
couldn’t have been more wrong ...
6. ... Nxc3 7. dxc3 Qxe2+ 8. Bxe2 Nc6 9.
Be3 Be7 10. 0-0-0 0-0 11. Rhe1 Bf6
The move 11. ... Bd7 is simple and safe, but
Caruana, having spent 25 minutes on this and
the previous move, calculates that his bishop
is safe on f6.
12. Nd2!? Re8 13. Bf3 Ne5 14. Bf4
Played after Kramnik’s first long think, 21
minutes. Kramnik may have intended 14. Ne4
but then 14. ... Bh4! is annoying for White.
14. ... Kf8 15. Bd5 c6 16. Bb3 Bf5 17. h3 g5
18. Bh2 Kg7
19. c4
Seemingly locking in the bishop on b3, but
19. Ne4?! Bxe4 20. Rxe4 d5 21. Ree1 b5! would
be much worse, after which White is effectively
a piece down and Black should win on the
kingside.
19. ... g4! 20. Ne4 Bxe4 21. Rxe4 Bg5+ 22.
Kb1 gxh3
Having burned time on every move since
10. ... 0-0, Caruana was down to less than than
10 minutes on the clock, provoking Kramnik
to push for complications, which neither player
is able to control.
23. c5?!
“I had noticed this but thought it looked very
risky,” said Caruana. “I was more expecting 23.
gxh3 and now after 23. ... f5! 24. Re2 Nf3 25.
Rxe8 Rxe8 26. Bxd6 Re2 Black at least stands
very decently.”
23. ... f5! 24. Rb4 hxg2 25. Rxb7+ Kh8!
“Maybe I also had 25. ... Re7,” said Caruana,
“but I thought the way I played was very good.”
26. cxd6 Nf3 27. Ba4!
“The only way to keep fighting,” said
Caruana. “Well, White also has 27. Bg1,”

responded Kramnik. However, when Caruana
instantly replied 27. ... Re2!, Kramnik conceded
that 27. Bg1 was unplayable.
27. ... Nxh2 28. Bxc6
28. ... Rad8!
“This was the move I had missed,” admitted
Kramnik. “If not 28. ... Rad8, then White is
better.”
“I spent my last three minutes trying to make
28. ... Re4! work,” said Caruana. Kramnik
looked puzzled, mentioning 29. Bxe4 fxe4 30.
Rg1 before Caruana pointed out 30. ... e3!! 31.
fxe3 Rf8! and Black wins. Caruana did not play
28. ... Re4 because of the immediate 29. Rg1
but he had not noticed that then the paradoxical
29. ... Re6! keeps Black on top.
29. d7 Re2 30. Bxg2 Rxf2 31. Bc6
“Of course Black is better,” said Kramnik,
“but in time trouble things start to go wrong
[for Black].”
31. ... Ng4?
“Putting my knight on e3 takes too much
time,” said Caruana. “I considered 31. ... f4 32.
Rxa7 f3 but couldn’t break down 33. Ra3.
Caruana gave the line 33. ... Rd2 34. Rxd2 Bxd2
35. Bxf3 Nxf3 36. Rxf3 Rxd7 37. c3 which the
players agreed should probably be a draw, but
he missed 33. ... Nf1!, headed for d2 with a
large advantage for Black.
32. Rxa7 Ne3 33. Rg1
33. ... h6?!
“I wanted to get my king to the center,”
explained Caruana. “I thought that 33. ... Rxc2
was a chance,” said Kramnik, but after 34. Rc7
the two players were not sure how Black should
continue, not noticing 34. ... Bf6! 35. Rc8 Rxb2+
36. Kc1 Rxa2! and suddenly White can resign.
34. Rc7 Kg7 35. a4 Kf7 36. Bb5 Ke7?!
“Black needs to be fast,” said Kramnik, and
indeed 36. ... f4 was the last hope for Black to
stay on top in the queening race.
37. a5 Rf4
38. c3!
“If 38. a6?! Rb4! followed by 39. ... Bf6, and
Black has counterplay,” explained Caruana.
38. ... Kd6
The immediate 38. ... Rg4 39. Rh1 Bf4 40.
Rb7 Rg6!, intending ... Bd6-c5, would keep the
game in drawing bounds, but only a computer
could find this in time trouble.
39. Rb7
“39. Rc6+! just wins,” declared Kramnik,
giving the variation 39. ... Ke7 40. Rb6?! when
in fact Black can turn the tables after 40. ...
Re4! (40. ... Nc4?! 41. Re1+! Kf7 42. Re8!) 41.
a6 Nc4!. However Kramnik’s intuition was
correct. Instead of 40. Rb6?!, 40. a6! is very
strong for White, since 40. ... Rxd7 allows 41.
Rc8! Ra7 42. Re8+, winning the knight.
39. ... Rg4 40. Re1 f4 41. a6 h5
“Now I just relaxed,” said Kramnik. “I thought
everything wins.”
42. a7 Ra8
43. b4
“Now it is already not so easy,” said Caruana.
“I thought White should play 43. c4!? when I
Cover Story / 2018 Candidates
think 43. ... Kc5 is forced (because if 43. ... h4
44. c5+! wins) then after 44. b4+ I probably
have to play 44. ... Kd4.”
“Yes, I didn’t want to give this counterplay,”
said Kramnik, although after 45. Bc6! White
prevents 45. ... Rg2, cutting out the counterplay
and winning.
43. ... h4 44. c4
“White could also win with 44. Be2,” opined
Kramnik, but Caruana was not so sure. “Who
wins the race after 44. ... Rg3 45. b5 h3?” the
American queried, with the players analyzing
46. b6 h2 47. Rb8 Rg1 48. Bf3!? before Kramnik
threw his hands in the air as if to say, “This is
too ridiculous!” In fact, had Kramnik played
47. Bf3!! in this line, he might well have
triumphed, but of course Caruana could and
should pull out of the race via 46. ... Nd5 47.
Rb8 Nxb6! with a likely draw.
44. ... h3 45. c5+ Ke5 46. Rb8
“I thought this just finishes the game,”
admitted Kramnik. Yet, despite falling into a
brilliant Caruana trap, the move is probably
White’s best try as other Kramnik ideas such
as 46. c6 h2 prove too slow.
46. ... Rxa7 47. Rg8
47. ... Bf6!! 48. d8=Q
A chastened Kramnik took nine minutes
before accepting that he had nothing better.
His intended 48. Rxg4 actually loses after 48.
... Kf5! with the threat of mate on a1.
48. ... Bxd8 49. Rxg4 Bf6 50. Rg6 Rb7
“Probably I should just make a draw with
50. ... Kf5 51. Bd3+ Ke6 52. Bc4+ Kf5,” said
Caruana. “I could try 52. Rxf6+!? Kxf6 53. b5,”
said Kramnik. “Of course it is still a draw but
White is the one playing.”
51. Be2 Rxb4+ 52. Ka2
“Suddenly I am better again,” said Kramnik.
“Yes, I completely underestimated how strong
the c-pawn is here,” agreed Caruana. “It is
running very quickly.”
52. ... Nc2 53. Rc1
“I wanted to play 53. Rb1,” explained
Kramnik, “but 53. ... Re4! confused me.”
www.uschess.org 31
Cover Story / 2018 Candidates
53. ... Nd4 54. Bd3 Ra4+
55. Kb1?!
“This was stupid,” said Kramnik. “I just
decided to repeat moves first but I missed 55.
... Nb3. After 55. Kb2 Ke6 and now you don’t
threaten anything, so 56. Rh1.”
“Now I have 56. ... Rb4+ 57. Kc3 Nc6+,”
responded Caruana, and after Kramnik’s
desperate final try 58. Rxf6+ Kxf6 59. Rxh3, “I
should be able to deal with it,” said Caruana
with a laugh, since 59. ... Kg5 is an immediate
draw.
55. ... Nb3!
“Now White has to be careful already,” said
Caruana.
56. Re1+ Kd5 57. Kc2
“I was still searching for a win,” admitted
Kramnik, “but the position is becoming too
tricky to play in time trouble.”
“57. Rxf6 should just be a draw,” added
Caruana. “I just didn’t have time to calculate
everything,” Kramnik responded, the players
examining the line 57. ... Ra1+ 58. Kb2 Rxe1
59. Kxb3 (59. Rxf4 h2 60. Rh4 is also good
enough.) 59. ... h2 and now Kramnik’s intended
60. Bb5 loses to 60. ... Ke5, but 60. Bc4+! Kxc5
61. Rf5+ enables the white bishop to reach d5
with a draw.
57. ... Nd4+ 58. Kb1 Nf3
59. Rd1?
“I ran myself down to two seconds and just
panicked,” confessed Kramnik. “White can still
make a draw here with 59. Rxf6! Nxe1 60. Bf1!
h2 61. Rh6. The problem is that I wanted to
32 June 2018 | Chess Life
play 59. Rf1? but I missed 59. ... Nd2+ 60. Kc2
Ra2+! and when I saw that check I panicked
and played the first move that came to my mind.”
59. ... Ra1+ 60. Kc2 Rxd1
Here, after Caruana had left his seat, Kramnik
slumped over the board in despair. Too late he
realized that 61. Kxd1 allows the h-pawn to
queen after 61. ... h2.
61. Ba6 Rd2+ 62. Kc1 Bb2+ 63. Kb1 Kxc5
64. Bb7 Ne5 65. Rf6 f3 66. Rf5 f2, White
resigned.
In contrast Wesley So had a nightmare start,
losing his first two games, both with black, to
Caruana and Grischuk. He recovered somewhat
in round six against Aronian but fell back again
after a moment of carelessness against Karjakin.
A CARELESS MOMENT
GM Sergey Karjakin (FIDE 2763, RUS)
GM Wesley So (FIDE 2799, USA)
Candidates Tournament 2018 (7), Berlin,
Germany, 03.18.2018
AFTER 35. Kb5
So had been under pressure since the opening
and here could finally equalize with 35. ... Rc7.
However here, with just over five minutes on
the clock to reach move 40, So used two of
them and chose a move which created a
devastating new threat for White.
35. ... Ke8? 36. Kb6!
Suddenly 37. Kb7 becomes a deadly threat,
and the black king cannot return to f8 without
losing the knight after 37. Rf2.
36. ... g5!?
Hoping to meet 37. Kb7 with 37. ... Rxc6,
whereas the immediate 36. ... Rxc6+ 37. Kxc6
Nxe5+ allows 38. Kd6! Nxg4 39. Kxe6 Kd8 40.
h3! and Black’s kingside pawns are doomed.
37. h3! Nxe5
Desperation, but there is now no defense
against 38. Kb7.
38. Nxe5 Rc3 39. Rh2 Ke7 40. Kb5 Re3,
and Black resigned.
By the end of the first half Mamedyarov was
sitting close behind Caruana, having knocked
over Karjakin in a long queen ending and then
taking advantage of a Kramnik suicide mission.
Ding and Grischuk joined Kramnik on 50
percent, with Ding having drawn every game,
though not without ups and downs.
ROUNDS 8-13
The two leaders went into their shell,
drawing game after game, though Caruana
went close to grinding down Ding in round
nine.
The Chinese grandmaster managed to extend
his drawing run to 11 only by missing a forced
mate against Grischuk.
Meanwhile, So stopped the bleeding with a
series of draws while the Kramnik roller-coaster
was continuing to provide plenty of excitement
for the spectators. The game Kramnik-Aronian
confirmed that Aronian was in free-fall; it was
his third consecutive loss and one more was
to follow. For the player who had had chances
to win every previous Candidates tournament
of the modern era, Berlin 2018 was a crushing
disappointment.
In the 12th round the tournament was blown
wide open by defeats for the two leaders:
Caruana falling to Karjakin, as mentioned
above, while Mamedyarov gave Ding his first
win. (“Why against me?” Mamedyarov was
heard to bemoan later.)
PETROFF DEFENSE (C42)
GM Sergey Karjakin (FIDE 2763, RUS)
GM Fabiano Caruana (FIDE 2784, USA)
Candidates Tournament 2018 (12), Berlin,
Germany, 03.24.2018
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3
Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Nc6 7. Be3 Be7
8. Qd2 Be6 9. 0-0-0 Qd7
10. a3!?
“I don’t think this was a surprise for Fabiano
as it had been played by his second Rustam
Kasimdzhanov,” said Karjakin.
10. ... h6!?
“I was expecting 10. ... a6,” said Karjakin.
11. Nd4 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Rg8 13. Be2

“My first intention was 13. c4 but then Black
has 13. ... c5 and 14. ... 0-0-0,” explained
Karjakin.
13. ... c5!?
“I wasn’t sure this was best,” said Karjakin.
“Yes, perhaps just 13. ... a6,” responded Caruana.
Or 13. ... Qa4,” added Karjakin, “with ... 0-0-0
later.
14. Be3 d5 15. f4 0-0-0 16. Bf3
16. ... Bg4?!
“When I first played 16. Bf3, I thought 16.
... Bg4 was very natural and I expected this,”
explained Karjakin. “It wasn’t an easy decision
to sacrifice, but if I don’t sacrifice in this
tournament situation, then when? If I don’t
sacrifice it will be very drawish, so it was a
perfect moment for sacrificing!”
“I shouldn’t have allowed this,” admitted
Caruana. “Probably I should just play 16. ... f5
17. Qf2 Qc7 but I thought I would be okay after
17. Bxd5 but it becomes very difficult to play. I
should have had a feeling that 17. Bxd5 would
be unpleasant for me. I don’t know why, but
that feeling of danger was absent.”
“In Fabiano’s line after 18. Rd3 Rd7 19. Rhd1
Rgd8 White can try 20. h3 and 21. g4 when I
feel that White should be better,” responded
Karjakin.
17. Bxd5!! Bxd1 18. Rxd1 Qc7 19. c4
“Once I went to the rest area and I looked at
the monitors and saw it from the white side I
started to regret what I’d done because it looked
so beautiful for White!” confessed Caruana.
19. ... Rge8 20. Qf2
20. ... b6?
A critical moment that passed uncommented
by the two players. After 20. ... b6 White is
given the opportunity to restrict Black’s activity
so the pawn sacrifice 20. ... f5! needed to be
considered. Since Black threatens to consolidate
with ... Kb8, ... b7-b6 and ... Bf6, White is obliged
to grab the f5-pawn, but after 21. Be6+ Kb8
22. Rxd8+ Qxd8 23. Bxf5 Bf6! White struggles
to return the light-square bishop to d5 and,
should White incautiously go for another pawn
with 24. Bxc5?!, then Black can respond 24. ...
b6 25. Be3 Qe7! after which White must grovel
for a draw via 26. Bd4 (26. Bd2?! Qe2) 26. ...
Bxd4 27. Qxd4 Qe1+ 28. Qd1 Qxd1+ 29. Kxd1
Rf8 30. g4 g6 31. Bxg6 Rxf4 32. h3.
21. g4 Bf6
22. Kb1
“It was only a few moves after the sacrifice
that I realized that I really can’t do anything,”
explained Caruana. “I was under this illusion
that I would have some counterplay, or some
way to trade bishops, or some way to get my
king safe, but I just couldn’t find a way. White
just plays these prophylactic moves, Kb1, Ka2,
and the king is very safe. Maybe it’s not so bad,
but practically I just thought it was so unpleasant
and with each move it became more unpleasant.
22. ... Rd7 23. Rd3 g5 24. Ka2 Ree7 25.
Qf3 Kd8 26. Bd2 Kc8
27. Qf1!
“I was very proud when I found the idea of
27. Qf1 and 28. Rh3,” confessed Karjakin.
“Otherwise Black’s position is very hard to
break down.”
Cover Story / 2018 Candidates
Italy or USA?
At his winner’s press conference
Caruana made a point of saying, “I
really hope, [as a result of my
victory], chess becomes more
popular in both the USA and Italy.”
However, almost simultaneously,
the Chess Club and Scholastic
Center of Saint Louis was issuing a
press release indicating that
Caruana’s decade representing
Italy, from age 12 to 22, was to be
written out of history. The press
release stated that Caruana was
born in Miami and “relocated
several times and ultimately made
St. Louis his home in 2015.”
Caruana’s father Lou, on the Chess
Club and Scholastic Center of Saint
Louis’ commentary stream,
reinforced the point that Caruana
was solely an American, saying,
“Moving to Europe was a gamble. In
fact, it was a bigger gamble than
we realized at the time. Fabiano
was always an American. Changing
federations [to play for Italy] was a
strategic decision at the time. It was
always the plan to come home [to
the U.S.] at some time.”
Yet Caruana was tipped as a World
Champion-in-waiting only after his
extraordinary 2014 Sinquefield Cup
win in St. Louis—one of the greatest
tournament performances of any
player in history. At the time,
Caruana was competing as an
Italian and receiving extensive
support for training from the Italian
Chess Federation. However, this
may also have been the event after
which the wheels starting seriously
turning to encourage Caruana to
return to the U.S. permanently, and
indeed, in 2015 Caruana accepted a
lucrative offer to become a U.S.
player again.
www.uschess.org 33
Cover Story / 2018 Candidates
27. ... Rd6
“I just couldn’t see a way to counter 28. Rh3,”
admitted Caruana. “I thought that after losing
the g5-pawn I might have easier play.”
28. fxg5 Bxg5 29. Bxg5 hxg5 30. Qf5+
Rdd7
“I could try 30. ... Qd7 31. Qxg5 Rg6,” said
Caruana, “but after 32. Qh4! I didn’t see my
next move.”
31. Qxg5 Qe5 32. Qh6 Kd8?!
“If 32. ... f6, then 33. g5 is winning,” claimed
Caruana, but after Karjakin indicated 33. ...
fxg5 34. Qc6+ Qc7!, Caruana agreed, “This is
nothing.”
“I was just going to play 33. h4! after 32. ...
f6,” said Karjakin. “White is better but it was a
better try for Black.”
33. g5!
“Now I felt it should be very bad for Black,”
said Karjakin, “and I didn’t manage to mess it
up!”
33. ... Qd6 34. Qh8+ Re8 35. Qh4
“I wanted to play 35. Qh3 but then I saw 35.
... Qf4, the only move,” said Karjakin, (showing
the variation 35. ... Qg6? 36. Qxd7+! Kxd7 37.
Bxf7+ Qxd3 38. Bxe8+! and White wins.) “After
35. ... Qf4, White just plays 36. Rf3!,” responded
Caruana. “It was already dead lost for Black.”
35. ... Qg6 36. Qg4 Re5 37. h4 Ke7 38.
Rd2
38. ... b5
Desperation. “If I play 38. ... Rd8 then 39.
Rf2 is winning, so everything is hopeless,”
conceded Caruana.
39. Bxf7! Qf5 40. Rxd7+ Kxd7 41. Qxf5+
Rxf5 42. g6 Ke7 43. cxb5 Rh5 44. c4
Rxh4 45. a4 Rg4 46. a5 Kd6 47. a6 Kc7
48. Kb3, Black resigned.
Suddenly Karjakin was tied for the lead with
Caruana and Mamedyarov was half a point
behind but equal with Ding and Grischuk—
any of those five could realistically hope for a
match with Carlsen.
A rest day followed, allowing both Caruana
34 June 2018 | Chess Life
and Mamedyarov to reset and bounce back
with wins.
CLOSED RUY LOPEZ,
ANTI-MARSHALL SYSTEMS (C88)
GM Fabiano Caruana (FIDE 2784, USA)
GM Levon Aronian (FIDE 2794, ARM)
Candidates Tournament 2018 (13), Berlin,
Germany, 03.26.2018
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 0-0 8. d3 d6
9. Bd2!?
“Grischuk came up with this against Aronian
the round before,” said Caruana. “It’s not exactly
a novelty but it is a brilliant opening invention.
It opens a new chapter in the Anti-Marshall.
It was kind of fun to look at a totally fresh
position on the rest day.”
9. ... Bg4
“Levon played in the most critical way,” said
Caruana. Against Grischuk, Aronian had tried
9. ... Kh8 10. h3 Nd7 looking for a quick ... f5
advance.
10. c3 d5!?
A typical Aronian choice.
The continuation 10. ... Na5 11. Bc2 c5 was
also completely playable.
11. h3 Bh5
Not usually a good square in lines where
White has played d2-d3, but now any retreat
of the bishop would lose the e5-pawn and 11.
... Bxf3 12. Qxf3 should almost always be better
for White in the long term.
12. Qe2 Rb8?!
A computer suggestion, but it turns out just
to waste time.
13. Bg5
The point behind Black’s last move is that the
attempt to grab material with 13. exd5 Nxd5 14.
Qe4 walks into 14. ... Nf6 15. Qxc6?! Rb6 16.
Nxe5! Bd6! and the white queen has no escape.
13. ... dxe4 14. dxe4 h6 15. Bc1!
“I was lucky enough to get my preparation
up to this point,” said Caruana. “This is what I
wanted: a game where the position doesn’t
simplify immediately.”
15. ... Bg6 16. Nbd2 Nh5 17. Nf1 Bc5 18. g3
The start of a remarkably slow plan, possible
because the g6-bishop slows down any Black
counterplay.
18. ... Kh7 19. Kg2 Qe7 20. Bc2 Rfd8 21. b4
Bb6 22. a4 Nf6 23. Nh4
“I saw the option 23. axb5 axb5 24. Qxb5
Bxf2 25. Qxc6 Bxe1 26. Nxe1,” said Caruana,
“but I didn’t want the game to get too out of
control—which it did anyway!
23. ... Qe6 24. Bd3?!
“After 24. Nxg6 fxg6 25. Bd3 I was worried
about 25. ... Rf8,” said Caruana. “But 24. Bd3
gave a lot of counterplay, which I perhaps
should not have allowed.
24. ... Bh5!
“24. ... Ne7 with the idea 25. Nxg6 Nxg6 26.
axb5 axb5 27. Bxb5 Bxf2!? doesn’t work because
of 28. Bc4!,” explained Caruana.
25. g4 Bxg4! 26. hxg4 Nxg4
“There was also the possibility 26. ... Qxg4+
27. Qxg4 Nxg4 28. Be2 Bxf2,” said Caruana,
“but after 29. Rd1 Bxh4 30. Bxg4, although
Black has three pawns for the piece, the pawns
are not moving and I thought White should
be technically winning here.”
27. Nf5 Nxf2 28. Bc2 g6 29. N1e3!?
“29. N5e3! Nh3 30. Nd5 Ng1! is very unclear,
unfortunately,” said Caruana. On 31. Qd3
Aronian suggested 31. ... Ne7 whereupon
Caruana noticed that (31. ... Nxb4 32. cxb4 c6
33. Nc7) 32. Nfe3 would allow 32. ... Qh3+!
33. Kxg1 Qg3+ with perpetual check because
of the pin on the e3-knight. “My knight on d5
is simply unstable,” sighed Caruana. However
in this line 32. Qg3! should be good enough
for White, while Black’s attempted improve-
ment 31. ... Nxb4!? 32. cxb4 c6 fails to the
amazing computer move 33. Nc7!!.
29. ... gxf5 30. exf5 Qf6 31. Qxf2
(see diagram top of next page)
 Cover Story / 2018 Candidates

... Nxb4 and 32. ... Rd4 is very beautiful.”

32. Rh1 Rd6 Fabi Facts
“Here I don’t have any ideas,” admitted Aronian. 1992 Born in Miami

33. Bxe4 Rg8+ 34. Kf1 Ne5 35. Qf4 c6 1996 Family moves to New York

2002 Pan-American U/10 Champion

2004 Family moves to Madrid, turns

professional

2005 Changes Federation to Italy

31. ... e4? 2007 Moves to Budapest, works

“I spent a long time here—10 minutes on 30.
... Qf6 and 31. ... e4—but I didn’t see 31. ...
Nxb4!! 32. cxb4 Rd4!,” said Aronian. “I was
looking at 31. ... Nd4, but even then I didn’t
look at recapturing with the rook. I am not
upset that I missed 31. ... Nxb4. It’s just that it
didn’t even come to my mind that I could play
a slow move [32. ... Rd4 or 32. ... Rxd4].”
“After 31. ... Nd4 I can play 32. Be4 but [31.
... Nxb4 32. cxb4 Rd4] is incredibly strong,”
replied Caruana, “with ... Rf4 and ... Rg8 coming.”
Aronian, who had been told some variations
before coming to the press conference, showed
Caruana the line 33. Kh3 Rg8 ...
36. axb5
“Here 36. Rxh6+! Qxh6 37. f6+ Rg6 38.
Qxh6+ Kxh6 39. Nc4+! wins on the spot,”
pointed out Aronian. “Right, that would have
been the easiest,” agreed Caruana. “I was trying
to make 36. Nd5 work but then Black has 36.
... Rg1+! so I decided just to exchange on b5
because I had run my time down and it
couldn’t hurt.”
36. ... Rg5
with Chernin. Grandmaster at age 14
2007, 08, 10, 11 Italian Champion
2009 Moves to Lugano
2012 Moves to Madrid, wins
Reykjavik, Dortmund, second at
Wijk aan Zee and Sao Paulo/Bilbao
2013 Wins Bucharest Kings, Paris GP
2014 Wins Sinquefield Cup with
812⁄ /10 score (starting with 7
consecutive wins); wins Dortmund,
Baku Grand Prix; reaches 2800;
becomes world number two

... and now the only good move, 34. Nd5!! Rxd5
35. Qf3 followed by 36. Be4. “It’s not so easy
just to give up a piece,” admitted Caruana. “31.
Preventing 37. Rxh6+ but now Black is losing
on the queenside as well!
37. bxa6 Qd8 38. f6+ Ng6 39. Rxh6+!,
Black resigned.
Caruana was back in the lead but knew that
he could not afford to get into a tie with
Mamedyarov or Karjakin and, in the case of a
big tie, Ding might also prevail on tiebreakers.
“It is the most open Candidates tournament
since 2013 and even there only two players
could win,” said Caruana. “Here three, maybe
even four, have a chance.”
Then came the dramatic final round ...
2015 Moves to St. Louis, wins
Dortmund, Khanty Mansiysk Grand
Prix; rejoined US Chess Federation
2016 Wins U.S. Championship,
second at Wijk aan Zee and Moscow
Candidates, leads U.S. team to gold
medal at Baku Olympiad
2017 Wins London Classic
2018 Wins Berlin Candidates
tournament to become challenger
for Magnus Carlsen’s world title

FIDE CANDIDATES TOURNAMENT 2018 — MARCH 10-28, 2018

Rating Country 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Score
1. GM Fabiano Caruana 2784 USA x ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 1 9
2. GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 2809 AZE ½ ½ x ½ 1 0 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 8
3. GM Sergey Karjakin 2763 RUS 1 ½ 0 ½ x ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 0 1 8
4. GM Liren Ding 2769 CHN ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ x ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 7½
5. GM Vladimir Kramnik 2800 RUS 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ x 1 0 ½ ½ 1 1 6½
6. GM Alexander Grischuk 2767 RUS 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 0 x 1 ½ ½ ½ 6½
7. GM Wesley So 2799 USA ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 x 1 ½ 6
8. GM Levon Aronian 2794 ARM 0 0 ½ ½ 0 1 ½ ½ 0 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 x 4½
For more information, see the official website: https://worldchess.com/berlin/.
Note: First game shows player's result with white pieces against opponent, second game show result with black pieces.

www.uschess.org 35
UT-Rio Grande
Webster’s Fin
“Subtle trap” in the last
Valley Snaps
al Four Streak
game going decides the title By AL LAWRENCE

LEFT TO RIGHT: GM VLADIMIR BELOUS, GM KAMIL DRAGUN, GM ANDREY STUKOPIN, GM BARTEK MACIEJA
(HEAD COACH), GM HOVHANNES GABUZYAN, GM CARLOS ANTONIO HEVIA ALEJANO; PHOTO BY DAVID PIKE
College Chess / Final Four

“A diabolical drawing trap.”

THE WORDS WERE GM SUSAN POLGAR’S. The “trap”—along with an unusual rule—denied her Webster University team a sixth national
college championship. Instead, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) brought home its first national title, winning what US
Chess President Mike Hoffpauir recognized as “the strongest-ever Final Four.”
The finish on Easter Sunday morning was as dramatic as only a team championship can get. Everything came down to the last game going.
Webster’s captain, GM Ray Robson, sat across from GM Dariusz Swiercz of St. Louis University. Robson, playing white, knew that the sum of his
university’s season, as well as continuing its historic streak, hinged on the game’s outcome. Webster needed a win to take first on tiebreaks. And,
although unlikely to be on Robson’s mind, there was a personal record at stake. With a win, Robson would have played on six straight national
college championship teams. Since titled players are limited to six tries, it would be an unsurpassable record. The moment deserves recreating.

DIABOLICAL 82. a7!! 32. Nb1 Rf3

GM Ray Robson (2734, Webster)
GM Darius Swiercz (2758, St. Louis U.)
Final Four of College Chess (3), New York,
New York. 04.01.2018
Robson finds it! So far, so great for Webster.
Caught up in the moment, some of the crowd
erupts into such a whoop that Hoffpauir dashes
upstairs from the playing room with stern
instructions to be quiet. Now, with best play,
White could win.
82. ... Kc7
Black puts a knight on the rim and then passes
up a chance to double on the “seventh” rank!
The great and doctrinaire 19th-century German
chessplayer and writer Siegbert Tarrasch would
be verklempt with exasperation. In an unemotional
version of the verdict, Stockfish agrees.
The continuation 32. ... Rff2 33. Nxa3 (33.
Rd2) 33. ... b5 keeps Black close to equal.
33. Nxa3 Rxe3 34. Rd2 Rxd2 35. Kxd2
Rh3 36. Nc4 Rh2+ 37. Kd1 Nf4 38. Nxe5
c5 39. Ng4 Rh8 40. a4 Ne6 41. Kd2 Nd4
42. Rg2 g5 43. Ne5 Re8 44. Nc4 Rh8 45.
Ne3 Rh3 46. Nf5 Ne6 47. Kc3 Rh1 48. Ne3
Kc6 49. Kd2

The move 49. Kc4 seems the right direction,

POSITION AFTER 81. … Ra5
Downstairs at the Marshall Chess Club in
Greenwich Village, both players hunch over
the board in a playing room now otherwise
empty except for Chief Arbiter Oscar Garcia
and Hoffpauir, who keep spectators, along with
players finished with their games, upstairs.
Having exhausted most of the time in the
Game/90 time control, and now in a difficult,
materially-unbalanced ending, Robson and
Swiercz must make each move within 30-
second increments.
Robson presses creatively to find a way to
win. But Swiercz is tenacious and tricky. Even
though a draw won’t change St. Louis Univer-
sity’s disappointing last-place finish, it would
tie the match—and St. Louis University would
play spoiler to the hopes of cross-town rival
Webster—and prove the newest scholarship
team can play with anyone.
Black’s last move allows only one winning
response. Upstairs in the spectator area, com-
puter engines assess and then, given a moment
more, recalibrate—like a car navigator recalcu-
lating after a missed turn—revealing that
Robson is indeed uncorking a series of star
moves in the endgame.
when White is on the verge of winning: 49. ...
Nd4 50. Rf2.
49. ... Kd7 50. Nf5 Rh3 51. Kc3 Rh1 52.
Ng3 Rh3 53. Ne2 Rh1 54. Kd2 Rh3 55. Ng1
Rh8 56. Nf3 Ke7 57. Rh2 Rg8 58. Ke3 Rg7
Put yourself in Robson’s jiggling shoes. He 59. c3 g4 60. Nh4 Rg8 61. Nf5+
must win for the team. And he must respond
within the interval. What’s your move? Enjoy
the whole, nail-biting game:
RUY LOPEZ, BERLIN DEFENSE (C65)
GM Ray Robson (2734, Webster)
GM Dariusz Swiercz (2758, St. Louis U.).
Final Four of College Chess (3), New York,
New York, 04.01.2018
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5
5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Bg4 7. h3 Bh5 8.
Nb3 Bd6 9. Bd2 b6 10. g4 Bg6 11. Nh4 a5
12. Qf3 Qd7 13. Nf5 Bxf5 14. gxf5 a4 15.
Nc1 0-0-0 16. Ne2 Kb7 17. 0-0-0 Qe7 18. White’s position is now very encouraging
h4 Bb4 19. Bxb4 Qxb4 20. h5 Qe7 21. Kb1 to Webster fans.
a3 22. b3 g5 23. hxg6 e.p. hxg6 24. fxg6
61. ... Kf6 62. Rg2
fxg6 25. Qg3 Qc5 26. Rhf1 Nh5 27. Qe3
Qxe3 28. fxe3 Rdf8 29. Kc1 Nf6 30. Rg1 Stronger is 62. Rh6+ Kf7 63. e5 g3 (63. ...
Rh2 31. Nc3 Nh5 Ng5 64. Rc6) 64. Rf6+.
A bit better was 31. ... Nd7 32. Nb1 Rff2 33. 62. ... Rg6 63. Nh4 Rg8 64. d4 cxd4+ 65.
Nxa3 Nc5 34. Kb1 (34. Rh1 Rhg2 35. Rhg1). cxd4 c6 66. Nf3

38 June 2018 | Chess Life


The move 66. Nf5, followed by 67. Rc2, also
looks sufficient.
66. ... g3 67. b4
Also winning is 67. Ng1 Rg4 68. Ne2 c5 69.
e5+ Ke7 70. Kf3.
67. ... Ra8 68. Ra2
Even better was 68. e5+! Ke7 69. b5 cxb5
70. axb5 Ra5 71. Rxg3 Rxb5 72. Rh3.
68. ... g2 69. Kf2
Instead, 69. a5 may keep some advantage.
Now both Houdini and Stockfish show the
game as a dead even “0.00.” Many spectators
upstairs at the Marshall, eyes glued to computer
evaluations, grinned or grimaced, depending
on their affiliations.
69. ... Rg8
The right defense. So now Robson must stir
the pot.
70. Ra1 Nf4 71. a5 bxa5 72. bxa5 Nh3+ 73.
Ke3 g1=Q+ 74. Nxg1 Nxg1
The engines still call this completely equal.
But Robson’s play is cunning, going for
imbalanced material. He’s the one with winning
chances. He will win a third pawn for the piece.
And Black’s cavalry is far from the action, resting
in an opponent’s stall.
75. Rc1 Ke7 76. Rxc6 Nh3
Giving the piece back is the clear way to a
draw. 76. ... Rg3+ 77. Kf2 Rd3 78. Kxg1 Rxd4
79. e5 Rd5.
77. d5 Rg3+ 78. Kd4 Nf4?!
79. a6!
Whoops and admonishments. The star move
the engines “wanted.” Now, with best play,
White should win.
79. ... Ra3 80. Rh6 Kd8 81. e5 Ra5
See the diagram (above) at the beginning of
the article. Black chooses a defense that allows
only one winning response.
82. a7!! Kc7
Here we are at the second diagram (above)
of the article. What did you choose?
College Chess / Final Four
83. Rh8?
The winning move was 83. Rh7+! After 83.
... Kb6 84. e6!. Again, the one move that wins
Final Team
(Equal is 84. d6.) 84. ... Ng6 85. Ke4 Ra1 86.
Kf5 is hopeless for Black.
Results
83. ... Ra4+! UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO
Playing solely on increment, Black finds the GRANDE VALLEY (2683.0)
only drawing move! 712⁄ GAME POINTS
Winning is 83. ... Rxa7 84. Rh7+ Kb6 85. Head Coach: GM Bartek Macieja
Rxa7 Kxa7 86. e6! (Equal is 86. d6). GM BELOUS, Vladimir (2684)
84. Kc5 Ra5+ 85. Kd4 Ra4+ 86. Kc5 Ra5+ GM DRAGUN, Kamil (2686)
87. Kb4 Rxa7 88. Rh7+ Kb6 89. Rxa7 GM STUKOPIN, Andrey (2683)
Kxa7 90. Kc5 Kb7 91. Kd6 Kc8 92. e6
Kd8. GM GABUZYAN, Hovhannes
(2679)
The black king gets into its best defensive
GM HEVIA ALEJANO, Carlos
position and the game is “0.00.”
Antonio (2569)
93. Ke5 Nxd5 94. Kxd5 Ke7 95. Ke5 Ke8
96. Kd6 Kd8 97. e7+ Ke8 98. Ke6,
Stalemate. WEBSTER UNIVERSITY
(2716.8)
Stalemate gives UTRGV the half-point it
needs to be the champ! Robson was creative 7 GAME POINTS
and aggressive. Swiercz played the last 15 moves Head Coach: GM Susan Polgar
precisely, despite being under great pressure GM DURARBAYLI, Vasif (2694)
and sometimes in earshot of crowd outbursts. GM SHIMANOV, Aleksandr (2713)
This fighting game is a credit to both players. GM ROBSON, Ray (2734)
GM CORI, Jorge (2723)
GRINS AND GRACIOUS GM NYZHNYK, Illia (2697)
CONGRATS GM PROHASZKA, Peter (2688)
With their fate dangling at the mercy of players
from two other teams for hours, UT-RGV’s
contingency was all big grins when they finally TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
clutched their first-ever national college champi- (2635.5)
onship President’s Cup. “I am so proud of my 5 POINTS
students,” UTRGV’s Coach Bartek Macieja said. Head Coach: GM Alex Onischuk
“Not all of the students were in their best shape.
GM BARYSHPOLETS, Andrey
But even those students fought hard till the last
pawn and contributed in the best possible way (2670)
they could.” Back on campus, recognition was IM MATSENKO, Sergei (2620)
overwhelming. The team’s photo was “not only GM VORONTSOV, Pavlo (2644)
on the opening website page of UTRGV, but IM SHTEMBULIAK, Evgeny
even on the front page of the whole UT system.” (2608)
Official celebrations with UTRGV President Guy IM TORRES ROSAS, Luis Carlos
Bailey followed, along with congratulations from
(2421)
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, senators and
congressmen.
GM Polgar’s Webster finished in an unfamil- ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY
iar second place, and she was very gracious in (2699.5)
defeat. “They were the first ones to approach 412⁄ POINTS
me and congratulate us, even though I can Head Coach: GM Alejandro
imagine how tough it was for them,” Macieja
Ramirez
said. “Objectively, they had the strongest team,
and they were so close to winning their GM IPATOV, Alexander (2723)
eighth title (and the sixth for Webster University) GM SWIERCZ, Dariusz (2757)
in a row. ... I am convinced their record will GM ZHEREBUKH, Yaroslav (2701)
stay unbeaten for decades or a century.” GM RAMBALDI, Francesco (2617)
To recap the round-by-round: In round one GM ALI MARANDI, Cemil Can
on Saturday, UTRGV jumped in front with (2571)
three game points in its 3-1 defeat of St. Louis
IM DERAKHSHANI, Dorsa (2373)
University, with key wins by GMs Vladimir
www.uschess.org 39
College Chess / Final Four

Belous and Hovhannes Gabuzyan, leaving

second-seed St. Louis, the only team other than
Teaching America’s most hated Webster with a 2700 average rating, in a deep
hole. (Keep in mind the unusual rule, well
understood by all teams: Game points, not match
points, are what count at the Final Four.)
Meanwhile Webster, on the back of Ray
Robson’s win, picked up 2½ points in a narrow
victory over Texas Tech. Then in round two,
Webster beat UTRGV 2½-1½. That put Webster
up by ½-point going into the final round. But
UTRGV then put that lead in doubt with a 3-1
romp over Texas Tech, while the first three
games in the Webster versus St. Louis matchup
were drawn. That left it all up to Robson-
Swiercz.
Texas Tech, the only team not fielding at
least four grandmasters—it gets by with two
grandmasters and two international masters—
is traditionally the lowest-rated team, and, as
One of St. Louis University’s grandmaster players might have taken a different usual, under Head Coach and Hall-of-Famer
path if a lucrative chess student hadn’t become the most hated man in America. GM Alex Onischuk, played above statistical
expectations, finishing third.
If you think I’m “Trumpaggerating,” just Google “Most hated man in America.” “You can’t win the PanAms without a hero,”
Martin Shkreli’s (above, left) photo will pop up. He’s the multi-millionaire whiz-kid Webster’s Paul Truong said. GM Vladimir
who hiked the price of the life-saving drug Daraprim from $13.50 to $750 a pill— Belous filled that role for UTRGV. He was the
more than a 5,000 percent increase—just because he could. Now “Pharma Bro” is only player to score 3-0, and he did it on board
doing seven years for securities fraud stemming from his hocus-pocus during a one with two blacks. Robson turned in an
previous stint as a hedge fund boss. You might say he’s an all-round scoundrel, outstanding 2½-½ as an impressive last hurrah
not just a pharmaceutical specialist. to college competition. He just couldn’t find
that last winning move.
Here’s Belous’ impressive first-round win,
revealing the weapons of surprise and prepa-
ODD BOARD-FELLOWS ration.
Sometime before all this came to light, back when GM Yaro Zherebukh (above,
right) was still an undergrad studying finance at Texas Tech, Shkreli contacted
Zherebukh for chess lessons. Despite the fact that the two are both brilliant, they
QUEEN’S GAMBIT ACCEPTED,
seem unlikely board-fellows. “Yaro Z” is well-liked, with a “regular guy”
CLASSICAL MAIN LINE (D27)
GM Alexander Ipatov (2710, St. Louis U.)
personality despite his achievements. His team spirit helped lead Texas Tech to
GM Vladimir Belous (2668, University of
an upset win in the 2015 PanAms. In the 2017 U.S. Championship, he drew GM
Texas Rio Grande Valley)
Wesley So and scored a dazzling kingside rout of GM Fabiano Caruana, then
Final Four of College Chess (1), New York,
number three in the world and now the World Championship challenger. All this
New York, 03.31.2018
never went to Yaro’s level head. On the other hand, Shkreli was to become the
Comments by Belous.
poster child for egomania. Even during his trial, he couldn’t rein in his offensive
tweets, causing the judge to revoke bail, putting Shkreli in a cell. I’ve known Alexander for a long time. He is
a very solid player. I played on the first board,
Yet Yaro’s hourly fee, although it wouldn’t buy a single dose of Daraprim, was so my plan was to try to equalize and to play
rewarding, and Shkreli was a good student who treated his teacher well. In fact, safely.
Shkreli behaved “like a nice guy,” Zherebukh said. Shkreli flew Yaro from dusty 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4
west Texas to New York City in first class and had a car waiting to pick him up at
the airport. He put his teacher up gratis in a hotel in Manhattan for a weekend of
I decided to surprise my opponent in the
opening.
little actual work.
5. e3
Shkreli thought so much of Zherebukh that he offered him a job when he But I completely forgot to review how to
graduated. Yaro accepted, counting on a rewarding place to land after react after this move. Fortunately, I had
graduation. It was an opportunity to enter the financial world in Manhattan—the experience as White, so I kind of knew where
center of the action. “But then he was arrested and went to jail,” Yaro said. “I had to develop the pieces.
to have a Plan B.” That plan turned out to be a master’s program in applied
5. ... a6 6. a4 c5 7. Bxc4 Nc6 8. 0-0 cxd4
financial economics at St. Louis University, where he rides a full chess scholarship.
Yaro should have some first-hand observations to share if the program requires a The move 8. ... Be7 is more flexible, not
session in business ethics. allowing White to develop his dark-square
bishop.

40 June 2018 | Chess Life

 College Chess / Final Four
TOP PHOTO COURTESY TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY; BOTTOM BY AL LAWRENCE; OPPOSITE PAGE, SHKRELI FROM WIKIMEDIA; ZHEREBUKH COURTESY OF CHESS CLUB AND SCHOLASTIC CENTER OF SAINT LOUIS

TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY: FRONT ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT): WIM IRYNA ANDRENKO, WGM CARLA HEREDIA, WCM CLAUDIA MUNOZ, SHRUTHI GIYYAR.
BACK ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT): IM LUIS CARLOS TORRES ROSAS, GM PAVEL VORONTSOV, IM EVGENY SHTEMBULIAK, GM ALEX ONISCHUK (HEAD
COACH), TEXAS TECH PRESIDENT LAWRENCE SCHOVANEC, IM SERGEI MATSENKO, GM ANDRII BARYSHPOLETS, OPURICHE “IFY” DURUOHA

ST. LOUIS U.: FRONT ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT): GM ALEXANDER IPATOV, GM FRANCESCO RAMBALDI, GM DARIUSZ SWIERCZ, GM YAROSLAV ZHEREBUKH,
IM DORSA DERAKHSHANI. BACK ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT): GM ALEJANDRO RAMIREZ (HEAD COACH), GM CEMIL CAN ALI MARANDI, NOZIMA ARIPOVA

www.uschess.org 41
College Chess / Final Four
WEBSTER UNIVERSITY: FRONT ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT): GM PRIYADHARSHAN KANNAPPAN, GM JORGE CORI, GM ILLIA NYZHNYK, GM SUSAN POLGAR
(HEAD COACH). BACK ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT): [BYSTANDER], GM VASIF DURARBAYLI, GM ALEKSANDR SHIMANOV, GM PETER PROHASZKA, GM RAY
ROBSON, GM EMILIO CORDOBA
9. exd4 Be7 10. Re1 0-0 11. Bg5 Bd7 12.
Qe2
After 12. Ne5 Rc8 13. Bb3 h6, Black should
be OK.
12. ... h6 13. Bxf6?!
Probably not a bad move, but I would not give
up my bishop if I were White. The dark-square
bishop is important in this type of position.
The alternative was 13. Bh4, though I didn’t
expect my opponent to play it, as during my
preparations I had observed his tendency to
keep the bishop on the other diagonal with an
intention to sacrifice it on h6. After 13. ... Nh5
14. Bxe7 Nxe7 15. Ne5 Nf6, perhaps White is
slightly better, but not more than that.
13. ... Bxf6 14. Rad1
The line 14. d5 Nd4! 15. Nxd4?! (After 15.
Qd3 Nxf3+ 16. Qxf3 Qb6 Black is completely
all right.) 15. ... Bxd4 16. dxe6 (Black has a huge
edge after 16. Rad1 e5) 16. ... fxe6 is slightly
better for Black. In this case, I would have a
worse pawn structure, but it would be fully
compensated by my two amazing bishops. Also,
my rook on f8 would enjoy a half-open file.
14. ... Re8 15. Ne5?!
After the game Alexander concluded the plan
42 June 2018 | Chess Life
he had chosen was wrong. Instead: 15. Ne4!
Be7 (After 15. ... Qe7 16. d5 exd5 17. Bxd5 Rad8
18. Qc4 Be6 19. Bxe6 Rxd1 20. Nxf6+ Qxf6 21.
Bxf7+ Qxf7 22. Qxf7+ Kxf7 23. Rxd1 White is
winning) 16. d5 exd5 17. Bxd5 Qc8 18. Qc4 Be6
19. Bxe6 Qxe6 20. Qxe6 fxe6, when White is a
little bit better, because of the pawn structure.
15. ... Qc7 16. Qh5?!
Now Black can get a long-lasting positional
advantage. Better was 16. Qg4!? or 16. Ne4!?
Bxe5 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18. Nd6 Nxc4 19. Nxe8
Bxe8 20. Rc1 Rc8 21. b3 b5 22. axb5 axb5 23.
bxc4 bxc4.
16. ... Nxe5?!
I love to play with two bishops, but in this
position, it wasn’t the best decision. Instead, I
should play 16. ... Bxe5!, keeping the knight to
be able to defend my king more easily should
it come under attack. 17. dxe5 Red8. White
has weak pawns on e5 , b2 and a4.
17. dxe5 Be7 18. Bd3?
Best was 18. Rd3! Qxc4 19. Rxd7 b5 20. axb5
axb5 21. Qf3 which is equal. But it is difficult
to find such moves while in time trouble. My
opponent spent too much time for his previous
moves.
18. ... Red8
With the a-pawn on a2, it would not be so
obvious that Black was better.
19. Qf3 Qb6 20. Qe4 g6 21. Qe2 Kg7
Now my king is safe.
22. g3 Rac8 23. h4 h5 24. Be4 Qb4 25.
Kg2 Be8
My plan was to keep improving my position
slowly. I did not want to rush else I might make
a mistake. Plus, Alexander was already playing
with only a few minutes remaining on his clock.
After 25. ... Bxa4?! 26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27. Nxa4
Qxa4 28. Bxb7 a5 29. Qf3 Rb8, it wouldn’t be
so simple to win.

