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Ben's Blog: NACA FIDE INVITATIONAL - Second Report

Tonight was quite nice, as my quick preparation paid quick dividends!  My opponent, FM Robby Adamson has played against me several times over the past 20 years, and, has always had the black pieces!  Today was no exception, and he played his usual Benko Gambit. 

I try to play different stuff, so my opponents have a tough time preparing, and so a few minutes of study was enough for me to try 5.e3.  It worked like a charm, as we played 11 moves of my "prep", and his next move, 11...d6? was almost losing by force.  I wrapped up the game in less than 20 moves.

Submitted by ben2600 on Tue., 3/23/2010 - 3:17 am

Ben's Blog: NACA FIDE INVITATIONAL - First Report

The facilities are great and there are a lot of chess players lurking everywhere.  The hotel has a nice swimming pool, jacuzzi, and exercise room.  I am working out on the treadmill twice a day, and I feel great.  I will, however, need to buy some new clothes, which, I have found out before, is a nice problem to have when losing weight.

I saw Alice in Wonderland in 3-D with Yun Fan today, so now I am ready to "Slay the Jabberwocky!" Chess tournaments are so much work!

Submitted by ben2600 on Mon., 3/22/2010 - 6:14 pm

Ben's Blog: Spring Spice Cup - Final Report

The 2010 Spring Spice Cup has come to an end.  The tournament was a blast and there was exciting chess played every round!  I am sad to leave Lubbock, and a personal special thanks to Lucia, Kevin, and Brian, as their family let me stay in their home for the duration of the event, and took care of my every need, including bandages after a nasty spill!

The last round was exciting to say the least!  I was very lucky to draw against IM Gabor Papp, who had forced mate at one point, and was completely winning for several moves in the middlegame.

Submitted by ben2600 on Sun., 3/21/2010 - 1:02 am

Criteria for 2010 Women's and Junior Closed Championships set

The rating supplements and criteria used to determine the players who will be selected by rating for the 2010 U.S. Women's Championship and 2010 U.S. Junior Closed Championship have been set.

The May 2010 supplement of the USCF's rating list will be used to determine the seven players who will be selected by rating for the 2010 U.S. Women's Championship.

Submitted by jstrand on Fri., 3/19/2010 - 4:50 pm

Facebook fan DVD giveaway at the CCSCSL

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is giving away three copies of the documentary DVD Changing of the Guard: 2009 U.S. Championship to three lucky members of our Facebook fan page. You can become a fan of the CCSCSL, the home of the 2010 U.S. Chess Championship and the 2010 U.S. Women's and Junior Closed Championships, by clicking the link here: http://bit.ly/aLKMn2.

The drawing will be held during the first week of April. Help us make a push for more than 1,000 fans as we gear up for the 2010 U.S Championship!

Submitted by mwilmering on Fri., 3/19/2010 - 2:55 pm

Ben's Blog: Spring Spice Cup - Round 8

Hard work has paid off!  I had a novelty (20.Qe2) ready for Darwin, and I have been analyzing this position for a month!  I had a big-time edge, and pushed my advantage to the maximum.  Darwin made about two bad moves after my novelty, but, he was not happy with his position at all, and said he might give up the line completely.

GM Julio Becerra, who has been unstoppable thus far, lost a long tough game to IM Davorin Kuljasevic. Julio is now only leading by half a point, as IM Gergely Antal won against IM Dean Ippolito.

Submitted by ben2600 on Thu., 3/18/2010 - 11:52 pm

Chess program offers opportunities for ICA students

SAINT LOUIS, March 17, 2010 -- Students from the Innovative Concept Academy (ICA) got their first taste of tournament chess this weekend at Lindbergh High School.

The scholastic chess tournament, run by the Gateway Chess League, featured tournament participants that ranged from grades K-12. The students from the ICA were sponsored by the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, which operates a curriculum-based, in-school program at the school as well as an after-school chess program.

Submitted by mwilmering on Thu., 3/18/2010 - 12:45 pm

Ben's Blog: Spring Spice Cup - Rounds 6-7

Another day, another....... win?!?

Round 6 saw another *classic* game, as I was winning against GM Jesse Kraai, when he played the opening a bit too fancy (maybe he prepared for the game with Squidward?), and at the point where Rybka says I am +5 (!) I promptly blow all my advantage.

The next round, I was black against FM Eric Hansen, who is trying to get his final IM norm.  I was very slightly better most of the game, and, when Eric finally made some bad moves near the end ...

Submitted by ben2600 on Wed., 3/17/2010 - 11:38 pm

Draws on top boards during round 3 of Club Championship

CCSCSL members have been following the games of our Resident GM Ben Finegold this week at the Spring SPICE cup in Lubbock, Tex., and his recent case of draw-itis seems to be spreading. The two top boards in tonight's pairings, Jim Voelker vs. Ken Thomas and Josh Frank vs. Richard Benjamin, ended in a draw.

Executive Director Tony Rich topped William Nesham and Mike Kummer won his game against Dan Coryea.

Paul Mechem scored a point against Paul Goddard tonight. Click Read More for cross tables and pairings.

Submitted by mwilmering on Wed., 3/17/2010 - 10:14 pm

Ben's Blog: Spring Spice Cup - Rounds 1 and 5

Another tough day and two more tough draws.  I was lucky in both games, as I stood worse for about 90% of the moves today!

IM Irina Krush and I played a crazy game, which started quietly, then, after she won a pawn, I got some good counterplay.  Irina was better, but, after we both missed some tactics, and both got lucky at various points, a draw was the logical result. Afterwards, we had a nice lunch at Applebee's (Is that possible?) although Irina's salad had too much dressing. It's nice to have a pleasant dining experience with your opponent after such a hard fought battle, and the feeling of camaraderie amongst the players here is great.

Submitted by ben2600 on Tue., 3/16/2010 - 10:43 pm

Finegold and Krush draw in round 1 reschedule at SPICE

GM Ben Finegold and IM Irina Krush played a long and hard-fought draw in a round 1 match that was rescheduled because Krush made a late arrival to the tourney. Finegold had the black pieces against a determined Krush, and the two fierce competitors slugged out a nail-biting draw.

As time was winding down, both players found themselves in time trouble relying only on their increment to save them. the game ended in a rook vs. rook draw, which leaves GM Finegold with a score of 2/4 and IM Krush a score of 1.5/4.

Submitted by mwilmering on Tue., 3/16/2010 - 3:59 pm

Ben's Blog: Spring Spice Cup - Rounds 3 and 4

A very tough day at the office.  Two long draws, and I struggled in each game.

I was slightly worse with black against IM Gergely Antal.  We drifted into time trouble, and I was able to equalize against inexact play. 

Gergely probably had a nice advantage somewhere, but after 33.Qe2? I should be equal or better.  I played badly in mutual time trouble and was lucky to draw.

Submitted by ben2600 on Mon., 3/15/2010 - 10:26 pm
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