26. Bf3 Bc5 27. Ne4 Rxd1 28. Rxd1 Bxa4
29. Rc1 Bb5 30. Qd1 b6!
A rock solid move, defending against all
possible threats. Now Black is a pawn up.
31. Nd6 Rc7
It is important not to lose concentration
even for a moment and to keep an eye for little
tactics like 31. ... Rd8?? 32. Nf5+.
32. Nxb5 Qxb5 33. Qe2 Qb4
It is more difficult for White to defend with
queens alive. There are three weaknesses: b2,
e5, and f2. Moreover, the opponent is in time
trouble!
34. Rd1 a5 35. Rd8 Be7 36. Ra8 Rd7 37.
Qe4 Qxb2 38. Qc6
Looking for counterplay.
38. ... Qd4
The move 38. ... Bc5?? looks tempting, but
it is wrong, as White is not obliged to capture
the rook: 39. Qc8!,with checkmate threats.
39. Rb8 a4 40. Kh3 a3 41. Ra8 Qxf2 42. Ra4
No better is 42. Qxd7 Qxf3.
42. ... Rd2, White resigned.
That game gave me a lot of confidence for
the rest of the tournament.
GM Pavlo Vorontsov played a vital game
for Texas Tech, as he did at the PanAms to
secure the team’s qualification. But this time
his opponent was the formidable GM Yaro
Zherebukh, now playing for St. Louis Uni-
versity.
QUEEN’S GAMBIT DECLINED,
EXCHANGE VARIATION (D35)
PHOTO CREDIT: AL LAWRENCE
GM Pavlo Vorontsov (2652, Texas Tech U.).
GM Yaro Zherebukh (2714, St. Louis U.)
Final Four of College Chess (2), New York,
New York, 03.31.2018
Comments by GM Vorontsov.
1. d4
After a tough loss to Ray Robson in the first
round, which cost our team the match, I was
determined to bounce back against the former
Red Raider, GM Yaro Zherebukh.
1. ... Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5
5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 c5 7. Rb1
One of the many moves. The main idea is
to prevent Black from exchanging the dark-
square bishop after ... c5xd4 and ... Bb4+.
7. ... Be7 8. Bb5+ Bd7 9. Bxd7+ Qxd7
The recapture 9. ... Nxd7 is possible too,
since after 10. Rxb7 cxd4 11. cxd4 Nb6 the rook
gets trapped.
10. Nf3 0-0 11. d5!?
Immediately challenging Black in the center.
If White manages to play c3-c4, the passed pawn
on d5 will be a long-term problem for Black.
Hence, Yaro decides to blow the position up ...
11. ... f5! 12. Ne5 Qd6 13. Nc4
The move 13. Rxb7!? seemed critical to me,
but I was not able to evaluate the position and
therefore opted for 13. Nc4. After 13. Rxb7!?,
Black could play 13. ... Bf6 (After 13. ... Qxe5!?
14. Rxe7 Qxe4+ 15. Qe2 Qxe2+ 16. Kxe2 exd5
17. Rd1 White has the initiative.) 14. Nc4 Qa6
15. Qb3 Nd7, when the position is unclear.
13. ... Qa6 14. Qb3 fxe4 15. 0-0 exd5 16.
Ne3 Rf7 17. Qxd5 Nc6 18. Qxe4 Bf6?!
An inaccuracy. The bishop on f6 becomes
a target for White’s knight. It was better to
play 18. ... Bf8 19. Nd5 Rd8 20. Bg5 Rdd7
which is equal.
19. Nd5 Qxa2
Also difficult is 19. ... Ne5!? 20. Bf4 Qd3 21.
Rfe1 Qxe4 22. Rxe4 Nd3 23. Be3 Rd7 24. c4.
20. Rxb7! Rxb7 21. Qe6+ Kh8 22. Qxc6
Qb3 23. Nxf6 gxf6 24. Qxf6+ Kg8 25. c4
The bishop is getting ready to support the
attack. From a practical point of view, it is
almost impossible to defend such position with
black, as the king on g8 will remain exception-
ally weak for the rest of the game.
The follow-up 25. Qg5+ Rg7 26. Qxc5 was
less clear to me.
25. ... Qxc4
A better defensive try might have been 25.
... Re8!? 26. Qg5+ Rg7 27. Qd5+ Rf7 28. Qxc5.
College Chess / Final Four
26. Bb2 Rxb2
The only move.
27. Qxb2 a5 28. Rd1 Re8 29. h3 Qb4 30.
Qc1
30. ... c4?
The move 30. ... h6 still offered some hope,
but after 31. Kh2 White still has a powerful
initiative.
31. Qg5+ Kh8 32. Qf6+ Kg8 33. Rd5, Black
resigned.
Chief Organizer Mark Herman, CEO of his
own award-winning gaming company and a
retired division head for Booz Allen Hamilton
(BAH), has steadily improved the Final Four
during his eight years of remarkable volunteer
service to the event. Mark again worked with
Jonathan Haber of Cluen.com to stream live
commentary by GM Max Dlugy, former world
junior champ, and seven-time U.S. Women’s
Champ Irina Krush. Hoffpauir is another eight-
year Final Four volunteer, tireless in his many
efforts all over the country for chess. He flew
into New York City from BAH business in
Japan to oversee the team meetings, making
sure the special rules governing the event were
followed. Oscar Garcia again served as interna-
tional arbiter for the event.
TWO SIGMA AND BOOZ ALLEN
HAMILTON SPONSORSHIP KEY
Two corporations who believe in the benefits
of chess make the improvements in the college
championship possible. The Final Four of College
Chess was once again generously sponsored by
Two Sigma and BAH through contributions to
the US Chess Trust. The event is sanctioned by
US Chess. And of course, the Marshall Chess
Club in New York’s Greenwich Village was again
the natural host for such an elite showdown.
The 2018 Pan-American Intercollegiate
Team Chess Championship will be organized
by Bay Area Chess and held in San Francisco
December 27-30. Match points will qualify the
top four U.S. universities for the 2019 Final
Four of College Chess, where game points will
either start a new streak or crown a brand-
new champ.
www.uschess.org 43
Solitaire Chess / Instruction
The Tragic
Rudolf Charousek
This month’s game features one of the most memorable
combinations ever played.
By BRUCE PANDOLFINI
CHESS HAS CERTAINLY HAD ITS SHARE
of tragic figures—players who left us early or
before having had the chance to fulfill ambition
and promise. One such gifted individual was
the Hungarian phenom, Czech-born Rudolf
Charousek (1873-1900), who died of illness at
the age of 26. Charousek was much admired
by contemporaries for his tactical acumen and
invention. An example of his sizeable combina-
tive facility is the following game played against
Jakob Wollner (Black) at Kaschau in 1893.
Never fearful of gambits, Charousek pushed
his attack with aplomb and a sense of certitude
in the face of various counterthreats. And while
the turbulent play could have gone either way,
Charousek managed to get through it all,
finishing with one of the most memorable
combinations ever played. The game began:
DANISH GAMBIT (C21)
Rudolf Charousek
Jakob Wollner
Kaschau 1893
1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4
Now ensure that the above position is set up
on your chessboard. As you play through the
44 June 2018 | Chess Life
remaining moves in this game, use a piece of
paper to cover the article, exposing White’s next
move only after trying to guess it. If you guess
correctly, give yourself the par score. Sometimes
points are also awarded for second-best moves,
and there may be bonus points—or deductions—
for other moves and variations. Note that


means that White’s move is on the next line.


3. c3 Par Score 5
Rather than bringing out the queen by 3.
Qd1xd4, where it would be subject to enemy
threats, White opts for a gambit, hoping to open
lines for development and quick attack. Such
sharp beginnings are right up Charousek’s alley.
3. … dxc3
Black accepts the gambit. After all, as Steinitz’s
play embodied, a pawn is a pawn is a pawn.
(Steinitz? How did he get into this?)


4. Bc4 Par Score 5
This is a main move in the Danish Gambit.
But accept full credit for 4. Nb1xc3, transposing
into a Göring Gambit, or as a chess hustler I
know likes to say, a “boring gambit.”
4. … Nf6
This is not Black’s best move. He comes out
with a clear edge by playing 4. ... c3xb2, when
White doesn’t have enough for the two pawns,
or 4. ... d7-d5, when Black gains time to speed
up his own development.


5. Nf3 Par Score 5
Charousek wants Black to take on b2, so his
queen-bishop can deploy along the a1-h8 diag-
onal. Accordingly, he plays a useful developing
move that keeps the flank placement possibility
alive. Accept full credit for 5. Nb1xc3.
5. … Bc5


6. Nxc3 Par Score 5
Finally, White takes back a pawn, while
mobilizing the queen-knight. Black, of course,
is still up a pawn, but White has some play for
the material deficit.
6. … d6
This move unleashes the queen-bishop as
it stops the potential menacing advance, 7.
e4-e5.


7. 0-0 Par Score 5
By getting the king out of the center, White’s
attack can proceed more freely, without worry
of counterattack to his own king.
7. … 0-0
In turn, Black strives to improve his own
king’s position. Nothing unusual here. At this
point, we’d have to say that White doesn’t have
quite enough to justify the gambit. Somehow,
he’s going to have to make things happen.


8. Ng5 Par Score 6
Full credit for 8. Bc1-g5. That would have
developed another piece and placed the f6-
knight in a potentially annoying pin. Instead,
Charousek opts for pure attack, without fear
of delaying his development.
8. … h6
This puts the question to the king-knight,
but a more promising idea would have been 8.
... Nb8-c6, furthering his development. Even
so, after 8. ... h7-h6, Black still has an edge
based on material superiority.


9. Nxf7 Par Score 6
 Solitaire Chess / Instruction

PROBLEM I PROBLEM II PROBLEM III

ABCs of Chess Mating net Mating net Mating net

These problems are all related to key

positions in this month’s game. In each
case, Black is to move. The answers can
be found in Solutions on page 71.

June Exercise: Naturally, we strive to

train for whatever might come our way.
For White, we settle for one definite
opening move, and then try to learn
satisfactory variations against all reason-
able responses. And for Black, we seem- PROBLEM IV PROBLEM V PROBLEM VI
ingly need to know even more. How Mating net Mating net Mating net
can we find systems and lines that we
can employ to cope with practically
everything reliably? One way is to let
leading players do the work for us. By
studying and adopting the openings
of a single top player, we are more
likely to play harmoniously, and play
openings and defenses consistent with
a characteristic style.

Charousek bites the bullet. Really, retreating 11. … Qh4 15. Kh1 Par Score 5
the knight would have made little sense. At
This looks intimidating, but it passes the White gets out of check. The mate threat
least this keeps the position on edge.
advantage over to White. Black might have still stands.
9. … Rxf7 been able to stay in the game with 11. ... Rf7xf2, 15. … Bd7
What else? Black must take the knight. The when 12. e6-e7+ could have been answered by
12. ... Rf2-f7+. At that point, it doesn’t seem This develops the bishop and stops the mate.
rub is, he should still have the edge after 10.
that White is winning.

But not for long.


Bc4xf7+ Kg8xf7. True, the black king would
then be a bit exposed, but White’s ability to 12. exf7+ Par Score 5 16. Rae1 Par Score 7
exploit that exposure would have been abated Another developing move and another
So White gets the rook with check. Further-
by the surrender of two minor pieces useful to threat. All of White’s pieces are now poised
more, he now has a significant advantage. Black
the fueling of that attack: White’s king-bishop for action.
doesn’t have a meaningful choice. He must play
and king-knight.


his next move. 16. … Nc6
10. e5 Par Score 6
12. … Kf8 Black develops his last minor piece, and that
Charousek finds a way to complicate. Since allows the a8-rook to guard e8. But it doesn’t
the e5-pawn can’t be taken without loss of Black’s Practically forced. Otherwise, White gets a
new queen.

stop Charousek.


queen (note the pin on the d-file), Black’s king-
knight would essentially have to move, with 13. Bf4 Par Score 6 17. Qe8+ Par Score 7
things in the air. Besides, after 10. e4-e5, the f7- Is this queen sacrifice justified?
rook remains pinned, still available for capture. This develops a piece and handles Black’s
biggest threat: the potential mate at h2. Deduct 17. … Rxe8
10. … Ng4 3 points if you overlooked the mate threat. Taking with the bishop, 17. ... Bd7xe8, doesn’t
The black knight moves into position to assail 13. … Nxf2 delay the outcome.


White’s kingside. Is Black about to gain control
Black can still hope. Maybe White will now 18. fxe8=Q+ Par Score 6
of the position? If Charousek were still with us,
he might say “no,” but possibly not in English.

play 14. Rf1xf2.

Now the bishop doesn’t have a choice. It
11. e6 Par Score 7 14. Qe2 Par Score 7 must take on e8.
18. … Bxe8


Instead of settling for 11. Bc4xf7+ (accept White grapples with Black’s threats by issuing
only 5 points part credit), when White’s offensive a huge threat of his own: mate at e8. 19. Bxd6 mate! Par Score 7
might be petering out, Charousek decides to
14. … Ng4+
confound the situation even further. Not only A truly beautiful denouement! Double check
is he threatening the f7-rook, the g4-knight is Black uses the discovered check to save his and mate!!
now hanging. knight.

See scoring box on page 71.

www.uschess.org 45
The Practical Endgame / Instruction

The Devil is in the

Detail
Attention to detail—in the sense of provoking and holding your
opponent accountable for seemingly insignificant errors—is an
indelible component of practical endgame mastery.
By GM DANIEL NARODITSKY

A FEW WEEKS AGO, UPON RETURNING
to my dorm after a calamitous math exam, I
spotted a parking citation neatly pinned to the
windshield of my car. For several minutes I
stood motionless, every bone in my body
disgorging righteous anger at the injustice
visited upon me. What gall, what gall indeed,
Stanford University has in oiling its swollen
financial coffers during finals week!
In the end, saner heads prevailed. After all,
an expired parking permit is an expired parking
permit, and pending the rejection of a pitiful,
excuse-laden appeal, $45 will be deposited in
the appropriate piggybank.
But the consequences of negligence are
altogether different in the endgame realm. In
today’s column, I argue that   In only 29 moves, Naiditsch has swapped off
     
  most of the pieces and steered the game into

AFTER 29. Qe3
at the GRENKE Chess Classic. As the fourth
round of the classic played out, it seemed that
Fabi’s crusade was beginning to lose its vigor.
Therein lies the rub: It is tempting to assume
A2) 31. Kh2 is Stockfish’s initial recommen-
dation, but the circumspect 31. ... b6!, preparing
... Nf3+ followed by ... Qb7, forces White’s
hand. After 32. Ne7 Nf3+ 33. Kg2 Ne1+ 34.
Kf1 (34. Kh1 Qb7+ 35. Nc6 Nd3 36. Kg1 Kg7
is similarly uninspiring) 34. ... Qc4+! 35. Kxe1
Qe4+ Black delivers perpetual with room to
spare. Note that with the black queen on d3,
the king can never escape via b4 due to ... a5
(mate!).
30. Qd4 Qe5! is the simpler tactical justifi-
cation. Either trade leads to a dead-drawn
single-piece ending.
These are impressive amounts of variations
to calculate in time pressure, but the very fact
that it is necessary to calculate so many lines in
a fairly balanced position is an unwelcome omen.
  an anemic queen-and-knight endgame. White’s that the only risk attendant to a complex tactical

     active knight is tough to make good use of operation is that of a straightforward blunder.
  while protecting his king and is made all the


This is not exactly a controversial more pronounced by the specter of a check on


statement. However, as the following instructive
  

  
encounter shows, attention to detail, while easy
to preach, is remarkably difficult to practice.

A FABI-LOUS ENDGAME
GM Fabiano Caruana (FIDE 2784, USA)
GM Arkadij Naiditsch (FIDE 2701, AZE)
GRENKE Chess Classic 2018 (4), Karlsruhe
& Baden-Baden, Germany, 04.04.2018
(see diagram top of next column)
Fabiano Caruana is in the midst of a
memorable stretch in his career. As if emerging
as Magnus Carlsen’s next challenger was not
enough, Fabi supplemented his victory at the
Candidates with a dashing gold medal campaign
46 June 2018 | Chess Life

f3. Aiming to curtail any last shreds of ambition
that Fabi may have been harboring, Naiditsch
initiates a small tactical operation.
29. ... Nc4?!
Naiditsch spent 2½ of his remaining six
minutes on this move, presumably in an effort
to ensure that all of White’s manifold queen
sorties could be effectively neutralized—and
they can:
30. Qe8 Nd2! creates immediate and highly
effective counterplay against White’s king,
leading to a perpetual in every line:
A1) 31. Ne7 Qc1+ 32. Kh2 (32. Kg2?? Qf1+
33. Kh2 Nf3 mate would be an effective
strategy if it were loser’s chess) 32. ... Nf3+
33. Kg2 Ne1+.




practical 

To this end, Naiditsch has several options
that obviated the need for such risk. The most
precise of them was 29. ... f6!, buttressing the
knight and pumping in some luft for the king.
White does not have much in the way of serious
practical attempts: 30. Qe4 Qc6 forces the trade
(or perpetual after 31. Qb4 Qc1+), while 30. f4
gxf4 31. Qxf4 (31. gxf4 Ng6 is asking for trouble)
31. ... Qb6+ 32. Kf1 Qa6+ is yet another
perpetual (do you see why 33. Ke1 fails?). My
guess is that Caruana would have played 30.
Qe4 and offered a draw, since there will be hell
to pay if Black’s queen safely lands on c6.

Practicum
Each month GM Naroditsky will present
two problems taken from actual games
that illustrate the theme of this month’s
column. Your task is to find the best line
of play. Problem I should be solveable by
a player at roughly a 1500 rating and
Problem II by a player roughly at a 2000
rating.
See the solutions on page 71.
30. Qc3 Qe5
31. Qd3!
Er-oh. There’s that yellow envelope on the
windshield. This move doesn’t look intimidating:
after all, Black can deliver a check on e1 and
capture on b2 with tempo. And besides, is
White even threatening a serious discovered
check? As discussed above, the point to remem-
ber is that Fabi is not trying to win the game
immediately. Rather, he avoids a draw and
confronts Naiditsch—who by now has four
minutes for 10 moves—with unanticipated
problems. Indeed, something like 31. ... Na5
does not lose, but after 32. Ne3+ Kg7 33. b3!
White establishes a positional bind that reaches
biblical proportions in the event of 33. ... Nc6?!
34. Qd7!. So Naiditsch has little choice other
than to continue burning bridges in search of
an immediate resolution.
31. ... Nxb2 32. Qc2 Qe1+
And the German maestro rises to the task!
Now White is the one who must resolve a thorny
dilemma: 33. Kh2 Nxa4! is an immediate draw,
since Black’s pieces are active enough to take the
sting out of any discovered check. Note that
White can keep the extra piece with 34. Ne3+
Kg7 35. Qxa4 Qxf2+ 36. Ng2, but after something
like 36. ... Qc5 all three results are possible.
33. Kg2 Qd1?
This is the sort of move that might have been
accompanied by an exclamation mark in the
PROBLEM I: 1500 LEVEL
GM Anatoly Karpov
GM Garry Kasparov
World Championship 1987
WHITE TO MOVE
1950s (says the ingrate who slept with a leather-
bound first edition of Zurich 1953 under his
pillow). After 34. Qxb2 Qd5+ it is handshake
time, and this time it seems that there just isn’t
any more room for shenanigans. But once again,
the devil is in the detail. The tactics may be
impressive, but you cannot allow yourself to be
swayed by sharp tactical play. And impressed
Fabiano was not: his reply came before Naiditsch
so much as finished writing down his move.

34. Qe4!
What a scheming little imp this Fabiano
Caruana is! The queen escapes the last accessible
square, on the diagonal, and this time the threats
are immediate and deadly. And while Black is
far from lost, the problems he is facing are,
practically speaking, virtually insurmountable.
34. ... Qxa4?
I’m going to do you the liberty of revealing
that 34. ... Qd7 was the only saving move. There
is no real logic behind this move, but the fact
of the matter is that all other moves lose. The
point is that 35. Qe5 meets with 35. ... Qc6+
36. Kg1 and while there is no more perpetual,
Black saves the day with 36. ... Qg6!. In light
of this, White should prefer the prophylactic
35. Kh2!, renewing the threat of Qe5. I analyzed
this position with a certain anonymous friend,
and the verdict seems to be that after 35. ...
Nxa4 36. Qe5 Kg6! Black hangs on by the skin
of his teeth, though 37. h4! once again brings
Black to the precipice and demands inhuman
precision. That is why I assigned a question
mark to Naiditsch’s previous move; 34. ... Qxa4
may be the decisive mistake from an objective
standpoint, but in a practical sense the battle
was lost on move 33.
35. Qxb7 Qa2 36. Ne3!
Quiet but absolutely deadly. With this move,
White completely seals in Black’s tandem, since
36. ... Nc4 is not possible due to 37. Qe4+. It
might not seem intuitively obvious that White
is winning, but it is wrong to think of this
The Practical Endgame / Instruction
PROBLEM II: 2000 LEVEL
GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov
GM Alexander Grischuk
Berlin Candidates 2018
WHITE TO MOVE
position in terms of immediate threats. White’s
plan of attack (g4, Nf5, Qb4-d4, etc.) may be
slow, but Black can do absolutely nothing to
stop it.
36. ... Kg7 37. Qb4 Qb1 38. g4
Having done its job, the knight prepares to
reenter with deadly effect.
38. ... Kg8 39. Nf5
With the knight independently supported,
White’s queen is finally free to deliver the final
blow.
39. ... Qc2 40. Qb8+ Kh7 41. Qb7 Kh8
Or 41. ... Kg6 42. Qa6+ f6 43. Qb7! with
mate to follow.
42. Qe7, Black resigned.
Black stops mate with 42. ... Qc6+ 43. Kh2
Qg6, but 44. Qe5+ picks up the hapless knight.
Hopefully, it is evident that my intention in
dissecting Naiditsch’s downfall is not to act as
an armchair critic. Faced with problems of such
magnitude, yours truly would have undoubtedly
gone down even with hours left on the clock.
Instead, I hope that this game hammers in the
notion that what ends as a calamity frequently
starts with a tiny inaccuracy. Oh, and don’t park
without a permit if you’re ever in Stanford.
1 For the sake of completeness, it bears
mentioning that 33. ... Qb4! was the final chance to
secure a surefire draw. For instance, 34. a5 Qc4!
and this time, liquidation is truly forced.
www.uschess.org 47
Grand Prix / Junior Grand Prix

2018 US CHESS GRAND PRIX STANDINGS

NAME STATE PTS. 2018 AWARDS
1 GM ALEXANDER SHABALOV PA 116.20
2
3
GM FIDEL CORRALES JIMENEZ
GM MELIKSET KHACHIYAN
MO
CA
68.54
63.08
$ 12,500
4 GM ALEXANDER IVANOV MA 59.66
IN CASH PRIZES!
5 GM RUIFENG LI TX 57.25 FIRST PRIZE: $5,000!
6 IM KEATON KIEWRA CA 56.25
7 GM SERGEY ERENBURG PA 52.50 2nd: $2,500 | 3rd: $1,000
8 IM JOHN DANIEL BRYANT CA 51.25 4th: $900 | 5th: $800
9 GM KAMIL DRAGUN TX 49.40 6th: $700 | 7th: $600
10 GM ELSHAN MORADIABADI NC 49.30 8th: $500 | 9th: $300
11 IM DIONISIO ALDAMA CA 46.33 10th: $200
12 GM YAROSLAV ZHEREBUKH MO 44.00
13 IM THOMAS BARTELL PA 40.70
14 GM ALEX SHIMANOV MO 39.50 The Grand Prix point totals reflect all
15 GM SERGEY KUDRIN CT 39.00 rated event information as of May 2,
2018 for the 2018 Grand Prix.

2018 US CHESS JUNIOR GRAND PRIX STANDINGS

The top prize for 2018 is a Chess.com one-year Diamond membership valued at $100, a Chess.com gear/merchandise package valued at $100, a US
Chess award, free entry into the 2019 U.S. Open, and $1,000 of expense money from US Chess to offset the trip. For the top five players on the
overall list and to each state winner, Chess.com also awards a choice of a one-year ChessKid.com gold membership (valued at $50/annually) or a
one-year Chess.com Gold membership (valued at $40/annually). US Chess gratefully acknowledges the participation of Chess.com!

Name State Pts. State Leaders State Pts. State Leaders State Pts.
DE DONA, MARK NY 5667 PAULSON, MICHAEL N KS 3052 PAIK, JUSTIN RI 2083
FAN, JERRY NY 5450 MORGAN, TRINITY KY 1560 RAJA, SHIVANI SC 1140
SHINKLE-STOLAR, KYLER PA 4343 MAYEUX, BENJAMIN THOMAS LA 2284 TAO, CHRISTOPHER SD 431
LU, SAMUEL MO 4276 HAN, HENRY YU-FENG MA 2444 VAZQUEZ MACCARINI, DANI TERR 786
VIDYARTHI, OMYA CA-N 4041 GUO, ANDREW MD 2474 KOSTINA, POLINA TN 2762
CARTWRIGHT, SAMUEL ME 2485 ESPINOZA, LUIS TX 2800
State Leaders State Pts. BYRD, JONATHAN ABRAM MI 2730 GARZA, JASON TX 2800
STALLWORTH, JACOB AL 3006 PATTERSON, BEN MN 2300 RAY, UJAN UT 2435
WENG, KAYLA AR 1354 PANDA, ASISH MO 2815 GUO, EDWARD VA 3543
REMPE, JONAS JAKOB RAZA AZ 2419 GRIFFIN, GABRIEL MS 3050 COLLINS, ALEXANDER VT 1847
MEIYAPPAN, KAVYA CA-N 3774 WALTHALL, THOMAS KASEY MT 2100 SINGH, ADITYA WA 2608
ZHANG, KEVIN SHAOWANG CA-S 1966 DURBHA, ANTARA NC 2996 DASHO, DAKITO WI 3482
BECHTEL, JACOB THOMAS CO 1772 TAN, SOPHIE NE 36 KUKKILLAYA, SOHAN WV 1294
SU, JASMINE ZHIXIN CT 2972 TORRES, FRANK WY 470
TIRUVEEDHULA, SUHAVI NH 1564
STEINER, ADAMSON DC 2904 MUNDAYAT, ABINAV RAJIV NJ 3965
DESVIGNES, SAMERIS RENAE DE 3324 CONTRERAS, ANDRES NM 1165
WANG, JULIAN-ALEXANDRE FL 3798 MURTY, ASHWIN NARAYAN NV 976
MYDUKUR, AMIT GA 3086 YU, SICHENG NY 3600
COPELAND, ELI IA 2615 NIESET, ANDREW OH 2424
SHEPARD, RIVER CHARLES ID 2976 KOLOEN, PRESTON OK 1400
KODIPPARAMBIL, ADVAITH G IL 4039 SOIFFER, DUNCAN SMITH OR 3500
KACZANOWSKI, AIDAN P IN 3271 TOMLIAN, NATE PA 3760
Official standings for events received and processed by May 8, 2018.

48 August
June 2018
2017
| Chess
| Chess
Life
Life www.uschess.org 48
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5SS, G/90, +30. Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, 3000 Paradise
Road, Las Vegas 89109. $$3,500 Guaranteed Prize Fund. $1000-600- &&4'3.#45.3)5-5-*(.334+5/&34152#4(415553)45&2,,2.05/++.3.20/,51*,4-5/%%,"5325 1/0+5$1.
400, U2000 $350-200, U1800 $250-150, U1600 $200-100, U1400 $150-100. 32*10/(403-55)45*/1/0344+5&.1-35%1.45(*-3545/35,4/-35
!5525(21453)/052045%1.45*0+4155(/"
EF: $99 by 5/31, $125 later. REG.: 9-9:30 a.m. RDS.: 10-2:30-7, 10-
2:30. Half point bye available in any round (limit 1). HR: $69 ($92 Friday
and Saturday nights) (800) 732-7117 ask for the CHESS rates. This
event kicks off the LAS VEGAS INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL on
Wednesday before the National Open. ENT: Vegas Chess Festivals,
PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0925 or online at www.Veg-
5(.0!5$,4/-45-445www.uschess.org/data page/JGP-Rules.php &215'2(%,4345
*,4-!
asChessFestival.com. FIDE. W.
An American Classic!
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 21-24, 22-24 OR 23-24, NEVADA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 300 (ENHANCED)
2018 NATIONAL OPEN
7-SS, 40/90, SD/30, +30 (3-day rounds 1-2 G/60, +10, 2-day round 1-
4 G/30, +5, Beginners Section G/30, +5). Westgate Resort & Casino,
3000 Paradise Road, Las Vegas 89109. $$100,000 Guaranteed Prize
Fund will not be reduced! In 8 sections, top 2 FIDE rated. Open: $8,000-
4,000-2,000-1,000-600-500-400-300-300-300, top under 2500 $2,500,
top under 2400 $2,400, Extra $2,500 for perfect score. The winner of
the Open section also receives a replica of the Edmondson Cup. Under
2300: $6,000-3,000-1,500-750-400-350-300-250-250-250. Under 2100:
$6,000-3,000-1,500-750-400-350-300-250-250-250. Under 1900: $5,000-
2500-1250-600-350-300-250-250-250-250. Under 1700: $4,000-2,000-
1,000-500-300-250-250-250-250-250. Under 1500: 3000-1500-700-350-
300-250-250-250-250-250. Under 1300: $2000-1,000-500-300-250-250-
250, top under 1000 (no provisional) $900. Beginners (unrated or rated
under 1000): 3 schedules with 6 rounds per day $200-125-75 each day
plus $300 overall (best 2 results). Plus Score Bonus: ($12,000 guar-
anteed) in addition to any other prizes, every player with 4 points or
more wins a $50 gift certificate. Plus score certificates will be awarded
on site only. Mixed Doubles: best male/female combined 2-player
team score: $1,500-750-350-250-150. Teammates may play in different
sections but must have average rating below 2200. The Freddie: Players
age 14 and under are eligible for best game prizes including the Freddie
Award and $400 in cash prizes (donated by Fred Gruenberg). Unrated
players may play only in Beginners or Open Section. Provisionally rated
players may not win more than 40% of top prize in any under section;
balance goes to next player(s) in line. CCA minimum ratings or other
ratings may be used if higher than US Chess June Supplement. EF:
$199 by 1/31, $229 by 5/31, $259 by 6/19, $280 later. Add $125 for
adults rated under 2200 or juniors under 2100 playing in the Open
Section. $40 less for seniors 65 and over. Beginners section only: $125
less for players in only 1 schedule, $60 less in 2 schedules. Reg.: 1
p.m.-6 p.m. Thursday. Rds.: 7:30, 11-5:30, 10-4:30, 10-4:30. 3-day sched-
ule: Reg.: 8:30-9:30 a.m. Friday. Rds 11-2 then merge with 4-day in
round 3 at 5:30. 2-day schedule: Reg.: 8:30-9 a.m. Saturday. Rds.: 10-
11:30-1-2:30 then merge with 4-day in round 4 at 4:30. Half point byes
available in any round; round 6 or 7 byes must be requested before the
start of round 2 and may not be cancelled. Chess sets and boards
provided for tournament play only, not for skittles. Please bring digital
chess clocks! The LAS VEGAS INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL fea-
tures the National Open, the U.S. Women’s Open, the International
Youth Championship, and other events. Many free extras and surprises!
Free parking. Free raffles with great prizes. Free GM Lectures. Free
GM analysis of your games. Free Daily Bulletins and free commemorative
DVD for all participants. Grandmaster Simuls and Chess Camp for
all ages on Thursday. U.S. Women’s Open Wednesday and Thursday.
Walter Browne Memorial Blitz Thursday 2:00 p.m. Youth Tournaments
Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Blitz Sectionals Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
Poker Tournament Monday Morning. Don’t be shut out - make your
reservations early and be sure to ask for the CHESS rates — $69 single
or double ($92 Friday and Saturday nights) guarantees a premium room
with new furniture, refrigerator, flat screen TV and more. The resort
package including access to the Fitness Center, free WI-FI, and more
is substantially discounted for our group. Cutoff for special hotel rate
is May 31; after that rates will increase significantly and there
may not be any rooms available. (800) 732-7117 or www.Veg-
asChessFestival.com/hotel. ENT: Vegas Chess Festivals, PO Box
90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0925, online at www.VegasChessFes-
tival.com. Info: (702) 930-9550 and leave a message. FIDE. W.
JUNE 21-24, LOUISIANA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30
2018 U.S. SENIOR OPEN
6SS, G/120 i30 (Game in 2 hours with 30-second increment.) USCF and
FIDE rated using FIDE Rules. Open to all players age 50+ by start date
of tournament (6/21/2018). SIDE EVENT: 2018 U.S. Senior Blitz Tour-
nament: 5-min. Blitz Tournament on Thurs., 6/21, at 1pm (details
below). Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel, 901 Airline Dr., Kenner, LA
70062, Ph: 504-469-5000 (hotel is directly across from the New Orleans
Int’l. Airport with free hotel/airport shuttle service). HR: $119 + tax
for single, double, triple or quad – mention Cajun Chess Tournament
and reserve by May 28 to assure group rate. Free parking and free
basic internet in each room. Hotel hot breakfast buffet tickets discounted
to $15 including tax and tip (usually $19.95 without tax and tip) for hotel
guests only. Ratings used will be from June 2018 USCF Supplement.
SECT: One OPEN Section only with Class Prizes. $5,000 b/80 full-paid
ent. TOP PRIZES: $1250-800-500-300; (U2300): $500-300; (U2000):
$300-150; (U1800): $300-150; (U1500/Unr): $300-150. Plaque to top
winner in following age categories: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74,
75+. A player may win both a place award and an age award. In the
50 June 2018 | Chess Life
'2*03532/1+-53)45 1/0+5$1.5%2.035323/,!55$1.4-54,253)45(/.(*(54031"5&445+250235'2*03532/1+-53)4
1/0+5$1.5%2.035323/,!5,-25.0',*+45&*,,53.(45'20312,5023.05.0'14(40352153.(45+4,/"54#405.&5+4,/"5.-54125
+!
5)4--5*0.215 1/0+5$1.55*0.215 1/0+5$1.54#4035(*-35)/#45&2*15215(214 12*0+-5.3)5/53.(45'20312,
14/34153)/05
SUBMISSIONS: E-mail your TLA to: tla@uschess.org (Joan DuBois). For tla deadline schedule, formatting help and Grand
Prix information check www.uschess.org/go/tlainfo and “Advertising” at uschess.org. Payment can be done online through
the TD/Affiliate area or sent to: US Chess, TLA Dept., PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557.
23455)4--5*0.215 1/0+5$1.54#403-5+250235)/#4532504'4--/1.,"545')2,/-3.'5215 2*3)532*10/(403-!
)4"5+25)24#415)/#45325)/#453)4514*.14+50*(4152&512*0+-5/0+53.(45'20312,5.0521+415&215-')2,/-3.'
/0+5 "2*3)5 %,/"41-5 325 /.05  $5 %2.03-5 &215 %1.4-!5 215 (2145 .0&21(/3.205 %,4/-45 -445 3)45  $5 1*,4-5 /3
http://www.uschess.org/ datapage/JGP-Rules.php!
event of a tie, plaque winner will be determined by USCF computer for hotel guests only. SECTS (based on Player’s Age as of 1/1/2018):
tiebreaks. EF: $100 by 6/1/18; $110 by 6/15/18; $120 thereafter and U21 (FIDE Rated); U15; U11; U8. Ratings used will be from June 2018
at site; On-site Reg: Thurs. 6/21 from 12 noon - 2pm. Rds.: Thurs. USCF Supplement. INDIVIDUAL PLAYER PRIZES: U21: $500 cash prize
4pm; Fri.10am & 4pm; Sat. 10am & 4pm; Sun. 10am. BYES: 1/2-point awarded to eligible qualifier of the 2019 U.S. Junior (Closed) Champi-
bye may be taken for any Round EXCEPT the last round due to FIDE onship; Individual plaque to top five overall; Plaque for top player age
rules – if you must leave prior to the last round you will have to take a 18, 17, 16, 15 and under 15. U15: Individual trophies to top ten overall;
zero-point bye or simply withdraw after Round 5; limit of 2 half-pt. byes Trophies to top player age 14, 13, 12, 11 and under 11. U11: Individual
allowed but must commit to any byes prior to the start of Round 3. U.S. trophies to top ten overall; Trophies to top player age 10, 9, 8 and under
SENIOR BLITZ EVENT: Thurs., 6/21, 1st Round at 1pm. 7SS, G/5 d0 – 8. U8: Individual trophies to top ten overall; Trophies to top player age
USCF Blitz Rated (June 2018 Supplement Blitz Ratings used). One Section 7,6, and under 6. SCHOOL TEAM INFO: A team will consist of a minimum
Only. PRIZES: 70% of EFs returned as Cash Prizes. Blitz EF: $15 by of THREE players from the same school or home-school district playing
6/15; $20 thereafter and at site. ENTRIES: On-line registration, printable in the same section. No maximum limit of number of players on a team;
entry form, and more detailed info at www.cajunchess.com, or mail the top FOUR scores will count for final team standings. TEAM PRIZES:
entry form to Cajun Chess, 12405 Hillary Step Dr., Olive Branch, MS Trophies to top three school teams in each of the four sections. In the
38654. Info or Phone Ent: 504-208-9596 or 504-905-2971. Major credit event of a tie, plaque/trophy winners for individuals and teams will be
cards accepted (no checks at site). Please bring your own chess boards, determined by USCF computer tiebreaks. EF: $60 by 6/1/18; $75 by
sets and clocks; chess vendor will be on site. FIDE. 6/15/18; $90 thereafter and at site; Onsite Reg: Fri. 6/22 from 8:30-
9:30am. Rds.: Fri/Sat/Sun (June 22-24):10am & 3pm. BYES: 1/2-point
US Chess Junior Grand Prix! bye may be taken for any Round in all sections EXCEPT for the last
JUNE 22-24, LOUISIANA
round (Rd. 6) of the U21 Section due to FIDE rules – if you must leave
2018 U.S. JUNIOR OPEN prior to the last round in the U21 Section, you will have to take a zero-
6SS, G/90 i30 (Game in 90 min. with 30-second increment.) All Sections
point bye or simply withdraw after Round 5; limit of 2 half-pt. byes
are USCF rated and the U21 Section is also FIDE rated using FIDE Rules. allowed but must commit to any byes prior to the start of Round 3. U.S.
SIDE EVENT: 2018 U.S. Junior Blitz Tournament: 5-min. Blitz Tour-
JUNIOR BLITZ EVENT: Thurs., 6/21, 1st Round at 6pm. 7SS, G/5 d0 –
nament on Thurs., 6/21, at 6pm (details below). Hilton New Orleans USCF Blitz Rated (June 2018 Supplement Blitz Ratings used). Two
Airport Hotel, 901 Airline Dr., Kenner, LA 70062, Ph: 504-469-5000 (hotel Sections Only: U21, U11. PRIZES: Trophies to top 3 in each section.
is directly across from the New Orleans Int’l. Airport with free hotel/air- Blitz EF: $15 by 6/15; $20 thereafter and at site. ENTRIES: On-line reg-
port shuttle service). HR: $119 + tax for single, double, triple or quad istration, printable entry form, and more detailed info at www.cajun
– mention Cajun Chess Tournament and reserve by May 28 to assure chesscom or mail entry form to Cajun Chess, 12405 Hillary Step Dr.,
group rate. Complimentary parking for all tournament attendees and Olive Branch, MS 38654. Info or Phone Ent: 504-208-9596 or 504-905-
free basic internet in each room. Hotel hot breakfast buffet tickets dis- 2971. Major credit cards accepted (no checks at site). Please bring your
counted to $15 including tax and tip (usually $19.95 without tax and tip) own chess boards, sets and clocks; chess vendor will be on site. FIDE.
TOURNAMENT LIFE: ABBREVIATIONS & TERMS
All tournaments are non-smoking with no computers allowed unless otherwise advertised.
BLZ: Blitz rated. Memb. Membership required; cost follows. Usually refers
req’d: to state affiliate.
QC: Quick Chess events.
$$Gtd: Guaranteed prizes. Open: A section open to all. Often has very strong play-
ers, but some eligible for lower sections can play
$$b/x: Based-on prizes, x = number of entries needed to for the learning experience.
payfull prize fund. At least 50% of the advertised
prize fund of $501 or more must be awarded. Quad: 4-player round robin sections; similar strength
players.
Bye: Indicates which rounds players who find it incon-
venient to play may take 1⁄2-point byes instead. RBO: Rated Beginner’s Open.
For example, Bye 1-3 means 1⁄2-point byes are Rds: Rounds; scheduled game times follow. For exam-
available in Rounds 1 through 3. ple, 11-5, 9-3 means games begin 11 a.m. & 5 p.m.
on the first day, 9 a.m. & 3 p.m. on the second day.
CC: Chess club.
Reg: Registration at site.
dx: Time delay, x = number of seconds.
+xx: Time increment, xx = number of seconds added RR: Round robin (preceded by number of rounds).
after each move. SD/: Sudden-death time control (time for rest of game
EF: Entry fee. follows). For example, 30/90, SD/1 means each
player must make 30 moves in 90 minutes, then
Ent: Where to mail entries. complete the rest of the game in an hour.
FIDE: Results submitted to FIDE for possible rating.
SS: Swiss-System pairings (preceded by number of
G/: Game in. For instance, G/75 means each side has rounds).
75 minutes for the entire game.
Unr: Unrated.
GPP: Grand Prix Points available.
W: Site is accessible to wheelchairs.
HR: Hotel rates. For example, 60-65-70-75 means $60
WEB:
single, $65 twin, $70/3 in room, $75/4 in room. Tournaments that will use a player’s online rating.
JGP: Junior Grand Prix.

JULY 20, NORTH CAROLINA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
2018 U.S. G/10 CHAMPIONSHIP (BLZ)
6 rounds, G/10 d0. Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel, 2800 Coliseum
Centre, Charlotte, NC – 844 277 1443 and mention chess tournament, or
reserve online at www.charlottechesscenter.org. Reserve early or block
may run out. Free parking. $1000 guaranteed prize fund in one section.
G/10 National Championship: $300 – 200, top U2200 $150, top U1900
$150, top U1600 $100, top U1300/Unr $100. Trophy and 2018 U.S. National
G/10 Champion title to first place. US Chess Blitz rated, but July regular
ratings used for pairings and prizes. Up to 3 byes available, request
before round 2. Rounds Friday 7:30pm then ASAP, tournament should
end before 10pm. Registration: $30 online at www.charlottechess
center.org or check mailed to Charlotte Chess Center, 1800 Camden Road,
Suite 108, Charlotte, NC 28203 by Wednesday July 18. $40 after or on-
site. $10 Off Total Registration if Staying at Sponsored Hotel Cash or
check only on-site. Info and registration: www.charlottechesscenter.org,
980 265 1156, grant@charlottechesscenter.org.
JULY 21, NORTH CAROLINA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20
2018 U.S. G/30 CHAMPIONSHIP
5 rounds, G/30 d5. Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel, 2800 Coliseum
Centre, Charlotte, NC – 844 277 1443 and mention chess tournament,
or reserve online at www.charlottechesscenter.org. Reserve early or
block may run out. Free parking. $4000 guaranteed prize fund in
three sections. G/30 National Championship: $800 – 400 – 200, top
U2000 $200. Under 1800: $500 – 300 – 200, top U1600 $200. Under
1400/Unr: $500 – 300 – 200, top Under 1200 $200. Trophy and 2018
U.S. National G/30 Champion title to first place in Championship section.
Rated players may play up if within 100 points of cutoff, unrated players
must play Under 1400 section. Up to 2 byes available, request before
round 2. Rounds Saturday 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 3:30pm, 5pm. Registration:
$60 online at www.charlottechesscenter.org or check mailed to Charlotte
Chess Center, 1800 Camden Road, Suite 108, Charlotte, NC 28203 by
Thursday July 19. Discounted early combined entry of $110 if also
entering G/60 Championship Sunday. $75 after or on-site. $10 Off Total
Registration if Staying at Sponsored Hotel Cash or check only on-site.
Info and registration: www.charlottechesscenter.org, 980 265 1156,
grant@charlottechesscenter.org.
JULY 22, NORTH CAROLINA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30
2018 U.S. G/60 CHAMPIONSHIP
4 rounds, G/60 d5. Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel, 2800 Coliseum
Centre, Charlotte, NC – 844 277 1443 and mention chess tournament,
or reserve online at www.charlottechesscenter.org. Reserve early or
block may run out. Free parking. $5000 guaranteed prize fund in
three sections. G/60 National Championship: $1000 – 500 – 300, top
U2100 $200, top U1900 $150. Under 1700 $800 – 400 – 200, top U1500
$150. Under 1300/Unr: $600 – 400 – 200, top U1100 $100. Trophy and
2018 U.S. National G/60 Champion title to first place in Championship
section. Rated players may play up if within 100 points of cutoff, unrated
players must play Under 1300 section. Up to 2 byes available, request
before round 2. Rounds Sunday 10am, 12:30pm, 3pm, 5:30pm. Regis-
tration: $60 online at www.charlottechesscenter.org or check mailed
to Charlotte Chess Center, 1800 Camden Road, Suite 108, Charlotte,
NC 28203 by Thursday July 19. Discounted early combined entry of
$110 if also entering G/30 Championship Saturday. $75 after or on-
site. Cash or check only on-site. $10 Off Total Registration if Staying at
Sponsored Hotel Info and registration: www.charlottechesscenter.org,
980 265 1156, grant@charlottechesscenter.org.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 28-AUG. 5, JULY 31-AUG. 5 OR AUG. 2-5, WISCONSIN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 300 (ENHANCED)
119TH ANNUAL U.S. OPEN
Includes Traditional one game per day schedule (9 days), a 6-day slow
time control option, and 4-day option. 9SS, 40/120, SD/60; d5 (4-day
option, Rds. 1-6, G/60 d5; then 40/120, SD/60 d5). Madison Marriott
West, 1313 John Q. Hammons Dr., Middleton, WI 53582, HR: $115, Call
(608) 831-2000, mention “US Chess”. Reserve by June 30th or rate
may increase. $50,000 in prizes based on 500 paid entries, else
proportional, $40,000 (80% of each prize) minimum guaranteed.
A one-section tournament with Class prizes. Top U.S. player not otherwise
qualified qualifies for 2018 U.S. Championship. Choice of three sched-
ules: Traditional: 40/120 SD/60; d5. One round daily at 7 PM, except
Rd. 9, 3 PM 8/5. 6- Day Option: 40/120, SD/60; d5. 7 PM 7/31, 12
NOON & 7 PM 8/1-8/3, 7 PM 8/4, 3 PM 8/5. 4-Day Option: Rds. 1-6:
G/60 d5; then 40/120, SD/60 d5. 12 NOON, 3 PM, 7 PM, 10 PM 8/2; 12
NOON, 3 PM, 7 PM 8/3; 7 PM 8/4; 3 PM 8/5. All schedules merge after
Round 6 & compete for same prizes. Projected prizes: Top places
$8000-4000-2000-1500-1000-800- 600-500, clear or playoff winner $200
bonus. If tie for first, top two on tiebreak play Armageddon game (White
5 minutes, 2-sec delay, Black 3 minutes, 2-sec delay and gets draw
odds) for bonus and title. Class Prizes: Top Master (2200- 2399) $2500-
1200-800-500, Expert (2000-2199) $2500-1200-800-500, Class A
(1800-1999) $2500-1200-800-500, Class B (1600-1799) $2500-1200-
800-500, Class C (1400-1599) $2000-1000-600- 400, Class D (1200-1399)
$1500-700-500-300, Class E or below (under 1200) $1500-700-500-300,
Unrated $800-400-200. Half-Point Byes: must commit before Round
4; up to 3 byes allowed for 2000/up, 2 byes for 1400-1999, one bye for
Under 1400/Unr. Limit 1 bye in last two rounds. Zero-point byes are
always available in any round if requested at least two hours before
the round(s) in question. Entry Fee: Online, $145 by 6/25, $165 by
7/16, $185 after 7/16. By mail, $147 postmarked by 6/25, $167 post-
marked by 7/16, $187 after 7/16; do not mail after 7/23! By phone,
$150 by 6/25, $170 by 7/16, $185 after. No phone entries after 5PM
Central 7/27 (close of business at the US Chess Office)! At site, all
$190; Free entry for GMs and WGMs for main event only. All entries
must be made at least two (2) hours prior to the player’s first game.
Current US Chess membership required. July Rating Supplement
See previous issue for TLAs appearing June 1-14
used; unofficial ratings (at least four games) used if otherwise unrated.
CCA ratings used if above US Chess. Foreign player ratings: usually 100
points added to FIDE or FQE, 200+ added to most foreign national
ratings, no points added to CFC. Highest of multiple ratings generally
used. Entries: US Chess, ATTN: 2018 U.S. Open, PO Box 3967, Crossville,
TN 38557. Online entry available, see website. Phone entry: 800.903.8723.
Not FIDE rated, No cell phones. Bring a clock — none supplied.
Sets/boards supplied for tournament but not for skittles. Many meetings,
workshops and seminars, including: US Chess Committee Meetings
8/1-8/3, US Chess Awards Luncheon 8/4 Noon, US Chess Delegates
Meeting 8/4-5. Many side events and other championships, including:
U.S. National Blitz Championship 7SS Double, G/5 d0, Rd. 1 at 12
NOON 8/4; U.S. Open Weekend Swiss 5SS, G/60 d5, 12-3 Sat 7/28,
10-12:30-3 Sun 7/29; U.S. Open Scholastic (see separate TLA for the
Scholastic event); Mon-Wed-ThuFri July 30, August 1, 2, 3 U. S.
Open Quads (one-day events) G/30 d5. Entry fee $20. Registration
9:30-11:30 a.m., Rounds at noon, 1:30 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. $50 to first in
each quad. Tue July 31 U.S. Open Quads (Tuesday Quads Only)G/60
d5. Entry Fee $20. Registration 9 a.m.-10:00 a.m., Rounds at 10:30 a.m.,
1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. $50 to first in each quad. U.S. Open Bughouse
Sat. 10:30 AM 7/28. 19th Annual Golf Tournament for the US Open
Chess Players, (see tournament website for details). US Open Tennis
Tournament (see tournament website for details). In addition, three
other championships will also take place: the 2018 Denker Tournament
of HS Champions (see website for participants’ list), the 2018 Barber
Tournament of K-8 Champions (see website for participants’ list)
and the 2018 National Girls’ Tournament of Champions (see website
for participants’ list). Please check the U.S. Open website often for
updates, new information and corrections and other useful doc-
uments! www.uschess.org/tournaments/2018/usopen/
AUG. 4, WISCONSIN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15
2018 U.S. OPEN NATIONAL BLITZ CHAMPIONSHIP (BLZ)
7 Double Round (14 games) Swiss, 1 section, G/5 d0. Blitz rated, higher
of regular or Blitz rating used. Entry fee $40, free to Unrated players if
paying US Chess dues. Registration 9-11:30 a.m, round 1 begins at
noon. $2000 Guaranteed Prizes!: $$400-200-150, U2200 $200-100,
U2000 $200-100, U1800 $180-90, U1600/Unrated $140-70, U1400 $100,
U1200 $70. See also www.uschess.org/tournaments/2018/usopen for
additional details.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 17-21, NORTH CAROLINA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 200 (ENHANCED)
2018 U.S. MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP
9-SS, 40/90; G/30, inc.30 from move one. Embassy Suites Hotel, 204
Centreport Dr., Greensboro, NC 27409, (336) 668-4535, mention chess
tournament (code CIC) for discounted hotel rate of $102 until Aug. 3,
2018. Reserve hotel online: http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/
groups/personalized/G/GSOGBES-CIC-20180816/index.jhtml?WT.mc_
id=POG Non-refundable deposit required. GM, IM, WGM, and WIM
norms may be possible. 2013-17 tournaments were superswiss with 16
norms achieved! $27000 in prizes UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED!
$7000-4000-3000-2000-1500-1000-1000-1000-1000-1000 Class prizes
(FIDE): U2500 $900-600, U2400 $700-500, U2300 $600-400, U2200 $500-
300. EF: GM’s and foreign IM’s free (contact organizer for possible
additional conditions). Others by Aug. 12: $249; US IMs and NC residents:
$199. Add $50 late fee after Aug. 12. $25 discount to all playing in 2018
Washington International. No entry fee deduction from any prize. Elgibility:
Must have FIDE or USCF Masters title; juniors (under age 21) must be
previously rated over 2000. RDS.: Aug 17: 7:00PM then 11-6, 11-6, 11-
6, 11-6. HR: $102 all rooms are suite style. Free made to order breakfast
daily, free manager’s reception nightly, and free airport shuttle available.
Advance Entry: www.carolinaschessinitiative.com. Alternately, checks
may be sent to: CCI, c/o Walter High, 105 N. Crabtree Knoll, Chapel Hill,
NC 27514. Make checks payable to: Carolinas Chess Initiative (CCI). No
onsite entry for round 1 (cutoff for rd. 1 electronic entries is noon Aug.
17). BYES: Invited players with conditions must play all rounds. Three
half-point byes allowed for all others, any round; must request prior to
rd. 4. INFO: Walter High (Organizer) wmhigh@nc.rr.com. More info
including pre-entry lists available at: carolinaschessinitiative.com. FIDE
rated. Hotel has a no smoking policy which includes electronic cigarettes.
FIDE electronic device rules in effect.
Grand Prix
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 8-10 OR 9-10, CONNECTICUT
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 50 (ENHANCED)
24TH ANNUAL NORTHEAST OPEN
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Sheraton
Hotel, 700 Main St., Stamford 06901. Parking $10. $10,000 guaranteed.
4 sections. Major: Open to 1800/above. $1200-700-400, U2250 $600-
300. Under 2050: $1000-600-300, U1850 $500-250. Under 1650:
$800-500-300, U1450 $400-200. Under 1250: $600-400-200, U1050
$150, plaque to top 3, 1st U1000, U800, U600, Unr. Unrated limit $100
in U1250, $300 U1650. Mixed doubles prizes: best male/female 2-
player combined score among all sections: $400-200. Must average
under 2200; may play different sections; register (no extra fee) by 2
pm 6/9. Top 3 sections EF: $95 at chessaction.com by 6/6, 3-day $98,
2-day $97 mailed by 5/31, $110 at site, or online until 2 hrs before rd 1.
U1250 Section EF: all $30 less than above. No checks at site, credit
cards OK. GMs $90 from prize. CSCA members, online EF $3 less. Re-
entry $50, except Major Section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually
used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF with magazine if paid
with entry. At chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic
$15. Mailed or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. 3-
day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15.
2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 &
3:15. Bye: all, limit 2; must commit before rd. 2. HR: $105-105, 800-
408-7640, 203-358-8400; reserve by 6/1 or rate may increase. Ent:
chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803.
$15 service charge for refunds. Questions: Chesstour.com, Direc-
torAtChess.us, 347-201-2269. Entries posted at chessaction.com (online
entries posted instantly). Blitz Sat 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
A State Championship Event!
JUNE 9-10, VERMONT
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
2018 VERMONT OPEN
4SS, 40/90, SD/30 d5. Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall, 149
Church St., Burlington, VT 05401. Three sections. Championship: EF:
$43 if rec’d by 6/7. $$Gtd: 260-170, U2110 160, U1960 150. State cham-
pion title to top-scoring Vermont resident. Under 1810: EF: $38 if rec’d
by 6/7. $$Gtd: 210-140, U1610 130-90. Under 1410: EF if rec’d by 6/7:
$33 if rated 800-1409, $23 if U800/Unr. $$Gtd: 150-100, U1210 80,
U1010 60. All sections: EF $7 more if paid at site. No unrated player
may win more than $90 in Under 1810, $45 in Under 1410. Reg.: Sat.
9:30-10:35 a.m., Rds.: 11-4, 10-3. Half-point bye OK except for Champi-
onship round 4. Ent: Parker Montgomery, PO Box 831, Middlebury, VT
05753-0831; vermonty64@earthlink.net, mobile 802-349-7739.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 9-10, TEXAS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15
NTCA 2ND ANNUAL SUMMER OPEN
5SS, G/75 inc/10. North Texas Chess Academy, 3730 N. Josey Ln. #124,
Carrollton, TX 75007. $1,250 Guaranteed. Now in FOUR Sections, USCF
Rated only. June monthly Rating Supplement used. Open Section:
$500-$200-$100 - U1750 Section: $250-$100-$65 - EF: $65 by
6/3, $80 after. Rounds: Saturday 3pm – 6:30pm, Sunday 10am –
1:30pm – 5pm Registration Ends 30 minutes before round 1. Check,
Cash, or CC accepted onsite. Late forfeiture time is one hour. Two half
point byes allowed if requested before round 2. Questions: info@north-
texaschessacademy.com. SAVE on early registration at https://www.north
texaschessacademy.com/book-online U1250 Section – Trophies to
Top 3 Finishers- U700 Section – Trophies to Top 3 Finishers. U1250
and U700 are one Day Events (6/9 ONLY) EF: $30 by 6/3. $40 on
site. 5 Rounds. G/30 d5. North Texas Chess Academy, 3730 N. Josey
Ln. #124, Carrollton, TX 75007. Registration Ends 30 minutes before
round 1. Two half point byes allowed if requested before round 2. Round
1 - 9am, Rest asap. SAVE with early registration at www.northtexas-
chessacademy.com.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 15-17 OR 16-17, VIRGINIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 120 (ENHANCED)
7TH ANNUAL CONTINENTAL CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Westin
Tysons Corner, 7801 Leesburg Pike (VA-7), Falls Church, VA 22043. Free
parking, free shuttle to Tysons Corner Center and Metro. $20,000 guar-
anteed. 7 sections: Master (2200/up): $2000-1000-500-300, clear win
or 1st on tiebreak $100, top U2400 $800-400. FIDE. Expert (2000-2199):
$1400-700- 400-200. Class A (1800-1999/Unr): $1400-700-400-200.
Class B (1600- 1799/Unr): $1400-700-400-200.Class C (1400-1599/Unr):
$1300-700-400- 200. Class D (1200-1399/Unr): $800-400-200-100.
Class E (Under 1200/Unr): $800-400-200-100, plaques to top 3, 1st
U1000, U800, Unr. Rated players may play up one section. Unrated
limits: E $150, D $250, C $350, B $500. Mixed doubles prizes: best
male/female 2-player team combined score among all sections: $800-
400. Must average under 2200; may play different sections; register
(no extra fee) by 2 pm 6/16. Top 5 sections EF: $118 at chessaction.com
by 6/13, 3-day $123, 2-day $122 mailed by 6/6, $130 at site, or online
until 2 hrs before rd. 1. GMs, IMs & WGMs free in Master; $100 deducted
from prize. Class D or E Section EF: all $40 less than above. No
checks at site, credit cards OK. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually
used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF with magazine if paid
with entry. At chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic
$15. Mailed or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Re-
entry $50 (no Master Section). 3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 6 pm, rds.
Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg. Sat to 10 am,
rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. Bye: all, limit 2; Master must commit
before rd. 2, others before rd. 3. HR: $104-104, 1-866- 716-8108, reserve
by 6/1 or rate may increase. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess,
Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. Refunds, $15 service charge. Questions:
Director@Chess.US, chesstour.com, 347-201-2269. Entries posted at
chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Blitz Sat 9:30 pm,
enter by 9:15 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 15-17 OR 16-17, FLORIDA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20
9TH SUMMER SOLSTICE OPEN
5SS, Open section (FIDE-rated) G/90+30 sec. incr., All other sections
but U1100 G/120 d5, U1100 section G/90 d5 (2-day Option all sections
Rd. 1 G/60 d5). Hyatt Place Boca Raton/Downtown, 100 E. Palmetto
Park Rd., Boca Raton, FL 33432. $$7,000 b/170 paid entries, 60% min.
Gtd. Open: $800/Trophy-500-400, U2300/Unr. $300. U2100: $700/Tro-
phy-400-300, U1950 $200. U1750: $700/Trophy-400-300, U1650 $200.
U1450: $700/Trophy-400-300, U1350/Unr. $200. U1100: Trophies for
1st to 3rd, 1st U900, 1st U700/Unr., Medals to all others. Top Senior
Prize (among all cash prize sections, must be at least 55 on June 15)
$200. Unr. may enter Open, U1450 or U1100 only. Unr. only eligible for
Unr. Prizes in Open & U1450. EF: All but U1100 $84 by June 12, $10
more later, $15 more on-site, GMs & IMs free ($84 deducted from
prize). U1100 section $44 by June 12, $10 more later, $15 more on-
site. Re-entry cash prize sections $44. Reg.: Ends 1/2 hr before 1st rd.
Rds.: 3-Day 1st Rd. Fri. 7:30; 2-Day 1st Rd. Sat 10; 2nd Rd. Sat. 1:15;
3rd Rd. all sections but U1100 6:30, 3rd Rd. U1100 5:45; 4th Rd. Sun.
9:30; 5th Rd. all sections but U1100 2:30, 5th Rd. U1100 1:45. 2 1/2
pt. byes, if req’d before rd. 2. HR: $119 by Cut-off Date, Includes free
breakfast & Internet, Overnight parking is $10 per night (in & out is
www.uschess.org 51
Tournament Life / June
ok), Day parking is free, 888-492-8847. Ent: Boca Raton Chess Club,
2385 NW Executive Ctr. Dr., Ste. 100, Boca Raton, FL 33431. $10 service
charge for refunds. Online entry & add’l info: www.bocachess.com,
561-302-4377.
JUNE 16, MASSACHUSETTS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
BOYLSTON CHESS FOUNDATION FATHERS’ DAY OPEN
4SS, G/60 d5. Sections: Open & U1900. Entry fee: $35, $20 for BCF
members, $5 more if not registering before 9:00am on June 16. Prizes:
$400 GUARANTEED: Open $150-$100-50, U1900 $100. Registration:
9:15am – 9:45am. Rounds: 10:00am, 1:00pm, 3:30pm, 6:00pm. Address:
Boylston Chess Foundation, 40 Norris St., Suite B101, Cambridge, MA
02140. Phone: 617-714-3022. E-mail:boylstonchess@gmail.com. Register
at: boylstonchess.org.
JUNE 16-17, CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
2018 TAL MEMORIAL
(A sponsored event) 1 open Section. 6SS, G/60 d5. 11514 Santa Monica
Blvd., LA 90025, 2nd fl. EF: $75; $55 LACC members; No-prize players &
spouses/siblings & new members 1/2 EF. Reg.: Sat 10-11:45. Rds.:
12, 2, 4 pm each day. Byes: Up to three 1/2-point byes. Last Rd. bye
before Rd. 5. 1-Day option I: Play 1 day- no 1/2 pt byes- 1/2 EF. 1-
Day option II: Play 1 day & get three 1/2 pt byes- Full EF. Prizes:
$1,500 (b/40, $750 Gtd) 1st-3rd $400-200-100. U2000: $100. U1800:
$200-100-$50; U1600: $100-50; U1400: $100-50; U1200: Book prize.
Best attack: $25; Biggest upset: $25. Info: (310) 795-5710;
Mick@LAChessClub.com or www.LAChessClub.com. Parking: Free on
streets, BoA, or basement.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 16-17, TEXAS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)
DCC FIDE OPEN VI
5SS, G/90 inc/30. Dallas Chess Club, 200 S. Cottonwood Dr. #C, Richard-
son, TX 75080. Two sections: Open and Reserve. Open: $$875G. FIDE
and US Chess rated but uses FIDE rules. Use US Chess ratings and
rules for pairings and for awarding prizes. Default late forfeiture time
is one hour. TD may extend this time at TD’s discretion. Note that
Foreign players must disclose their FIDE ID number before 1st round
in order to play. Note that USA Players with no FIDE ID must disclose
their email address. $$ $500-$250-$125. EF: 2400+ $125, 2000-2399
$90, 1600 -1999 $99, U1600 $125, Senior/Birthday during tournament/
Additional Family Member $55. Dallas Chess Club membership required
or pay $20 non-member fee. Small Minimum prize to the First three
GM/IM’s who apply. GM/IM must play all rounds to get minimum prize
(entry fee may be deducted from prize). Reserve: Open to players rated
below 2000 USCF. This section is not Fide Rated but is US Chess rated
and uses US Chess rules. EF: $40. 10$ non Dallas Chess Club membership
fee. The Reserve give back 10% in prizes and if at least 8 paid entries
and if there is a clear winner, then that winner receives free entry to
next DCC Fide Open. In the reserve section, Tournament reserves the
right to use Fide rules on electronic devices and on starting White’s
clock at start of a round and to use FIDE pairing rules. Also clocks will
be set to ‘halt at end’. Both: Reg.: Saturday from 9:45–10:15 am. Rds.:
Sat 10:45 am-3:10pm-7:16pm, Sun 9:45 am- 2:10pm. One half point Bye
allowed if requested before end of round 2 and before getting full point
bye. Withdrawals and zero point last round byes are not eligible for
prizes. Note that house players (if required) must pay $5 per round and
be US Chess members. ENT: Make/mail Checks payable to Dallas Chess
Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036-
4719. Info: 214-632-9000. FIDE.
JUNE 19, NEW YORK
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
MARSHALL MASTERS - NEW PRIZES!
4-SS, G/25 d5. Open to players rated 2000+. FIDE Rapid rated. $1,100
GTD: $400-200; top U2400, U2300, U2200: $150; Biggest upset: $50.
EF: $30; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person
reg hour before Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one
bye, for Rd. 1 or 4 only; request at entry. Register Online: www.mar-
shallchessclub.org/register.
JUNE 20-21, NEVADA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 50 (ENHANCED)
2018 U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN
See Nationals.
JUNE 21, NEVADA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 50 (ENHANCED)
WALTER BROWNE MEMORIAL NATIONAL OPEN BLITZ
CHAMPIONSHIP (BLZ)
7 D-SS (14 games), G/3, +2. Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino,
3000 Paradise Road, Las Vegas 89109. $5,000 Guaranteed Prize fund!
Open: $1000-500-300. U2400 300, U2300 275, U2200 250, U2100 225,
U2000 200. Reserve (U1900): $500-300-150, U1800 250, U1700 200,
U1600 175, U1500 150, U1400 125, U1200 100. Open section FIDE blitz
rated. Must be 3 players eligible for each prize awarded. Unrated eligible
for under prizes in open section only. EF: $50 by 5/31, $60 later. REG.:
by 1 p.m. Rd. 1 at 2 p.m. www.VegasChessFestival.com. FIDE.
JUNE 21, NORTH CAROLINA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
CHARLOTTE CHESS CENTER THIRD THURSDAY RAPID
Third Thursday of every month! 4 rounds, G/10 inc/2. Charlotte Chess
Center and Scholastic Academy, 1800 Camden Road, Suite 108, Charlotte.
EF: $30 online or on-site by 6:45pm, $25 for CCCSA members. In one
section, prizes 100% guaranteed. OPEN: $150-100. Top U1900 $50, Top
U1600 $50, Top U1300/Unr $50. US Chess Quick rated and FIDE
Rapid Rated! Rounds 7:00pm, 8:00, 9:00. Info/reg: www.charlot-
techesscenter.org, grant@charlottechesscenter.org
JUNE 21-24, 22-24 OR 23-24, NEVADA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 300 (ENHANCED)
52 June 2018 | Chess Life
2018 NATIONAL OPEN
See Nationals.
JUNE 21-24, LOUISIANA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30
2018 U.S. SENIOR OPEN
See Nationals.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 22-24 OR 23-24, GEORGIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 120
CASTLE CHESS GRAND PRIX
5-SS, G/120 d10 (2 day schedule, rd. 1 G/90 d10). Cox Hall Ballroom,
Emory University, 569 Asbury Cir., Atlanta, GA 30322. $13,500 G! Seven
Sections: Master: $2,100-1250-750-450; U2400: $1050-650; Expert:
$900-650-400; Class A: $800-500-300; Class B: $600-400-250; Class
C: $500-300-200; Class D: $400-250-150; U1200: $350-200-100. All
prizes paid on-site on June 24, or mailed on June 25. Your choice.
Official June rating used. Players may request to use latest unofficial
US Chess rating if higher. This will be used if otherwise unrated. Players
rated within 100 points of next higher section may up play one section,
except must be 2150 to play Master section. EF: $79 if received by
6/20. $100 later or at site. Free to GM, IM, WGM, WIM or USCF 2400.
Unrated players: $50. Re-entry: $50. Cash or check only at site.
Unrated may enter any section except Master. Prize limit of $150 in
U1200, $200 in Class D, $250 in Class C, $300 in Class B, $350 in Class
A, and $400 in Expert to all unrated players. Balance of any limited
prize to next player(s) in line. 3 day schedule: Reg: 6-6:30 pm on 6/22.
Rds.: 7:00; 2:00-7:00; 9:30-2:30. 2 day schedule: Reg.: 8:30-9:30 am
on 6/23. Rd 1 at 10:00, then merges with 3 day schedule. One 1/2 pt.
bye any round. Must commit before playing first game. No changes.
Ent: On-line: www.castlechess.org; Castle Chess Inc., 5025 Antebellum
Dr., Stone Mtn., GA 30087. Make check payable to: Castle Chess Inc.
Info: tournament@castlechess.org; Grant Oen: 609-947-7323. HR: see
www.castlechess.org. Note: Bring sets, boards, clocks. None supplied.
All parking at Emory is in either Fishburne or Peavine parking decks.
No parking next to Cox Hall. Please allow time to walk from the deck to
Cox Hall (the building with the clock tower.) W.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 22-24 OR 23-24, CALIFORNIA, NORTHERN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30 (ENHANCED)
GM WALTER BROWNE MEMORIAL
“New Milpitas” 372 Turquoise St., Milpitas, CA 95035, (map) Park Free!
5SS, G/90 +30, 2-day rds. 1-2 G/61 d5. Prizes: 5,000 b/90 (60% guar).
3 sects: 2000+ (FIDE) $1,000-500-200, u2300: 250-125-100. 1600-
1999: $700-300-100, u1800: 200-100, u1600: $700-300-100 u1400:
125-100, u1200: 100. Unr max $100 exc Open. June 18 Supp & TD disc.
Reg.: F 6:30-6:45p & Sa 9:30-9:45a. Rds.: F 7p, Sa 10a, 3p Su 10a
2:30p. (2-day Sa 10a 12:30 & merge). EF:109, Econ EF: 89 w 50% prz,
after 6/16+20. Playup +30. GMs/IMs- $0 by 6/8 (prize - EF). Info:
http://BayAreaChess.com/champs.
JUNE 23, MASSACHUSETTS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
WESTFORD JUNE BLITZ (BLZ)
8SS, G/5;+2. Westford Regency Inn & Conference Center, 219 Littleton
Rd., Westford, MA 01886. EF: $20 to players in any Westford June Open
section, $25 otherwise. $$GTD: $200-100. U2000 $100, U1600 $100.
Reg.: 8:00-8:45 PM. Rds.: Round 1 at 9 PM, rest ASAP. If fewer than 9
entries, will play 4 DBLSS. ENT: Alex Relyea, 49 Technology Dr. #89,
Bedford, NH 03110. INFORMATION: Alex Relyea relyea@operamail.com.
www.relyeachess.com.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 23-24, MASSACHUSETTS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30 (ENHANCED)
WESTFORD JUNE OPEN
Westford Regency Inn & Conference Center, 219 Littleton Rd., Westford,
MA 01886. In 4 Sections, Championship: 4SS, 40/90, SD/30;+30,
Open to players rated 1800/above. FIDE rated. $$GTD: $600-300-250.
U2400 $250 U2200 $250. U2000: 4SS, 40/90, SD/30;+30, Open to
1999 & under. FIDE rated. $$GTD: $400-200-150. U1800: 4SS, 40/90,
SD/30;+30, Open to 1799 & under. $$GTD: $400-200-150. U1600: 4SS,
40/90, SD/30;+30, Open to 1599 & under. Open to Adult unrated not
allowed in section. $$GTD: $300-150-100. U1400 $150 U1200 $150.
ALL: EF: $70 postmarked 16 June, $80 at site. $30 discount to players
in U1600 sect. rated U1000 or unrated. Reg.: 8:30-9:30 on Saturday.
Rds.: 10-4, 10-4. 1 1/2 point byes rounds 1-3. ENT: Alex Relyea, 49
Technology Dr. #89, Bedford, NH 03110. INFORMATION: Alex Relyea
relyea@operamail.com. www.relyeachess.com. HR $125 by 1 June.
(978) 692-8200 mention Westford June Open.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 28-JULY 2, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 200 (ENHANCED)
12TH ANNUAL PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL
9SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (see World
Open for location, rates, parking). $25,000 guaranteed prizes, in 3
sections. Only Premier is FIDE rated. US sections are not open to players
listed as foreign by FIDE. Premier uses June FIDE ratings for pairngs &
prizes, US sections use July official USCF ratings. Premier: open to
FIDE1900/over or USCF 2000/over and all FIDE rated foreign players.
GM & IM norms possible. Prizes $5000-2500-1300-800-600-400-300-
300, top FIDE under 2300 or unrated $1200-600. US Under 2100/Unr:
$2500-1300-700-500-400. US Under 1900/Unr: $2500-1300-700-500-
400, unrated limit $1000, top U1700 (no unrated) $800-400. Premier
minimum prize guarantees: $600 to foreign GMs, $300 to foreign
IMs/WGMs (all must complete all 9 games with no byes; limited to first
6 foreign GMs & first 6 foreign IMs/WGMs to enter by 5/25 at chessac-
tion.com). Minimum prize $300 to other GMs (including US) who enter at
chessaction.com by 5/25 and complete all 9 games with no byes. Premier
EF: GMs, IMs, WGMs, foreign FIDE rated players: $50 online at ches-
saction.com by 5/25, $75 online at chessaction.com by 6/25, $100 at
site; $100 deducted from prize (no deduction from minimum prize). US
FIDE Masters: $200 online by 5/25, $225 online by 6/25, $250 at site.
US players USCF or FIDE rated 2100/up:$300 online by 5/25, $325
online by 6/25, $350 at site. US players USCF or FIDE rated 2000-
2099: $400 online by 5/25, $425 online by 6/25, $450 at site. Others:
$500 online by 5/25, $525 online by 6/25, $550 at site. US sections EF:
$250 online by 5/25, $275 online by 6/25, $300 at site. All: Mailed entry
all $10 more; do not mail entry after 6/15. No checks at site, credit
cards OK. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine: see World Open.
Schedule: Late reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds. Thu 7 pm, Fri 1 & 7, Sat-Mon 11
& 5. Two half point byes available; must commit before rd. 3; FIDE norm
in Premier not possible if taking bye. HR: see World Open. Bring set,
board, clock if possible- none supplied. Ent: chessaction.com or Conti-
nental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge for
refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.us, 347-201-
2269. Entry list: see chessaction.com; online entries posted instantly.
Invitations: Go@Chess.us.
JUNE 29, NEW YORK
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
MARSHALL $500 FIDE BLITZ (BLZ)
9-SS, G/3 +2. FIDE Blitz rated. USCF regular rating used for pairings &
prizes. $500 GTD: $200-100; U2400/unr, U2200, U2000, U1800: $50.
EF: $20; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person
reg hour before Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: Begin at 7pm and continue
ASAP. Max three byes; request at entry. Register Online: www.mar-
shallchessclub.org/register.
JUNE 30, TENNESSEE
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
JOHN HURT MEMORIAL 15
Site: IBEW, 1870 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38104. 4SS; G/60 d5. Two
sections: Open and U1600 Prizes: ($1000 based on 25 paid EFs) Open:
$300-200-100, U1600: $200-125-75; Rounds: 9-12:30-3-5:30. Open and
U1600 Entry Fee: $40 by 06/23, $50 at door, MCC members $40 anytime,
Masters: free (EF deducted from winnings); Special U1000 Trophy Sec-
tion: 4SS, G/45 d5; Entry Fee: $15. Trophies for top 3 overall, top U800
and top U600. Round 1 at 9am, next rounds ASAP. On site Registration:
06/30: 7:30am - 8:45am. You can pay the early entry fee with PayPal
until registration end time on Saturday. gpylant@gmail.com. Join online:
http://memphischessclub.homestead.com/JohnHurtMemorial15.html
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 30-JULY 1, TEXAS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
2018 SAN ANTONIO CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
Hornbeak Bldg., 3rd Flr. 4450 Medical Dr., SA,TX 78229, 5SS, Rds., 1
and 2 G/90 d5, Rds. 3-5 G/120 d5, ($$ 3025 b/60, 2/3 gtd.) Open
Section: $500 1st, $350 2nd, $250 3rd, U2000 $200 1st, $150 2nd,
U1900 $125 1st, $75 2nd, Reserve Section U1800 $400 1st, $250 2nd,
$150 3rd, U1600 Section $175 1st, $ 125 2nd, U 1400 $125 1st, $75,
2nd, Unr. $75. Open Section EF: $65. if rcv’d by 6/22, $70 at site: Trophy
to top Bexar County Resident. Reserve Section EF: $45. if rcv’d by 6/22,
$50 at site: Option play for 1/2 prizes: $35 by 6/22 for Open Section,
$40 later and at site. Option play for 1/2 prizes for Reserve Section:
$30 by 6/22, $35 later and at site. Option play counts 2/3 toward “based
on”. ($ 5. Discount to Club Members and ex-military personnel paying
full entry) Unr. Players cannot win more than $100 in Reserve Section
U1800. Reg.: 8:30-9:30 am. Rds.: 10-2-6; 9-2 half pt. bye any 1 rd.
notice before Rd.2 is paired. Swap and shop used books, equip.: 8:30-
9:30 am. Entries: SACC, PO BOX 690576, San Antonio, TX 78269-0576,
or PayPal. Contact info: Web: sanantoniochess.com, Ph.: 210-384-
4797, E-mail: lhrlouis@yahoo.com or louisrimpel2@gmail.com.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 30-JULY 1, WISCONSIN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20
7TH ANNUAL TWIN PORTS OPEN
(Overlooks Lake Superior) $5,800 in prizes projected + IM John
Bartholomew, GM Bryan Smith, & GM Andrew Tang are playing!
Barkers Island Resort & Conference Center, 300 Marina Dr., Superior,
WI 54880. Open: EF $85 by 15 April, $95 by 20 May, $110 after May 20.
Prizes (based on 45): $1,400, $700, $350; U2400 $250; U2200 $250;
U2000 $250. U1800: EF $75 by 15 April, $85 by 20 May, $100 after May
20. Prizes (based on 45): $1,000, $500, $250; U1600 $200; U1400 $200.
U1200: EF is $50 by 15 April, $55 by 20 May, $65 after May 20. Prizes
(based on 20) 1st $250, 2nd $120, 3rd $80 + Trophies for the top 1st-
3rd Elementary students, 1st-3rd Junior high school students, and the
top 1st-3rd High school students. All Sections: 5SS, Rd. 1 G/60 + 30
sec increment; Rds. 2-5 G/90 + 30 sec increment. Reg.: Sat 9-10am.
Rds.: Sat 10:30-2-7; Sun 10-3. USCF memb. required. Advanced
Reg:Online at www.onlineregistration.cc or mail checks payable to Twin
Ports Open: Dane Mattson, 2629 E. 4th St., Superior, WI 54880. Hotel:
715-392-7152, chess rate $135. Rooms held until May 29. After May 29,
first come first serve. For more info: Dane Mattson, mattsondane@
gmail.com, 218-591- 3339.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
A State Championship Event!
JUNE 30-JULY 1, OKLAHOMA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20
73RD OKLAHOMA OPEN STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
5SS, Rds. 1-2 G/90 d5, Rds. 3-5 G/2 d5. $1500 Guaranteed. Trade
Winds Central Hotel, 3141 E Skelly Dr. (I-44, Exit 228), Tulsa, OK, 918-
749-5561. 3 Sections: Open G$$ 500-300-200; Reserve (U1600) G$$
250-150-100; Booster (U1000) $$ b/entries; Plaques & USCF recognized
State Championship titles for OK resident section winners. EF: $45 if
rec’d by 6/25, otherwise $50, Booster Section $35, OCA membership
included. Reg.: 8:30-9:30am Saturday, must enter by Rd. 2 and play Rd.
5 to be prize eligible. One 1/2 point bye in Rds. 1-4 only; accelerated
pairings may be used; Unrated & Booster players limited to Booster &
Reserve sections. Rds.: Sat 10-2-6; Sun 10 & 3. HR: $55 plus tax (1-4
occupants), including breakfast buffet; no outside food or drink. OCA

Annual Membership Meeting & Election of all Officers and USCF
OK Delegate: Sunday 8am; Voting Eligibility: Must be 16, Oklahoma
resident & current OCA member; new or renewing members become
eligible by submitting OCA dues ($10) postmarked by 10 business days
prior to 7/1. Contact: Chuck Unruh, PO Box 340, Collinsville, OK 74021,
800-460-2794, chunruh@aol.com. More info: www.ochess.org.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 2-3, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 40 (ENHANCED)
7TH ANNUAL WORLD OPEN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
6SS, G/90 d10. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (see World Open for
location, rates, parking). Open to all females. $2500 guaranteed prizes:
$1000-500-250, top U2000/Unr $300, U1700 $250, U1400 $200, plaques
to 1st, top U1200/Unr, U1000, U800. EF: $88 online at chessaction.com
by 6/30, $92 mailed by 6/15, $100 at site, or online until 8 am 7/2. GMs,
IMs, WGMs free; $80 from prize. Reg. ends 9 am 7/2, rds. 10, 2, 6 each
day. Half point byes OK all rounds, limit 2 byes (limit 1 bye if under
1400), must commit before rd. 3. Special USCF dues: see World Open.
Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, PO Box 8482, Pelham, NY
10803. $15 service charge for refunds. Entries posted at chessaction.com
(online entries posted instantly).
JULY 3, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 40 (ENHANCED)
6TH ANNUAL WORLD OPEN ACTION CHAMPIONSHIP
6SS, G/30 d5. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (see World Open for
location, rates, parking). Prizes $7000 based on 100 entries, otherwise
raised or lowered in proportion; minimum guarantee $4667 (2/3 of
each prize). GMs count as half entries. In 4 sections. Premier, open to
1900/above. Prizes $1000-500-300, top Under 2400 $600-300. Under
2200/Unr: Prizes $600-300-200, top Under 2000/Unr $400-200. Under
1800/Unr: Prizes $600-300-200, unrated limit $350, top Under 1600
(no Unr) $320-160. Under 1400/Unr: Prizes $400-200-100, unrated
limit $200, top Under 1200 (no unr) $210-110. Top 3 sections EF: $96
online at chessaction.com by 7/1, $100 mailed by 6/15, $110 at site.
GMs free, $90 from prize. Under 1400/Unr section EF: all $20 less
than above. Reg. ends 10 am 7/3, rounds 11, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9. Half point
byes OK all rounds, limit 2, must commit before rd. 3. Special USCF
dues: see World Open. $15 service charge for refunds. Entries posted
at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly).
An American Classic!
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 3-8, 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 300 (ENHANCED)
46TH ANNUAL WORLD OPEN
9SS. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market St., Philadelphia,
PA 19107, directly across the street from the world famous Reading
Terminal Market with over 80 food vendors. In 9 sections. $225,000
guaranteed prizes. Unrated may enter only Open, U2200, U2000, or
Unrated Sections. Free analysis of your games by GM Sam Palatnik
7/4-8, free GM lectures 9 am 7/6 & 7/7. Open Section, July 4-8 only:
Open to all rated 2200/over USCF or FIDE, or must pay $100 more.
40/2, SD/30 d10. Under 2200 to Under 1200 Sections, July 3-8, 4-
8, 5-8 or 6-8: 40/2, SD/30 d10 (4-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10; 3-day
option, rds. 1-5 G/35 d10). Under 900 Section & Unrated Section,
July 6-8 only: G/60 d10, play separate schedule. Open: $20000-10000-
5000-2500-1300-1000-800-700-600-500, clear winner bonus $500, top
FIDE 2300-2449 $5000-2500-1500, top FIDE 2200-2299 $5000-2500-
1500. Top FIDE U2200/Unr $5000-2500-1500. If tie for first, top 2 on
tiebreak play speed game 10 pm 7/8 for title & bonus prize. GM & IM
norms possible. FIDE rated. Under 2200/Unr: $12000-6000-3000-1500-
1000-800-600-500-400-400, top U2100 (no unr) $2000-1000, unrated
limit $2000. Under 2000/Unr: $12000-6000-3000-1500-1000-800-600-
500-400-400, top U1900 (no unr) $2000-1000, unrated limit $1000.
Under 1800: $12000-6000-3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400-400, top
U1700 $2000-1000. Under 1600: $10000-5000-2500-1300-900-700-600-
500-400-400, top U1500 $2000-1000. Under 1400: $8000-4000-2000-
1300-900-700-600-500-400-400, top U1300 $1600-800. Under 1200:
$4000-2000-1000-800-600-500-400-400-300-300, top U1000 $1000-500.
Under 900: $600-400-300-200-100, plaques to top 10. Unrated: $600-
400-300-200-100, plaques to top 10. Prize limits: 1) If any post-event
rating posted 6/30/17-6/30/18 was more than 30 points over section
maximum, prize limit $2000. 2) Players with under 26 lifetime games
rated as of July 2018 official list cannot win over $1000 in U1200, $2000
U1400, $3000 U1600 through U2000. Games rated too late for July
official list not counted toward 26 game total. 3) Balance of any limited
prize goes to next player(s) in line. Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes: best
male/female combined 2-player team score: $3000-1500-700-500-300.
Team must average under 2200; may play in different sections; register
(no extra fee) before both players begin round 2; teams including an
unrated limited to $500. Entry fee for Open through U1400 sections:
Online at chessaction.com: $308 by 4/15, $318 by 5/15, $328 by
6/30, $350 at site until 1 1/2 hours before round 1, or online until 2
hours before. Mailed by 5/15: 6-day $326, 5-day $325, 4-day $324, 3-
day $323. Mailed by 6/15: all $10 more. All $100 more for Open
Section if not rated 2200/over by USCF or FIDE. Do not mail entry
after 6/15. No checks at site, credit cards OK. GMs in Open: free; $200
deducted from prize. IMs, WGMs in Open: EF $100 less. Under 1200
Section EF: all $100 less than above. Seniors 65/up: all EF $100 less
in U1400 or above sections. U900 Section or Unrated Section EF:
$68 online at chessaction.com by 6/30, $73 mailed by 6/15, $80 at site
until 9:30 am 7/6 or online until 9 am 7/6. No checks at site; credit
cards OK. Re-entry: $160, no re-entry from Open to Open. $20 fee for
switching section after 7/2. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine
if paid with entry: Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult
$22, Scholastic $15. Mailed or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25,
Scholastic $17. 6-day schedule: Tue/Wed 7 pm, Thu 6 pm, Fri/Sat 11
am & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 4:30 pm. 5-day schedule: Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat
11 am & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 4:30 pm. 4-day schedule: Thu 11, 2:30 &
6, Fri/Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule: Fri 11, 1:30, 3:30, 6
See previous issue for TLAs appearing June 1-14
& 8:30, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. U900 Section, Unrated Section
schedule: Fri 11, 2:30 & 6, Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 10, 1:30 & 4:30. All
schedules merge & compete for same prizes. Half point byes OK all,
limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd. 3, others
before rd. 5. Entries, re-entries close 90 minutes before round 1. HR:
$115-115-135, 215-625-2900, reserve early, chess block may sell out
by early June. Parking: Marriott valet parking, about $20/day (60% off
regular rate) for first 100 valet parking spaces sold. Gateway Garage,
1540 Spring St. (3/5 mile from Marriott, 1 block from Sheraton Hotel),
about $7/day Sat & Sun, $20/day other days. Special car rental rates:
Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through
chesstour.com. Foreign player ratings: See www.chesstour.com/for-
eignratings.htm. US player ratings: Official July USCF ratings used;
July FIDE ratings used for Open Section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings
usually used if otherwise unrated. Special rules: Players must submit
to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. See also
chesstour.com/devices.htm. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess,
Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. Questions:chesstour.com, chesstour.info,
DirectorAtChess.US. $15 service charge for refunds. Entries posted at
chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Awards: Open through
U1800 prizes awarded 7/8, others mailed by 7/23. Bring set, board,
clock if possible- none supplied.
JULY 4, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15 (ENHANCED)
7TH ANNUAL WORLD OPEN GAME/7 CHAMPIONSHIP (BLZ)
5-SS, double round (10 games), G/7 d2. Marriott Philadelphia Downtown
(see World Open). Prizes $1000 guaranteed: $300-150-70, U2100 $130-
70, U1800 $120-60, U1500/Unr $100. EF: $40, at site only, no checks.
GMs $40 from prize. Reg. ends 10:30 am, rds. 11, 12, 1, 2, 3. One pair
of 1/2 pt byes available, must commit before rd. 2. Blitz rated (will not
affect regular ratings), but higher of regular or blitz used for pairings &
prizes. $20 service charge for refunds.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 6-8, CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 100 (ENHANCED)
PACIFIC SOUTHWEST OPEN
5-SS, G/90 + 30 sec inc. At the Hilton Irvine/Orange County Airport,
Irvine, CA 92612. $10,000 in Guaranteed Prizes, 6 Sections. Prizes:
Open Sec 1st $1,600-1,000-600-300-100, plus BU2300 $400-200; U2200,
U2000, U1800 ALL: $700-300-200-100; U1600: $600-300-100 U1400:
$300-200, plus BU1200 $200-100, Book prize for Best unrated in each
section, if any. Not FIDE rated. Reg.: 6:30 - 7:45 PM Friday, July official
rating list used. No “fast” schedule or re-entries. One 1/2 point bye
available, but must commit before Rd. 4. Rds.: 8 PM on Friday, 10 AM
& 3 PM Sat and Sun. EF: $90 Early Bird Special if received by 5/31,
$100 from 6/1 to 7/01, $120 from 7/01 -7/05, $140 on event day. No
credit cards at door, checks or cash only. Special rate of only $60 if
U1400 or unrated. GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs all have free entry, but
$100 deducted from any prize winnings. SCCF membership req’d ($18
Adult; $13 Jr or $3 Jr w/o mag,) for all So Cal residents. Entries: SDCC,
PO Box 120162, San Diego, CA 92112 or enter online at www.scchess.com.
For more info call Chuck at 858-432-8006, or email me at chucnglo@
aol.com Hotel Rates: $139, 800-445-8667, if booked by 6/06/18. This
event is a State Championship Qualifier.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 6-8 OR 7-8, CALIFORNIA, NORTHERN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15
2018 SACRAMENTO CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUNDS: 6. FORMAT: Swiss. RATING: Full-K. SITE: Holiday Inn Express
& Suites, 2224 Auburn Blvd, Sacramento, CA. ON-SITE REGISTRATION:
7/6 – 8:30 am - 9:45 am; 7/7 – 8:00 am - 8:45 am. ROUNDS: 3-day:
7/6 – 10 & 3:30, 7/7 – 10:30 & 4, 7/8 – 10 & 3:30. 2-day : 7/7 – 9,
11:15, 1:30, & 4, 7/8 – 10 & 3:30 TIME CONTROLS: 40/90 G/30 +30
inc, 2-day: Rounds 1-3, G/50 +10 inc, Rounds 4-6, 40/90 G/30 +30
inc. SECTIONS:Master/Expert (above 1999) - FIDE Rated, Reserve
(U2000) ENTRY FEES: $85 postmarked by 6/30. $95 after 6/30. IMs/GMs
free. Entrants may play up one section (max 200 points) for $20. $5 dis-
count to CalChess members (excluding reentries). Reentry after round
2 of the 3- day schedule: $45. PRIZES: Master/Expert 1st Place $700 &
trophy, 2nd Place $500, 3rd Place $350. 1st Place Reserve $650 &
trophy. Prize fund of $5,125 based on 90 full paid entries (with 75 full
paid entries, the prize fund will be $4,100). HOTEL: Holiday Inn Express
& Suites, $114 per night, available until 6/5/2018, (916) 923-1100 or 1-
888-465-4329, online at www.hiexpress.com/sacramentone, group code
SCC. Reserve earlyas the hotel has sold out over the tournament weekend
in the past. ADVANCE ENTRIES & INFO: John McCumiskey (TD), e-
mail: sactochess@sbcglobal.net; phone: (916) 524-9479. Checks payable
to Sacramento Chess Club and mailed to 6700 50th St, Sacramento, CA
95823- 1306. Full flyer and advance entries: http://sacramentochess-
club.org under Weekend Events. OTHER INFO: Wheelchair Access.
07/18 rating list, CCA minimums, and/or TD Discretion. The Master/Expert
section FIDE rated using USCF rules and pairings. E-mail address
required for entrants of the Master/Expert section. Please bring clocks.
1/2 point byes available in any round and must be requested before
the completion of the previous round. Maximum two 1/2 point byes per
entry. 1/2 point byes for rounds 5 & 6 must be requested prior to round
1 and may not be changed.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 6-8 OR 8, NEW YORK
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
MARSHALL WEEKEND OPEN
5-SS, G/90 +30. $1,000 GTD: $500-200; U2200: $150; U1900: $150.
EF: $50; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person
reg hour before Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 3-day: Fri. 6pm, Sat. & Sun.
12:30 & 5:30pm. 1-day: Sun. 9-10-11am (G/25 d5) then merge in round
4. Max two byes; request at entry. Register Online: www.marshallchess-
club.org/register.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 6-8 OR 7-8, TEXAS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20
4TH AUSTIN CHESS CLUB SUMMER OPEN
100% GUARANTEED Prize Fund of $4025! Bridge Center of Austin, 6700
Middle Fiskville Rd., Austin, TX 78752. Entries are limited to the first
160 participants to register, 60 players max per section. No limit on
players rated 2200+. In 3 Sections, Championship: 5SS, G/90;+60,
Open to players 1800 and above. EF: $55 received or online by 5/15,
$65 thereafter/site. $$GTD: $800-400-200. U2200 - $300-150, U2000 -
$250-100. Reserve: 5SS, G/90;+60, open to Ratings 1400-1799. EF:
$50 received or online by 5/15, $60 thereafter/site. $$: $450-250-100.
U1600 - $200-100. Novice: 5SS, G/90;+60, Open to Ratings under
1400. EF: $45 received or online by 5/15, $55 thereafter/site. $$: $250-
125-75. U1200 - $125-75, U1000 - $75 . ALL: Online Registration preferred.
Please see website for refund policy. Unrateds may only win place
prizes. No “playing up”. Unrateds placed at TD’s discretion. One ½ pt.
bye if requested before end of Rd 2. Schedule: 3-day: Reg Fri 07/06
(space permitting): Fri. 6:00-7:00pm Rds: 07/06 7:30pm, 07/07 1pm &
7pm, 07/08 9:30am & 3:30pm; 2-day: Reg Sat 07/07(space permitting):
8:00-8:40am. Rd 1: 9:00am, then merge with 3 day schedule. ENT:
AustinChessTournaments.com, P.O. Box 1386, Round Rock, TX 78680
512- 417-9008 www.AustinChessTournaments.com. INFO: Lori Balkum
Lori. Balkum@AustinChessTournaments.com. DIR: 6700 Middle Fiskville
Road (in the Bridge Center of Austin), Austin, TX, next to Taj Palace Restau-
rant. Online entries preferred: www.AustinChessClub.com. July 2018
Supplement. Bring your own board and clock. Entries are limited to the
first 160 participants (exceptions granted for ratings 2200+). W.
JULY 7, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)
WORLD OPEN G/10 CHAMPIONSHIP (QC)
5SS, G/10 d2. Marriott Philadelphia Downtown (see World Open). $1700
guaranteed prizes. In 2 sections. Open Section: $300-200-100, top
U2300 $220, U2100/Unr $200. Under 1900 Section: $200-100-50, top
U1700 $130, U1500 $110, U1300 $90. EF: $40, at site only, no checks.
GMs $40 from prize. Reg: 6-9 pm, rounds 9:30, 10:10, 10:50, 11:30,
12:10. 1 half point bye available, must commit before rd. 2. Quick-rated
(will not affect regular ratings); higher of regular or quick used for
pairings & prizes. $20 service charge for refunds.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 7-8, WISCONSIN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
42ND ANNUAL GREEN BAY OPEN
Radisson Hotel, 2040 Airport Dr., Green Bay, WI 54313. 5SS, 40/95, 30/1,
SD/30 d5. EF: $48, Juniors under 19 $43, if rec’d by 7/3, all entries after
7/3 including phone, email & in person are $12 more! $$ (Top 2 Gtd. 6
per class) $2010 Cash + 6 trophies! 1st $400 + trophy; 2nd $235, X
$160; 1900’s & 1800’s $145 each; 1700’s & 1600’s $140 each; 1500’s &
1400’s $135 each; 1300’s & 1200’s $130 each; Under 1200/Unrated $115.
Trophies to top Juniors ages 17-18, 15-16, 13-14, 11-12, 10 & under.
CONTINENTAL CHESS SCHEDULE
More details at chesstour.com. For late
news, hotel availability, lectures, results,
games, etc, sign up for free CCA Newsletter at
chesscalendar.com or chesstour.com.
Most tournaments have alternate schedules
with less or more days than below.
Asterisk means full details in this issue-
otherwise, see future issues or chesstour.com.
Events in red offer FIDE norm chances.
6/8-10: Northeast Open, Stamford CT*
6/15-17: Continental Class, Falls Church VA*
6/28-7/2: Philadelphia International, Phila PA*
6/29-7/1: World Open Senior Amateur, Phila PA*
6/30-7/1: World Open Warmup, Philadelphia PA*
7/2-3: World Open Womens Champ, Phila PA*
7/2-3: World Open Under 13 Champ, Phila PA*
7/3: World Open Action, Philadelphia PA*
7/4-8: World Open, Philadelphia PA*
7/20-22: Peter Henner Memorial, Albany NY*
7/20-22: Chicago Class, Wheeling IL*
7/20-22: Pacific Coast Open, Van Nuys CA*
7/27-29: Bradley Open, Windsor Locks CT*
7/27-29: Southern Open, Orlando FL*
7/27-29: Pittsburgh Open, Pittsburgh PA*
8/3-5: Manhattan Open, New York NY*
8/10-12: Cleveland Open, Cleveland OH*
8/10-12: Central California Open, Fresno CA*
8/16-20: Continental Open, Sturbridge MA*
8/24-26: Atlantic Open, Falls Church VA*
8/24-26: Indianapolis Open, Indianapolis IN*
8/31-9/3: New York State Championship, Albany*
9/21-23: Hartford Open, Windsor Locks CT*
10/4-8: Washington Congress, Falls Church VA*
10/5-7: Midwest Class, Wheeling IL*
10/13-14: Central New York Open, Syracuse NY
10/26-28: Eastern Chess Congress, Princeton NJ
11/2-4: Los Angeles Open, Van Nuys CA
11/2-4: Stamford Open, Stamford CT
11/9-11: Kings Island Open, Blue Ash OH
For later events, see chesstour.com.
www.uschess.org 53
Tournament Life / June
Reg.: 8:45-9:25am. Rds.: 10-2:30-7:30; 10-3:30. HR: $99/$99/$109/$119
call 920-494-7300 mention chess tournament. Room block held to 6/15.
Other Info: 1/2 bye avail. Rds. 1, 2 or 3 if req’d w/entry. WI Tour Event.
W. Entries & Inquiries to: Luke Ludwig, 2191 Allouez Ave., Green Bay,
WI 54311. 920-465-9859, email: lukealudwig@aol.com.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 7-8, IOWA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15 (ENHANCED)
DES MOINES OPEN (IASCA GP QUALIFIER) FIDE-RATED
5-SS; G/90+30. Holiday Inn, 6111 Fleur Dr., Des Moines, IA 50321.
515.287.2400. HR: $99. Round times: Saturday 10:00 AM, 2:30 PM;
7:00 PM. Sunday 9:00 AM, 2:00 PM. Entry fee: Open $60 before July 5,
$70 on site. Reserve: $45 before July 5, $50 on site. On-site registration
8:30-9:45am on Saturday July 7th or pay on-line by July 5th at Onlinereg-
istration.cc USCF membership required. On-site available IASCA
membership required: $10. On-site available. Other states accepted.
Prize info: Open section $1500 b/30 entries. Top 3 guaranteed. $500,
$300 & $200 U2000-$150-$100; U1800-$150-$100. Reserve Section
$1000 b/25 entries. Top 3 guaranteed. $250, $175 & $125; U1400-
$125-$100; U1200-$125-$100. Contact Bill Broich by phone at (515)
205-8062 or email bill@dsmchess.com. Additional info: USCF rating
used for pairings and prizes. USCF July supplement used for ratings.
FIDE rules apply. FIDE rule 11.3 enforced with regards to electronic
devices. Byes: One 1/2 point bye if requested 1 hour prior to the start
of the round. $99 Hotel rate, if reserved by June 15th.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 7-8, ILLINOIS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 60 (ENHANCED)
CHICAGO CHESS CENTER POTAWOTAMI OPEN AND FORT
DEARBORN RESERVE
$5,500 guaranteed! 5SS, Accelerated possible. G/90 +30 inc. UIC Student
Center East, 750 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607. Two Sections: Pota-
wotami Open FIDE $1000-600-300-100; Under 2400 $310-200; Under
2200 $300; Under 2000 $295-195. Fort Dearborn Reserve (Under 1800
or unrated): $700-400-200; Under 1600 $210-105; Under 1400 $200-100;
Under 1200 $195-90. Unrated may not win more than $200. ALL: EF: $69
by 6/15, $79 by 6/30, $89 by 7/6; $99 onsite. Free advance registration
to GMs, IMs, WGMs, & WIMs. $11 extra for Under 1700 to play in Open.
20% discount for CCC members. Postmark snail mail by 6/30; payable to
Chicago Chess Center NFP Inc., P.O. Box 180095, Chicago, IL 60618. REG.:
8-8:30 a.m. No phone entries. (To maintain good playing conditions, we
reserve the right to close registration at or above 160 players; preregistration
STRONGLY encouraged!) Rds.: Sat.: 9-2-7; Sun.: 10-3. Bye available in any
round: must commit before end of rd. 2. All-day parking at 760 W. Taylor
St, $7. INFO: info@chichess.org or 773-294-1709. Sets & clocks provided.
All-day parking at 760 W. Taylor available for $7. W.
JULY 8, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30 (ENHANCED)
WORLD OPEN BLITZ CHAMPIONSHIP (BLZ)
54 June 2018 | Chess Life
5SS, G/5 d0 (double round, 10 games). Marriott Philadelphia Downtown
(see World Open). $3000 guaranteed prizes. In 2 sections: Open Section:
$500-300-200, top U2400 $220-110, U2200/Unr $200-100. Under 2000
Section: $400-200-100, top U1800/Unr $220-110, U1600 $160-80, U1400
$100, unrated limit $200. EF (at site only, no checks): $40 by 7 pm 7/4,
$50 after 7 pm 7/4. GMs $40 from prize. Reg. ends 9:30 pm, rounds
10, 10:45, 11:20, 11:55, 12:30. Half point bye available (1 point out of
2); must commit before rd. 2. Blitz rated (will not affect regular ratings);
higher of regular or blitz used for pairings & prizes. $20 service charge
for refunds.
JULY 9, 16, 23, NEW YORK
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
76TH NASSAU ACTION
9SS, G/25 d5 or G/30 d0. 1st Presbyterian Church, 1st & Main Sts.,
Mineola. EF: $35 by 7/6, $42 at site, non-memb $9 more. $$ (660 b/22,
top 2 G) 200-100, U2100, 1900, 1700, 1500, 1300/UR each 72. 4 byes 1-
9. captnhal@optonline.net. Reg to 7:15 PM. Rds.: 7:15-8:20-9:25 each
Mon. Ent: Harold Stenzel, 80 Amy Dr., Sayville, NY 11782.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 13-15, KANSAS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
KANSAS OPEN
Site: Clarion Hotel, 12601 W. 95th St., Lenexa, KS. 3 sections: (7/14
and 7/15) 5SS, G/120 d5. Prizes: $2070 b/80 non-scholastic rate
entries, Open(all): $350-250-150, U1900: $120. Reserve(U1800):
$300-200-100, U1600: $75. Amateur(U1400): $250-150-75, U1200:
$50. Clear or tiebreak winner $25 bonus to top KS resident in each
section. EF: $45 mailed by 7/7, $55 thereafter. Special: $10 discount
for advance entry into both KS Open + Blitz, $10 entry fee for Scholas-
tics, not competing for cash, but for awards in Reserve or Amateur
(and Blitz). Free Scholastic entry for some who competed in Kansas
state scholastic championship in March (see website) www.kansas
chess.org Reg.: 7/14 8:00-9:30am. Rds.: 7/14: 10-2:30-7, 7/15: 9:30-
2:00. KANSAS BLITZ CHESS: 1 section: (7/13), 5-double-round
swiss system, G/5 d0. Prizes: $580 b/40 non-scholastic rate entries,
$200-120-80, U2100 - $60, U1800 - $60, U1500/Unrated - $60. EF:
$25 if mailed by 7/7, $35 thereafter. $10 entry fee for all Scholastics
not competing for cash. Reg.: 7/13 6-6:45pm. Rds.: 7:00, 7:30, 8,
8:30, 9. KANSAS BUGHOUSE: 1 section: (7/13) 4pm. (details- see
website) HR: Clarion Hotel reservation at 913-217-1000. KCA Memb.
req’d for all Kansas residents ($7 adult, $5 Sch.) participating in any
Kansas Open event. Other states welcome. See website for full details:
www.kansaschess.org. Ent: Laurence Coker, 8013 W. 145th St., Over-
land Park, KS 66223. Make Checks payable to “Kansas Chess
Association.” – Ph: 913-851-1583, e-mail: wlcoker7@hotmail.com.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 13-15 OR 14-15, OHIO
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 60
2018 COLUMBUS OPEN (OPEN SECTION FIDE RATED)
5SS, 40/100 SD 30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10 schedules
merge starting round 3 for all sections). Ohio Union at the campus of
The Ohio State University, 1739 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43210.
Prizes (Top 3 in the Open Section Guaranteed) $8500 based on 120
paid entries in 4 sections: Open $1100 - $800 - $600 - $400 Top
U2300 $450 - $220 U2100 $700 - $500 - $400 - $300 Top U1900
$350 - $200 U1700 $500 - $350 - $250 - $200 Top U1500$225 - $175
U1300 $400 - $250 - $150 Unrated players and provisional rated
players only qualify for 25% of any prize in all sections except Open,
balance goes to next player in line. Entry Fee: Online - $100 by July
2, 2018 after that EF is $115, Mail - $105 by July 2, 2018 after that EF
is $115, On-site EF $115. All: No checks at site credit cards are ok.
Re-Entry all sections - $30. GM & IM free entry. 3-day Schedule:
Reg. ends Fri 6:30pm, rds. Fri 7pm, Sat 10:30pm & 5pm, Sun 9am &
3pm. 2-day Schedule: Reg. ends Sat 9am, rds. Sat 9:30am, 12:30pm,
& 5pm, Sun 9am & 3pm. Byes: all sections, limit 1 – 1/2 point bye, no
last round bye, must commit before round 3. Entry or more infor-
mation: http://buckeyechess.com or mail to: Buckeye Chess Club,
3180 Wild Dunes Ct., Pickerington, OH 43147. Questions: Mr. Kelly
M. Bloomfield – Bloomfield.40@gmail.com or 614-668-5588.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 13-15 OR 14-15, GEORGIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15
27TH ANNUAL ATLANTA CHAMPIONSHIP
5-SS, Interactive College of Technology, 5227 New Peachtree Rd., Chamblee,
GA 30341. $5000 b/100, $3000 guaranteed. 3 sections. Championship
(FIDE-rated): Open to USCF or FIDE-rated 1900 and above. $750-500-
300; Top 2050 thru 2200, Under 2050: Each $250-150. Amateur: Open to
USCF-rated 1400 thru 1899 and Unrated. $500-350-200; Top 1600 thru
1750, Under 1600: Each $200-100. Reserve: Open to USCF-rated Under
1400 and Unrated. $350-250-150; Top Under 1200, $150-100. Entry Fee:
$79 (3-Day), $78 (2-Day) — if rec’d by Jul 12; $85 at site. (W)IGMs,
(W)IMs Free ($60 deducted from any cash prizes won). Unrated: $40 Re-
Entry: $40 (not available in Championship). 3-Day Schedule: Reg. ends
Fri 7:00. Rds. Fri 7:30; Sat 2:30 & 7:30; Sun 10:00 & 3:30. 2-Day Schedule:
Reg. ends Sat 10:00. Rds. Sat 10:30, then merges with 3-Day Schedule.
Time controls: Championship: 40/90, SD/30 d10. Other sections: G/120
d5. All sections: 2-day Schedule, Rd. 1 G/90 d5. FIDE-Only: Rule 6.7a. “A
player who arrives at the board more than 30 min. late shall lose the
game.” 1/2-Pt. Byes: Available any round (limit two) — must request
1/2-Pt. Byes before Round One commences. Requests may be nullified
once Round One commences, but no new requests will be honoured.
Players Must Bring Sets, Boards, and Clocks – None Are Supplied By
The Tournament Promoters. Entries and Information: americanchesspro-
motions.com, (478) 973 – 9389. PHONE CALLS ONLY AFTER Jul. 12 – no
e-mails or TEXT messages, please!!
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 14-15, VIRGINIA

US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15
28TH ANNUAL CHARLOTTESVILLE OPEN
5SS, G/90 d5. EF: $60 by 7/8, then $75. 2 Sections: Open & U1700.
Prizes: $2000 b/o 60. Open Section: 1st-3d Places $$400, $$250,
$$150 (guaranteed). All other prizes b/o 60 player minimum: U2100
$145, U1900 $135; U1700 Section: $300, $200, $150; U1500 $140,
U1200 $130. Site & HR: Comfort Inn Monticello, 2097 Inn Dr., Char-
lottesville, VA 22911, (434) 977-3300, $114.95 + tax if reserved by
6/13. Reg.: 7:30-11:15 am. Rds.: Sat. 12, 3:15, 7:15, Sun. 9:30am,
1:15pm. Ent: Online at www.vachess.org or mail to Mike Hoffpauir, 405
Hounds Chase, Yorktown, VA 23693. Checks to VCF. Mbr: USCF rqd,
VCF rqd. for VA residents. Info: mhoffpauir@aol.com
JULY 17, NEW YORK
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
MARSHALL MASTERS
4-SS, G/25 d5. Open to players rated 2000+. FIDE Rapid rated. $1,100
GTD: $400-200; top U2400, U2300, U2200: $150; Biggest upset: $50.
EF: $30; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person
reg hour before Rd 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one
bye, for Rd. 1 or 4 only; request at entry. Register Online: www.mar-
shallchessclub.org/register.
JULY 20, NORTH CAROLINA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
2018 U.S. G/10 CHAMPIONSHIP (BLZ)
See Nationals.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, ARIZONA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 40 (ENHANCED)
YE OLDE PUEBLO OPEN AND SCHOLASTICS
Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, 10000 N. Oracle
Rd.,Tucson, AZ 85704, 1-800-325-7832. SECTIONS: Premier (2000+),
U2000, U1600, & U1200. Two separate scholastic tournaments (K-
6/U800) held the same weekend more info at sazchess.org. SCHEDULE:
Premier & U2000 (3-day) 5/SS, 40/90 SD/30 + 30 inc. Reg.: 7/20
5:30-6:30 PM; Rds.: 7, 10-5, 9:30-3:30. (2-day) 5/SS, Rds.: 1-2 G/60 +
30 inc. Rds.: 3-5 40/90 SD/30 + 30 inc. Reg.: 7/21 8:30-9:30 AM; Rds.:
10-1:30-5, 9:30-3:30. U1600 & U1200 (2-day only) 5/SS, G/90 d5. Reg.:
7/21 8:30-9:30 AM; Rds.: 10-1:30-5, 9:30-1. PRIZES: Premier ($$Gtd.):
$750+Plaque-500-250; $$b/4 Top X, U2000 $150 each; $50 SACA gift
certificate to Top Jr. U18, Sr. 50+; U2000 ($$b/36): $300-150; $$b/4
Top B, U1600 $100 each; $25 SACA gift certificate to Top Unr., Jr. U14,
Sr. 50+; U1600 ($$b/36): $200-100; $$b/4 Top D, U1200 $50 each;
Top Unr. $25 SACA gift certificate; U1200 Trophy to 1st + $50 SACA
gift certificate, Trophy to 2nd - 5th Place, Top U800/Unr. EF: GM, IM,
FM, WGM, WIM, WFM FREE! USCF 2200+ entry fee returned if schedule
completed. Premier (2000+): $80 (add $30 if 1800-1999); U2000: $60
(add $20 if U1600); U1600: $50 (add $20 if U1200); U1200: $40. Early
Bird: $10 off by 6/20 ($5 off for Scholastic). LATE FEE: Additional $10 if
entry received after 7/12, $20 after 7/19. ALL: 1/2 pt. byes all rounds
but must be requested prior to start of Round 2 (max 2). Re-entries:
$60 Premier, $40 U1900, $30 U1500, $20 U1100. HR: $99 if by 7/1, use
Group Code: WICC. Info: Martha Underwood, 520-990-6765, email: infor-
mation@sazchess.org Ent: Events4Chess.com; postal registration
available (checks payable to SACA) if postmarked by 7/13 to SACA, Attn:
2018 Ye Olde Pueblo, PO Box 40663, Tucson, AZ 85717. W.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 150 (ENHANCED)
23RD ANNUAL PACIFIC COAST OPEN
6SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-3 G/45 d10). Airtel Plaza
Hotel, 7277 Valjean Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406. Parking $8/day, $12
including overnight. Flyaway bus from LAX to Van Nuys about $10 each
way; free shuttle to bus and train station. Free wireless, indoor pool,
gym, hot tubs; restaurants within walking distance. $25,000 guaranteed
prizes. 6 sections. Major: Open to 1800/over. $3000-1500-1000-500,
clear/tiebreak 1st $100 bonus, top U2300 $1200-600. FIDE. Under
2100, Under 1900: Each $2000-1000-500-300. Under 1700, Under
1500: Each $1600-800-400-200. Under 1250: $800-400-200-100, plaques
to first 3, top U1000, U800, Unr. Mixed doubles: male/female 2-player
team combined score among all sections: $1000-500-300-200. Must
average under 2200; may play different sections; register (no extra
fee) by 2 pm 7/21. Unrated may enter any section, with prize limit
U1900 $600, U1700 $450, U1500 $300, U1250 $150; balance to next
player(s) in line. Top 5 sections EF: $138 at chessaction.com by 7/18,
3-day $143, 2-day $142 mailed by 7/11, $160 (no checks, credit cards
OK) at site, or online until 2 hrs before rd. 1. GMs, IMs & WGMs free;
$130 from prize. Under 1250 Section EF: All $50 less than top 5
sections entry fees. Online EF $5 less to SCCF members; join/renew
at scchess.com. Re-entry (except Major section) $70. Unofficial
uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr
USCF with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chessaction.com, Adult
$35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed or paid at site, Adult $40,
Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. 3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 11 am,
rds. Fri 12 & 6, Sat 12 & 6, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg Sat to
9 am, rds. Sat 10, 12:45, 3:15 & 6, Sun 10 & 3:15. All: Half point byes
OK all rounds, limit 2, Major must commit before rd. 2, other sections
before rd. 4. HR: $119-119, 818-997-7676, request chess rate, reserve
by 7/6 or may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD
#D657633. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box 8482,
Pelham, NY 10803. Refunds, $15 service charge. Questions: www.chess-
tour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269. Entries posted at
chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Blitz tournament
Sat 10 pm, enter by 9:45 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, ILLINOIS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 150 (ENHANCED)
11TH ANNUAL CHICAGO CLASS
See previous issue for TLAs appearing June 1-14
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, G/60 d10). Westin Chicago North
Shore Hotel (additional ballrooom added this year), 601 N Milwaukee
Ave., Wheeling, IL 60090 (from Chicago, I-294 north to US-45 north;
from Milwaukee, I-94 to Lake Cook Rd to US-45 south). Free parking.
$30,000 guaranteed prizes. In 7 sections: Master (2200/up): $3000-
1500-800- 500, clear/tiebreak win $100, top U2400 $1200-600. FIDE.
Expert (2000- 2199): $2000-1000-600-400. Class A (1800-1999/Unr):
$2000-1000-600- 400. Class B (1600-1799/Unr): $2000-1000-600-400.
Class C (1400- 1599/Unr): $1800-900-500-300. Class D (1200-1399/Unr):
$1500-800- 500-300. Class E (Under 1200/Unr): $800-400-300-200,
trophies to first 3, top Under 1000, Under 800, Under 600, Unrated.
Rated players may play up one section. Prize limits: Unrated may not
win over $100 in E, $200 D, $300 C, $500 B or $700 A. Mixed Doubles
bonus prizes: best male/female 2-player “team” combined score
among all sections: $1000-600-400. Team must average under 2200;
may play in different sections; must register (no extra fee) by 2 pm
7/21. Top 6 sections EF: $128 at chessaction.com by 7/18, 3-day $133,
2-day $132 mailed by 7/11, all $150 at site, or online until 2 hrs before
round 1. GMs $120 from prize. Class E Section EF: all $50 less than
above. All: No checks at site, credit cards OK. Online EF $5 less to ICA
members; join/renew at il-chess.org. ICA Tour event. Unofficial
uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year
USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chessaction.com,
Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed or at site, Adult $40,
Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Re-entry (except Master) $50. 3-day
schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-
day schedule:Reg. ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15.
Bye: all, limit 2; Master must commit before rd. 2, others before rd. 3.
HR: $113-113-113-113, 800-937-8461, 847-777-6500, reserve by 7/6
or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD
#D657633. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box 8482,
Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: Direc-
torAtChess.US, chesstour.com 347-201-2269. Advance entries posted
at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Blitz tournament
Sat 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, MARYLAND
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30
POTOMAC OPEN
5SS, 40/90, SD/30 + 30” incr, (Rnd. 1 G/90 +30” incr) (2-day schedule:
rds. 1-2 G/45+30”incr) U1250 & U1000 G/120 d5 (Rds. 1-2 G/60 d/5),
U1250 3-day Rds. 1&2 G/120 d5. Rockville Hilton, 1750 Rockville Pike,
Rockville, MD 20852. $$Based on score. 8 sections: Championship (min.
rating of 2100)(FIDE): 5.0 =$1600, 4.5 =$900, 4.0=$500, 3.5=$200,
3.0=$50 [min $1500 payout, top score group raised if less than $1500].
U2300 (min. rating of 1900)(FIDE): 5.0 =$1500, 4.5 =$700, 4.0=$350,
3.5=$150, 3.0=$50. U2100 (min rating of 1700)(FIDE): 5.0 =$1500,
4.5 =$700, 4.0=$350, 3.5=$150, 3.0=$40. U1900: 5.0 =$1200, 4.5
=$650, 4.0=$350, 3.5=$125, 3.0=$40. U1700: 5.0= $1200, 4.5 =
$600, 4.0= $300, 3.5= $100. U1500: 5.0= $1000, 4.5= $500, 4.0=
$250, 3.5= $100. U1250: 5.0= $500, 4.5= $250, 4.0= $125, 3.5=
$50. U1000 (no adult Unr): 5.0= $250, 4.5= $125, 4.0= $50, 3.5=
$20 Trophies to top 10 & top U800 in U1000. If no 5-0 in section, then
sole 1st @ 4.5 or shared 1st at lower score receive bonus (added
to score prize) - Championship: $300; U2300 $250, U2100 $200, U1900
$150, U1700 & U1500: $100; U1250 & U1000: $50. Unrated limited to
$100 in U1000, $200 in U1250 and $400 in U1500. Sets, boards and
clocks provided in all sections! Optionally, pairings can be texted
to your phone. Free Sunday morning continental breakfast for
players. Parking free for day guests. EF: $109 by 7/3, $114 by 7/17,
and $119 online only by 7/19, $130 at the door. Special EFs: $40 less
for U1250, $60 less for U1000, GMs free, $50 deducted from prize, IMs
$45 off EF, $20 deducted from prize, $5 off EF if staying at hotel. HR:
$99, Rooms may not be avail after 7/3. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri
7pm, rds Fri 8, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 9:30 & 3:30. 2-day schedule: Reg. ends
Sat 10am rds. 11, 2:15 & 6, Sun 9:30 & 3:30. U1250 & U1000 schedule
Reg. ends Sat 10am rds. 11, 1:15 & 4:00, Sun 9:30 & 1:30 U1250 3- day
schedule: Reg ends Fri 7pm, rds. Fri 8, Sat 11 & 4, Sun 9:30 & 1:30. Ent:
Michael Regan, 1827 Thornton Ridge Rd., Towson, MD 21204. More
information, rules and registration at http://thepotomacopen.com.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, NEW YORK
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 40 (ENHANCED)
2ND ANNUAL PETER HENNER MEMORIAL
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Ramada
Plaza Hotel, 3 Watervliet Ave. Ext (near I-90 Exit 5), Albany 12206. Free
19th annual
PITTSBURGH OPEN
July 27-29 or 28-29, Wyndham Garden Airport
Free parking, free airport shuttle, $95 room rate
Larger prizes- $15,000 GUARANTEED!
For full details see “Grand Prix” in this issue.
parking, free airport shuttle. $7500 guaranteed prize fund. In 4 sections.
Major: Open to 1800/up. $1000-500-300, top U2210 $500-250. Under
2010: $800-500-300, top U1810 (no unr) $400-200. Under 1610: $700-
400-200, top U1410 (no unr) $300-150. Under 1210: $400-200-100,
plaques to 1st, top U1000, U800, U600, Unr. Unrated may not win over
$100 in U1210 or $200 U1610. Mixed doubles: $200-100 to best
male/female team combined score among all sections. Team must aver-
age under 2200; may play in different sections; register (no extra fee)
by 2 pm 7/21. Top 3 sections EF: $93 online at chessaction.com by
7/18, 3-day $98, 2-day $97 mailed by 7/11, $110 at site or online until
2 hours before round 1. Online entry $5 less to NYSCA members (may
join with entry). U1210 Section EF: all $30 less than above. No checks
at site, credit cards OK. GMs, IMs & WGMs free, $80 deducted from
prize. All: Re-entry $40; not available in Major. Unofficial uschess.org
ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF with
magazine if paid with entry. Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young
Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25,
Scholastic $17. 3-day reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10
& 3:15. 2-day reg. ends Sat 10 am, rds Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15.
Bye: all, limit 2; must commit before rd. 2. HR: $92-92 including breakfast,
reserve by 7/6, use link at chesstour,com or call 518-438-8431. Ent:
chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803.
$15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, Direc-
torAtChess.US, 347-201-2269. Entries posted at chessaction.com (online
entries posted instantly). Blitz tmt. Sat 9:30 pm, reg. ends 9:15 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, TEXAS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 50
HOUSTON SUMMER CHESS FESTIVAL
5SS, (Open and U2000 Sections are G/90 i30, and FIDE rated; All other
Sections are G/120 d5). Free entry for GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs (EF
deducted from winnings). SIDE EVENTS: Schol. Individual Tournament,
4SS, G/30 d5, 1-day only, Sat. July 21st; “BAYOU BLITZ” Tourn. (7SS,
G/5 d0, USCF blitz rated, Sat. night after Rd. 3). Separate room for schol.
Players - A trophy or medal will be awarded to each schol. player. Dou-
bleTree by Hilton Houston North (near IAH Airport – take JFK Blvd. exit
off of Beltway 8 West), 15747 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Houston, TX 77032,
Ph: 281-848-4000, $89 chess rate (reserve by 7/6 and mention Cajun
Chess Tournament). Free Parking! Free airport shuttle service! Free
wireless internet in all guestrooms! Discounted Hotel Hot Breakfast
Buffet Coupons for all hotel room guests only ($12 – Guests are responsible
for tax & gratuities). Hotel check-in time is 3pm; check-out time is 12
noon. For guests who need later check out on Sunday, you may stay in
your room until 7pm for an additional day rate of $69; otherwise, hotel
will store luggage at no charge on Sunday afternoon for those checking
out at 12 noon and leaving later. 5 Sects. PRIZES: $13,000 b/250 full-
paid ent. OPEN: $1500 + plaque-900-600-400-300; (2200-2399): $800-500;
(U2200): $700-400; U2000: 800 + plaque-500-250- 100-75; U1800:
$800 + plaque-500-200-100-75; U1600/Unr*: $800 + plaque-500-200-
100-75; U1300: $800 + plaque-500-200-100-75. *Unrated players may
only play in either of two sections (U1600/Unr. or OPEN). They may only
win 50% of the prize fund in the U1600/Unr. Sect., or they may play in
the Open Sect. where they must pay full EF and are eligible for full prize
fund. NOTE: Due to FIDE rules, the main tournament room will be closed
to outside non-playing spectators, but players who have finished their
games and have not left the tournament room will be allowed to stay to
see remaining games still in progress. SCHOLASTIC TOURN: 4 Schol.Sects.
(For Individual Players in K-12 by rating sections, not a team event):
OPEN, U900, U500 and Unrated (for those who have a current USCF
membership but no official rating yet). Prizes: Trophies to top 10
individuals in each section. Every non-trophy winner receives a souvenir
chess medal. Scholastic Players may play in both Scholastic Tourn.
(any section) and Main Tourn. (U1300 section only) if desired with
a discounted entry fee ($75) by registering for the Scholastic Tour-
nament AND the U1300 section in the 3-day Schedule of the Main
Tournament with a 1/2-point Bye in the 2nd Round of the 3-Day
Schedule. USCF-recommended computer tiebreaks will decide trophy
and medal placements for winners of all schol. sections. Free chess gift
to oldest player and to player who travels farthest to the main tourn.
event. CAJUN BOUNTY: Defeat the top ranked player in the OPEN sect.
(main event) and win free entry to our next tournament! EF: $95 by 7/13,
$110 thereafter and at site; Unr. (in U1600) $69 by 7/13, $85 thereafter
and at site.; Jrs. (under 19 yrs of age) and Srs. (age 60+) playing in
U1300 Section: $69 by 7/13/18, $85 thereafter and at site. Schol. Tourn.
Only EF: $20 by 7/13, $30 thereafter and at site; Schol. and Main
Event (U1300 only) EF: $75 by 7/13, $90 thereafter and at site; Re-
www.uschess.org 55
Tournament Life / June
Entry Fee (no Re-Entry in OPEN and U2000 Sects due to FIDE): $35 (avail.
up to Rd. 3); 3 re-entries or 2 Jr. entries count as one additional entry
for prize fund. 3-day Sched: Reg. Fri. 5:30-7pm, Rds. Fri. 8pm; Sat. 2-7,
Sun. 10-3. 2-day Sched: Reg. Sat. 7:45-8:30am, (Rds. Sat. 9-2-7, Sun.
10-3. Both schedules merge at Rd. 2. Schol. Sched: (All 4 rds. G/30 d5
- one day only, Sat., July 21st). Reg. Sat. 8:30am-9:30am, Rds. at 10:00-
11:30-2:00-3:30; awards ceremony immediately after last round. Byes
for OPEN & U2000 Sects of Main Event: Up to two ½-pt. byes available
for any round except Round 5 (per FIDE rules - if you cannot stay for Rd.
5 you must take a 0-pt. bye or simply withdraw after Rd. 4); Half-pt.
byes for all other Sections in the Main Event are limited to two and you
must commit to the byes prior to the beginning of Round 3. No byes may
be added, changed or rescinded after the start of Round 3. Byes for
SCHOL. Tourn: Only one 1/2-point bye allowed and must commit before
Rd. 1. No byes may be added, changed or rescinded in the scholastic
tourn. after the start of Round 1. HR: $89 (281-875-4000), reserve by
7/6 and mention Cajun Chess Tournament to ensure group rate. ENT:
On-line registration for tournament and hotel rooms, printable entry
form, and more detailed info at www.cajunchess.com, or mail entry form
to Cajun Chess, 12405 Hillary Step Dr., Olive Branch, MS 38654. Info or
Phone Ent: 504-208-9596 or 504-905-2971. Major credit cards accepted
(no checks at site). FIDE.
JULY 21, TENNESSEE
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
HOT SUMMER SWISS
Site: IBEW, 1870 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38104. 4SS; G/60 d5.
Two sections: Open and U1600 Prizes: ($1000 based on 25 paid EFs)
Open: $300-200-100, U1600: $200-125-75; Rounds: 9-12:30-3-5:30.
Open and U1600 Entry Fee: $40 by 07/14, $50 at door, MCC members
$40 anytime, Masters: free (EF deducted from winnings); Special U1000
Trophy Section: 4SS, G/45 d5; Entry Fee: $15. Trophies for top 3
overall, top U800 and top U600. Round 1 at 9am, next rounds ASAP. On
site Registration: 07/21: 7:30am - 8:45am. You can pay the early entry
fee with PayPal until registration end time on Saturday. gpylant@
gmail.com. Join online: http://memphischessclub.homestead.com/Hot
SummerSwiss2018.html
JULY 21, NORTH CAROLINA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20
2018 U.S. G/30 CHAMPIONSHIP
See Nationals.
JULY 21, NEW YORK
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
THE SUMMER BIRTHDAY DISCOUNT AT JUDSON
5SS, G/25 d5. Judson Memorial Church, Assembly Hall, New York 10012;
Use 239 Thompson street entrance (between Washington Square South
and West 3rd Street, near middle of block) and go downstairs; Wheelchair
accessible. Near the West 4th Street Subway. $$G: $200-$150-$100,
U2200 $75, U2000 $50, U1800 $50. EF: $20 if by 6/29; $30 between
7/7 and 7/19 at: www.chess4.nyc/summerentry.htm. Onsite EF is $40.
$10 discount for all entrants with birthdays between 6/21 and 9/23
inclusive. Proof does not have to be provided with entry but must be
provided before or during onsite registration. See webpage above for
details. Register: 12-12:30. Rounds: 1- 2:30-3:45-5-6:15. Info: jgra-
ham@nystar.com; Bring clocks and sets. None supplied. Limit two byes;
must commit by 2:30.
A State Championship Event!
JULY 21, ALABAMA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
ALABAMA DUAL-RATED STATE CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
4SS, Game/45 + 10 second increment. Location: Evangel Church, 3975
Vaughn Rd,. Montgomery, AL. Round times: 9:30, 11:30, 2:30, 4:30 Three
sections: OPEN (b/20, 70%GTD): 1st $400, 2nd $200, U2000 $100.
U1800 (b/20, 70%GTD): 1st $350, 2nd $175, U1500 $100. U1200 (b/20,
70%GTD): 1st $320, 2nd $160, U1000 $100. Trophies and Alabama titles
to top Alabamian finishers. USCF and ACF required, OSA. EF (all sections):
$40 by July 15, $45 thereafter or onsite (onsite registration 8:30-9:00AM)
Registration: Send name, USCF ID, section and entry fee (payable to
“Evangel Church”) to Doug Strout, 6000 Camelot Ct., Montgomery, AL
36117, dtstrout@bellsouth.net.
JULY 21, OHIO
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
MUSTARD SEED MONSTER
Mustard Seed Market, 6025 Kruse Dr., Solon, OH 44139. 4SS, G/45 d5
except U1000: G/30, d5. EF: $50, except U1000: $30. Prizes: $1500
23rd annual
BRADLEY OPEN
July 27-29 or 28-29
Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport
$9000 GUARANTEED PRIZES
For full details see “Grand Prix” in this issue.
56 June 2018 | Chess Life
Guaranteed. In 4 Sections. Open: $300-$100-U2100 $100. U-1900:
$200-$100-U1700 $100. U-1500: $200-$100-U1250 $100. U-1000: $80-
$40-U750, U500 $40 Each. Registration: Online at www.progresswith
chess.org, 9-9:45 at site. Rds.: 10:00, 12:00, 2:00, 4:00, U1000 ASAP.
Free healthy box to all players! Info:Mike Joelson, 216-321-7000.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
A State Championship Event!
JULY 21-22, MICHIGAN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
2018 MICHIGAN BOTTOM HALF CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS
5-SS. University Quality Inn, 3121 East Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI
48912, 517-351-1440. HR: $97+tax by 6/20, after if space available.
6 Sections: Open, U1900, U1700, U1500, U1300, & U900/Unr (Sat).
Open Section will be FIDE rated. EF: Open $55 (U18 $5 off), Free
entry to GM, IM, FM, & 2200+, advance entry fee deducted from
prize. U1900, U1700, U1500, U1300: $45 (U18 $5 off); U900/Unr:
$28. Advance entries must be received by 7/19/18, after $10 more.
Playing up allowed, but add $10 per group to entry fee. Make checks
payable to MCA. MCA memb req’d for Michigan residents, other states
OK. TL: Open, U1900, U1700, U1500, U1300: G/115 d5, U900/Unr:
G/30 d5. Reg:. Online: https://onlineregistration.cc/; Sat, 8:30-
9:30am. Rds: U1900, U1700, U1500, U1300: Sat 10am-2:30pm-7pm;
Sun 10am-2:30pm, U900/Unr: 10am-11:30am-1:30pm-3pm-4:30pm.
$$Gtd: $2000; Open: $250-$150, U2200: $100 U2000: $100; U1900:
$150-$100, U1800 $75; U1700: $150-$100, U1600 $75; U1500: $150-
$100, U1300 $75; U1300: $150-$100, U1200 $75, U1000 $75;
U900/Unr: Trophies to Top 3 Overall, Top U800, Top U600, Top 400,
Top Unr. State Champions (Top Michigan Resident): Awarded to all 2
day scheduled sections. Trophies for all place-winners listed above.
Ent & Info: Jeff Aldrich, P.O. Box 40, Flint, MI 48501; jeff chess64@
gmail.com; (810) 955-7271.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
A State Championship Event!
JULY 21-22, NEW HAMPSHIRE
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)
68TH NEW HAMPSHIRE OPEN
4SS, 40/100, SD/30 i30. Radisson Hotel Nashua, 11 Tara Blvd. (near Exit
1 of Everett Tnpk, US Route 3), Nashua, NH 03062; 603-888-9970. $$Gtd
2,568. Four sections. Open, $$Gtd 300-200-100, U2300 200, U2100 160.
NH Champion title & $68 bonus to top-scoring NH resident. Tim Chevalier
Memorial Prize $100 to top-scoring NH resident under age 21. Under
1950, $$Gtd 200-140-100 (no Unr may win more than 150), U1750 130.
Under 1650, $$Gtd200-140-100 (no Unr may win more than 120), U1450
130. Under 1350, $$Gtd 150-100-70 (no Unr may win more than 80),
U1050 80. All, EF $54 in advance or $60 at door, except $48/$54 for
Under 1350 section, free to GM/IM in Open. NHCA memb. req. for rated
NH residents: $8 adult, $6 age 18/under. Reg.: Sat 8:30-9:30 a.m., Rds.:
10-4, 9:30-3:30. H-bye okay for any one round (except Open rd 4) if
requested before Rd 2. No player may have both H-bye and full-point bye.
NHCA membership meeting 9 a.m. Sun. HR: $119 (plus 9% tax) if reserved
directly with hotel or online; reserve by 7/07, use code NHC. Ent: NHCA,
c/o Alex Relyea, 49 Technology Dr. #89, Bedford, NH 03110. To enter
online using credit card, start by visiting www.nhchess.org. For additional
Information: relyea@operamail.com.
JULY 22, NORTH CAROLINA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30
2018 U.S. G/60 CHAMPIONSHIP
See Nationals.
JULY 27, NEW YORK
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
MARSHALL $500 FIDE BLITZ (BLZ)
9-SS, G/3 +2. FIDE Blitz rated. USCF regular rating used for pairings &
prizes. $500 GTD: $200-100; U2400/unr, U2200, U2000, U1800: $50.
EF: $20; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person
reg hour before Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: Begin at 7pm and continue
ASAP. Max three byes; request at entry. Register Online: www.mar-
shallchessclub.org/register.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, PENNSYLVANIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 100 (ENHANCED)
19TH ANNUAL PITTSBURGH OPEN
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Wyndham
Garden Pittsburgh Airport Hotel, One Industry Lane, Pittsburgh 15275.
Free parking, free airport shuttle, free internet in guest rooms and
skittles room. $15,000 guaranteed prizes. In 5 sections. Major: Open
to 1800/over. $1500-800-400-300, clear/tiebreak win $100 bonus, top
Under 2300 $600-300. Under 2100: $1200-600-300-200, top Under
1900/Unr $500-250. Under 1800: $1200-600-300-200, top Under 1600
(no unr) $500-250. Under 1500: $1000-500-300-200, top Under 1300
(no unr) $400-200. Under 1200: $700-400-200-100. Mixed doubles
bonus prizes: best male/female 2-player combined score among all
sections: $600-300. Team must average under 2200; may play in different
sections; register (no extra fee) by 2 pm 7/28. Unrated prize limits:
$100 in U1200, $200 U1500, $400 U1800. Top 4 sections EF: $108
online at chessaction.com by 7/25, 3-day $113, 2-day $112 mailed by
7/18, all $120 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site, or online until 2
hours before rd 1. GMs, IMs & WGMs free; $100 from prize. U1200
Section EF: all $40 less than top 4 sections EF. Unofficial uschess.org
ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues
with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35,
Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or at site, Adult $40,
Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Re-entry $60 (no Major to Major). 3-
day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 &
3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10
& 3:15. All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, Major must commit before
rd. 2, others before rd. 3. HR: $95-95, 1-800-996-3426, 724-695-0002;
reserve by 7/13 or rate may increase. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental
Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge for refunds.
Questions: www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269.
Entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly).
Blitz tournament Saturday 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, CONNECTICUT
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 60 (ENHANCED)
23RD ANNUAL BRADLEY OPEN
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Sheraton
Hotel, 1 Bradley Airport (visible at airport entrance), Windsor Locks, CT
06096 (I-91 Exit 40 to Rt 20). Free parking. $9000 guaranteed prizes. In
5 sections. Major: Open to 1800/over. $1000-600-300, U2300 $400-200.
Under 2100: $800-400-200, top U1900/Unr $330-170. Under 1800: $800-
400-200, top U1600 (no unr) $300-150. Under 1500: $700-400-200, top
U1300 (no unr) $300-150.Under 1200: $400-200-100, plaques to first 3,
top U1000, U800, U600, Unrated. Mixed Doubles bonus prizes: best
male/female 2-player combined score among all sections: $200-100.
Must average under 2200; may play in different sections; register (no
extra fee) by 2 pm 7/28 Unrated prize limits: U1200 $100, U1500 $200.
Top 4 sections EF: $88 online at chessaction.com by 7/25, 3-day $93, 2-
day $92 if check mailed by 7/18, $100 at site, or online until 2 hrs before
rd. 1. U1200 Section EF: all $30 less than above. All: No checks at site,
credit cards OK. GMs, IMs, & WGMs free, $80 deducted from prize. Online
EF $3 less to CSCA or WMCA members. Re-entry (no Major to Major)
$50. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated.
Special 1 year USCF dues with paper magazine if paid with entry. Online
at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed
or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. 3-day schedule:
Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-day
schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. Bye:
all, limit 2; must commit before rd. 2. HR: $107-107, 860-627-5311; reserve
by 7/13 or rate may increase. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess,
Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions:
chesstour.com, chesstour.info, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269. Entries
posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Blitz tour-
nament Sat 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, FLORIDA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 120 (ENHANCED)
26TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN OPEN
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Wyndham
Orlando Resort, 8001 International Dr., Orlando 32819. Special parking
$5/day; free with guest room. $17,000 guaranteed prizes. In 5
sections. Major: Open to 1800/over. $2000-1000-500-300, clear/tiebreak
1st $100 bonus, top U2300 $700-400. Under 2100: $1300-700-400-200,
top U1900/Unr $600-300. Under 1800: $1300-700-400-200, top U1600
(no unr) $500-300. Under 1500: $1100-600-300-200, top U1300 (no
unr) $400-200. Under 1200: $700-400-200-100, plaques to top Under
1000, Under 800, Under 600, Unrated. Mixed doubles: best male/female
2-player combined score among all sections: $600-300. Must average
under 2200; may play in different sections; register (no extra fee) by 2
pm 7/28. Unrated prize limits: U1200 $100, U1500 $200, U1800 $400.
Top 4 sections EF: $113 online at chessaction.com by 7/25, 3-day
$118, 2-day $117 mailed by 7/18, all $130 (no checks, credit cards OK)
at site, or online until 2 hours before round 1. GMs, IMs & WGMs free;
$100 deducted from prize. U1200 Section EF: all $40 less than above.
Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special
1 year USCF with magazine, paid with entry- online at chessaction.com,
Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed or paid at site, Adult
$40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Re-entry $60; no Major to Major.
3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10
& 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun
10 & 3:15. All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, Major must commit before
rd. 2, others before rd. 3. HR: $112-112 (no resort fee), includes resort
fee benefits (free wireless & entertainment in room, parking, use of
fitness center, etc). 1-800-421-8001, 407-351-2420; reserve by 7/12 or
rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633, or
reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: chessaction.com or
Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. Refunds, $15 service
charge. Questions: www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-
2269. Entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly).
Blitz tournament Sat 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
JULY 28-29, WISCONSIN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
2018 U.S. OPEN WEEKEND SWISS

5SS, G/60 d5. $1,150 Guaranteed Prizes: $200-100-50, U2200/Unrated
$160, U2000 $150, U1800 $140, U1600 $120, U1400 $100, U1200 $80,
Unrated $50. Entry fee $40, Unrated players free if paying US Chess
dues. On-site Registration 10:00-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Rounds at noon
& 3:00 p.m. Saturday, 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. Sunday. See
www.uschess.org/tournaments/2018/usopen/ for additional details.
JULY 28-AUG. 5, JULY 31-AUG. 5 OR AUG. 2-5, WISCONSIN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 300 (ENHANCED)
119TH ANNUAL U.S. OPEN
See Nationals.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 3-5 OR 4-5, NEW YORK
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 120 (ENHANCED)
17TH ANNUAL MANHATTAN OPEN
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Crowne
Plaza Times Square, 1605 Broadway (48th-49th Street), New York 10019
(TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence). NO FOOD OR DRINK IS ALLOWED
IN HOTEL MEETING ROOMS OR ADJACENT FOYERS OR HALLWAYS,
even if purchased from the hotel, except for water which will be supplied
by the hotel. $20,000 guaranteed prizes. 7 sections. Major: Open to
1800/up. $2000-1000-600-400, clear/tiebreak win $100 bonus, top
Under 2400 $600-300. FIDE. Under 2200: $1400-700-400-200. Under
2000: $1400-700-400-200. Under 1800: $1400-700-400-200. Under
1600: $1200-600-300-200. Under 1400: $1000-500-300-200. Under
1100: $700-400-200-100. Mixed doubles: best male/female 2-player
team combined score among all sections: $600-400-200. Must average
under 2200; may play in different sections; register (no extra fee) by 2
pm 8/4. Unrated prize limits: U2000 $600, U1800 $400, U1600 $300,
U1400 $200, U1100 $100; balance goes to next player(s) in line. Top 6
sections EF: $138 at chessaction.com by 8/1, 3-day $143, 2-day $142
if check mailed by 7/25, all $160 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site, or
online until 2 hours before rd 1. GMs free; $100 from prize. Under 1100
Section EF: all $30 less than top 3 sections EF. Online entry $5 less to
NYSCA members ($12/yr with 2 issues Empire Chess, $20/yr 4 issues,
may join with entry). Re-entry $60, not available in Major. No checks
at site, credit cards OK. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used
if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid
with entry. Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22,
Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25,
Scholastic $17. 3-Day Schedule: Reg. ends Fri 7 pm. Rds. Fri 7:45, Sat
11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-Day Schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10 am. Rds. Sat
11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. Half point byes available all rounds, limit 2
byes, Major must commit before rd. 2, others before rd. 3. HR: $235-
265, 877-834-3613, 212-977-4000, reserve by 7/20 or rate may increase.
Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803.
$15 service charge for refunds. Questions: chesstour.com, chesstour.info,
DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269. Entries posted at chessaction.com
(online entries posted instantly). Blitz tournament Sat 9:30 pm, enter
by 9:15 pm.
17th annual MANHATTAN OPEN
August 3-5 or 4-5, 2018 - NEW SITE! Crowne Plaza Hotel, NYC
$20,000 GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND!
5 rounds, 40/100, SD/30, d10 (2-day
option, rds 1-2 G/60, d10). Both schedules
merge and compete for same prizes.
Crowne Plaza Times Square, 1605
Broadway (48th-49th St), New York 10019
(TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence). No
food or drink allowed in hotel meeting
rooms or adjacent foyers/hallways, except
for water supplied by hotel.
In 7 sections- you face only those in
your section.
Major: Open to 1800/up. $2000-1000-
600-400, clear/tiebreak bonus $100, top
U2400 $600-300. FIDE rated, 120 Grand
Prix Points.
Under 2200: $1400-700-400-200.
Under 2000: $1400-700-400-200.
Under 1800: $1400-700-400-200.
Under 1600: $1200-600-300-200.
Under 1400: $1000-500-300-200.
Under 1100: $700-400-200-100.
See previous issue for TLAs appearing June 1-14
AUG. 4, WISCONSIN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15
2018 U.S. OPEN NATIONAL BLITZ CHAMPIONSHIP (BLZ)
See Nationals.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 10-12, NEW JERSEY
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 60
INTERNATIONAL MID ATLANTIC - FIDE & USCF RATED
$5,000 fund Guaranteed 5-SS, G/120 + 5 seconds delay. OPEN $1200-
$800- $600-$400-$200; UNDER 1900 $500-$300; UNDER 1700 $300-
$200; UNDER 1500 $300; UNDER 1200 $200. Entry Fee: $99 by June 1,
2018; US$109 by July 8, 2018 & US$120 After July 9, 2018. Register at
www.chesseducators.com Schedule: Fri 7pm; Sat. 10am & 3;30; Sun.
10am & 3:30. Byes: 2 byes available, must commit before round 3; 0
point bye for round 5. Official Hotel & Playing site: Crowne Plaza
Philadelphia-Cherry Hill is located on 2349 Marlton Pike W Cherry
Hill, NJ 08002 within 5 miles of Philadelphia’s Center City. Closest
airport Philadelphia. Cut off for group reservation “Chess Educa-
tors” is on July 9, 2018. Make a reservation by using the following
website:https://aws.passkey.com/e/49569746 or calling calling 888-
233-9527 between the hours of 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM EST.Guest
room rates for both King and or Queen/Queen guestrooms $112 rate
per night. For more information contact: info@chesseducators.com or
917-553-4522. Organizers: Dov Gorman and Beatriz Marinello.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 10-12 OR 11-12, CALIFORNIA, NORTHERN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 80 (ENHANCED)
9TH ANNUAL CENTRAL CALIFORNIA OPEN
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Doubletree
Hotel, 2233 Ventura St., Fresno, CA 93710. Free airport shuttle, free
parking for hotel guests. Cosponsored by Fresno Chess Club and Fresno
Chess Foundation. $$ 10,000 guaranteed prizes. In 4 sections: Major
(1800/up): $1500-800-400-200, clear or tiebreak 1st $100, top U2250
$600-300. Under 2050: $1000-500-250-150, top U1850/Unr $510-260.
Under 1650: $800-400-200-100, top U1450 (no unr) $420-210. Under
1250: $500-250-150-100, plaques to first 3, top U1000, U800, U600, Unr.
Unrated prize limits: U1250 $200, U1650 $400; balance goes to next
player(s) in line. Mixed doubles: best male/female 2-player “team” com-
bined score among all sections: $200-100. Must average under 2200; may
play in different sections; register (no extra fee) by 2 pm 8/11. Top 3
sections EF: $93 online at chessaction.com by 8/8, 3-day $98, 2-day $97
mailed by 8/1, $110 at site, or online until 2 hours before rd. 1. Under
1250 Section EF: all $30 less than above. Online or mailed EF $15 less
to Fresno Chess Club members. GMs, IMs & WGMs free, $80 deducted
from prize. All: Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise
unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: Online
at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed,
phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Re-
entry $60; not available in Major. No checks at site, credit cards OK. 3-day
Unrated prize limits: U1100 $100,
U1400 $200, U1600 $300, U1800 $400,
U2000 $600.
Mixed doubles: best male/female 2-
player combined score among all sections:
$600-400-200. Different sections OK, must
average under 2200; register by 2 pm 8/4.
Top 6 sections entry fee: $138 online
at chessaction.com by 8/1, 3-day $143, 2-
day $142 mailed by 7/25, $160 (no
checks, credit cards OK) at site or online
until 2 hours before rd 1.
Under 1100 Section entry fee: all $30
less than top 6 sections entry fee.
Online entry fee $5 less to NYSCA
members; may join for $12 with entry.
Re-entry (except Major) $60.
USCF membership required. Special
1 year dues with magazine if paid online
with entry at chesssaction.com: Adult $35,
Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15.
schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-
day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15.
Byes: OK all, limit 2; limit 1 bye if eligible for class money prizes; must
commit before rd. 2. HR: $129-129, 559-268-1000, request chess rate,
reserve by 7/27 or rate may increase. Car rental:Avis, 800-331-1600, use
AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: ches-
saction.com or Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service
charge for refunds. Questions: DirectorAtChess.US, chesstour.com, 347-
201-2269. Advance entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries
posted instantly). Blitz tournament Sat 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 10-12 OR 11-12, OHIO
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 100 (ENHANCED)
CLEVELAND OPEN
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Crowne Plaza
Cleveland Airport, 7230 Engle Road, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130. Free
parking, free airport shuttle, many restaurants within easy walking dis-
tance. $16,000 guaranteed prize fund. In 6 sections. Major: Open to
1800/above. $1800-900-600-300, clear/tiebreak winner $100 bonus, top
U2300 $600-300. FIDE. Under 2100: $1200-600-400-200. Under 1900:
$1200-600-400-200. Under 1700: $1100-600-400-200. Under 1500:
$1000-500-300-200. Under 1200: $700-400-200-100. Mixed doubles:
best male/female 2-player team combined score among all sections:
$600-300. Must average under 2200; may play in different sections; reg-
ister (no extra fee) by 2 pm 8/11. Unrated prize limits:U1200 $100,
U1500 $200, U1700 $300, U1900 $500. Top 5 sections EF: $118 online
at chessaction.com by 8/8, 3-day $123, 2-day $122 mailed by 8/1, all
$130 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site, or online until 2 hours before
round 1. GMs, IMs & WGMs free; $100 deducted from prize. U1200
Section EF: all $30 less than above. Online EF $5 less to OCA members.
Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated.
Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at
chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22 Scholastic $15. Mailed,
phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Re-
entry $50; not available in Major. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm,
rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat
10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. All: Half point byes OK all, limit
2, Major must commit before rd. 2, others before rd. 3. HR: $111-111,
800-227-6963, 440-243-4040, request chess rate, reserve by 7/27 or
rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633, or
reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: chessaction.com or Con-
tinental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge for
refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-
2269. Advance entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted
instantly). Blitz tournament Sat 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 11-12, ILLINOIS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 60 (ENHANCED)
CHICAGO CHESS CENTER CLOUD GATE CLASS
3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 7 pm,
rds. Fri 7:45, Sat 11 am & 5 pm, Sun 10
am & 3:15 pm.
2-day schedule: Reg. Sat. to 10 am,
rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15.
Byes OK all, limit 2; Major must
commit before rd 2, other before rd 3.
All: Bring set, board, clock if possible-
none supplied. Unofficial web ratings
usually used if otherwise unrated.
Hotel rates: $235-265, use link at
chesstour.com or call 877-834-3613,
reserve by 7/20 or rate may increase.
Entry: chessaction.com or Continental
Chess, Box 8482, Pelham NY 10803.
Refunds, $15 charge. Questions:
chesstour.com, 347-201-2269,
director@chess.us.
Entries posted at chessaction. com
(online entries posted instantly).
Blitz Sat 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
www.uschess.org 57
Tournament Life / June

$7,500 guaranteed! Student Center East, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago,
750 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607. Five sections, two schedules:
Cloud Gate Masters, U2200, & U1900: 4SS, 40/100, SD/30, +30
from move 1. Rds.: Sat. 10-4, Sun. 10-4. U1600 & U1300: 6SS, G/65
d5. Rds.: Sat. 10:15-2-5, Sun. 10:15-2-5. Cloud Gate Masters: Open to
above 1899 & unr. FIDE. GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs: free w/ advance
registration. $1100-600-300-200; U2300 $300. Omphalos Section:
Open to U2200 & unr. $600-300-200-150. Bean Section: Open to 1899-
1600 & unr. $600-300-200-150. Pritzker Pavilion Section: Open to
1599-1300 & unr.: $600-300-200-150. Lurie Garden Section: Open to
U1300 & unr. $600-300-200-150. EF: $84 by 6/22, $89 by 7/29, $99 by
8/11, $109 onsite; Playup fees: 1900-2099 in Masters, $50. (Below
1900 may not play up.) ALL SECTIONS: Byes: Limit 2 in Masters-Ompha-
los-Bean; limit 3 in Pritzker & Lurie; must commit before rd. 2; 2nd
voluntary bye in a Sunday round counts as 0.4 towards prizes. Players
with FIDE / foreign national ratings will be placed by TD. Unrated players
cannot win more than 50% of top prize in any class section. REG.:
chichess.org/events or by mail to Chicago Chess Center NFP, Inc., PO
Box 180095, Chicago, IL 60618. REG.: 8:00-9:15 a.m. (To maintain good
playing conditions, we reserve the right to close registration at or above
160 players; preregistration STRONGLY encouraged!) INFO: 773-294-
1709; info@chichess.org. Sets & clocks provided. All-day parking at
760 W. Taylor available for $7. W.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 11-15, MARYLAND
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 200 (ENHANCED)
7TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL
9SS, 40/90, SD/20 inc/30. Rockville Hilton, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville,
MD 20852, 301-468-0308. All prizes guaranteed Three Sections Masters
Section (minimum 2100 FIDE or 2200 USCF to play. FIDE ratings
used for pairings and prizes) $4500-2200-1100-900-700-600-500-
400-300, top U2500 $1400-750, top U2400 $1200-650, top U2275
$1100-$550. Limited number of minimum prizes for non-US FIDE rated
players, see web page. Limited amount of housing support is available
for non-US GMs and IMs. GM and IM norms possible. Expert Section
9-SS (under 2201 USCF and under 2100 FIDE, minimum 1750 USCF
to play. USCF ratings used, FIDE rated) $2500-1200-600-500-400-
300, top U2000 $1100-525. Contenders (under 1800 USCF):
$2200-1100-500-200, top U1600 $500. Free Continental breakfast for
players Sat. and Wed. mornings. All equipment provided for all
sections. Hospitality Suite Friday evening. Masters section EF:
GMs, non-US IMs Free; US IMs, WGMs and non-US FIDE above 2100
$199; FMs FIDE above 2100 $299; FIDE above 2200 $349; FIDE from
2100 to 2199 $399, FIDE from 2000 to 2099 $600, FIDE below 2000
$800. All $25 more after 6/11, $35 more after 7/28, $45 more after
8/7, $70 more at the door. Experts EF: USCF above 1799 $249; USCF
below 1800 $299. $20 more after 7/28, $30 more after 8/7, $40 more
at the door. Contenders EF: $249. $20 more after 7/28, $30 more
after 8/7, $40 more at the door. Special EFs: Masters section, $25
less if playing in the 2018 US Masters; All, $50 less, if staying at the
Hilton (min 3 nights); All, $25 less for new WI players; All, $20 rebate
for every new paying WI player you refer; All, $50 less, if born before
8/11/1968. Byes: Available in all section for all rounds, limit three 1/2
point byes. Schedule Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. 8/11-8/14:11am &
5:30pm, Wed 8/15 11am. HR: $107. Ent: MCA, c/o Michael Regan, 1827
Thornton Ridge Rd., Towson, MD 21204. More information, hotel reser-
vation link, & online entry at http://washintl.mdchess.com
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 16-20, 16-19, 17-19 OR 18-19, MASSACHUSETTS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 200 (ENHANCED)
48TH ANNUAL CONTINENTAL OPEN
Premier Section (5 days), Aug 16-20: 9SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10, GM &
IM norms possible, FIDE rated. Open to FIDE 1900/up or USCF 2000/up
and all FIDE rated foreign players. 4-day U2100 to U1250: 7SS, Aug
16-19, 40/100, SD/30 d10. 3-day U2100 to U1250: 7SS, Aug 17-19,
rds. 1-2 G/60 d10, then merges with 4-day. 2-day U2100 to U1250:
7SS, Aug 18-19, rds. 1-4 G/30 d10, then merges with other schedules.
Host Hotel at Cedar Lake, 366 Main St (Rt 20 West), Sturbridge, MA
01566 (I-84 Exit 3, near I-90). Free parking. Experience early 19th
century America at Old Sturbridge Village (see www.osv.org). $35,000
guaranteed prizes. In 6 sections. Premier: $3000-2000-1500-1000-
800-600-500-400-300-300, clear or tiebreak win $200 bonus, top FIDE
U2400/Unr $1600-800, top FIDE U2200/Unr $1600-800. Under 2100:
$2000-1000-500-300-200. Under 1900: $2000-1000-500-300-200. Under
1700:$2000-1000-500-300-200. Under 1500: $1400-700-400-300-200.
Under 1250: $900-500-300-200-100, top Under 1000 (no unr) $400-
200. Unrated may enter any section but Premier, with prize limit U1250
$200, U1500 $400, U1700 $600, U1900 $800; balance to next player(s)
in line. Mixed doubles: best male/female 2-player “team” combined
score among all sections: $1000-600-400. Must average under 2200;
may play in different sections; register (no extra fee) before both begin
round 2; only rounds 1-7 of Premier count towards mixed doubles. Pre-
mier EF: $228 at chessaction.com by 8/14, $235 mailed by 8/7, $250
at site, or online until 11 am 8/16. GMs and foreign IMs/WGMs free;
$150 deducted from prize. US IMs/WGMs and foreign FIDE rated players,
$100 less. Minimum prize guarantee (NOTE CHANGE) to the following
who enter online at chessaction.com by 8/3 and play all 9 games with
no byes: first 7 foreign GMs $500, first 7 foreign IMs/WGMs $300;
deduction cannot lower prize to below minimum. Under 2100 to Under
1700 Section EF: $158 at chessaction.com by 8/14, 4-day $164, 3-day
$163, 2-day $162 if mailed by 8/7, $180 at site. Under 1500 Section
EF: All $40 less than U2100 to U1700 Section EF. Under 1250 Section
EF: All $80 less than U2100 to U1700 Section EF. All: Online EF $5 less
to MACA members; may join/renew at masschess.org. Re-entry $80;
not available in Premier. Ratings: FIDE used in Premier, USCF August
official in others (unless higher adjusted FIDE, foreign, or other over
the board rating is used). Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used in
U2100 & below if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF with magazine
if paid with entry. Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult
$22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young
Adult $25, Scholastic $17. 5-day schedule: Reg Thu to 12 noon, rds.
Thu 1 pm & 7 pm, Fri 12 noon & 6 pm, Sat 12 noon & 6 pm, Sun 10 am
& 3:30 pm, Mon 10 am. 4-day schedule: Reg Thu to 6 pm, rds Thu 7,
Fri 12 & 6, Sat 12 & 6, Sun 10 & 3:30. 3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 11
am, rds. Fri 12, 3 & 6, Sat 12 & 6, Sun 10 & 3:30. 2-day schedule: Reg
Sat to 9 am, rds. Sat 10,12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 3:30. All schedules:
Bye all, limit 2, Premier must commit before rd. 3 (round 9 bye, before
rd. 2), other sections before rd. 4. HR: $98-98, 800-582-3232, 508-347-
7393, request chess rate, reserve by 8/8 or rate may increase; rooms
may sell out before 8/8. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD
#D657633. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, PO Box 8482,
Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: chess
tour.com, chesstour.info, DirectorAtChess.us, 347-201-2269. Entries
posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Blitz tour-
nament Sat. 10 pm, enter by 9:45 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 17-19, NORTH CAROLINA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 60 (ENHANCED)
2018 NORTH CAROLINA OPEN
5-SS, G/120 d5; 2-day schedule: Rd. 1: G/90 d5. Embassy Suites Hotel,
204 Centreport Dr., Greensboro, NC 27409 (336) 668-4535, mention chess
for $102 rate (code CIC) until Aug. 2, 2018. Reserve hotel online: http://
embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/groups/personalized/G/GSOGBES-CIC-
20180816/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG Non-refundable deposit required.
4 sections: Open, U2000, U1700, U1400, plus Saturday scholastic (U1000)
see below. GMs and IMs encouraged to enter concurrent US Masters
tournament rather than the NCO. Open section is FIDE rated. $12000 in
total prizes UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED! Prizes in all 4 sections:
$1,000-500-300-250-150-125-125-100-100-100; Class prizes (U2100, U1850,
U1550, U1200): $151-101 each section. EF: $79 if received by Aug. 12;
$95 thereafter; RDS.: Round 1: Friday at 7:30 pm or Saturday at 10:00 am
(G/90 d5); then Saturday 2-7, Sunday 9-2. Two half-point byes allowed,
must be requested before Rd. 2 is paired. Advance Entry: Online registration
available at www.carolinaschessinitiative.com. Alternately: mail checks
to CCI, c/o Walter High, 105 N. Crabtree Knoll, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.
Onsite entry: Aug. 17 from 5-7:00 pm and Aug. 18 from 8:00-9:30 am. No
smoking including electronic cigarettes. Saturday Scholastic: Open to
K-12 rated U1000. 4 Rd-SS, G/30 d5. EF: $20 by Aug. 12, $25 thereafter.
On site entry closes at 10:00 a.m. Rounds: 10:30 am-12:30 pm-1:45 pm-
3:00 pm. Trophies: top 5 in three sections. Sections based on rating. INFO:
Walter High wmhigh@nc.rr.com.
AUG. 17-21, NORTH CAROLINA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 200 (ENHANCED)
2018 U.S. MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP
See Nationals.

48th annual CONTINENTAL OPEN

Aug 16-20, 16-19, 17-19 or 18-19 - $35,000 guaranteed prizes!
Premier 9 rounds, others 7 rounds, GM & IM norms possible, Sturbridge Mass.
Sturbridge Host Hotel, 366 Main St (Rt
20 W), Sturbridge MA 01566, near the CT
border (I-84 Exit 3, near I-90). Free parking.
Visit Old Sturbridge Village (osv.org, swim in
Cedar Lake, visit shops & galleries.
Premier Section: 9 rounds, Aug 16-20,
Open to FIDE 1900/up or foreign and USCF
2000/up. 40/100, SD/30 d10.
Other sections: 7 rounds, choice of Aug
16-19, 17-19 or 18-19, 40/100, SD/30 d10
(3-day rds 1-2 G/60 d10, 2-day rds 1-4 G/30
d10), all merge & compete for same prizes.
Premier: $3000-2000-1500-1000-800-
600-500-400-300-300, clear/ tiebreak win
$200 bonus, top FIDE U2400/Unr $1600-
800, FIDE U2200/ Unr $1600-800. FIDE
rated, 200 GPP.
U2100: $2000-1000-500-300-200.
U1900: $2000-1000-500-300-200.
U1700: $2000-1000-500-300-200.
U1500: $1400-700-400-300-200.
U1250: $900-500-300-200-100, top
Under 1000 (no unr) $400-200..
Unrated limit: U1250 $200, U1500
$400, U1700 $600, U1900 $800.
Mixed doubles: best male/female 2-
player team (avg. under 2200) combined
score, all sections: $1000-600-400. See
TLA or chesstour.com.
Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually
used if otherwise unrated.
Premier entry fee: $228 at
chessaction.com or entry.cc by 8/14, $250
at site, or online by 11 am 8/16. GMs &
foreign IMs/WGMs free; $150 from prize.
US IMs/WGMs & FIDE foreign, $100 less.
Minimum prize guarantee to the
following who enter online by 8/3 & play all
9 games with no byes:1st 7 foreign GMs
$500, 1st 7 foreign IMs/WGMs $300.
U2100 to U1700 Section entry fee:
$158 at chessaction.com or entry.cc by
8/14, $180 (no checks, credit cards OK) at
site, or online until 2 hrs before rd 1.
U1500 Section EF all $40 less than
U2100-U1700, U1250 EF $80 less..
USCF membership required. See TLA
or chesstour.com for special rates.
Online entry fee $5 less to MACA
members, join/renew at masschess.org.
5-day schedule (Premier): Reg Thu to
12 noon, rds Thu 1 & 7, Fri/Sat 12 & 6, Sun
10- & 3:30, Mon 10 am.
4-day schedule: Reg Thu to 6 pm, rds
Thu 7, Fri/Sat 12 & 6, Sun 10 & 3:30.
3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 11, rds Fri
12, 3 & 6, Sat 12 & 6, Sun 10 & 3:30.
2-day schedule: Reg. Sat to 9, rds Sat
10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 3:30.
Half-point byes OK all rds (limit 2);
Premier must commit before rd 3 (rd 9,
before rd 2), others before rd 4.
All: No smoking. Bring sets, boards,
clocks if possible-none supplied. Re-entry
(no Premier to Premier) $80.
Hotel rates: $98-98, use link at
chesstour,com, or 800-582-3232 508-347-
7393, reserve by 8/8.
Entry: entry.cc or Continental Chess,
Box 8482, Pelham NY 10803 (see Chess
Life or chesstour.com for mail entry).
Refunds, $15 charge. Questions:
director@chess.us, 347-201-2269. Entries
posted at entry.cc (check list after entering).
Blitz Sat 10 pm, enter by 9:45 pm.

58 June 2018 | Chess Life


US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, INDIANA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 80 (ENHANCED)
13TH ANNUAL INDIANAPOLIS OPEN
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Crowne
Plaza Indianapolis Airport, 2501 S. High School Rd. (off I-465 & Airport
Expwy), Indianapolis, IN 46241. Free parking, free airport shuttle, free
wireless, indoor pool, game room, fitness center. $14,000 guaranteed
prize fund. In 6 sections. Major: Open to 1800/up. Prizes $1600-800-
500-300, clear or tiebreak winner $100 bonus, top Under 2200 $600-300.
Under 2000: $1000-600-300-200. Under 1800: $1000-600-300-200.
Under 1600: $900-600-300-200. Under 1400: $800-500-300-200. Under
1100: $600- 300-200-100. Unrated may not win over $100 in U1100,
$200 U1400, $300 U1600, $400 U1800, or $600 U2000. Mixed doubles
bonus prizes: best male/female 2-player team combined score among
all sections: $400- 200. Team must average under 2200; may play in
different sections; must register (no extra fee) before both players
begin round 2. Top 5 sections EF: $108 online at chessaction.com by
8/22, 3-day $113, 2-day $112 mailed by 8/15, all $120 (no checks, credit
cards OK) at site, or online until 2 hours before rd. 1. GMs, IMs & WGMs
free; $90 deducted from prize. Under 1100 Section EF: all $40 less
than above. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise
unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with paper magazine if paid with
entry. Online at chessaction. com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic
$15. Mailed or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17.
Re-entry $60; not available in Major Section. 3-day schedule: Reg
ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-day schedule:
Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. All: Half point
byes OK all, limit 2, Major must commit before rd. 2, others before rd.
3. HR: $105-105, 1-800-227-6963, 317-236-7495; reserve by 8/10 or
rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633, or
reserve car online through chesstour. com. Ent: chessaction.com or
Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge
for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour. com, DirectorAtChess.us, 347-
201-2269. Advance entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries
posted instantly). Blitz tournament Sat 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, VIRGINIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 150 (ENHANCED)
50TH ANNUAL ATLANTIC OPEN
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60 d10). Westin Tysons
Corner, 7801 Leesburg Pike (VA-7), Falls Church VA 22043. Free parking,
free shuttle to Tysons Corner Center and Metro. $30,000 guaranteed
prizes. In 7 sections. Major: Open to 1800/up. $3000-1500-800-500-300,
clear or tiebreak 1st $100 bonus, top U2300 $1400-700. FIDE. Under
2100: $2000-1000-500-400-300. Under 1900: $2000-1000-500-400-300.
Under 1700: $1800-900-500-300-200. Under 1500: $1500-800-400-300-
200. Under 1300: $1300-700-400-300-200. Under 1000: $800-400-250-150-
100, plaques to top 3, first U800, U600, Unrated. Mixed doubles: best
male/female 2-player team combined score among all sections: $1000-
500-300. Must average under 2200; may play in different sections; register
(no extra fee) by 2 pm 8/25. Unrated may not win over $200 in U1000,
$350 U1300, $500 U1500, $700 U1700, or $900 U1900; balance goes to
next player(s) in line. Top 5 sections EF: $133 online at chessaction.com
by 8/22, 3-day $138, 2-day $137 if check mailed by 8/15, $150 at site, or
online until 2 hours before rd. 1. GMs free; $120 from prize. Under 1000
Section EF: All $50 less than top 5 sections EF. All: No checks at site,
credit cards OK. Re-entry $60, not available in Major. Unofficial uschess.org
ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dueswith
magazine if paid with entry- Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young
Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult
$25, Scholastic $17. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm,
Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 10 am, rds.
Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. Bye: all, limit 2, Major must commit before
rd. 2, others before rd. 3. HR: $104-104, 1-866-716-8108, reserve by 8/9
or rate may increase. Car rental: 800-331-1600, use AWD D657633, or
reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: chessaction.com or Con-
tinental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge for
refunds. Questions: chesstour.com, chesstour.info, DirectorAtChess.US,
347-201-2269. Entries posted at chessaction.com (online entry posted
instantly). Blitz tournament Sat 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, ARIZONA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30 (ENHANCED)
2018 ROOKERY OPEN
Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, 10000 N. Oracle
Rd., Tucson, AZ 85704, 520-544-5000. SECTIONS: Championship (2000+),
Class A/B (1600-1999), Class C/D (1200-1599), U1200/Unrated. Players
may play in a higher section than rating for additional fee. SCHEDULE:
5/SS, 3-day or 2-day schedule available. (3-day) 40/2, SD/1 d5; Rds. 7,
10-5, 9-4. (2-day) Rds. 1-2 G/90 d5, Rds. 3-5 40/2, SD/1 d5; Rds. 10-
1:30-5, 9-4. 1/2 pt byes allowed for all rounds but must be requested
prior to start of Round 2 (max 2). PRIZES: (Championship) $$G: $600-
400-200, Top U2200/Unr $200; (Class A/B) $$b/40: $300-200, Top
U1800/Unr $125; (Class C/D) $$b/30: $200-100, Top U1400/Unr $75
(U1200/Unr) $$b/30 $125-100-75. EF: (Championship) FREE for
GM/IM/WGM/WIM, $65 if rec’d by 8/20, $75 if after 8/20; (Class A/B
and Class C/D) $50 if rec’d by 8/20, $60 if after 8/20; (U1200/Unrated)
$40 if rec’d by 8/20, $50 if after 8/20; “Playing Up” Additional $20 for
each section you wish to play above your rating class. No Re-entries.
ENTER: http://events4chess.com or mail to (make checks payable to
“Rookery Chess”): 2018 Rookery Open, PMB 215, 4729 E. Sunrise Dr.,
Tucson, AZ 85718 or at site Reg: 8/24 5:30-6:30 PM and 8/25 8:30-
9:30 AM. HR: $129 (2 Queen) by 7/25 for chess rate, mention group
code “CHES”; Online Res: http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/arizona/el-
conquistador-tucson-a-hilton-resort-TUSHTHH/index.html or call
1-888-370-0980. INFO: Karen Pennock, 520- 261-3176, email: kpen-
nock_83@yahoo.com, web: www.events4chess.com. W.
See previous issue for TLAs appearing June 1-14
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 25-26, IOWA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 40 (ENHANCED)
64TH IOWA OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP (USCF & FIDE RATED) IASCA
GP SUPER QUALIFIER
5-SS, G/90, i30. Accelerated pairings may be used in Rounds 1-2.
IASCA Super GP Qualifier. Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, 300 E
9th St. (I-80, SE side of Exit 242), Coralville, IA 52241. Reg.: 8:30am
and ends at 9:30am. Rds.: Sat 10:15, 2:30, & 7:30; Sun 9:30 & 2:30.
EF: $62 if postmarked before 8/20; $75 at site. If rated under 1600 add
$20. IM & GM free-EF deducted from any prize, Jrs. & Sr. $10 off, $10
off Out of state residents. Prize Info:Prizes: ($2500 b/65 Top 3 Gtd)
1000+T-400-200 U2200, U2000, U1800 200/100 each. US Chess Fed-
eration (USCF) membership required. On Site Available. IASCA
membership required, ($10 regular, $25 patron or Out of State Accepted
(OSA). On-Site Available. Send Entry Fee to: IASCA, c/o Mark Capron,
3123 Juniper Dr., Iowa City, IA 52245 or register online at www.online
registration.cc Additional Info: USCF and FIDE Rated!! Byes: Bye
available Rounds 1-3 if requested one hour prior to start of round.
Rounds 4-5 only if requested prior to tournament starting. USCF –
August 2018 Rating List will be used for pairing purposes. FIDE rules
will be used. Call 319-321-5435 or mcapron243@mchsi.com. The Marriott
Hotel and Conference Center, Chess rate available, $103 (INCLUDES
PARKING) only until 8/8/18, rates may increase after this date. Pool,
restaurant, more restaurants in walking distance. 319-688- 4000. Mixed
Doubles will be available. Entry is $5 per person. Average rating of the
male and female must be less than 2000. Scores will be based on per-
centage of each player with respect to their section (for example if you
score 3 out of 5 you get an 60; if you score 3 out of 4 you get 75, etc).
The RBO has 5 rounds, the Reserve has 4 rounds and the Open has 5
rounds. Prizes: 1st $70; 2nd $40; 3rd 20.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 31-SEPT. 3, SEPT. 1-3 OR 2-3, NEW YORK
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 100 (ENHANCED)
140TH ANNUAL NY STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Out of state welcome. 6SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option in U2100
& below, rds. 1-3 G/40 d10). Albany Marriott, 189 Wolf Road, Albany
12205 (Thruway Exit 24, I-87 north to Wolf Rd, Exit 4). Free parking,
free airport shuttle, indoor/outdoor pool, fitness center, many restaurants
nearby. September ratings used. $14,000 guaranteed prizes. In 5
sections. Championship, open to 1800/above. $1600-900-500-300, top
U2300 $800-400. State title & $100 bonus to top NYS resident (both
decided on tiebreak if tied). Under 2100: $1000-500-300-200, top Under
1900/Unr $400-200. Under 1800: $1000-500-300-200, top Under 1600
(no Unr) $400-200. Under 1500: $800-500-300-200, top Under 1300
(no Unr) $300-150. Under 1200: $500-300-150-100, plaque to first 3,
top Under 1000, Under 800, Under 600, Unrated. Mixed doubles bonus
prizes: best male/female 2-player team combined score among all sec-
tions: $600-300. Must average under 2200; may play in different sections;
register (no extra fee) before both players begin round 2. Unrated may
not win over $150 in U1200, $300 U1500 or $500 U1800. Top 4 sections
EF: $103 online at chessaction.com by 8/29, 4-day $109, 3-day $108, 2-
day $107 if check mailed by 8/22, all $120 at site, or online until 2 hours
before round 1. GMs $90 from prize. Under 1200 Section EF: All $30
less than top 4 sections EF. All: Online entry $7 less to NYSCA members
(dues $12/yr with 2 issues Empire Chess or $20/yr with 4 issues;
join/renew with entry.) Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if
otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF with magazine if paid with
entry. Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic
$15. Mailed or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Re-
entry $60, all but Championship. No checks at site, credit cards OK.
3-day schedule:Reg. ends Sat 11 am, rds. Sat 12 & 6, Sun 12 & 6, Mon
10 & 3:15. 4-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, merges
with 3-day Sat 6 pm. 2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sun. 10 am, rds Sun
11, 1:30, 3:30, 6, Mon 10 & 3:15, no 2-day Championship. Bye: all, limit
2, Championship must commit before rd. 2, others before rd 4. HR:
$103-103, 800-443-8952, 518-458-8444, reserve by 8/20 or rate may
increase. NYSCA meeting 9 am Sun. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental
Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. Questions: www.chesstour.com,
DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269. $15 service charge for refunds.
Entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly).
NYS Blitz Championship Sun 10 pm, enter by 9:45 pm.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
SEPT. 1-3, CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 150 (ENHANCED)
40TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OPEN
6-SS, G/100 + 30 sec increment (2- day schedule rds. 1-3 G/45, d5,
then merges). Town & Country Hotel, 500 Hotel Circle North, San Diego,
CA 92108. $$20,000 in Guaranteed Prizes in 7 sections. Prizes:
Open $2,400-1,600-1,200-900-600-500-400, plus BU2300 $1000-600
U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600 Sections All 4 sections pay: $1,000-600-
400-200 U1400: $600-400-200-100; New this year 7th section: U1200:
$400-200-100 Reg.: 3-day: 8 AM to 9:30 AM on Saturday; 2-day: 8 AM
to 9 AM on Sunday Rds.: 3-day: 10 AM & 4 PM Saturday, 10 AM & 4:30
PM on Sun; 10 & 4 on Monday Rds.: 2-day: 9:30 AM, 11:30, 1:30 and
then merge at 4:30 on Sunday; 10 & 4 Mon Sept official rating list used.
Open section FIDE rated except for fast games in 2-day schedule. Players
with provisional ratings (less than 25 games) are subject to a 50%
reduction prizes, balance goes to remaining prize winners. EF: $90 Early
Bird Special if received by 7/31, $100 from 8/1 to 8/24, $120 from
8/25 to 8/31 or $140 on event day. $40 surcharge for players U2100
playing in the Open section. Special rate of only $75 if U1400 or unrated.
One book prize for best unrated player in each section, unrated players
are not eligible for any cash prizes. Special rate for GMs, WGMs, IMs
and WIMs: free if emailed entry by 8/24 (but $100 deducted from any
prize winnings), or $60 for late entry. No credit cards at door, cash or
check only. Players who forfeit any round are subject to a possible $25
fine at TD discretion. SCCF membership req’d ($18 Adult; $13 Jr or $3
Jr w/o mag) for all So Cal residents. $75 re-entry from 3-day to 2-day,
only players U2300 are eligible. Byes: 2 byes allowed, but must be
requested at least 1 hour before round; last round byes ok but must be
requested before round 3 and are irrevocable. Please bring your own
equipment and know how to set your clock for incremental play. Entries:
SDCC, POB 120162, San Diego, CA 92112 or online at www.scchess.com.
For more info: Chuck Ensey at 858-432-8006 or email me at chucnglo@
aol.com. The SCO is a State Championship Qualifier. SCCF Annual
Membership Meeting: Sunday 2 PM. Hotel Rates: Special rate of
$140, 619-291-7131, or 800-772-8527 if booked by mid-August, please
book early as rates may go up or sell out.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
A State Championship Event!
SEPT. 1-3, OHIO
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30
74TH OHIO CHESS CONGRESS
6SS; 4 Sections: Championship, U2000, U1700, U1400. Championship
section FIDE rated. Players may play up only one section. Memb. req’d:
OCA membership is required for all players resident in Ohio. Join/renew
at http://ohchess.org/. No membership requirement for other players.
Time Control: Championship section 40/90, SD/30; +30. All other sec-
tions G/120 d10. Prizes: Championship: $1,200-800-600-400, top under
2200 $350-250; U2000: $800-500-400-300; U1700: $600-400-300-200;
U1400: $400-300-200-200, top under 1200 $175-125; prizes based on
140 paid entries, else proportional. No unrated may win more than the
third-place prize amount except in Championship section. EF: $99 if entry
received on or before August 26, $110 thereafter. Free entry to
GMs/IMs/WGMs/WIMs; $99 deducted from prize. Re-entry $50, available
only for round 2, no re-entry to same section. Re-entry counts as 1/2
paid entry. Ent: Enter online at www.chesscincinnati.com. Mail entries
to Ohio Chess Congress, 9180 Pinewood Dr., Loveland, OH 45140 with
check payable to “Cincinnati Scholastic Chess” (organizers of the Cincinnati
Open). Enter onsite Saturday 8:00-9:30 am. Rds.: 11-5, 10-5, 9-3. OCA
board and membership meetings Sun 3-5. Byes: Up to two half-point
byes, must commit before 4:00 pm Sat. Hotel: Embassy Suites, 4554
Lake Forest Dr., Blue Ash, OH. $109/king bed, $119/two queen beds. All
suites also have sofa bed. Reserve by Aug 19 to ensure room and rate:
513-733-8900 and reference Ohio Chess Congress, or use link on our
website to book online. Bring sets and clocks except in Championship
section. Complete information at www.chesscincinnati.com. Questions:
info@chesscincinnati.com or call/text Alan at 513-600-9915.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
SEPT. 1-3 OR 2-3, NEW JERSEY
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 80
71ST ANNUAL NEW JERSEY OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP - OVER
$$$10,000 $$$ IN PRIZES - GUARANTEED!!
6-SS, 40/2 d5, SD/1. Headquarters Plaza Hyatt, 3 Headquarters Plaza,
Morristown, NJ 07960. (973) 898-9100. A luxury hotel including spa.
Free parking for day visitors. For chess rate ($129/night) use https://
book.passkey.com/go/NJChess2018 for online reservations. Please
register by 8/15. Short walk to train station with service to New York
and Philadelphia (via Newark). 5 minute walk to many restaurants and
shopping. EF: $78 if received by 8/28, $80 online at njscf.org until
midnight 8/31, $90 onsite. In 3 sections, Open Section, Under 1800,
Under 1600. With 3 day and 2 day schedules. Prizes: Open: $1400,
$1100, $900, $700, $600, Class Prizes: 2000 - 2399: $500, $300, $100;
2000 - 2199: $500, $300, $100; U2000: $500, $300 100; Class Prize:
Top Senior (55+): 200; Trophy to NJ Champion. Under 1800 Section:
$500, $300, $100, Class Prizes: Top Senior (55+): 200. Under 1600
Section: $500, $300, $100, Class Prizes: Top Senior (55+): 200, Top D,
E & F: $200. $100 prize for best Open section game. $100 prize for best
game in either Under 1800 or Under 1600 section. All sections get these
trophies: Top 3, Top Senior over 55, Top under age 16, Top under age
13. Unrated may win first place in Open section only. 3 day registration
at hotel: 9:00am-11:00am 9/1. 2 day reg at hotel: Sunday, 9/2 9-10
am. Rounds: 3 day Saturday 12:00 & 6:30 pm, Sunday 11 am & 6 pm,
Monday 9 am & 3:30 pm. Rounds: 2 day 1-2-3(G/60 d5) Sunday 10:30
am, 12:45 pm and 3:00 pm. 3 Day and 2 Day schedules merge in round
4. All Prizes Guaranteed. Email: noreenchess@gmail.com Phone: (973)
219-6877. Mail checks made payable to NJSCF to: Noreen Davisson
132 US 206, Flanders, NJ 07836. Entries should include name, USCF ID
and expirations, mailing address, email address, phone, section and
schedule desired and entry fee.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
A State Championship Event!
SEPT. 1-3 OR 2-3, CALIFORNIA, NORTHERN
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 60
2018 CALCHESS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP $20,000 PRIZE FUND
6-SS, G/120 +30 (2-day option rds. 1-3 G/61 d5). Crowne Plaza Silicon
Valley, 32083 Alvarado Niles Rd., Union City, CA 94587. $$ b/250 paid
entries 70% Guaranteed (not counting free entries). Six Sections: Master
$2500-1500-800-300-200 U2300 $200-100; Expert $1500-1000-600-
200. “A” $1200-900-500-200. “B” $1200-900-500-200. “C” $1200-900-
500-200. “D/E” $100-$500-$300-$100 U1200/Unr $500-200-100. Unrated:
may not win more than $300 in any section. Except Master. Trophy to
top finisher (State Champion) in each section. All, EF: postmarked by
8/29 $125. $145 at site. $5 discount to CalChess members. USCF memb.
req’d. May play up one section for add’l $40. GM/IM WGM/WIM free
entry. Reg.: Sat 9/1 9:30-10:30am, Sun 9/2 8-9am. RDS.: Choice of
schedules- 3-day, 2-day merge at round 4, all compete for the same
prizes. 3-day schedule: Sat 11:00-5:00; Sun 11:00-5:00; Mon 10:00-
3:30. 2-day schedule: Sun 9:30-12:00-2:30-5:00; Mon 10:00-3:30. 1/2
pt bye(s) any round(s) if requested in advance (byes rds. 5-6 must be
requested before rd. 1. 2018 September Ratings List, CCA minimums
and Directors discretion will be used to place players as accurately as
www.uschess.org 59
Tournament Life / June
possible. Please bring clocks and equipment. Any player who has been
rated over 100 points higher than the section maximum within the last
year will automatically be moved up to the next section! HR: Crowne
Plaza Silicon Valley N. INFO: Berkeley Chess School, Tournaments@
Berkeleychessschool.org (510)-843-0150. Ent: Berkeley Chess School,
P.O. Box 10073, Berkeley, CA 94709. No Phone entries. Reg Online at
www.berkeleychessschool.org. Master Section FIDE Rated.
SEPT. 15, TENNESSEE
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
ORAN QUINTRELL MEMORIAL
Site: IBEW, 1870 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38104. 4SS; G/60 d5.
Two sections: Open and U1600 Prizes: ($1000 Guaranteed!) Open:
$300-200-100, U1600: $200-125-75; Rounds: 9-12:30-3-5:30. Open
and U1600 Entry Fee: $40 by 09/08, $50 at door, MCC members $40
anytime, Masters: free (EF deducted from winnings); Special U1000
Trophy Section: 4SS, G/45 d5; Entry Fee: $15. Trophies for top 3
overall, top U800 and top U600. Round 1 at 9am, next rounds ASAP. On
site Registration: 09/15: 7:30am - 8:45am. You can pay the early entry
fee with PayPal until registration end time on Saturday. gpylant@
gmail.com. Join online: http://memphischessclub.homestead.com/
Quintrell_Memorial.html
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
SEPT. 21-23 OR 22-23, CONNECTICUT
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 40 (ENHANCED)
9TH ANNUAL HARTFORD OPEN
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Sheraton
Hartford Hotel, 1 Bradley Airport (visible at airport entrance), Windsor
Locks, CT 06096 (I-91 Exit 40 to Rt 20). Free parking. $6500 guaranteed
prize fund. 4 sections. Major: Open to 1800/up. $1000-500-300, U2210
$400-200. Under 2010: $700-380-200, top U1810/Unr $400-200. Under
1610: $500-300-150, top U1410 (no Unr) $280-140. Under 1210: $300-
150-100, plaques to first 3, top U1000, U800, U600, Unrated. Unrated
may not win over $100 in U1210 or $200 in U1610. Mixed doubles:
$200-100 bonus to best male/female combined score among all sections.
Must average under 2200; may play in different sections; register by 2
pm 9/22. Top 3 sections EF: $78 online at chessaction.com by 9/19,
3-day $83, 2-day $82 if check mailed by 9/13, $90 at site, or online until
2 hours before round 1. U1210 Section EF: all $20 less than above. No
checks at site, credit cards OK. GMs, IMs & WGMs free, $60 deducted
from prize. Online EF $3 less to CSCA or WMCA members. Re-entry (no
Major Section) $40. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if oth-
erwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with
entry. Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic
$15. Mailed or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. 3-
day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 &
3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10
& 3:15. Bye: all, limit 2; must commit before rd. 2. HR: $107-107, 860-
627-5311; reserve by 9/8 or rate may increase. Ent: chessaction.com
or Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge
for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-
201-2269. Entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted
instantly). Blitz tournament Saturday 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
OCT. 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, VIRGINIA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 200 (ENHANCED)
10TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON CHESS CONGRESS
Premier Section, 9SS, Oct 4-8, 40/100, SD/30 d10; GM & IM norms
possible, FIDE rated. Other Sections, 7SS, Oct 5-8 or 6-8, 40/100,
SD/30, d10 (3-day option, rounds 1-2 G/60, d10). Westin Tysons
Corner, 7801 Leesburg Pike (VA-7), Falls Church, VA 22043. Free parking,
free shuttle to Tysons Corner Center and Metro. $26,000 guaranteed
prizes. In 4 sections: Premier: Open to FIDE 1900/over, USCF 2000/over,
and all foreign FIDE rated players. $4000-2000-1000-600-500-400-300-
200, clear or tiebreak first bonus $100, top FIDE Under 2300/Unr
$1400-700. FIDE. Minimum prize $600 to first 5 foreign GMs to enter
online by 9/21 who play all 9 rounds with no byes, minimum prize
$400 to first 5 foreign IMs to enter online by 9/21 who play all 9 rounds
with no byes, minimum prize $300 to the following who enter online
by 9/21 and play all 9 rounds with no byes: other foreign GMs, foreign
WGMs, US GMs. Under 2100: $2000-1000-500-300-200, top Under 1900
(no Unr) $1200-600. Under 1700: $1700-900-500-300-200, top Under
1500 (no Unr) $800-400. Under 1300: $1000-500-300-200-100, top
Under 1100 (no Unr) $400-200. Prize limits: Unrated cannot win over
$200 in U1300, $400 in U1700, or $600 in U2100. Mixed doubles bonus
prizes: best male/female 2-player team combined score among all sec-
tions: $1000-500. Only first 7 rounds of Premier counted. Team must
average under 2200; may play in different sections; register (no extra
fee) before both players begin round 2. Ratings: October FIDE ratings
used in Premier, USCF October official in other sections. Unofficial web
ratings usually used if otherwise unrated, Top 3 sections EF: $158
online at chessaction.com by 10/3, 5-day $155, 4-day $154, 3-day $153
if check mailed by 9/25, all $180 at site until 1 hour before rd. 1, or
online at chessaction.com until 2 hours before rd 1. U1300 Section: all
EF $60 less than top 3 sections EF. Premier Section GMs, IMs, WGMs,
foreign FMs: free, $150 deducted from prize; no deduction from minimum
prize. Premier Section FIDE rated foreign players: EF $60 less than
top 3 sections EF. Special 1 yr USCF dues with magazine if paid with
entry: Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic
$15. Mailed or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. No
checks at site, credit cards OK. Re-entry: $80, no re-entry from Premier
to Premier. 5-day schedule (Premier only): Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds.
Thu 7 pm, Fri 1 pm & 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 5 pm, Sun 11 am & 5 pm, Mon
10 am & 3:15 pm. 4-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm.
Sat 11 & 5, Sun 11 & 5, Mon 10 & 3:15. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat
10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 11 & 5, Mon 10 & 3:15. Byes: OK all
including last rd; limit 3 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), must commit before rd. 4.
Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied. HR: $104-104-104,
866-716-8108, reserve by 9/20 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis,
800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633 or reserve car online at chess
tour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. Questions:
60 June 2018 | Chess Life
DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269, www.chesstour.com. $15 service
charge for refunds. Entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries
posted instantly). Blitz tournament Sun. 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
OCT. 5-7 OR 6-7, ILLINOIS
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 120 (ENHANCED)
27TH ANNUAL MIDWEST CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS
5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Westin
Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, IL
60090 (from Chicago, I-294 north to US-45 north; from Milwaukee, I-94
to Lake Cook Rd to US-45 south). Free parking. $20,000 guaranteed
prizes. In 7 sections. Premier (1900/up): $2000-1000-500-300, clear
win or 1st on tiebreak $100, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE. 1700-2099:
$1400-700-400-200. 1500-1899/Unr: $1400-700-400-200. 1300-
1699/Unr: $1300-700-400-200. 1100-1499/Unr: $1200-600-400-200.
Under 1300/Unr: $1000-500-300-200. Under 1100/Unr: $500-300-200-
100, plaques to top 3, top U900, U700, U500, Unrated. Mixed doubles
bonus prizes: best male/female 2-player combined score among all
sections: $800-400-200. Must average under 2200; may play in different
sections; register (no extra fee) by 2 pm 10/6. Unrated prize limits:
$100 U1100, $200 U1300, $300 1100-1499, $400 1300-1699, $600 1500-
1899. Top 6 sections EF: $113 online at chessaction.com by 10/3,
3-day $118, 2-day $117 mailed by 9/26, all $130 at site, or online until
2 hrs before round 1. Under 1100 EF: all $50 less than above. All: No
checks at site, credit cards OK. Online EF $5 less to ICA members;
join/renew at il-chess.org. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used
if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid
with entry. Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22,
Scholastic $15. Mailed or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25,
Scholastic $17. Re-entry $50; not available in Premier. GMs $100 from
prize. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun
10 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5,
Sun 10 & 3:15. Bye: all, limit 2; Premier must commit before rd. 2,
others before rd. 3. HR: $113-113-113-113, 800-937-8461,847-777-
6500, reserve by 9/21 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis,
800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental
Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. Questions: chesstour.com, Direc-
torAtChess.US, 347-201-2269. $15 service charge for refunds. Entries
posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Bring set,
board, clock if possible- none supplied.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
NOV. 9-11 OR 10-11, FLORIDA
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30
17TH ANNUAL TURKEY BOWL
5SS, Open section (FIDE-rated) G/90+30 sec. incr., All other sections
but U1100 G/120 d5, U1100 section G/90 d5 (2-day Option all sections
Rd. 1 G/60 d5). Embassy Suites, 4350 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens,
FL 33410. $$10,000 b/200 paid entries, 65% min. Gtd. Open: $1000/
Turkey Bowl-700-500, U2300/Unr. $400-300. U2100: $800/Trophy-500-
400, U1950 $300-250, U1850 $150. U1750: $800/Trophy-500-400, U1650
$300-250. U1450:$800/Trophy-500-400, U1350/Unr. $300-250. U1100:
Trophies for 1st to 3rd, 1st U900, 1st U700, Medals to all others. Top
Senior Prize (among all cash prize sections, must be at least 55 on
November 9) $200. Unr. may enter Open, U1450 or U1100 only. Unr.
only eligible for Unr. Prizes in Open & U1450. EF: All but U1100 $89 by
November 6, $10 more later, $15 more on-site, GMs & IMs free ($89
deducted from prize). U1100 section $44 by November 6, $10 more later,
$15 more on-site. Re-entry cash prize sections $45. Reg.: Ends 1/2 hr
before 1st rd. Rds.: 3-Day 1st Rd. Fri. 7:30; 2-Day 1st Rd. Sat 10; 2nd
Rd. Sat. 1:15; 3rd Rd. all sections but U1100 6:30, 3rd Rd. U1100 5:45;
4th Rd. Sun. all sections but U1100 9:30, 4th Rd. U1100 10:00; 5th Rd.
2:30. 2 1/2 pt. byes, if req’d before rd. 2. HR: $139 by cut-off date,
includes complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, two-hour beverage
reception nightly, Internet, refrigerator & microwave, free parking. Call
561-622-1000 and mention group code “ATB”. Each suite also comes
with a sleeper sofa. Ent: Boca Raton Chess Club, 2385 NW Executive
Ctr. Dr., Ste. 100, Boca Raton, FL 33431. $10 service charge for refunds.
Online entry & add’l info: www.bocachess.com, 561-302-4377.
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
NOV. 17-18, TENNESSEE
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10
59TH MID-SOUTH OPEN
5SS, G/120 d5. Site: IBEW Local 474, 1870 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN
38104. Three Sections: Open, U1700, and U1000. $1700 Prizes are
based on 35 paid entries in top 2 sections. Open: $550, $300, $200.
U1700: $350, $200, $100. Entry Fee: $50 early by Nov 10, $60 late.
MCC Members $50 anytime; Masters: free (EF deducted from winnings).
Use PayPal to pay early EF up to registration time on Saturday! www.mem-
phischess.com/midsouth59.html Rounds: 9-2-7; 9-2. U1000 Trophy
Section: 4SS, G/45 d5; Saturday only; Entry Fee: $15. Trophies for top
3 overall, top U800 and top U600. Round 1 at 9am, next rounds ASAP
(as soon as possible). On-site Registration: November 17, 2018 -
7:30am-8:45am. Send mail entries to: MCC, P.O. Box 17864, Memphis,
TN 38187. Email: gpylant@gmail.com.
Regional
ALABAMA
JUNE 21-24, 2018 U.S. Senior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 Not-A-Junior-Not-A-Senior Open (LA)
See Louisiana.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 U.S. Junior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
JUNE 23, Alabama Quick & Blitz Championships (QC & BLZ)
5SS, TC: G/25 d4. EF: $30. Asbury UMC, 6690 Cahaba Valley Rd.,
Birmingham, AL 35242. Premiere: (Rating: 1600+; PF: $400, $$GTD):
$175-125-U1800:100. Reserve: (Rating U1600; PF: $300, $$GTD): $125-
100-U1300:75. Scholastic: EF: $20. (Rating U1200; Trophy Top 3). Rds.:
9-10:15-12-1:15-2:30. Blitz Tnmt: (Rating: Open; PF: $100, $$GTD): $50-
30-20. Rds.: 4-4:30-5-5:30-6-6:30. EF: $10; if mailed by JUN 16th. Late
REG: JUN 23rd @ 8am. Make checks payable to: Caesar Chess. ENT:
Caesar Chess LLC, 5184 Caldwell Mill Road, Suite 204 - 202, Birmingham,
AL 35244. Info: CaesarChess@gmail.com; www.AlabamaChess.org.
JULY 13-15 OR 14-15, 27th Annual Atlanta Championship (GA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 15, 2018 Atlanta Championship Scholastics (GA)
See Georgia.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Houston Summer Chess Festival (TX)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 21, Alabama Dual-Rated State Chess Championship
See Grand Prix.
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th Annual Southern Open (FL)
See Grand Prix.
ARIZONA
JUNE 20-21, 2018 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 21, Walter Browne Memorial National Open Blitz
Championship (BLZ) (NV)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 21-24, 22-24 OR 23-24, 2018 National Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 22, Youth Trophy Tournament (NV)
See Nevada.
JUNE 23-24, International Youth Championship (NV)
See Nevada.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 23rd Annual Pacific Coast Open (CA-S)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Ye Olde Pueblo Open and Scholastics
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 2018 Rookery Open
See Grand Prix.
ARKANSAS
JUNE 21-24, 2018 U.S. Senior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 Not-A-Junior-Not-A-Senior Open (LA)
See Louisiana.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 U.S. Junior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
JULY 13-15, Kansas Open (KS)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Houston Summer Chess Festival (TX)
See Grand Prix.
CALIFORNIA, NORTHERN
JUNE 9, Foster City Luper$wiss90 (3SS, G/90 d5)
Foster City Courtyard Marriott, 550 Shell Blvd., 94404. Prizes: $1,300 b/50.
60% guar. 1900+: $200-100-100, u2000 50-50. 1500-1899: $200-100, u1600
50-50. u1500: $200-100, u1200 50-50. June 18 Supp & TD disc. Reg.: 8:30-
8:45. Rds.: 9-1-4:30. EF: 49, Econ 39 w 1/2 prz. after 6/4 +20, playup +20,
GMs/IMs/NMs- $0 by 5/26. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/grandprix. W.
JUNE 9, Sacramento Super$wiss (4SS, G/60 d5)
“NEW LOCATION” Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Rancho Cordova, CA
95670. Prizes: $600 b/40. 50% guar. 1700+: $150-100, u1900 50. u1700:
$150-100, u1600 50. June 18 Supp & TD disc. Reg.: 8:30-8:45. Rds.:.9-
11:30-2-4:30. EF: 43, Econ 33 w 1/2 prz. after 6/4+15, playup +15,
GMs/IMs/NMs-$0 by 5/26. Info: BayAreaChess.com/grandprix. W.
JUNE 9, Sacramento Kids Quads (PK-12; 3xG/30 d5)
“NEW LOCATION” Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Rancho Cordova,
CA 95670. Trophies: players w + score. Sched: Reqrd. Check-in 1:30-
2p. Games: 2:30-5p. EF: 29, 44 after 6/4. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/
signature. W.
JUNE 10, Fremont Quick$wiss (4xG/45 d5)
Fremont Marriott, 46100 Landing Pkwy., Fremont, CA 94538. Prizes:
$1,300 b/50. 60% guar. 1900+: $200-100-100, u2000 50-50. 1500-
1899: $200-100, u1600 50-50. u1500: $200-100, u1200 50-50. Apr 18
Supp & TD disc. Reg.: 8:30-8:45. Rds. 9-11-12:45-2:30. EF: 49, Econ 39
w 1/2 prz. after 6/5 +20, playup +20, GMs/IMs/NMs- $0 by 5/29.
Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/grandprix.
JUNE 10, Bay Area Fremont Swiss (PK-12; 4SS, G/30 d5)
Fremont Marriott, 46100 Landing Pkwy., Fremont, CA 94538. Trophies:
players w + score. Sched: Reg.: 9-9:15a. Games: 9:30a - 1:30p. EF:
34, 49 after 6/5. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
JUNE 10, Bay Area Fremont Quads (PK-12; 3xG/30 d5)
Fremont Marriott, 46100 Landing Pkwy., Fremont, CA 94538. Trophies:
Players w + score. Sched: Reqrd. Check-in 1:30-2p. Games: 2:15-5p.
EF: 29, 44 after 6/5. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
JUNE 17, Palo Alto Duper$wiss75 (3SS, G/75 d5)
Crowne Plaza Palo Alto, 4290 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306.
Prizes: $1,300 b/50. 60% guar. 1900+: $200-100-100, u2000 50-50.

1500-1899: $200-100, u1600 50-50. u1500: $200-100, u1200 50-50.
June 18 Supp & TD disc. Reg.: 8:30-8:45. Rds. 9-12-3. EF: 49, Econ 39
w 1/2 prz. after 6/12+20, playup +20 GMs/IMs/NMs - $0 by 6/3.
Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/grandprix. W.
JUNE 17, Bay Area San Ramon Swiss (PK-12; 4SS, G/30 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, 18090 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon, CA 94583.
Trophies: players w + score. Sched: 9-9:15a. Games: 9:30a - 1:30p.
EF: 34, 42 after 6/12. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
JUNE 17, Bay Area San Ramon Quads (PK-12; 3xG/30 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, 18090 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon, CA
94583. Trophies: Players w + score. Sched: Reqrd Check-in 1:30-2p.
Games: 2:15-5p. EF: 29, 44 after 6/12 Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/
signature. W.
JUNE 17, Father’s Day Special Father & Child Championship
(PK-12; 5SS, G/30 d5)
Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Pkwy., Santa Clara,
CA 95054. Special commemorative trophies to players w + score & all
teams. Sched: Reg.: 9:30-9:45a. Games: 10a - 5p. EF: 49 for kids, FREE
for fathers (with child’s entry), 59 after 6/12. Info: http://BayArea
Chess.com/parentsday. W.
JUNE 20-21, 2018 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 21, Walter Browne Memorial National Open Blitz
Championship (BLZ) (NV)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 21-24, 22-24 OR 23-24, 2018 National Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 22, Youth Trophy Tournament (NV)
See Nevada.
JUNE 22-24 OR 23-24, GM Walter Browne Memorial
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 23-24, International Youth Championship (NV)
See Nevada.
JUNE 30, Foster City Luper$wiss90 (3SS, G/90 d5)
Foster City Courtyard Marriott, 550 Shell Blvd., 94404. Prizes: $1,300
b/50. 60% guar. 1900+: $200-100-100, u2000 50-50. 1500-1899: $200-
100, u1600 50-50. u1500: $200-100, u1200 50-50. June 18 Supp & TD
disc. Reg.: 8:30-8:45. Rds.: 9-1-4:30. EF: 49, Econ 39 w 1/2 prz. after
6/25 +20, playup +20, GMs/IMs/NMs- $0 by 6/18. Info: http://
BayAreaChess.com/grandprix. W.
JULY 1, Fremont Super$wiss (4xG/60 d5)
Fremont Marriott, 46100 Landing Pkwy., Fremont, CA 94538. Prizes:
$1,300 b/50. 60% guar. 1900+: $200-100-100, u2000 50-50. 1500-
1899: $200-100, u1600 50-50. u1500: $200-100, u1200 50-50. Feb 18
Supp & TD disc. Reg.: 8:30-8:45. Rds.: 9-11:30-2-4:30. EF: 49, Econ 39
23rd annual PACIFIC COAST OPEN
July 20-22 or 21-22, 2018 - $25,000 guaranteed prizes!
6 rounds, Airtel Plaza Hotel, Van Nuys CA (Los Angeles) - $119 room rates
6 rounds, 40/100, SD/30, d10 (2-
day option, rds 1-3 G/45, d10), Airtel
Plaza Hotel, 7277 Valjean Ave, Van Nuys
CA 91406. Parking $8/day, $12 including
overnight. Flyaway bus, LAX-Van Nuys
about $10 each way.
Hotel rate: $119-119, 818-997-
7676, reserve by 7/6 or may increase.
$25,000 GUARANTEED PRIZES:
In 6 sections:
Major (1800/up): $3000-1500-1000-
500, clear or tiebreak win $100 bonus,
top Under 2300/Unr $1200-600. FIDE
rated, 150 Grand Prix points (enhanced).
Under 2100: $2000-1000-500-300.
Under 1900: $2000-1000-500-300.
Under 1700: $1600-800-400-200.
Under 1500: $1600-800-400-200.
Under 1250: $800-400-200-100,
plaques to first 3, top U1000, U800, Unr.
Unrated limits: U1250 $150, U1500
$300, U1700 $450, U1900 $600.
See previous issue for TLAs appearing June 1-14
w 1/2 prz. after 6/26 +20, playup +20 GMs/IMs/NMs - $0 by 6/20.
Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/grandprix. W.
JULY 1, Bay Area Fremont Swiss (PK-12; 4SS, G/30 d5)
Fremont Marriott, 46100 Landing Pkwy., Fremont, CA 94538. Trophies:
players w + score. Sched: Reg.: 9-9:15a. Games: 9:30a - 1:30p. EF:
34, 49 after 6/26. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
JULY 1, Bay Area Fremont Quads (PK-12; 3xG/30 d5)
Fremont Marriott, 46100 Landing Pkwy., Fremont, CA 94538. Trophies:
Players w + score. Sched: Reqrd. Check-in 1:30-2p. Games: 2:15-5p.
EF: 29, 44 after 6/26. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
JULY 6-8 OR 7-8, 2018 Sacramento Chess Championship
See Grand Prix.
JULY 7, Cupertino DuperSwiss75 (3SS, G/75 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, Cupertino, CA 95014. Prizes: $1,300 b/50. 60%
guar. 1900+: $200-100-100, u2000 50-50. 1500-1899: $200-100, u1600
50-50. u1500: $200-100, u1200 50-50. July 18 Supp & TD disc. Reg.:
8:30-8:45. Rds. 9-12-3. EF: 49, Econ 39 w 1/2 prz. after 7/3 +20, playup
+20, Rtd 2200+ $0 by 6/23. Info: BayAreaChess.com/grandprix. W.
JULY 8, Bay Area Cupertino Swiss (PK-12; 4SS, G/30 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, Cupertino, CA 95014. Trophies: players w + score.
Sched: 9-9:15a. Games: 9:30a - 1:30p. EF: 34, 49 after 7/3. Info:
http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
JULY 8, Bay Area Cupertino Quads (PK-12; 3xG/30 d5)
Courtyard Marriott, Cupertino, CA 95014. Trophies: Players w + score.
Sched: Reqrd. Check-in 1:30-2p. Games: 2:15-5p. EF: 29, 44 after 7/3.
Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 23rd Annual Pacific Coast Open (CA-S)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 10-12 OR 11-12, 9th annual Central California Open
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 11-15, 7th Annual Washington International (MD)
See Grand Prix.
SEPT. 1-3 OR 2-3, 2018 CalChess State Championship $20,000
Prize Fund
See Grand Prix.
CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN
THE LOS ANGELES CHESS CLUB
The Most Active Club on the West Coast! (310) 795-5710. *
LACC: www.LAChessClub.com; VCC: www.ValleyChess
Club.com; Contact: Mick@LAChessClub.com; Saturday & Sun-
days: 10 am-9 pm (Beginner/Novice & Intermediate classes +
3 Tournaments each day – Details on our web site. Tuesdays:
7:30-9:30 pm (Advance lecture). 11514 Santa Monica Blvd.,
Mixed doubles bonus prizes:
best male/female 2-player team
combined score among all sections:
$1000-500-300-200. Must average
under 2200; may play in different
sections; register (no extra fee) by 2 pm
7/21; prize limits do not apply.
Top 5 sections entry fee: $138
online at chessaction.com by 7/18, 3-
day $143, 2-day $142 mailed by 7/11,
$160 at site (no checks, credit cards
OK) or online until 2 hrs before round 1.
Under 1250 section entry fee:
All $50 less than top 5 sections fee.
USCF membership required. See
TLA or chesstour.com for special rate.
Unofficial uschess.org ratings
usually used if otherwise unrated.
Online entry $5 less to Southern
California Chess Federation members.
Join/renew at www.scchess.com.
Los Angeles, CA 90025. (4 blocks W of 405, SW corner of
Santa Monica & Butler * 2nd Floor – above Javan Restaurant)
Group Classes * Tournaments * Private (1:1) Lessons. Note
our monthly major tournaments. Also, we have the best Weekly
BLITZ tournament on Saturday nights at 6:30 pm!!
JUNE 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, Every Saturday & Sunday
Chess 4 Juniors
9 separate events- 5SS, G/30 d0. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd. & Butler
LA, 90025, 2nd fl. 4 blocks West of 405. EF: $30 ($20 LACC memb, No
prize 1/2 EF, siblings 1/2, Free new LACC members). Reg.: 12-1 pm.
Rds.: 1pm & asap; done by 4; Prizes: Trophies & medals; All players
receive prizes! Parking: Free on streets & BoA. Free healthy refresh-
ments. Info: (310) 795-5710 or www.LAChessClub.com or Mick@LA
ChessClub.com.
JUNE 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, LACC - Sat Nite Blitzathon G/5 (BLZ)
5 separate events- 7DSS, G/5 d0 (Blitz,14 Games). 11514 Santa Monica
Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd fl. 4 blks W of 405. EF: $20 ($15 LACC memb). No
prizes 1/2 EF. Reg.: 6-6:30 pm. Register at LAChessClub.com and receive
a free gift. Rds.: 6:30, 6:55, 7:20, 7:45, 8:10, 8:35, 9 pm. Prizes: 1/2
collections. Parking: Free on streets & BoA. Info: 310/795-5710 or
www.LAChessClub.com.
JUNE 2, 9, 16, 30, LACC Saturday G/60
4 separate events- 1 open section, 6SS, G/60 d5. 11514 Santa Monica
Blvd., LA 90025, 2nd fl. EF: $30/ ($20 LACC memb; No prizes 1/2 EF).
Reg.: 11-12 noon. Rds.: 12, 2, 4 pm each day. Prizes: 1/2 collections.
Parking: Free at BoA, streets, & basement. Info: 310/795-5710 or
www.LAChessClub.com
JUNE 3, 10, 17, LACC Sunday G/60
4 separate events- 1 open section, 6SS, G/60 d5. 11514 Santa Monica
Blvd., LA 90025, 2nd fl. EF: $30/ ($20 LACC memb; No prizes 1/2 EF).
Reg.: 11-12 noon. Rds.: 12, 2, 4 pm each day. Prizes: 1/2 collections.
Parking: Free at BoA, streets, & basement. Info: 310/795-5710 or
www.LAChessClub.com
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 5, 12, 19, 26, Santa Monica Bay Chess Club
TUESDAY EVENINGS; (4-SS, G/1:55 d5) Cash prizes. St. Andrew’s Church,
11555 National Blvd., WLA, 90064. EF: $10 - Club members, $25 - non-
members. Reg.: 7-7:10 p.m. Rds.: 7:10-11:00 p.m., USCF rated. Free
parking. Free coffee. INFO: (310) 827-2789.
JUNE 16-17, 2018 Tal Memorial
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 20-21, 2018 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 21, Walter Browne Memorial National Open Blitz
Championship (BLZ) (NV)
See Grand Prix.
3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 11 am,
rds Fri 12 noon & 6 pm, Sat 12 noon & 6
pm, Sun 10 am & 3:15 pm.
2-day schedule: Reg. Sat to 9 am,
rds Sat 10 am, 12:45 pm, 3:15 pm & 6
pm; Sun 10 am & 3:15 pm.
Half-point byes OK all (limit 2);
Major must commit before round 2,
other sections before round 4.
All: Bring set, board, clock if
possible- none supplied. Re-entry (no
Major to Major) $70. US Chess Junior
Grand Prix Points available.
E n try: chessaction.co m o r
Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham NY
10803. $15 charge for refunds.
Questions: chesstour.com, direc-
tor@chess.us, 347-201-2269. Advance
entries posted at chessaction.com (online
entries posted instantly).
Blitz tournament Sat 10 pm, enter
by 9:45 pm.
www.uschess.org 61
Tournament Life / June
JUNE 21-24, 22-24 OR 23-24, 2018 National Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 22, Youth Trophy Tournament (NV)
See Nevada.
JUNE 23-24, International Youth Championship (NV)
See Nevada.
JULY 6-8, Pacific Southwest Open
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 10, 17, 24, 31, Santa Monica Bay Chess Club
TUESDAY EVENINGS; (4-SS, G/1:55 d5) Cash prizes. St. Andrew’s Church,
11555 National Blvd., WLA, 90064. EF: $10 - Club members, $25 - non-
members. Reg.: 7-7:10 p.m. Rds.: 7:10-11:00 p.m., USCF rated. Free
parking. Free coffee. INFO: (310) 827-2789.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 23rd Annual Pacific Coast Open
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 10-12 OR 11-12, 9th annual Central California Open (CA-N)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 11-15, 7th Annual Washington International (MD)
See Grand Prix.
SEPT. 1-3, 40th Annual Southern California Open
See Grand Prix.
COLORADO
JUNE 20-21, 2018 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 21-24, 22-24 OR 23-24, 2018 National Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 23-24, International Youth Championship (NV)
See Nevada.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 11-12, Pikes Peak Open - Manitou Springs, CO
5-SS. Time Control Rds. 1-2 G/90 with 5 seconds delay; Rds. 3-5 G/90
with 30 seconds increment. Manitou Springs City Hall, 606 Manitou Ave.
One open section. EF: $40 if rec’d by 8/8, $45 at site. $5 discount for
paid CSCA members (OSA). Additional $5 discount for Supporting Members
of Colorado Springs Chess Club. Cash prizes per entries. Second day
Byes must be requested before Round 1. Register: 8:30 – 9:30 AM.
Rounds: 10 AM, 2:30 PM, 7:00 PM Saturday; 9 AM, 3 PM Sunday.
Entries to: Richard Buchanan, 1 Sutherland Rd., Manitou Springs, CO
80829. Information: (719) 685-1984 or buckpeace@pcisys.net.
AUG. 25-26, 64th Iowa Open Championship (USCF & FIDE
Rated) IASCA GP Super Qualifier (IA)
See Grand Prix.
CONNECTICUT
JUNE 8-10 OR 9-10, 24th Annual Northeast Open
See Grand Prix.
JULY 3-8, 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 46th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Potomac Open (MD)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 2nd annual Peter Henner Memorial (NY)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 23rd Annual Bradley Open
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 3-5 OR 4-5, 17th annual Manhattan Open (NY)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 11-15, 7th Annual Washington International (MD)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 16-20, 16-19, 17-19 OR 18-19, 48th annual
Continental Open (MA)
See Grand Prix.
SEPT. 21-23 OR 22-23, 9th Annual Hartford Open
See Grand Prix.
26th annual
SOUTHERN OPEN
July 27-29 or 28-29, Wyndham Orlando Resort
$112 rooms with parking/wifi, $5 parking without room
$17,000 GUARANTEED PRIZES!
For full details see “Grand Prix” in this issue.
62 June 2018 | Chess Life
DELAWARE
JUNE 15-17 OR 16-17, 7th annual Continental Class
Championships (VA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Potomac Open (MD)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 50th annual Atlantic Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
OCT. 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 10th annual Washington Chess Congress
(VA)
See Grand Prix.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
JUNE 15-17 OR 16-17, 7th annual Continental Class
Championships (VA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Potomac Open (MD)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 50th annual Atlantic Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
OCT. 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 10th annual Washington Chess Congress
(VA)
See Grand Prix.
FLORIDA
Boca Raton Chess Club
Friday night tournament games, one game a week for 4 weeks.
www.bocachess.com, 561-302-4377.
The Stormont Kings Chess Center in Miami, FL
We have a beautiful office with multiple rooms located in the
Kendall/Falls/Pinecrest Area. We offer Private and Group Lessons,
Homeschool Activities, Tournaments, Camps, Family Game Nights,
Parents Night Out, Casual Chess Play TSK Rated and more! Chess Sets
and equipment for sale. Complimentary Bottled Water, Ample Parking,
Comfortable Waiting Room with legos, and other activities for siblings
while waiting. Located at 8353 SW 124 St, Suite 201-A, Miami, FL 33156.
Contact Chris Stormont, Phone: 786-303-2437, E-mail: chris@stormon-
tkingschess.com, Web: www.StormontKingsChess.com
JUNE 15-17 OR 16-17, 9th Summer Solstice Open
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 21-24, 2018 U.S. Senior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 Not-A-Junior-Not-A-Senior Open (LA)
See Louisiana.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 U.S. Junior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
JULY 20, 2018 U.S. G/10 Championship (BLZ) (NC)
See Nationals.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Houston Summer Chess Festival (TX)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 21, 2018 U.S. G/30 Championship (NC)
See Nationals.
JULY 22, 2018 U.S. G/60 Championship (NC)
See Nationals.
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th Annual Southern Open
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 11-15, 7th Annual Washington International (MD)
See Grand Prix.
OCT. 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 10th annual Washington Chess Congress
(VA)
See Grand Prix.
NOV. 9-11 OR 10-11, 17th Annual Turkey Bowl
See Grand Prix.
GEORGIA
JUNE 15-17 OR 16-17, 9th Summer Solstice Open (FL)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 21-24, 2018 U.S. Senior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 Not-A-Junior-Not-A-Senior Open (LA)
See Louisiana.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 U.S. Junior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
JUNE 22-24 OR 23-24, Castle Chess Grand Prix
See Grand Prix.
JULY 13-15 OR 14-15, 27th Annual Atlanta Championship
See Grand Prix.
JULY 15, 2018 Atlanta Championship Scholastics
4-SS, Interactive College of Technology, 5227 New Peachtree Rd., Cham-
blee, GA 30341. 3 sections. Middle School (K-8): Trophies to Top Five
Places; Highest Placed Unrated; Highest Placed Female. Elementary
(K-6): Trophies to Top Five Places; Highest Placed Unrated; Highest
Placed Female. Primary (K-3): Trophies to Top Five Places; Highest
Placed Unrated; Highest Placed Female. All: Participants who do not
win a trophy will receive a Participation Medal!! Time controls: G/30
d5. Schedule: Reg. ends 10:30am. Rds. 11:00am, 12:30am, 2:00pm, &
3:30pm. Entry Fee: $29, if rec’d by Jul. 14; $33 at site. Bring Set, Board,
and Clock – None Are Supplied By The Tournament Organizers. Special:
A Master and/or Expert will be on hand for FREE ANALYSIS! Entries
and Info: americanchesspromotions.com, (478) 973 – 9389. PHONE
CALLS ONLY AFTER JUL. 14 – no e-mails or TEXT messages, please!!
JULY 20, 2018 U.S. G/10 Championship (BLZ) (NC)
See Nationals.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Houston Summer Chess Festival (TX)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 21, 2018 U.S. G/30 Championship (NC)
See Nationals.
JULY 22, 2018 U.S. G/60 Championship (NC)
See Nationals.
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th Annual Southern Open (FL)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 11-15, 7th Annual Washington International (MD)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 50th annual Atlantic Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
OCT. 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 10th annual Washington Chess Congress
(VA)
See Grand Prix.
NOV. 9-11 OR 10-11, 17th Annual Turkey Bowl (FL)
See Grand Prix.
IDAHO
JUNE 20-21, 2018 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 21-24, 22-24 OR 23-24, 2018 National Open (NV)
See Nationals.
ILLINOIS
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 16, 1st Annual Little Egyptian Open/Reserve
4-SS, G/75 d5. Southern Illinois University, Student Center, Cambria
Room, 1255 Lincoln Dr., Carbondale, IL 62901. EF: $20, $25 after May
31st or onsite. USCF membership required. Free entries for GMs and
IMs. Rounds: 10, 1pm, 3:45, 6:30. Two Sections: Open: $300 1st,
$100 2nd place. U1800 $100 1st place. Based on 10 entries. (60%
payout). Reserve: U1600: $100 1st, $75 2nd, $50 3rd place. $$G Guar-
anteed prizes for reserve. Reg.: 8-9:35am. Parking: Free parking in
student lots. Info: sichess.org, info@sichess.org, 618-203-0927.
JUNE 16, 1st Annual Southern Missouri Illinois Egyptian RBO
5-SS, G/30 d5. Southern Illinois University, Student Center, Cambria Room,
1255 Lincoln Dr., Carbondale, IL 62901. EF: $10, $15 after May 31st or
onsite. USCF membership required. Rounds: 10, 11, 1 pm, rounds 4 and 5
ASAP. Trophies: 1st and 2nd place U1000, U800, U600 and 1st U400,
U200 and 1-3rd place Unrated. Reg.: 8-9:35am. Parking: Free parking in
student lots. Info: sichess.org, info@sichess.org, 618-203-0927.
JUNE 21-24, 2018 U.S. Senior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 Not-A-Junior-Not-A-Senior Open (LA)
See Louisiana.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 U.S. Junior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 24, Chicago Chess Center Plus-Score #21
4SS, G/65 d5. Student Center East, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago, 750 S.
Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607. Three sections: OPEN: Each player with 4
points wins $240, 3½ = $120, 3 = $60, 2½ = $30. UNDER 1900/Unr.:
Each player with 4 points wins $200, 3½ = $100, 3 = $50, 2½ = $25.
UNDER 1500/Unr.: Each player with 4 points wins $160, 3½ = $80, 3 =
$ 40, 2½ = $ 20. ALL: EF: $37 by 6/18, $43 by 6/23, $50 onsite. $15 play-
up for U1800 in Open or U1400 in U1900. 20% discount for CCC members.
Advance EF for GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs, 2400+ players: only $1! Rds.:
10- 1-3:30-6. Accelerated possible. ENT: www.chichess.org/events/ or
mail to Chicago Chess Center NFP Inc., P.O. Box 180095, Chicago, IL
 See previous issue for TLAs appearing June 1-14

60618. REG.: 9-9:30 a.m. No phone entries. 1/2-pt. bye any round: request
before rd. 2. INFO: 773-294-1709,info@chichess.org. Sets & clocks provided.
Allday parking at 760 W. Taylor available for $7. W.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 30, Chicago Chess Center Plus-Score #22
4SS, G/65 d5. Student Center East, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago, 750 S.
Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607. Two sections: OPEN: Each player with 4
points wins $240, 3½ = $120, 3 = $60, 2½ = $30. UNDER 1800/Unr.:
Each player with 4 points wins $160, 3½ = $80, 3 = $ 40, 2½ = $ 20.
ALL: EF: $36 by 6/24, $43 by 6/29, $50 onsite. $15 play-up for U1700
in Open. 20% discount for CCC members. Advance EF for GMs, IMs,
WGMs, WIMs, 2400+ players: only $1! Rds.: 10-1-3:30-6. Accelerated
possible. ENT: www.chichess.org/events/ or mail to Chicago Chess
Center NFP Inc., P.O. Box 180095, Chicago, IL 60618. REG.: 9-9:30 a.m.
No phone entries. 1/2-pt. bye any round: request before rd. 2. INFO:
773-294- 1709,info@chichess.org. Sets & clocks provided. All-day
parking at 760 W. Taylor available for $7. W.
JUNE 30, Chicago Chess Center Rated Beginners’ Open #18
5SS. G/30 d5. Student Center East, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago, 750 S.
Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607. Two Sections: Under 1200 & Unrated,
Under 800 & Unrated. ALL: EF: $20 by 6/23, $27 by 6/29, $35 onsite.
Prizes: First place (or all scoring at or above 4½ points): chess clock
and book, 3½ points: two books. All players who compete the event
will receive a book! Free entry & US Chess membership available
to a limited number of City of Chicago scholastic players with
financial need (honor system): info@chichess.org for details. ENT:
www.chichess.org/events. REG.: 9-9:30 AM. INFO : info@chichess.org
or 773-294-1709. Rds.: 10-11:15-1:15-2:30-3:45. Sets & clocks provided.
All-day parking at 760 W. Taylor available for $7. W.
JULY 7-8, Chicago Chess Center Potawotami Open and Fort
Dearborn Reserve
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 15, Chicago Chess Center Plus-Score #23
4SS, G/65 d5. Student Center East, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago, 750 S.
Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607. Three sections: OPEN: Each player with
4 points wins $240, 3½ = $120, 3 = $60, 2½ = $30. UNDER 1900/Unr.:
Each player with 4 points wins $200, 3½ = $100, 3 = $50, 2½ = $25.
UNDER 1500/Unr.: Each player with 4 points wins $160, 3½ = $80, 3
= $ 40, 2½ = $ 20. ALL: EF: $37 by 7/8, $43 by 7/14, $50 onsite. $15
play-up for U1800 in Open or U1400 in U1900. 20% discount for CCC
members. Advance EF for GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs, 2400+ players:
only $1! Rds.: 10- 1-3:30-6. Accelerated possible. ENT: www.chi
chess.org/events/ or mail to Chicago Chess Center NFP Inc., P.O. Box
180095, Chicago, IL 60618. REG.: 9-9:30 a.m. No phone entries. 1/2-pt.
bye any round: request before rd. 2. INFO: 773-294-1709,info@chi
chess.org. Sets & clocks provided. Allday parking at 760 W. Taylor avail-
able for $7. W.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 11th annual Chicago Class OCT. 5-7 OR 6-7, 27th annual Midwest Class Championships
See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 4, Chicago Chess Center Plus-Score #24 INDIANA
4SS, G/65 d5. Student Center East, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago, 750 S.
Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607. Two sections: OPEN: Each player with 4 JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 11th annual Chicago Class (IL)
points wins $240, 3½ = $120, 3 = $60, 2½ = $30. UNDER 1700/unr.: See Grand Prix.
Each player with 4 points wins $160, 3½ = $80, 3 = $ 40, 2½ = $ 20. AUG. 10-12 OR 11-12, Cleveland Open (OH)
ALL: EF: $36 by 7/31, $43 by 8/3, $50 onsite. $15 play-up for under See Grand Prix.
1600 in Open. 20% discount for CCC members. Advance EF for GMs,
IMs, WGMs, WIMs, 2400+ players: only $1! Rds.: 10-1-3:30-6. Accel- AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 13th annual Indianapolis Open
erated possible. ENT: www.chichess.org/events/ or mail to Chicago See Grand Prix.
Chess Center NFP Inc., P.O. Box 180095, Chicago, IL 60618. REG.: 9- AUG. 25-26, 64th Iowa Open Championship (USCF & FIDE
9:30 a.m. No phone entries. 1/2-pt. bye any round: request before rd. Rated) IASCA GP Super Qualifier (IA)
2. INFO: 773-294-1709, info@chichess.org. Sets & clocks provided. All- See Grand Prix.
day parking at 760 W. Taylor available for $7. W.
SEPT. 8-9, Golden Buckeye Senior & Adult Open (OH)
AUG. 4, Chicago Chess Center Rated Beginners’ Open #19 See Ohio.
5SS. G/30 d5. Student Center East, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago, 750
S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607. Two Sections: Under 1200 & OCT. 5-7 OR 6-7, 27th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)
Unrated, Under 800 & Unrated. ALL: EF: $20 by 7/30, $27 by 8/3, See Grand Prix.
$35 onsite. Prizes: First place (or all scoring at or above 4½ points):
chess clock and book, 3½ points: two books. All players who compete IOWA
the event will receive a book! Free entry & US Chess membership
available to a limited number of City of Chicago scholastic JULY 7-8, Des Moines Open (IASCA GP Qualifier) FIDE-RATED
players with financial need (honor system):info@chichess.org See Grand Prix.
for details. ENT: www.chichess.org/events. REG.: 9-9:30 AM. INFO: JULY 13-15, Kansas Open (KS)
info@chichess.org or 773-294-1709. Rds.: 10-11:15-1:15-2:30-3:45. See Grand Prix.
Sets & clocks provided. All-day parking at 760 W. Taylor available
for $7. W. JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 11th annual Chicago Class (IL)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 11-12, Chicago Chess Center Cloud Gate Class
See Grand Prix. AUG. 25-26, 64th Iowa Open Championship (USCF & FIDE
Rated) IASCA GP Super Qualifier
AUG. 11-15, 7th Annual Washington International (MD) See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
OCT. 5-7 OR 6-7, 27th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)
AUG. 18, 2018 Summer Chess Open Chess Tournament See Grand Prix.
Salem Community Activities Center, 416 East Oglesby St., Salem, IL
62881. Swiss System – 3 rounds USCF Rated, Sponsored by the
Southern Illinois Chess League. Time Controls 30/70, then 40/60 d0. KANSAS
No sudden death – Entry Fee: $15.00 – Registration from: 8:00-
9:15a.m. Rounds: 9:30a.m., 1:00p.m., 5:00p.m. - Prize Fund: $360.00, JULY 13-15, Kansas Open
based on 30 players. 1st-$80, 2nd-$40, A,B,C,D/E/ Unr $60.00 each – See Grand Prix.
Entries: Carl Purcell 618-267-8145, 2749 S. Broadway, Salem, IL 62881 JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 11th annual Chicago Class (IL)
or purcellelectric@sbcglobal.net. See Grand Prix.
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 13th annual Indianapolis Open (IN) AUG. 25-26, 64th Iowa Open Championship (USCF & FIDE
See Grand Prix. Rated) IASCA GP Super Qualifier (IA)
AUG. 25-26, 64th Iowa Open Championship (USCF & FIDE See Grand Prix.
Rated) IASCA GP Super Qualifier (IA) OCT. 5-7 OR 6-7, 27th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)
See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix.

11th annual Chicago Class

July 20-22 or 21-22, 2018 - Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel
$30,000 GUARANTEED PRIZES - extra ballroom added!
5 rounds, 40/100, SD/30, d10 (2-day
option, rounds 1-2 G/60, d10), Westin
Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North
Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling IL 60090.
Free parking. Due to last year’s turnout,
we have added another ballroom!
In 7 sections; no unrateds in Master
or Expert. No residence requirements.
An Illinois Chess Tour event.
Master (2200/up): $3000-1500-800-
500, clear win or 1st on tiebreak $100
bonus, top U2400 $1200-600. 150 Grand
Prix Points (enhanced). FIDE rated.
Expert (2000-2199): $2000-1000-
600-400.
A (1800-1999): $2000-1000-600-400.
B (1600-1799): $2000-1000-600-400.
C (1400-1599): $1800-900-500-300.
D (1200-1399): $1500-800-500-300.
E (Under 1200): $800-400-300-200,
trophies to top 3, top Under 1000, Under
800, Under 600, Unrated.
Unrated prize limits: $100 E, $200
D, $300 C, $500 B, $700 A.
Rated players may play up one
section. Unrated may enter A or below.
Mixed doubles: best male/female 2-
player combined score among all
sections $1000-600-400. Must average
under 2200, may enter different sections,
register (no extra fee) by 2 pm 7/21..
Top 6 sections entry fee: $128 at
chessaction.com by 7/18, 3-day $133, 2-
day $132 mailed by 7/11, all $150 at site,
or online until 2 hours before round 1.
Class E Section entry fee: all $50
less than top 6 sections entry fee.
Re-entry (except Master): $50.
All: No checks at site, credit cards
OK. Online entry fee $5 less to ICA
members; join/renew at il-chess.org.
Special 1 year USCF dues with
entry: see Tournament Life or chesstour.
com. USCF membership required.
3-day schedule: Reg. to Fri 6 pm,
rds. Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15.
2-day schedule: Reg. to Sat 10 am,
rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5; Sun. 10 & 3:15.
Half point byes OK all, limit 2,
Master must commit before rd 2, others
before rd 3.
All: No smoking. Bring clocks, sets,
boards if possible-none supplied. JGP.
Hotel rates: $113-113-113-113,
800-937-8461, 847-777-6500, reserve by
July 6 or rates may increase.
Unofficial uschess.org ratings
usually used if otherwise unrated.
Entry: chessaction.com or
Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham
NY 10803. Refunds, $15 service charge.
Questions: Director@Chess.US,
www.chesstour.com, 347-201-2269.
Entries posted at chessaction.com
(online entries posted instantly).

www.uschess.org 63
Tournament Life / June

KENTUCKY
JUNE 21-24, 2018 U.S. Senior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 Not-A-Junior-Not-A-Senior Open (LA)
See Louisiana.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 U.S. Junior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 11th annual Chicago Class (IL)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 13th annual Indianapolis Open (IN)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 25-26, 64th Iowa Open Championship (USCF & FIDE
Rated) IASCA GP Super Qualifier (IA)
See Grand Prix.
SEPT. 8-9, Golden Buckeye Senior & Adult Open (OH)
See Ohio.
LOUISIANA
JUNE 21-24, 2018 U.S. Senior Open
See Nationals.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 22-24, 2018 Not-A-Junior-Not-A-Senior Open
5SS, G/90 i30 (Game in 90 minutes with 30-second increment.) Open to
all players ages 21 to 49 by start date of tournament (6/22/2018).
Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel, 901 Airline Dr., Kenner, LA 70062,
Ph: 504-469-5000 (hotel is directly across from the New Orleans Int’l.
Airport with free hotel/airport shuttle service). HR: $119 + tax for
single, double, triple or quad – mention Cajun Chess Tournament and
reserve by May 28 to assure group rate. Complimentary parking for all
tournament attendees and free basic internet in each room. Hotel hot
breakfast buffet tickets discounted to $15 including tax and tip (usually
$19.95 without tax and tip) for hotel guests only. June 2018 USCF Sup-
plement Ratings used. SECTS: OPEN (U2200 & U2000); U1800/
Unr.(U1600 & U1400). PRIZES: 80% of Entry Fees. Two place prizes in
each main section; one place prize in each class section. EF: $60 by
6/1/18; $70 by 6/15/18; $80 thereafter and at site; On-site Reg: Fri.
6/22 from 11am-1pm. Rds.: Fri (6/22): 3pm; Sat & Sun (6/23-24): 10am
& 3pm. BYES: 1/2-point bye may be taken for any Round; limit of 2
half-pt. byes allowed but must commit to any byes prior to the start of
Round 3. ENTRIES: On-line registration, printable entry form, and more
detailed info at www.cajunchess.com or mail entry form to Cajun
Chess, 12405 Hillary Step Dr., Olive Branch, MS 38654. Info or Phone
Ent: 504-208-9596 or 504-905-2971. Major credit cards accepted (no
checks at site). Please bring your own chess boards, sets and clocks;
chess vendor will be on site.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 U.S. Junior Open
See Nationals.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Houston Summer Chess Festival (TX)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th Annual Southern Open (FL)
See Grand Prix.
MAINE
JULY 21-22, 68th New Hampshire Open (NH)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 23rd Annual Bradley Open (CT)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 16-20, 16-19, 17-19 OR 18-19, 48th annual
Continental Open (MA)
See Grand Prix.
MARYLAND
MARYLAND CHESS TOURNAMENTS
MD Chess runs scholastic tournaments 2 Saturdays per month
from September through June & open tournaments 2 Saturdays
or weekends per month throughout the year. Visit www.MD
Chess.org to find tournament announcements, tutors, coaches,
& camps; register online for tournaments; & subscribe to
scholastic and/or open e-newsletters. MD scholastic players
who compete in the Varsity section (exclusively for players
rated 1600+) of a MD-Sweet-16 Qualifier can qualify for the
$45,000 scholarship to UMBC awarded annually. The Uni-
versity of Maryland, Baltimore County’s chess team is a
perennial top-10 contender for the national championship.
JUNE 15-17 OR 16-17, 7th annual Continental Class
Championships (VA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 27-JULY 1 OR JUNE 29-JULY 1, 8th annual World Open
Senior Amateur (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JUNE 28-JULY 2, 12th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30-JULY 1, World Open Warmup (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JULY 2-3, 7th annual World Open Women’s Championship (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 3, 6th annual World Open Action Championship (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 3-8, 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 46th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 4, 7th annual World Open Game/7 Championship (BLZ) (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 8, World Open Blitz Championship (BLZ) (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Potomac Open
See Grand Prix.
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 19th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 11-15, 7th Annual Washington International
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 50th annual Atlantic Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
OCT. 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 10th annual Washington Chess Congress
(VA)
See Grand Prix.
MASSACHUSETTS
JUNE 16, Boylston Chess Foundation Fathers’ Day Open
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 23, Westford June Blitz (BLZ)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 23-24, Westford June Open
See Grand Prix.
JULY 3-8, 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 46th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 11, 18, 25, AUG. 1, 8, Harlow B. Daly Memorial
5SS, G/100 d5. Wachusett CC, McKay Complex, Room C159, Fitchburg
State University, 67 Rindge Rd., Fitchburg, MA 01420. EF: $20 annual
club dues or $1 per game. Reg.: 6:30-7 p.m. Rds.: 7:15 p.m. each Wed.
Byes: 1-4, limit two. Prizes: chess books to 1st-2nd, top U1910, U1710,
U1510, U1310. Info: George Mirijanian, 176 Oak Hill Rd., Fitchburg, MA
01420, miriling2@aol.com, 978-345-5011. Website: www.wachusett
chess.org. WEB: 7/11. Air-conditioned, free parking, cafe facilities, W.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Potomac Open (MD)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 2nd annual Peter Henner Memorial (NY)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 21-22, 68th New Hampshire Open (NH)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 23rd Annual Bradley Open (CT)
See Grand Prix.

GOLD & SILVER AFFILIATES

Bay Area Chess Continental Chess
GOLD Any affiliate that has submitted at least 50 US Chess memberships during the
2050 Concourse Drive #42 Association
current or previous calendar year, or is the recognized State Affiliate, is eligible to become San Jose, CA 95131 P.O. Box 8482
a Gold Affiliate. Gold Affiliates are honored in a special list in larger type in Tournament Life 408-409-6596 Pelham, NY 10803
each month, giving the affiliate name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and website. ask@bayareachess.com director@chess.us
Gold Affiliation costs $350 per year, and existing affiliates may subtract $3 for each month www.bayareachess.com www.chesstour.com
remaining on their regular affiliation, or $20 for each month remaining on their Silver Af- Berkeley Chess School
filiation. By paying an annual payment of $500 (instead of $350), Gold Affiliate status Marshall Chess Club
1845 Berkeley Way
23 West 10th Street
may be obtained with no minimum requirement for memberships submitted. Berkeley, CA 94703
New York, NY 10011
510-843-0150
212-477-3716
tournaments@berkeleychessschool.org
SILVER Any affiliate that has submitted at least 25 US Chess
Advanced Chess www.berkeleychessschool.org
admin@marshallchessclub.org
memberships during the current or previous calendar year, or is the www.marshallchessclub.org
Organization Cajun Chess
recognized State Affiliate, is eligible to become a Silver Affiliate. These
7339 Varna Avenue 12405 Hillary Step Drive Oak Hall School Chess Club
affiliates will be recognized in a special list in Tournament Life each
North Hollywood, CA 91605 Olive Branch, MS 38654 7257 NW 4th Boulevard, Suite 21
month, giving the affiliate name, state, and choice of either phone 504-208-9596 Gainesville, FL 32607
818-793-6302
number, e-mail address, or website. Silver Affiliation costs $150 per cajunchess@yahoo.com 352-316-1199
buroa4@yahoo.com
year, and existing affiliates may subtract $3 for each month remaining www.cajunchess.com timtusing@gmail.com
on their regular affiliation. Alternatively, for an annual payment of Chess Club and
$250.00 (instead of $150), the requirement for a minimum number PaperClip Pairings
Scholastic Center
of US Chess members will be waived. c/o Remy Ferrari
of Saint Louis
4 Jalapa Court
4657 Maryland Avenue
Brownsville, TX 78526
Dallas Chess Club (TX) Little House of Chess, Inc. (NY) Rochester Chess Center (NY) St. Louis, MO 63108
www.dallaschess.com littlehouseofchess.com http://www.chessset.com 314-361-CHESS 956-621-0377
info@saintlouischessclub.org rrferrari@bisd.us
En Passant Chess Club (TX) Los Angeles Chess Club (CA)
td_edg@twc.com Rocks & Rooks Chess Club (TX) www.saintlouischessclub.org
www.LAChessClub.com 512-426-7841 San Diego Chess Club
Evangel Chess Club (AL) ChessNYC.com 2225 Sixth Avenue
www.evangelchurch.me Michigan Chess Association Michael Propper San Diego, CA 92101
(MI) Sparta Chess Club (NJ)
Foot Hill Chess Club (CA) www.spartachessclub.org P.O. Box 189, 1710 1st Avenue 619-752-4377
wade_tavorn@khsd.k12.ca.us www.michess.org
New York, NY 10128 chucnglo@aol.com
Jersey Shore HS Chess League Oklahoma Chess Foundation Western PA Youth Chess Club 212-475-8130 www.sandiegochessclub.org
(NJ) (OK) (PA) info@chessnyc.com
shorehschessleague@yahoo.com www.OCFchess.org www.youthchess.net www.chessnyc.com UPDATED 12-07-2017

64 June 2018 | Chess Life


AUG. 3-5 OR 4-5, 17th annual Manhattan Open (NY)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 16-20, 16-19, 17-19 OR 18-19, 48th annual
Continental Open
See Grand Prix.
SEPT. 21-23 OR 22-23, 9th Annual Hartford Open (CT)
See Grand Prix.
MICHIGAN
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 11th annual Chicago Class (IL)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 21-22, 2018 Michigan Bottom Half Class Championships
See Grand Prix.
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 19th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 10-12 OR 11-12, Cleveland Open (OH)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 11-15, 7th Annual Washington International (MD)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 13th annual Indianapolis Open (IN)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 25-26, 64th Iowa Open Championship (USCF & FIDE
Rated) IASCA GP Super Qualifier (IA)
See Grand Prix.
SEPT. 8-9, Golden Buckeye Senior & Adult Open (OH)
See Ohio.
OCT. 5-7 OR 6-7, 27th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)
See Grand Prix.
MINNESOTA
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 11th annual Chicago Class (IL)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 25-26, 64th Iowa Open Championship (USCF & FIDE
Rated) IASCA GP Super Qualifier (IA)
See Grand Prix.
OCT. 5-7 OR 6-7, 27th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)
See Grand Prix.
MISSISSIPPI
JUNE 21-24, 2018 U.S. Senior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 Not-A-Junior-Not-A-Senior Open (LA)
See Louisiana.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 U.S. Junior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
JULY 13-15 OR 14-15, 27th Annual Atlanta Championship (GA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 15, 2018 Atlanta Championship Scholastics (GA)
See Georgia.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Houston Summer Chess Festival (TX)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th Annual Southern Open (FL)
See Grand Prix.
MISSOURI
Friday Improve Your USCF Rating Night
The Kansas City Chess Club, 2 S. Water St., Liberty, MO 64068. 3SS,
G/30 d5 at 6:30PM (not 7PM as published in March CL) - every Friday
evening. Free Parking! Free Coffee! EF: $10. Flyer at: www.kansascity-
chessclub.com.
JUNE 21-24, 2018 U.S. Senior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 Not-A-Junior-Not-A-Senior Open (LA)
See Louisiana.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 U.S. Junior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
JUNE 30, Missouri Novice Championship - A Rated Beginner
Open Tournament
Open only to new/unrated players or players Rated under 1000. 4
rounds, Game in 60 d0. Location: Unity Village Hotel, 1901 NW Blue
Parkway, Unity Village, MO 64065. Registration: 8:30-9:30. Round
Times: 10am, 1, 3:45, 6:30. Entry Fee: $15 Paypal https://goo.gl
/xF72VV. MCA Required available onsite for $5, (O.S.A), No byes. Prizes:
based on 20: 1st $120, 2nd $75 3rd $50 plus medals. Entries/Info:
Entries/Info: Randy Merrell, 5556 NW Moonlight Meadow Dr., Lee’s
Summit, MO 64064, rwmerrell@gmail.com, 321-277-2751. Note: Sections
can be combined for pairings if there is an inadequate number of par-
ticipants in a particular class, though prizes and plaques are still given
out based on each class.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 30-JULY 1, Missouri Class Championship 2018
https://goo.gl/t3qtfw 5SS, G/115 d5. Unity Village Hotel, 1901 NW
Blue Parkway, Unity Village, MO 888-377-0358. Prizes: $$b/10 per
section M/X $250/$150/$100 A, B, C, D, U1200 $125/$100/$75. The
2018 Missouri Class Champion Plaque awarded to the winner of each
section. Registration: 8:30-9:30 Round times: Sat-10-2:30-7, Sun-
See previous issue for TLAs appearing June 1-14
10:00-2:30. Entry Fee: $50. Paypal https://goo.gl/xF72VV On site -
cash only. Max one 1/2-pt bye if declared by Rd. 2. USCF & MCA mem-
bership required, O.S.A., available on site. Fri Night Blitz June 29th
9pm G/5 d5. Reg.: 8pm Ent. $10 Prizes: $$b/15 $50/$40/$30, 8pm
Master Ken Jones Lecture. Entries/ Info: Randy Merrell, 5556 NW
Moonlight Meadow Dr., Lee’s Summit, MO 64064, rwmerrell@gmail.com,
321-277-2751. Note: Sections can be combined for pairings if there is
an inadequate number of participants in a particular class, though prizes
and plaques are still given out based on each class.
JULY 13-15, Kansas Open (KS)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 11th annual Chicago Class (IL)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Houston Summer Chess Festival (TX)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 28, Annual Free Entry USCF G/60 $300 Cash Prize Tournament
Liberty United Methodist Church, 1001 Sunset Ave., Liberty, MO 64068.
(Free Parking Back of Church) 3SS, G/60 d5. Sections: Open & Reserve
U1700. $300 Cash Prizes: 1st $100 2nd $50 Each Section! Register
online: reg4chess.com. Reg. Onsite @ 9:30AM. Rd. 1 @10:30AM. USCF
& KCCA Membership Required. Info: Ken at kcchess@gmail.com.
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 13th annual Indianapolis Open (IN)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 25-26, 64th Iowa Open Championship (USCF & FIDE
Rated) IASCA GP Super Qualifier (IA)
See Grand Prix.
OCT. 5-7 OR 6-7, 27th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)
See Grand Prix.
MONTANA
JUNE 20-21, 2018 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 21-24, 22-24 OR 23-24, 2018 National Open (NV)
See Nationals.
NEBRASKA
JULY 13-15, Kansas Open (KS)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 11th annual Chicago Class (IL)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 25-26, 64th Iowa Open Championship (USCF & FIDE
Rated) IASCA GP Super Qualifier (IA)
See Grand Prix.
OCT. 5-7 OR 6-7, 27th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)
See Grand Prix.
NEVADA
Las Vegas Chess Center
Location: 2560 Montessouri St., Suite 201, Las Vegas, NV, 89117 Schedule:
Tuesday 7-10pm: Ladder Tournament, Quads( rated), casual play. Members
Free, NonMembers $5. Wednesday 7pm-10 pm: Casual Play. Members
Free, Non-Members $5. Thursday 7-10 pm: Blitz tournament, 5 double
rounds, US Chess rated, G/5 d0, no increments, EF: $10, 70% back in
prizes. Friday 6pm-11 pm: Classical Chess tournament, 5 SS US Chess
rated( One round every Friday), G/90+30 EF: $20, Plaques for first places
in every section. Zwischenzug: US Chess and FIDE rated, 5 rounds,
G/30+10, EF: $40, at the door $50, 70% of entries back in prizes. Regis-
tration 10 am, RD1 10:30 am. Scholastic: First and last Saturday of the
month at 11 am, 5 SS, US Chess rated events, G/30+5, EF: Members
$20, Non-Members $30. Trophies for 1-3 in every section, medals for
players with plus score. Pizza Lunch included. We also offer after school
chess classes, master lectures, private classes and other activities, for
more visit our website www.lasvegaschesscenter.com , you may also
contact us at 702-202-1797 or via email lvchesscenter@ gmail.com. All
the chess equipment is provided, plus complimentary water and coffee.
JUNE 20-21, 2018 U.S. Women’s Open
See Nationals.
JUNE 21, Walter Browne Memorial National Open Blitz
Championship (BLZ)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 21-24, 22-24 OR 23-24, 2018 National Open
See Nationals.
JUNE 22, Youth Trophy Tournament
5-SS, G/25, +5. Westgate Las Vegas Resort. Open to players age 14 &
under. 3 sections: Open, U1000, U700. Trophies top 5 in each section,
top 2 in each 200 point rating group and unrated. Must be 3 players
eligible for each prize to be awarded. EF: $39 by 5/31, $50 later. Reg.:
8:30-9 a.m. Rds.: 10-11:30-1-2:15-3:30. Youth Blitz: 6:30 p.m. ($20 by
5/31 $25 later). www.VegasChessFestival.com.
JUNE 22, National Open Friday Blitz Sectionals (BLZ)
7-RR, G/3, +2. Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. $100-60 in each
section of 8. EF: $30. REG.: by 10:30 p.m. Rd. 1 at 11:00 p.m. www.Veg-
asChessFestival.com.
JUNE 23, National Open Saturday Blitz Sectionals (BLZ)
RR G/3, +2. Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. $100-60, 2nd half
$40, in each section of 10-12. EF: $30. REG.: by 9:30 p.m. Rd 1 at 10
p.m. www.VegasChessFestival.com.
JUNE 23-24, International Youth Championship
6-SS, G/60 +5. Westgate Las Vegas Resort, 3000 Paradise Road, 89109.
In 4 Sections by age: 14 & Under Open, 14 & Under Reserve (under
1000), 9 & Under Open, 9 & Under Reserve (under 800). Trophies to
top 10 in each section plus class and team trophies. 1st Place in each
section wins a Computer loaded with valuable Chess Software and
hundreds of Videos, 2nd-4th win chess prizes valued at 250-150-100.
Unrated players may not win 1st in Reserve sections. EF $89 by 5/31,
$99 by 6/20, $120 later. Half point bye in any round (limit 2) if requested
in advance. Reg.: 8:30-9 a.m. Rds.: 10-1-3:30, 10-1-3:30. Youth Blitz:
6/22 6:30 p.m. ($20 by 5/31 $25 later). HR: $69, $92 Friday and Saturday
(800) 732-7117 Cutoff for special hotel rate is May 31; after that
rates will increase significantly and there may not be any rooms
available. ENT: Vegas Chess Festivals, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV
89009-0925 or www.VegasChessFestival.com.
JUNE 24, National Open Sunday Blitz Sectionals (BLZ)
7-RR G/3, +2. Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. $100-60 in each
section of 8. EF: $30. REG.: by 9:30 p.m. Rd. 1 at 10 p.m. www.Veg-
asChessFestival.com.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 23rd Annual Pacific Coast Open (CA-S)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 10-12 OR 11-12, 9th annual Central California Open (CA-N)
See Grand Prix.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
JULY 21-22, 68th New Hampshire Open
See Grand Prix.
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 23rd Annual Bradley Open (CT)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 16-20, 16-19, 17-19 OR 18-19, 48th annual
Continental Open (MA)
See Grand Prix.
SEPT. 21-23 OR 22-23, 9th Annual Hartford Open (CT)
See Grand Prix.
NEW JERSEY
JUNE 8-10 OR 9-10, 24th Annual Northeast Open (CT)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 15-17 OR 16-17, 7th annual Continental Class
Championships (VA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 16, 93rd Central Jersey Chess Tournament
Princeton Academy, 1128 Great Road, Princeton. 3 rated sections –
Open, U1000, U600 – each K-12, 4 rounds, G/25 d5. 2 unrated sections
– Intermediate (K-8), Beginners (K-2): 4 rounds. Trophies to 1st-3rd
& top team per section, medals to all! $35 pre-reg online by 6/14. $45
on-site 1:15-1:45. Round 1 begins at 2:00pm. Register online: www.nj
chess.com, Info: Grant Oen, newjerseychess@gmail.com.
JUNE 16, King’s Chess Club Quads
Morning quads and afternoon quads, G/30 d5, Kindergarten-undergrad-
uate (scholastic, youth, and young adult memberships). Bethlehem
Church, 758 Route 10, Randolph, NJ 07869. EF: None. Reg.: 9-9:20 am.,
1st rd. 9:40. Arr. by 12:15 pm to reg. only for afternoon quads. Medal to
each quad winner. Info: Bethlehem Church 973-366-3434 or Bob McAdams
973-694-3988.
JUNE 17, Westfield G/45 Quads
New uniform 12:30 starting time. 3-RR. G/40 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark
St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25, $20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in
each section. Register: 11:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Those registering after 12:20
will be charged $5 extra. Rounds: 12:30, 2:15, 4:00 p.m. Info: westfield
chessclub@gmail.com, www.westfieldchessclub.org/Events.html
JUNE 24, Westfield G/50 Quads
New uniform 12:30 starting time. 3-RR. G/45 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark
St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25, $20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in
each section. Register: 11:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Those registering after 12:20
will be charged $5 extra. Rounds: 12:30, 2:25, 4:20 p.m. Info: westfield
chessclub@gmail.com, www.westfieldchessclub.org/Events.html
JUNE 27-JULY 1 OR JUNE 29-JULY 1, 8th annual World Open
Senior Amateur (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JUNE 28-JULY 2, 12th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30, Hamilton Chess Club Quads
3RR, 40/80 15/30 15/30 d0. Full K. McManimon Hall, 320 Scully Ave.,
Hamilton Twp., NJ 08610. Quads open to all. EF: $10. Prizes: $25 per
Quad. Reg.: 9-10:30am. Rds.: 10:30am-1:30pm-4:30pm. OSA. More
information: hamiltonchessclub.com or 609-758-2326 leave message
or text 609-351-2437. W.
JUNE 30-JULY 1, World Open Warmup (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JULY 1, Westfield G/60 Quads
New uniform 12:30 starting time. 3-RR. G/55 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark
St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25, $20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in
each section. Register: 11:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Those registering after 12:20
will be charged $5 extra. Rounds: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00 p.m. Info: westfield
chessclub@gmail.com, www.westfieldchessclub.org/Events.html
JULY 2, World Open Monday Quad (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JULY 2-3, 7th annual World Open Women’s Championship (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 2-3, 10th annual World Open Under 13 Championship (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JULY 3, 6th annual World Open Action Championship (PA)
See Grand Prix.
www.uschess.org 65
Tournament Life / June

JULY 3-8, 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 46th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 4, 7th annual World Open Game/7 Championship (BLZ) (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 5, 6, 7, 8, World Open Daily 2 pm Blitz (BLZ) (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JULY 7, World Open G/10 Championship (QC) (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 8, World Open Blitz Championship (BLZ) (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 8, Westfield G/45 Quads
New uniform 12:30 starting time. 3-RR. G/40 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark
St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25, $20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in
each section. Register: 11:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Those registering after 12:20
will be charged $5 extra. Rounds: 12:30, 2:15, 4:00 p.m. Info: westfield
chessclub@gmail.com, www.westfieldchessclub.org/Events.html
JULY 15, Westfield Summer Scholastic
New uniform 12:30 starting time. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield,
NJ 07090. K-12. 3 Sections: Open, U1250, U750. Open: 3-SS. G/40 d5.
Rounds: 12:30, 2:15, 4:00 p.m. U1250 & U750: 4-SS. G/25 d5. Rounds:
12:30, 1:45, 3:00, 4:15 p.m. Prizes: Trophies to Top 5 in each section.
Tiebreaks used. See USCF Rule 34E. EF: $25, $20 members. Register:
11:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Info: westfieldchessclub@gmail.com, www.westfield
chessclub.org/Events.html
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Potomac Open (MD)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 2nd annual Peter Henner Memorial (NY)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 22, Westfield G/50 Quads
New uniform 12:30 starting time. 3-RR. G/45 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark
St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25, $20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in
each section. Register: 11:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Those registering after 12:20
will be charged $5 extra. Rounds: 12:30, 2:25, 4:20 p.m. Info: westfield
chessclub@gmail.com, www.westfieldchessclub.org/Events.html
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 23rd Annual Bradley Open (CT)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 29, Westfield G/60 Quads
New uniform 12:30 starting time. 3-RR. G/55 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark
St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25, $20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in
each section. Register: 11:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Those registering after 12:20
will be charged $5 extra. Rounds: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00 p.m. Info: westfield
chessclub@gmail.com, www.westfieldchessclub.org/Events.html
AUG. 3-5 OR 4-5, 17th annual Manhattan Open (NY)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 5, Westfield G/45 Quads
New uniform 12:30 starting time. 3-RR. G/40 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark
St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25, $20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in
each section. Register: 11:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Those registering after 12:20
will be charged $5 extra. Rounds: 12:30, 2:15, 4:00 p.m. Info: westfield
chessclub@gmail.com, www.westfieldchessclub.org/Events.html
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 8-12, 2nd FIDE World Junior U20 Chess Championship for
Players with Disabilities
FIDE World Event. Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA. Under the auspices
of the FIDE, US Chess, NJ Chess Federation. Main Sponsors US Chess
Trust, Kind and other individual donors and supporters. August 8-12,
2018 (arrival day August 7 and departing Day August 13). 7 rounds
Swiss System -time control Game 120, plus 5 seconds delay. FIDE
Rules. USCF and FIDE rated. Highest Rating for pairing purposes.
August ratings lists.Entry Fees: FIDE fee: $60 Tournament Entry Fee:
$80 Per Player by May 15, $100 by June 15, $120 after June 15. USCF Mem-
bership is required for USA Players. No half-points byes, only zero-point
byes. No on-site registration. Register at http://worldjuniorchess.org/ Free
Training Available only for players participating in this event. August 8-10,
from 9am-2pm. Trainers Directors Dov Gorman and Beatriz Marinello. Cham-
pionship rounds Schedule: Wed. Thurs. & Fri. rounds at 4pm; Sat. 10am
& 3;30; Sun. 10am & 3:30. Official Hotel & Playing site: Crowne Plaza
Philadelphia-Cherry Hill is located on 2349 Marlton Pike W, Cherry Hill,
NJ 08002 within 5 miles of Philadelphia’s Center City. Closest airport
Philadelphia. Cut off for group reservation “Chess Educators” is on
July 9, 2018. Make a reservation by using the following website:
https://aws.passkey.com/e/49569746 or calling calling 888-233-9527
between the hours of 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM EST.Guest room rates for
both King and or Queen/Queen guestrooms $112 rate per night.Organizers
Beatriz Marinello Chief Arbiter Carol Jarecki and Deputy Chief Arbiter Martha
Underwood. Consultants: GM Thomas Luther, Janelle Losoff and Sean
Manross and Chief Press Officer Dora Martinez. For information contact
+1 917-553-4522, info@chesseducators.com, Info@worldjuniorchess.org.
AUG. 10-12, International Mid Atlantic - FIDE & USCF Rated
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 11-15, 7th Annual Washington International (MD)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 12, Westfield G/50 Quads
New uniform 12:30 starting time. 3-RR. G/45 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark
St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25, $20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in
each section. Register: 11:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Those registering after 12:20
will be charged $5 extra. Rounds: 12:30, 2:25, 4:20 p.m. Info: westfield
chessclub@gmail.com, www.westfieldchessclub.org/Events.html
AUG. 16-20, 16-19, 17-19 OR 18-19, 48th annual
Continental Open (MA)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 50th annual Atlantic Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
SEPT. 1, New Jersey Scholastic K-8 Championship
5-SS, G/30 d5. Hyatt Morristown, 3 Speedwell Ave., Morristown, NJ
07960. Phone: 973-647-1234, mention NJ Chess. Free parking, public
transportation to NYC, Phil. walking distance, 30 restaurants, shops
and parks within 5 minute stroll. In three sections: Under 1200, Under
900, Under 600. Trophies to Top Ten in each section. Registration:
Saturday, September 1st, 11 am - 12 noon. Rounds: 12:30 pm, then
ASAP. EF: $30 if postmarked by August 25th. $40 cash at site. $32
online at njscf.org until midnight 8/31. One 1/2 point bye allowed if
requested with entry fee. August Rating Supplement used. Entries: to
Noreen Davisson, 132 Us 206, Flanders, NJ 07836. Entries must include
section, name, USCF ID and expiration date, mailing address, email
address, phone number, and entry fee. Checks made out to NJSCF.
Questions to noreenchess@gmail.com, phone: (973) 219-6877, W.
SEPT. 1-3 OR 2-3, 71st Annual New Jersey Open Championship
- Over $$$10,000 $$$ in Prizes - Guaranteed!!
See Grand Prix.
SEPT. 21-23 OR 22-23, 9th Annual Hartford Open (CT)
See Grand Prix.
OCT. 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 10th annual Washington Chess Congress
(VA)
See Grand Prix.
NEW MEXICO
JUNE 20-21, 2018 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 21-24, 22-24 OR 23-24, 2018 National Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JUNE 23-24, International Youth Championship (NV)
See Nevada.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 23rd Annual Pacific Coast Open (CA-S)
See Grand Prix.
NEW YORK
JUNE 8-10 OR 9-10, 24th Annual Northeast Open (CT)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 9-10, 2018 Vermont Open (VT)
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 13-17, 11th New York International - CHAMPIONSHIP
SECTION

Categories
Added
Chess Life
RUN AN ADDITIONAL TOURNAMENT THIS FALL! Each affiliate is entitled to one TLA per month of up to Premium Adult Membership is $49,
8 lines and up to 2 issues of Chess Liffe, for any tournament between October and December 2018, if no TLA for such an event which includes a print copy of Chess Life
appeared in 2017, and the TLA is e-mailled by the appropriate deadline. The 8 free lines cannot be applied to longer TLAs.
every month. Regular Adult
SPECIAL CATEGORIES QUALIFY FOR FREE TLAS! Each affiliate is entitled to one TLA per month of Memberships are $40 and allow online-
up to 8 lines for events in the following categories, if submitted by e-mail. The free lines cannot be applied to longer TLAs: only access to Chess Life. (Note to
affiliates: If you sell one of these Regular
SENIOR For age 50 or above, or a A tourna-
C H E S S C LU B S P E C I A L COLLEGIATE A tournament limited to or Premium memberships, you may
higher minimum age. ment playing only on one or more college students. submit it online through the TD/
weekday evenings.
UNRATEDS FREE Any tournament JUNIOR For age 20/below (age 20 Affiliate area or mail to US Chess for
that offers free entry to unrated players. must be eligible). $3 less than sales price.)
RBO Open to Under 1200/ Unr or
If your prizes are based on entries, say
Under 1000/ Unr. Tournament name NON-SCHOLASTIC WITH SCHOLASTIC
“paid entries.”
must include “Rated Beginners Open” A tournament for all ages held concur-
US CHESS BOOSTER TOURNAMENT or “RBO.” rent (same location) with a scholastic
A tournament that offers at least two tournament that in its previous year
US Chess membership renewal BLITZ Time control of Game/5. TLAs drew at least 50 players. We encourage
prizes, or a quad that offers at least such as “USCF-rated Blitz every Friday organizers of scholastics to hold open
one per section. 7 pm” are accepted. or collegiate events on the side.

SPECIAL RATES FOR CLUB ADS. Up to 5 lines $180 per year, $100 for 6 months
for unchanged club ads in the TLA section. Announce meeting dates & times, activities, contact
info, etc.
US CHESS DISCUSSION GROUPS. See www.uschess.org/forums for four groups:
Tournament Organization, Chess Club Organization, Tournament Direction, US Chess Issues.

66 June 2018 | Chess Life


9-SS, 40/90, SD/30 +30. Only open to players currently rated 2000+
(USCF or FIDE). FIDE ratings used for pairings and prizes. FIDE rated.
Prizes: $9,000 unconditionally guaranteed! $4000-2000-1000, U2400
FIDE: $1000-500, U2300 FIDE $500. Entry Fee: $200. Players not rated
USCF or FIDE over 2200: $300. GMs/Foreign IMs: Free. Local IMs:
$125. $25 less for MCC members. All $50 more if received after May
31st. (Foreign players who play all 9 rounds receive $75.); Non-MCC
Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. Rds.: Wed. 7pm, Thurs.— Sun. 11am &
6pm. Two byes available, must commit before round 3; no byes available
in round 9. FIDE GM/IM Norms possible; must play all rounds. Limited
to 70 players! Register early! Playing site: The historic Marshall Chess
Club. Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JUNE 15-17 OR 16-17, 9th Summer Solstice Open (FL)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 15-17 OR 16-17, 7th annual Continental Class
Championships (VA)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 19, Marshall Masters - NEW PRIZES!
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 21-24, 11th New York International - U2200 Section
7-SS, 40/90, SD/30 +30. Open to all players rated U2200 and unrated.
No FIDE ratings over 2200. USCF Ratings used for pairings and prizes.
FIDE Rated. Prizes: $8,000 based on 70 paid entries. $3000-2000-
1000, U1900: $1000-500, U1600: $500. EF: $200 if received by May
31st; $250 in June. Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. Schedules:
4-day: Thurs. 7pm, Fri. – Sun. 12:30pm & 6pm. 2-day: Sat. 9-10:10-
11:20am (G/25 d5) then merge with 4-day.Byes: Two byes available,
must commit before round 3. Limited to 70 players! Register early!
Playing site: The historic Marshall Chess Club. Register Online:
www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JUNE 27-JULY 1 OR JUNE 29-JULY 1, 8th annual World Open
Senior Amateur (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JUNE 28, Marshall Thursday Action - NEW PRIZES!
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($400 b/25): $150-75; U2200, U1900: $75; Biggest upset:
$25. EF: $25; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-
person reg hour before Rd 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm.
Max one bye, for Rd. 1 or 4 only; request at entry. Register Online:
www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JUNE 28-JULY 2, 12th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JUNE 28, JULY 5, 12, 19, 26, AUG. 2, Marshall Thursday Open
6-SS, G/90 +30. ($600 b/25): $250-150-$75; U1900: $125. EF: $40;
NonMCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour
before Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 7pm each Thurs. Max two byes; request
by Rd. 4. Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register
JUNE 29, Marshall $500 FIDE Blitz (BLZ)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30, Marshall G/50 (Open & U1800)
4-SS, G/45 d5. Two Sections: Open: ($325 b/25): $150-100; U2200:
$75. U1800: ($325 b/25): $150-100; U1600: $75. EF: $20; Non-MCC
Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour before
Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 12-2-4-6pm. Max one bye; request at entry.
Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register
JUNE 30-JULY 1, World Open Warmup (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JULY 1, Marshall Rated Beginner (3 Rounds) (RBO)
3-SS, G/25 d5. Only open to players without a rating or rated U1200. ($225
b/25): $150-75. EF: $15; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late
fee: in-person reg hour before Rd. 1.) Rds.: Begin at 9am & continue ASAP.
No byes. Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JULY 1, Marshall G/50 (Open & U1500)
4-SS, G/45 d5. Two Sections: Open: ($325 b/25): $150-100; U1900:
$75. U1500: ($325 b/25): $150-100; U1300: $75. EF: $20; Non-MCC
Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour before
Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 12-2-4-6pm. Max one bye; request at entry.
Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JULY 2, World Open Monday Quad (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JULY 2, 13th Nassau G/15 (quick rated only) (QC)
6SS, G/12 d3 or G/15. 1st Presbyterian Church, 1st & Main Sts., Mineola.
EF: $25 by 6/25, $32 at site. Non-mem $5 more. $$ (420 b/20) 120, U2100,
1850, 1600, 1350/UR 75 each. 3 byes 1-6. Reg to 7:15 PM. Rds.: 7:15-7:55-
8:35-9:10-9:45-10:20. Ent: Harold Stenzel, 80 Amy Dr., Sayville, NY 11782.
JULY 2-3, 7th annual World Open Women’s Championship (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 2-3, 10th annual World Open Under 13 Championship (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JULY 3, 6th annual World Open Action Championship (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 3-8, 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 46th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 4, 7th annual World Open Game/7 Championship (BLZ) (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 4, Marshall Independence Day Action!
6-SS, G/25 d5. ($525 b/25): $200-100; U2300, U2000, U1700: $75. EF:
$30; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg
hour before Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 11am-12:15-1:30-3:00-4:15-5:30pm.
Max two byes; request at entry. Register Online: www.marshallchess-
club.org/register.
See previous issue for TLAs appearing June 1-14
JULY 5, Marshall Guaranteed Action!
4-SS, G/25 d5. $350 GTD: $125-75; U2200, U1900: $75. EF: $15; NonMCC
Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour before Rd. 1.)
GMs Free. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, for Rd. 1 or 4 only;
request at entry. Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JULY 5, 6, 7, 8, World Open Daily 2 pm Blitz (BLZ) (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
JULY 5, 11, 18, 25, Community Chess Club of Rochester Wed
Night Chess!
Note: 1 game rated per night, G/80 d5. Rochester Chess Center, 221
Norris Dr., Rochester, NY 14610. 585-442-2430. EF: $5, CCCR members
$3. Reg.: 6:30-7:20 pm. Rd.: 7:30pm. www.rochesterchessclub.org.
JULY 6, Marshall U2200 Friday Night Action!
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($300 b/25): $150-75; U1900: $75. EF: $20; Non-
MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour
before Rd. 1.) Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, for Rd. 1 or
4 only; request at entry. Register Online: www.marshallchess
club.org/register.
JULY 6-8 OR 8, Marshall Weekend Open
See Grand Prix.
JULY 7, World Open G/10 Championship (QC) (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 7, 14, 21, 28, Rochester Chess Center Saturday Tourna-
ments!
3-SS, G/60 d5. Rochester CC, 221 Norris Dr., Rochester, NY 14610.
585-442-2430. Prizes based on entries. EF: $15, RCC members $13.
$2 less for HS and Pre-HS. Reg.: 1-1:45 pm. Rds.: 2-4-6. One bye
available, request at entry. www.nychess.org. Also, Youth tournament,
G/30 d5, every Saturday morning 10am-1pm, trophies and prizes.
EF: $5.
JULY 8, World Open Blitz Championship (BLZ) (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 9, 16, 23, 76th Nassau Action
See Grand Prix.
JULY 9, 16, 23, 35th Nassau Senior
3SS, 45/90, SD/30 d5. 1st Presbyterian Church, 1st & Main Sts., Mineola.
Open to born before 7/24/68. In 2 sections. Open: EF $13 by 7/6, $20
at site, Booster: open to under 1700/UR. EF: $11 by 7/6, $18 at site,
Both: non-memb $9 more. Trophies to top 3. Bye 1-3. Reg to 7:15 PM.
captnhal@optonline.net. Rds.: 7:15 each Mon. Ent: Harold Stenzel, 80
Amy Dr., Sayville, NY 11782.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 11, 18, 25, AUG. 1, 8, 15, Marshall Weekly Wednesday
6-SS, G/90 +30. Two Sections: U2000: ($600 b/25) $250-150-100;
U1700: $100. U1400: ($600 b/25) $250-150-100; U1100: $100. EF: $40;
NonMCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour
before Rd. 1.) Rds.: 7pm each Wed. Max two byes; request by Rd. 4.
Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register
JULY 12, Marshall Thursday Action
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($400 b/25): $150-75; U2200, U1900: $75; Biggest upset:
$25. EF: $25; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-
person reg hour before Rd 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm.
Max one bye, for Rd. 1 or 4 only; request at entry. Register Online:
www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JULY 13, Marshall Friday Night Blitz (BLZ)
9-SS, G/3 +2. USCF regular rating used for pairings & prizes. ($500 b/35):
$200-100; U2400/unr, U2200, U2000, U1800: $50. EF: $20; Non-MCC Mbr:
Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour before Rd. 1.) GMs
Free. Rds.: Begin at 7pm and continue ASAP. Max three byes; request at
entry. Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JULY 14, Marshall U1900 Morning Action
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100; U1700: $75. EF: $20; Non-MCC
Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour before
Rd. 1.) Rds.: Begin at 9am & continue ASAP. Max one bye; request at
entry. Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JULY 14, Marshall G/50 Open
4-SS, G/45 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100; U2100: $75. EF: $20; Non-MCC
Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour before
Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 12-2-4-6pm. Max one bye; request at entry.
Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
2nd annual
PETER HENNER MEMORIAL
July 20-22 or 21-22, Ramada Plaza Hotel, Albany
Free parking, $92 rooms including breakfast
Guaranteed prizes raised to $7,000!
For full details see “Grand Prix” in this issue.
JULY 15, Marshall Rated Beginner (3 Rounds) (RBO)
3-SS, G/25 d5. Only open to players without a rating or rated U1200. ($225
b/25): $150-75. EF: $15; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late
fee: in-person reg hour before Rd. 1.) Rds.: Begin at 9am & continue ASAP.
No byes. Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JULY 15, Marshall G/50 (Open & U1600)
4-SS, G/45 d5. Two Sections: Open: ($325 b/25): $150-100; U2000:
$75. U1600: ($325 b/25): $150-100; U1400: $75. EF: $20; Non-MCC
Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour before
Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 12-2-4-6pm. Max one bye; request at entry.
Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 16, 23, 30, AUG. 6, 13, 20, Marshall FIDE Monday/U1800
6-SS, G/90 +30. Two Sections: Open: Open to all players 1600+. FIDE
Rated. ($600 b/25) $200-150-100; U2000: $100-50. U1800: ($600 b/25)
$200-150-100; U1500: $100-50. EF: $40; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25
Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour before Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.:
7pm each Mon. Max two byes; request by Rd. 4. Register Online:
www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JULY 17, Marshall Masters
See Grand Prix.
JULY 19, Marshall Thursday Action
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($400 b/25): $150-75; U2200, U1900: $75; Biggest upset:
$25. EF: $25; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-
person reg hour before Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm.
Max one bye, for Rd. 1 or 4 only; request at entry. Register Online:
www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JULY 20, Marshall Quick Chess (QC)
6-SS, G/10 +3. ($250 b/25): $125-75; U1700: $50. EF: $15; Non-MCC
Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour before Rd.
1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 7-7:30-8:00-8:45-9:15-9:45pm. Max two byes; request
at entry. Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Potomac Open (MD)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 2nd annual Peter Henner Memorial
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 20-22, Marshall Monthly U2400 - New Friday Rd Time
5-SS, G/90 +30. Open to players rated below 2400 USCF. $1,000 GTD:
$500-200; U2100: $150; U1800: $150. EF: $50; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional
$25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour before Rd. 1.) Rds.: Fri.
7pm, Sat. & Sun. 12:30 & 5:30pm. Max two byes; request at entry. Reg-
ister Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JULY 21, The Summer Birthday Discount at Judson
See Grand Prix.
JULY 21, Marshall G/50 (U1700)
4-SS, G/45 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100; U1500: $75. EF: $20; Non-MCC
Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour before
Rd. 1.) Rds.: 12-2-4-6pm. Max one bye; request at entry. Register
Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JULY 22, Marshall Rated Beginner
3-SS, G/25 d5. Only open to players without a rating or rated U1200. ($225
b/25): $150-75. EF: $15; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late
fee: in-person reg hour before Rd. 1.) Rds.: Begin at 9am & continue ASAP.
No byes. Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JULY 26, Marshall Thursday Action
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($400 b/25): $150-75; U2200, U1900: $75; Biggest upset:
$25. EF: $25; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-
person reg hour before Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm.
Max one bye, for Rd. 1 or 4 only; request at entry. Register Online:
www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JULY 27, Marshall $500 FIDE Blitz (BLZ)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 19th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 23rd Annual Bradley Open (CT)
See Grand Prix.
JULY 28, Marshall G/50 (Open & U1800)
4-SS, G/45 d5. Two Sections: Open: ($325 b/25): $150-100; U2200:
$75. U1800: ($325 b/25): $150-100; U1600: $75. EF: $20; Non-MCC
www.uschess.org 67
Tournament Life / June
Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour before
Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 12-2-4-6pm. Max one bye; request at entry.
Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JULY 29, Marshall Rated Beginner
3-SS, G/25 d5. Only open to players without a rating or rated U1200. ($225
b/25): $150-75. EF: $15; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late
fee: in-person reg hour before Rd. 1.) Rds.: Begin at 9am & continue ASAP.
No byes. Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
JULY 29, Marshall G/50 (Open & U1500)
4-SS, G/45 d5. Two Sections: Open: ($325 b/25): $150-100; U1900:
$75. U1500: ($325 b/25): $150-100; U1300: $75. EF: $20; Non-MCC
Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour before
Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 12-2-4-6pm. Max one bye; request at entry.
Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
AUG. 2, Marshall Guaranteed Action!
4-SS, G/25 d5. $350 GTD: $125-75; U2200, U1900: $75. EF: $15; Non-
MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour
before Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, for
Rd. 1 or 4 only; request at entry. Register Online: www.marshallchess
club.org/register.
AUG. 3, Marshall Friday Night Blitz (BLZ)
9-SS, G/3 +2. USCF regular rating used for pairings & prizes. ($500
b/35): $200-100; U2400/unr, U2200, U2000, U1800: $50. EF: $20; Non-
MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour
before Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: Begin at 7pm and continue ASAP. Max
three byes; request at entry. Register Online: www.marshallchess
club.org/register.
AUG. 3-5 OR 4-5, 17th annual Manhattan Open
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 4, Marshall U1900 Morning Action
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100; U1700: $75. EF: $20; Non-MCC
Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour before
Rd. 1.) Rds.: Begin at 9am & continue ASAP. Max one bye; request at
entry. Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
AUG. 4, Marshall G/50 Open
4-SS, G/45 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100; U2100: $75. EF: $20; Non-MCC
Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour before
Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 12-2-4-6pm. Max one bye; request at entry.
Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
AUG. 5, Marshall Rated Beginner
3-SS, G/25 d5. Only open to players without a rating or rated U1200. ($225
b/25): $150-75. EF: $15; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late
fee: in-person reg hour before Rd. 1.) Rds.: Begin at 9am & continue ASAP.
No byes. Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
AUG. 5, Marshall G/50 (Open & U1600)
4-SS, G/45 d5. Two Sections: Open: ($325 b/25): $150-100; U2000:
$75. U1600: ($325 b/25): $150-100; U1400: $75. EF: $20; Non-MCC
Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour before
Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 12-2-4-6pm. Max one bye; request at entry.
Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
AUG. 9, Marshall Thursday Action
4-SS, G/25 d5. ($400 b/25): $150-75; U2200, U1900: $75; Biggest upset:
$25. EF: $25; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-
person reg hour before Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm.
Max one bye, for Rd. 1 or 4 only; request at entry. Register Online:
www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 9, 16, 23, 30, SEPT. 6, 13, Marshall Thursday Open
6-SS, G/90 +30. ($600 b/25): $250-150-$75; U1900: $125. EF: $40;
Non- MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late fee: in-person reg hour
before Rd. 1.) GMs Free. Rds.: 7pm each Thurs. Max two byes; request
by Rd. 4. Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
AUG. 10-12 OR 11-12, Cleveland Open (OH)
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 10-12, Marshall PREMIER - New Friday Rd Time
5-SS, G/90 +30.Two Sections: FIDE: FIDE Rated. Only open to players
with a current published rating 2000+ (USCF or FIDE); NO exceptions.
Limited to 34 players. $1,750 GTD: $1,000-500. U2300: $250. EF: $100;
Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $50 Mbr + service fee. ($5 service fee for in-
person reg hour before Rd. 1.) First 5 GMs Free. U2000: Limited to 40
players. ($1,000 b/40): $500-200; U1750: $150, U1500: $150. EF: $50;
Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 service fee for in-person
reg hour before Rd. 1.) Rds.: Fri. 7pm, Sat. & Sun. 12:30 & 5:30pm.
Max two byes; request at entry. Register Online: www.marshallchess-
club.org/register.
AUG. 11-15, 7th Annual Washington International (MD)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 12, Marshall Rated Beginner
3-SS, G/25 d5. Only open to players without a rating or rated U1200. ($225
b/25): $150-75.EF: $15; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. ($5 late
fee: in-person reg hour before Rd. 1.) Rds.: Begin at 9am & continue ASAP.
No byes. Register Online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.
AUG. 16-20, 16-19, 17-19 OR 18-19, 48th annual
Continental Open (MA)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 50th annual Atlantic Open (VA)
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 31-SEPT. 3, SEPT. 1-3 OR 2-3, 140th annual NY State
Championship
See Grand Prix.
SEPT. 21-23 OR 22-23, 9th Annual Hartford Open (CT)
See Grand Prix.
68 June 2018 | Chess Life
OCT. 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 10th annual Washington Chess Congress OCT. 5-7 OR 6-7, 27th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)
(VA) See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
NOV. 9-11 OR 10-11, 17th Annual Turkey Bowl (FL)
See Grand Prix.
OKLAHOMA
JUNE 21-24, 2018 U.S. Senior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
NORTH CAROLINA JUNE 22-24, 2018 Not-A-Junior-Not-A-Senior Open (LA)
JUNE 21, Charlotte Chess Center Third Thursday Rapid See Louisiana.
See Grand Prix. JUNE 22-24, 2018 U.S. Junior Open (LA)
See Nationals.
JUNE 21-24, 2018 U.S. Senior Open (LA)
See Nationals. JUNE 30-JULY 1, 73rd Oklahoma Open State Championship
JUNE 22-24, 2018 Not-A-Junior-Not-A-Senior Open (LA) See Grand Prix.
See Louisiana. JULY 13-15, Kansas Open (KS)
JUNE 22-24, 2018 U.S. Junior Open (LA) See Grand Prix.
See Nationals. JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Houston Summer Chess Festival (TX)
JULY 13-15 OR 14-15, 27th Annual Atlanta Championship (GA) See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
AUG. 25-26, 64th Iowa Open Championship (USCF & FIDE
JULY 15, 2018 Atlanta Championship Scholastics (GA) Rated) IASCA GP Super Qualifier (IA)
See Georgia. See Grand Prix.
JULY 20, 2018 U.S. G/10 Championship (BLZ)
See Nationals. OREGON
JULY 21, 2018 U.S. G/30 Championship
See Nationals. JUNE 20-21, 2018 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JULY 22, 2018 U.S. G/60 Championship
See Nationals. JUNE 21-24, 22-24 OR 23-24, 2018 National Open (NV)
See Nationals.
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th Annual Southern Open (FL)
See Grand Prix. JUNE 23-24, International Youth Championship (NV)
See Nevada.
AUG. 11-15, 7th Annual Washington International (MD)
See Grand Prix. JUNE 24, Portland Chess Club Sunday Quads
PCC, 8205 SW 24th Ave., Portland, OR 97219. The live regular ratings
AUG. 17-19, 2018 North Carolina Open are usually used. G/50;inc15. EF: 15, 5 discount for PCC members and
See Grand Prix. each extra family member in the same household, free entry if it’s your
AUG. 17-21, 2018 U.S. Masters Championship first US Chess rated tournament (must pay for US Chess membership).
See Nationals. US Chess membership required. Prizes: discounted entries, books, and
bonus trophy or medal for scholastics. Reg.: 9-9:45am. Rds.: 10am,
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 50th annual Atlantic Open (VA) 12: 30pm, 3pm. See more info. and rule variations used at pdxchess.org.
See Grand Prix.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 23rd Annual Pacific Coast Open (CA-S)
OCT. 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 10th annual Washington Chess Congress See Grand Prix.
(VA)
See Grand Prix. AUG. 10-12 OR 11-12, 9th annual Central California Open (CA-N)
See Grand Prix.
NORTH DAKOTA PENNSYLVANIA
OCT. 5-7 OR 6-7, 27th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)
See Grand Prix. MasterMinds Scholastic Summer League
Info at: www.mastermindschess.org.
North Penn Chess Club
OHIO Main & Richardson, Lansdale, PA. See www.northpennchessclub.org
for schedules & info or 215-699-8418.
JULY 13-15 OR 14-15, 2018 Columbus Open (Open Section
FIDE Rated) JUNE 15-17 OR 16-17, 7th annual Continental Class
See Grand Prix. Championships (VA)
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
JULY 14, Toledo July Swiss JUNE 27-JULY 1 OR JUNE 29-JULY 1, 8th annual World Open
Open, 4SS, Rnd. 1 G/75 d5, Rnds. 2-4 G/85 d5. University of Toledo Senior Amateur
Health Science Campus, Mulford Library Basement Cafe, 3000 Arlington 6SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10. Marriott Philadelphia Downtown (see World
Ave., Toledo, OH 43614. Can split into multiple sections if enough players. Open for location, rates, parking). Open to all born before 7/1/68 and
EF: $20 by 7/12, $25 at site. Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes: rated under 2210 or unrated. $3000 guaranteed prizes. In 2 sections.
$450 b/25, $100-50, Class prizes TBD based on split. Ent: jagz47@hot- Under 2210/Unr: $600-300-200, top U2010/Unr $350-200. Under
mail.com. 7031 Willowyck Rd., Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450. 1810/Unr: $500-250-150, top U1610 (no unr) $300-150, unr limit $200.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 11th annual Chicago Class (IL) EF: $88 online at chessaction.com by 6/25, $93 mailed by 6/15, $100
See Grand Prix. at site, or online until 2 hours before rd. 1. 5-day reg. ends 6 pm 6/27,
rds. Wed-Fri 7 pm, Sat 5 pm, Sun 10 & 3:15. 3-day reg. ends 12 noon
JULY 21, Mustard Seed Monster 6/29, rds. Fri. 1 & 7 pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. Half point byes OK
See Grand Prix. all rounds, limit 2 byes, must commit before rd. 3. Special USCF dues:
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 19th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA) see World Open. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, PO Box
See Grand Prix. 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge for refunds. Entries posted
at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). July official USCF
AUG. 10-12 OR 11-12, Cleveland Open ratings used.
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 28-JULY 2, 12th annual Philadelphia International
AUG. 11-15, 7th Annual Washington International (MD) See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 50th annual Atlantic Open (VA)
See Grand Prix. JUNE 30-JULY 1, World Open Warmup
5SS, G/90 d10. Marriott Philadelphia Downtown (see World Open).
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 13th annual Indianapolis Open (IN) Open to under 2100 or unrated (July official ratings used). Prizes $800
See Grand Prix. guaranteed: $200-100-50, U1900/Unr $120-60, U1700 $100-50, U1500
AUG. 25-26, 64th Iowa Open Championship (USCF & FIDE $80-40. EF: $40, at site only, no checks. Reg. ends 9 am 6/30, rds. Sat
Rated) IASCA GP Super Qualifier (IA) 10, 2, 6, Sun 10, 2. One half point bye allowed if under 1700, otherwise
See Grand Prix. two byes allowed; must commit before rd. 2.
SEPT. 1-3, 74th Ohio Chess Congress JULY 2, World Open Monday Quad
See Grand Prix. 3RR, G/90 d10. Marriott Philadelphia Downtown (see World Open). EF
$25 (no checks). $60 1st each section. Reg. ends 9 am, rounds 10, 2, 6.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
SEPT. 8-9, Golden Buckeye Senior & Adult Open JULY 2-3, 7th annual World Open Women’s Championship
Salt Fork State Park Lodge, Cambridge, OH. Ages 18 & up as of See Grand Prix.
12/31/18. A relaxed schedule, rustic secluded venue and natural US Chess Junior Grand Prix!
setting make for a memorable weekend! 2 sections: Senior (age JULY 2-3, 10th annual World Open Under 13 Championship
50+), Adult U1700 (18+). 5SS, G/75 d10. Reg. Sat 9:30-10, Rnds. 6SS, G/60 d10. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (see World Open for
10:15-2-6:30 Sun 9:30-1:30. Side blitz tourney Fri eve. EF: $45 thru location, rates). Open to all born after 7/3/05. In 4 sections. Open
8/27 then $55; OCA members $2 less. Trophy prizes, 1st place OH Section: Trophies to top 7, top 2 Under 1600/Unr; free entry in all CCA
resident is 2018 OH Sr Champ! Fellowship of the King group rate tournaments 7/13/18-12/31/18 to 1st. Under 1400 Section: Trophies
$114/night, 800-ATA-PARK, reserve early! More info: neilley.com/chess, to top 7, top 2 Under 1200, free entry in all CCA tournaments 7/13/18-
grant@neilley.com, or 614-314-1102. 9/30/18 to 1st. Under 1000 Section: Trophies to top 7, top 2 Under
 See previous issue for TLAs appearing June 1-14

800, free entry in all CCA tournaments 7/13/18-9/30/18 to 1st. Under AUG. 16-20, 16-19, 17-19 OR 18-19, 48th annual JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th Annual Southern Open (FL)
600 Section: Trophies to top 7, top 2 Under 400, top Unrated; free Continental Open (MA) See Grand Prix.
entry in all CCA tournaments 7/13/18-9/30/18 to 1st. EF: $48 online at See Grand Prix.
chessaction.com by 6/30, $51 mailed by 6/15, $60 at site. Late reg. AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 50th annual Atlantic Open (VA)
7/2 to 10 am, rds. Mon 11-2-5, Tue 10-1-4. Up to 2 half point byes See Grand Prix.
SOUTH DAKOTA
allowed, must commit before rd. 3. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental
Chess, PO Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. Questions: chesstour.com, AUG. 31-SEPT. 3, SEPT. 1-3 OR 2-3, 140th annual NY State AUG. 25-26, 64th Iowa Open Championship (USCF & FIDE
Championship (NY) Rated) IASCA GP Super Qualifier (IA)
chesstour.info, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269. $15 service charge
for refunds. See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix.
JULY 3, 6th annual World Open Action Championship SEPT. 8-9, Golden Buckeye Senior & Adult Open (OH) OCT. 5-7 OR 6-7, 27th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)
See Grand Prix. See Ohio. See Grand Prix.
JULY 3-8, 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 46th Annual World Open OCT. 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 10th annual Washington Chess Congress
See Grand Prix. (VA) TENNESSEE
See Grand Prix.
JULY 4, 7th annual World Open Game/7 Championship (BLZ) JUNE 21-24, 2018 U.S. Senior Open (LA)
See Grand Prix. NOV. 9-11 OR 10-11, 17th Annual Turkey Bowl (FL) See Nationals.
See Grand Prix.
JULY 5, 6, 7, 8, World Open Daily 2 pm Blitz (BLZ) JUNE 22-24, 2018 Not-A-Junior-Not-A-Senior Open (LA)
4 separate tournaments at Marriott Philadelphia Downtown (see World See Louisiana.
Open). Each is a 4-SS, double round (8 games), G/5 d0. Prizes $$300 RHODE ISLAND JUNE 22-24, 2018 U.S. Junior Open (LA)
guaranteed: $100-50, U2100 $60, U1800 $50, U1500/Unr $40. EF: $20,
at site only, no checks. Reg. ends 1:45 pm, rds. 2, 2:45, 3:15, 3:45. One JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 23rd Annual Bradley Open (CT) See Nationals.
pair of 1/2 pt byes available, must commit before rd. 2. Blitz rated (will See Grand Prix.
JUNE 30, John Hurt Memorial 15
not affect regular ratings), but higher of regular or blitz used for pairings AUG. 16-20, 16-19, 17-19 OR 18-19, 48th annual See Grand Prix.
& prizes. $10 service charge for refunds. Continental Open (MA)
JULY 13-15 OR 14-15, 27th Annual Atlanta Championship (GA)
JULY 7, World Open G/10 Championship (QC) See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix. SEPT. 21-23 OR 22-23, 9th Annual Hartford Open (CT)
See Grand Prix. JULY 15, 2018 Atlanta Championship Scholastics (GA)
JULY 8, World Open Blitz Championship (BLZ) See Georgia.
See Grand Prix.
JULY 20, 2018 U.S. G/10 Championship (BLZ) (NC)
JULY 14, W. Chester 1st Sat Quads SOUTH CAROLINA See Nationals.
Our 29th year! 3RR, Game/80 d5. 2nd Presbyterian Church, 114 S.
Walnut St., West Chester, PA. EF: $20; $40, $50 for 3-0. Reg.: 9am. JUNE 21-24, 2018 U.S. Senior Open (LA) JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Houston Summer Chess Festival (TX)
Rds.: 9:40, 1:00, 4:00. Info: WCCC1975@gmail.com See Nationals. See Grand Prix.
JULY 14, MasterMinds CC Quads JUNE 22-24, 2018 Not-A-Junior-Not-A-Senior Open (LA) JULY 21, Hot Summer Swiss
Esperanza Academy, 301 W. Hunting Park Ave., Phila., PA 19140. Quads: See Louisiana. See Grand Prix.
3RR, G/85 d5. EF: $30 cash; winner $100. Reg. ends 9AM. Rds.: 9:30, JUNE 22-24, 2018 U.S. Junior Open (LA) JULY 21, 2018 U.S. G/30 Championship (NC)
1, 4. Info: mastermindschess.org or brad@mastermindschess.org. See Nationals. See Nationals.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Potomac Open (MD) JULY 13-15 OR 14-15, 27th Annual Atlanta Championship (GA) JULY 21, 2018 Clinton Pearson Jr. Memorial Open
See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix. Cumberland Co. Community Complex, 1398 Livingston Rd., Crossville,
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 19th annual Pittsburgh Open JULY 15, 2018 Atlanta Championship Scholastics (GA) TN 38555. $420 guaranteed prize fund. In 2 Sections, Open: 4SS, G/60
See Grand Prix. See Georgia. d5, $$: $75. $30- X,A,B,C,D/Below. Amateur: 4SS, G/60 d5, Open to
U1200 & under. $$: $75. $30-F,G,H/Below,UNR UNR eligible for unrated
AUG. 3-5 OR 4-5, 17th annual Manhattan Open (NY) JULY 20, 2018 U.S. G/10 Championship (BLZ) (NC) prize only. ALL: EF: $15 if mailed by 7/16, $20 later or at site. Memb.
See Grand Prix. See Nationals. Req’d: TCA $10 TN residents only. ENT: Harry D. Sabine, P. O. Box 381,
AUG. 10-12 OR 11-12, Cleveland Open (OH) JULY 21, 2018 U.S. G/30 Championship (NC) Crossville, TN 38557. www.cumberlandcountychess.org/tournaments.
See Grand Prix. See Nationals. INFO: www.cumberlandcountychess.org or Harry at 931-261-8440. W.
AUG. 11-15, 7th Annual Washington International (MD) JULY 22, 2018 U.S. G/60 Championship (NC) JULY 22, 2018 U.S. G/60 Championship (NC)
See Grand Prix. See Nationals. See Nationals.

CHECK OUT US CHESS CORRESPONDENCE CHESS RATED EVENTS!

Correspondence Chess Matches (two players)
2018 Open Correspondence Chess Golden Knights Championship TWO OR SIX-GAME OPTIONS. ENTRY FEE: $5.

US CHESS $800 FIRST PRIZE ❑ WIN A CORRESPONDENCE CHESS TROPHY

71st ANNUAL
Four-player, double round-robin with rating-level (0000-1499;
(PLUS TITLE OF US CHESS GOLDEN KNIGHTS CHAMPION AND PLAQUE) 1500-1799; 1800-2000+) pairings. 1st-place winner receives a
trophy.
2ND PLACE $500 • 3RD $300 • 4TH THRU 10TH PLACE $100 EACH • ENTRY FEE: $25 ENTRY FEE: $10.
These US Chess Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all US Chess members who reside on the North American continent, islands,
or Hawaii, as well as those US Chess members with an APO or FPO address. US Chess members who reside outside of the North American con- ❑ VICTOR PALCIAUSKAS PRIZE TOURNAMENTS
Seven-player class-level pairings, one game with each
tinent are welcome to participate in e-mail events. Your US Chess membership must remain current for the duration of the event, and entry fees of six opponents. 1st-place winner receives $130 cash prize
must be paid in U.S. dollars. Those new to US Chess Correspondence Chess, please estimate your strength: Class A: 1800-1999 (very strong); and a certificate signed by Victor Palciauskas.
Class B: 1600-1799 (strong); Class C: 1400-1599 (intermediate); Class D: 1399 and below (beginner level). Note: Prize fund based on 200 ENTRY FEE: $25.
entries and may be decreased proportionately per number of entries assigned.
❑ JOHN W. COLLINS MEMORIAL CLASS TOURNAMENTS
Four-player, double round-robin with rating-level (0000-1499;
1500-1799; 1800-2000+) pairings (unrateds welcome). 1st-place
2018 E-mail Correspondence Chess Electronic Knights Championship winner receives a John W. Collins certificate.
(SEVEN-PLAYER SECTIONS, ONE GAME WITH EACH OF SIX OPPONENTS.) ENTRY FEE: $7.
US CHESS
15th ANNUAL
$800 FIRST PRIZE Email Rated Events (need email access)
(PLUS TITLE OF US CHESS ELECTRONIC KNIGHTS CHAMPION AND PLAQUE)
❑ LIGHTNING MATCH
2ND PLACE $500 • 3RD $300 • 4TH THRU 10TH PLACE $100 EACH • ENTRY FEE: $25 Two players with two or six-game option.
ENTRY FEE: $5.
These US Chess Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all US Chess members with e-mail access. Your US Chess membership must
remain current for the duration of the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S. dollars. Maximum number of tournament entries allowed for the ❑ SWIFT QUADS
year for each player is ten. Note: Prize fund based on 200 entries and may be decreased proportionately per number of entries assigned. Four-player, double round-robin format.
1st-place prize US Chess CC entry credit of $30.
Rating-Levels 0000-1499; 1500-1799; 1800-2000+.
TO ENTER: 800-903-USCF(8723) OR FAX 931-787-1200 OR ONLINE AT WWW.USCHESS.ORG ENTRY FEE: $10.
Name_________________________________________ US CHESS ID#____________________________________
❑ WALTER MUIR E-QUADS (WEBSERVER CHESS)
Address _______________________________________ City___________________ State ___ ZIP _____________ Four-player, double round-robin webserver format tournament
with class-level pairings. 1st-place receives a certificate.
Phone __________________________ E-mail____________________________________ Est. Rating __________
ENTRY FEE: $7.
To pay with credit card please call US Chess.
Please check event(s) selected.
❑ Check here if you do not wish to have an opponent who is incarcerated.
*Note: This may slow down your assignment. NOTE: Except for Lightning Matches, Swift Quads, Walter Muir
E-Quads & Electronic Knights, players will use post office mail,
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO US CHESS AND MAIL TO: JOAN DUBOIS, US CHESS, PO BOX 3967, CROSSVILLE, TN 38557 unless opponents agree to use e-mail.

www.uschess.org 69
Tournament Life / June

JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th Annual Southern Open (FL) JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 2nd annual Peter Henner Memorial (NY) SEPT. 8-9, Golden Buckeye Senior & Adult Open (OH)
See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix. See Ohio.
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 13th annual Indianapolis Open (IN) JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 23rd Annual Bradley Open (CT) OCT. 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 10th annual Washington Chess Congress
See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix. (VA)
AUG. 25-26, 64th Iowa Open Championship (USCF & FIDE AUG. 16-20, 16-19, 17-19 OR 18-19, 48th annual See Grand Prix.
Rated) IASCA GP Super Qualifier (IA) Continental Open (MA)
See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix. WISCONSIN
SEPT. 15, Oran Quintrell Memorial AUG. 31-SEPT. 3, SEPT. 1-3 OR 2-3, 140th annual NY State JUNE 30-JULY 1, 7th Annual Twin Ports Open
See Grand Prix. Championship (NY) See Grand Prix.
NOV. 17-18, 59th Mid-South Open See Grand Prix.
JULY 7-8, 42nd Annual Green Bay Open
See Grand Prix. SEPT. 21-23 OR 22-23, 9th Annual Hartford Open (CT) See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 11th annual Chicago Class (IL)
TEXAS See Grand Prix.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix! VIRGINIA JULY 28-29, 2018 U.S. Open Weekend Swiss
JUNE 2-3, First Chess In Action Swiss Open (Katy, Houston) See Grand Prix.
JUNE 15-17 OR 16-17, 7th annual Continental Class
5SS, G/90 d5. 20615 Westheimer Pkwy., Katy, TX 77450. USCF rated. Championships JULY 28-AUG. 5, JULY 31-AUG. 5 OR AUG. 2-5, 119th Annual
Open and U1800. Prizes based on 50 paid entries: Open $325/ See Grand Prix. U.S. Open
$225/$125, U1950 $100; U1800 section $300/$200/$100, U1600 See Nationals.
$75. Rds.: Saturday 9:00 am /1:30 pm/5:30 pm, Sunday: 9:00 am/1:30 JUNE 27-JULY 1 OR JUNE 29-JULY 1, 8th annual World Open
pm. EF: by 5/14, free for FM/IM/GM/WIM/WGM, $40 for 2100+, all Senior Amateur (PA) JULY 29, 2018 U.S. Open Scholastic Championships
else $60; by 6/1, $70 for all; on-site $90, if after 8:30am, 1st round bye See Pennsylvania. Open to all US Chess members entering Grade 12 and below [including
must be taken. Register at www.ChessInAction.org. Player limit 50. new members]. 4 Round Swiss in Four Sections: Junior High -
JUNE 28-JULY 2, 12th annual Philadelphia International (PA) High School Championship: Open to players entering Kindergarten
JUNE 9-10, NTCA 2nd Annual Summer Open See Grand Prix. through the 12th Grade in the fall. Open to all ratings. Junior High -
See Grand Prix. JUNE 30-JULY 1, World Open Warmup (PA) High School Under 1200: Open to players entering Kindergarten
JUNE 16-17, DCC FIDE Open VI See Pennsylvania. through the 12th Grade in the fall. Open to players rated below 1200.
See Grand Prix. No Unrateds! Elementary Championship: Open to players entering
JULY 2, World Open Monday Quad (PA) Kindergarten through the 6th Grade in the fall. Open to all ratings. Ele-
JUNE 20-21, 2018 U.S. Women’s Open (NV) See Pennsylvania. mentary Under 1000: Open to players entering Kindergarten through
See Nationals. JULY 2-3, 7th annual World Open Women’s Championship (PA) the 6th Grade in the fall. Open to players rated below 1000. No Unrateds!
JUNE 21-24, 22-24 OR 23-24, 2018 National Open (NV) See Grand Prix. If the sections are larger than expected, they may be split into multiple
See Nationals. JULY 2-3, 10th annual World Open Under 13 Championship (PA) sections. Prizes: Trophies to the Top 3 in each section. The number of
See Pennsylvania. trophies may increase based on the number of entries. Schedule:
JUNE 21-24, 2018 U.S. Senior Open (LA) Championship Sections:Round One at 12 NOON. Round Two at 1:30
See Nationals. JULY 3, 6th annual World Open Action Championship (PA) PM. Round Three at 3:00 PM. Round Four at 4:30 PM. Awards Ceremony
JUNE 22-24, 2018 Not-A-Junior-Not-A-Senior Open (LA) See Grand Prix. at 6:00 PM. Time Control: Game/30 d5. Entry Fee: Online, $25 by 7/9,
See Louisiana. JULY 3-8, 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 46th Annual World Open (PA) $35 after. By mail, $27 postmarked by 7/9; $37 postmarked by 7/16.
JUNE 22-24, 2018 U.S. Junior Open (LA) See Grand Prix. Do not mail after 7/16 - it will not be received! By phone, $30 by 7/9,
See Nationals. $40 after until 7/20 by 5 PM CDT. Onsite, $40 until 7/29 by 10 AM EDT.
JULY 4, 7th annual World Open Game/7 Championship (BLZ) (PA) See www.uschess.org/tournaments/2018/usopen/ for additional details.
JUNE 23-24, International Youth Championship (NV) See Grand Prix.
See Nevada. AUG. 4, 2018 U.S. Open National Blitz Championship (BLZ)
JULY 5, 6, 7, 8, World Open Daily 2 pm Blitz (BLZ) (PA) See Nationals.
JUNE 30-JULY 1, 2018 San Antonio City Championship See Pennsylvania.
See Grand Prix. AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 13th annual Indianapolis Open (IN)
JULY 7, World Open G/10 Championship (QC) (PA) See Grand Prix.
JULY 6-8 OR 7-8, 4th Austin Chess Club Summer Open See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix. AUG. 25-26, 64th Iowa Open Championship (USCF & FIDE
JULY 8, World Open Blitz Championship (BLZ) (PA) Rated) IASCA GP Super Qualifier (IA)
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Houston Summer Chess Festival See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
JULY 14-15, 28th Annual Charlottesville Open OCT. 5-7 OR 6-7, 27th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 23rd Annual Pacific Coast Open (CA-S) See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
JULY 20, 2018 U.S. G/10 Championship (BLZ) (NC)
JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th Annual Southern Open (FL) See Nationals.
See Grand Prix. WYOMING
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, Potomac Open (MD)
JULY 28, Queen City of the Prairie Open See Grand Prix. JUNE 20-21, 2018 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
An exciting new event in North Ft. Worth! Buffalo Room at Cabela’s, See Nationals.
12901 Cabelas Dr., Ft. Worth, TX 76177. In 2 Sections, Open: 4SS, JULY 21, 2018 U.S. G/30 Championship (NC)
See Nationals. JUNE 21-24, 22-24 OR 23-24, 2018 National Open (NV)
G/60 d5, $$: $100-80-60. Top U1700 $50. Reserve (U1200 & unrated): See Nationals.
4SS, G/60 d5, Open to 1199 & under. $$: $80-60-40. Top U600 $30. JULY 22, 2018 U.S. G/60 Championship (NC)
ALL: EF: $30. No checks/credit cards onsite; Cash, Zelle or PayPal only. See Nationals.
Reg.: 9:00am-9:15am; players not registered by 9:20am will be given JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 19th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
1/2 point bye. Entry fee must be received by 8:59 pm on 7/27; $40 See Grand Prix. US Chess Membership Rates:
thereafter including onsite. Rds.: 9:30am 12:30pm 3:00pm 5:30pm. One
1/2 point bye may be requested for rds 1-3; must be requested prior to JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 26th Annual Southern Open (FL) Premium (P) and Regular (R)
the start of the first round. ENT: 3617 Cripple Creek Trl., Ft. Worth, TX See Grand Prix.
76262, louis_reed@yahoo.com (Zelle or PayPal); please give USCF ID, AUG. 11-15, 7th Annual Washington International (MD) (U.S., CANADA, MEXICO)
section & bye requests in comments. INFO: louis_reed@yahoo.com. See Grand Prix.
http://tinyurl.com/AllianceChess1. W. Type 1 yr 2 yr
AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 50th annual Atlantic Open
AUG. 11-15, 7th Annual Washington International (MD) See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
Adult P $49 $95
OCT. 4-8, 5-8 OR 6-8, 10th annual Washington Chess Congress
AUG. 25-26, 64th Iowa Open Championship (USCF & FIDE See Grand Prix. Adult R $40 $75
Rated) IASCA GP Super Qualifier (IA) Senior (65+) $40 $75
See Grand Prix.
WASHINGTON Young Adult P (U25)* $35 $65
UTAH JUNE 20-21, 2018 U.S. Women’s Open (NV) Young Adult R (U25)* $26 $48
See Nationals.
JUNE 20-21, 2018 U.S. Women’s Open (NV) Youth P (U16)* $30 $55
See Nationals. JUNE 21-24, 22-24 OR 23-24, 2018 National Open (NV)
See Nationals. Youth R (U16)* $22 $40
JUNE 21, Walter Browne Memorial National Open Blitz
Championship (BLZ) (NV) JUNE 23-24, International Youth Championship (NV) Scholastic P (U13)* $25 $45
See Nevada.
See Grand Prix. Scholastic R (U13)* $17 $30
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 23rd Annual Pacific Coast Open (CA-S)
JUNE 21-24, 22-24 OR 23-24, 2018 National Open (NV)
See Grand Prix.
See Nationals. Premium membership provides a printed copy of Chess
JUNE 22, Youth Trophy Tournament (NV) AUG. 10-12 OR 11-12, 9th annual Central California Open (CA-N)
See Grand Prix.
Life (monthly) or Chess Life Kids (bimonthly) plus all
See Nevada.
other benefits of regular membership. Regular member-
JUNE 23-24, International Youth Championship (NV)
ship provides online-only access to Chess Life and Chess
See Nevada. WEST VIRGINIA Life Kids. Youth provides bimonthly Chess Life, Scholas-
JULY 20-22 OR 21-22, 23rd Annual Pacific Coast Open (CA-S) JULY 27-29 OR 28-29, 19th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
See Grand Prix. tic bimonthly Chess Life Kids, others listed above
See Grand Prix.
monthly Chess Life. See www.uschess.org for other
AUG. 10-12 OR 11-12, Cleveland Open (OH)
VERMONT See Grand Prix. membership categories. Dues are not refundable and
JUNE 9-10, 2018 Vermont Open AUG. 24-26 OR 25-26, 50th annual Atlantic Open (VA) may be changed without notice. *Ages at expiration
See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix.

70 June 2018 | Chess Life

 Classifieds / Solutions / June

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TOP-QUALITY BARGAIN CHESS LESSONS BY PHONE But Karpov has a different endgame in mind: 53.
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ferent courses as well as individual game analysis. Center ... Rxd3 54. Bxf8 Rxh3+ 55. Kg2 Rg3+ 56. Kh2  

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resigned without awaiting 58. Bb4 or 58. Be3. 
PROBLEM II. Grischuk has just captured on b5,
hoping for 35. Bxb5 c2 with a draw. But there’s a Total Score Approx. Rating
deadly tactical detail that he hasn’t foreseen: 35. 95+ 2400+
e6!! Mamedyarov exploits the temporary awk-
81-94 2200-2399
wardness of Black’s pieces to rupture the kingside.
35. ... Qa3 35. ... fxe6 goes down without a fight: 66-80 2000-2199
36. Qxe7+ Kh6 37. Qf8+ Kh7 38. Qf7+ Kh6 (No 51-65 1800-1999
better is 38. ... Kh8 39. Qf6+ Kh7 40. Be4.) 39. 36-50 1600-1799
Be4 with mate. 36. Qxb5 c2 37. exf7 Kg7 38. Be4!
21-35 1400-1599
Many roads lead to Rome, but Mamedyarov’s
06-20 1200-1399
choice removes all doubt. 38. ... c1=Q 39. Qe8,
Black resigned. It is not often that one resigns 0-05 under 1200
with two queens of their own on the board!
CHESS LIFE USPS # 102-840 (ISSN 0197-260X). Volume 73 No. 6. PRINTED IN THE USA. Chess Life, formerly Chess Life & Review, is published
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www.uschess.org 71
 PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY OF SUBJECT
MY BEST MOVE

Fred Wilson
Noted Chess
Bookseller
Became a Master
at age 71

MY BEST MOVE IS TWOFOLD, CONSISTING

of two moves made almost exactly 50 years apart;
the first was played over the board while the second,
and most important, was made in “real life.”
My first “best move” was played in the fifth
round of the Manhattan Open on August 6th,
1967. I was 21 years old, already married with
two kids, rated 2049, and still trying to “make
master”—a quest that began in 1961 at the New
York City Junior Championship, where I’d scored
only 3-3, but did win the “best-played game” prize
awarded by GM Bill Lombardy, and got my first
US Chess rating (1704). After four rounds I had

“
three points, having lost to GM Nicolas Rossolimo
in the second round (in a good game published I was used to dealing with tactical
both by The New York Times and Chess Review).
And now I faced future-IM Walter Shipman and
played what is still probably my best game ever:

MY BEST GAME EVER

Fred Wilson
surprises and I handle time pressure well.

Bc5 Bxc5 29. bxc5 Qxc5 30. d6 Qc8 31.

Walter Shipman
Manhattan Open, 1967 (5)
AFTER 20. ... Bb5
After about five minutes’ thought I felt I was
somewhat worse, but then after another 10
minutes or so I found it:
21. Qxb5!! My Best Move. 21. … axb5 22.
Nxd6 Rc2 23. Nxe8 Qxe8 24. Rfe1 f5
Risky. Probably Black should play 24. ... Rc8,
with the idea of keeping the d-pawn under
control, with more or less even chances.
25. Kf1 Qe4 26. Rbd1! h5? 27. Bd6! Qc4 28.
d7 Qd8 32. Nd4 Rxf2+ (The best try.) 33.
Kxf2 Qxd7 34. Nf3 Qe7 35. Rd5 g4 36.
Red1! Qa3 37. Rd8+ Kf7 38. R8d7+ Ke8
39. Ng5 Qb2+ 40. R1d2 Qf6 41. Rd8+
Qxd8 42. Rxd8+ Kxd8 43. Ne6+ Kd7 44.
Nd4 b4 45. Ke2 Kd6 46. Nxf5+ Ke5 47.
Nd4 Ke4 48. Nb3 h4 49. Nd2+ Ke5 50.
g3 h3 51. Kd3, Black resigned.
I tied for first place with GMs Rossolimo,
Pal Benko and Arthur Bisguier, winning
$167.50 (a week’s pay back then!) and gaining
80 rating points.
This brings me to the second, absolutely
crucial “best move” I had to make in my life,
though this time it was totally forced. After 38
years at the same location, my little bookshop,
Fred Wilson Chess Books, had to move out.
My old (1854) six-story office building at 799
Broadway in New York City—formerly the St.
Denis Hotel where Paul Morphy stayed in 1857
and Abraham Lincoln in 1860—was sold for
one hundred million dollars in early 2017 and
will be replaced by a modern tech building.
All 60 small businesses had to move out by
the middle of 2018 and the new owner told us
that any remaining months on our leases would
be waived as soon as we left.
”
But here being a good chessplayer helped.
I was used to dealing with tactical surprises
and I handle time pressure well. I immediately
began scouring my Greenwich Village neigh-
borhood looking for anything affordable
nearby, got on many waiting lists, and discov-
ered to my horror why local realtors refer to
my area as the “gold coast!” Everything was
so expensive!
Putting on my best negotiator face, I entered
a beautiful old (1896), 11-story building at 41
Union Square West. Wow! Seeing the large
room (170 square feet) with a 12-foot ceiling,
the original yellow oak floor, a handy, well-
built storage loft, and a large window looking
north out over Broadway with a spectacular
view of the Empire State Building, I immedi-
ately said “I love it!” So much for my negotiator
face, but the good news is I could afford it
and moved my inventory of 2,000 chess books
and dozens of vintage chess sets and clocks
here on Dec. 19th, 2017.
And here on 17th Street is where I will stay,
at least until I achieve both of my remaining
goals: to be in business for 50 consecutive
years and to become the oldest player to reach
2300. Or, die trying.

72 June 2018 | Chess Life

 The United States’ La
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Half point byes OK all, limit 4 (limit 2 in
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3, others before round 5.
PAST WINNERS
1973 Walter Browne 1974 Bent Larsen 1975
Pal Benko 1976 Anatoly Lein 1977 John
Fedorowicz 1978 Peter Biyiasas 1979 Haukur
Angantysson 1980 Larry Christiansen 1981
Igor Ivanov 1982 Nick de Firmian 1983 Kevin
Spraggett 1984 Joel Benjamin 1985 Maxim
Dlugy 1986 Nick de Firmian 1987 Boris Gulko
1988 Maxim Dlugy 1989 Mikhail Gurevich
1990 Igor Glek 1991 Gata Kamsky 1992
Gregory Kaidanov 1993 Alex Yermolinsky
1994 Artashes Minasian 1995 Alex
Yermolinsky 1996 Alex Yermolinsky 1997
Alex Shabalov 1998 Alex Goldin 1999
Gregory Serper 2000 Joel Benjamin 2001 Alex
Goldin 2002 Kamil Miton 2003 Jaan Ehlvest
2004 Varuzhan Akobian 2005 Kamil Miton
2006 Gata Kamsky 2007 Varuzhan Akobian
2008 Evgeny Najer 2009 Evgeny Najer 2010
Viktor Laznicka 2011 Gata Kamsky 2012 Ivan
Sokolov 2013 Varuzhan Akobian 2014 Ilya
Smirin 2015 Aleks Lenderman 2016 Gabor
Papp 2017 Tigran Petrosian