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A new place on the chess continuum

By on July 17, 2010 in

Our state chess association recently asked my husband to write an article for the scholastic area of its website on something he refers to as the “chess continuum”---the various points where chess-playing kids might find themselves playing the game, and the time, commitment and expense their families might expect at the various points along the line.

Since our son started out as an 8-year-old player taking a casual park district class and has progressed along the ranks to national master, we thought we’d traveled every road, and if you’re reading this, chances are you have too. From playing at the kitchen table after dinner to all-day scholastic events to planning every major holiday weekend and bit of vacation time to revolve around chess tournaments, and developing Vitamin D deficiencies as the result of having spent countless weekends in hotel basements, we thought we’d traveled every path.

Action heats up in Saint Louis Championships

By on July 16, 2010 in

By Chris Bird and Katie Baldetti

SAINT LOUIS, July 15, 2010 - Round 6 saw the battle for both the U.S. Women’s and Junior Closed Championships really start to heat up, keeping pace with the blistering temperatures that are currently hitting the Saint Louis area.

In the Women’s Championship, IM Anna Zatonskih managed to stay just a half-point ahead of IM Irina Krush and WFM Tatev Abrahamyan as they all won their respective games. With only three rounds remaining, and their nearest rivals 1½ points behind, it is now clear that the eventual Champion will be one of these players.

Zhao and Zatonskih bring their A-Game

By on July 15, 2010 in

Four Zs squared off in pivotal match-ups today in Saint Louis. Two of them brought their A-game.

IM Anna Zatonskih topped WIM Iryna Zenyuk and NM Parker Zhao outlasted FM Steven Zierk in round-five action.

Zhao earned a full point yet again, pushing his score to 4.5/5 at the 2010 U.S. Junior Closed Championship, while Zatonskih also bumped her score up to 4.5/5 to take sole possession of first in the Women’s event.

Zhao takes over lead at Junior Closed, Zatonskih and Krush win

By on July 13, 2010 in

The two highest-ranked players coming into the 2010 U.S. Junior Closed Championship, GM Ray Robson and IM Sam Shankland, faced off today in round four. The game, a typical Caro-Kann in which Shankland castled kingside with Black, was hard fought but ended in a draw after 31 moves.

After the draw, Robson is in a three-way tie for second place with a score of 3/4. A victory today by FM Darwin Yang over tourney-leader FM Warren Harper gives them each 3/4 as well. Shankland’s 1.5/4 puts him in a sixth-place tie with NM Eric Rosen.

Favorites draw at Women’s Champ, Harper tops Junior leaderboard

By on July 12, 2010 in

The streak has been broken.

After 30 straight decisive games at the U.S. Women’s Championship, a run that began during round six of the 2009 U.S. Women’s Championship, the two early favorites agreed to a draw after an enthralling battle.

An aggressive yet calculated gamble by IM Irina Krush was countered by IM Anna Zatonskih’s solid defense, and the rivalry that has been stewing for years will be placed on the back burner pending a possible playoff to decide the championship.

Stage set for epic showdown at U.S. Women's Championship

By on July 12, 2010 in

Victories by IM Irina Krush and IM Anna Zatonskih in round two of the 2010 U.S. Women’s Championship have set the stage for an epic round-three showdown.

In 2007 Krush unseated Zatonskih, the 2006 champion, to claim her second U.S. Women’s Championship title. The following year, a heated Armageddon match allowed Zatonskih to reclaim the title and set the stage for a marquis match-up in St. Louis at the 2009 U.S. Women’s Championship. A slow start by Krush, however, and an unparalleled performance by Zatonskih allowed for a runaway victory and gave Zatonskih her third title.

Women's and Junior Closed Champs feature fighting chess

By on July 11, 2010 in

After 20 straight decisive games closed out the 2009 U.S. Women’s Championship, this year’s event followed suit as all five games produced a clear winner.

The first decisive game of the tournament featured WFM Abby Marshall, the first-ever female winner of the Denker Invitational Tournament of High School Champions, against 2009 U.S. Women’s Championship competitor WIM Alisa Melekhina. Marshall, who opened with a King’s Gambit, said she felt like she got a good position out of the opening.

2010 Women's and Junior Champs Opening and Pairings

By on July 09, 2010 in

The Opening Ceremony for the 2010 U.S. Women’s and Junior Closed Championships is complete, and the pairings have been determined:

U.S. Championships Special Preview

By on July 07, 2010 in

Many of the participants from these two powerhouse events decided to try their luck at the 2010 World Open, ending Monday, July 5, in suburban Philadelphia. Each year, The World Open is the strongest Open tournament in the United States. The event draws more than 1,000 participants in several sections. Let’s take a look at some of the scores, and see who is likely to be brimming with confidence come Saturday.

Karlow takes the June Knights tourney with 4.5/5

By on July 01, 2010 in

[imagefield_assist|fid=5613|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]Expert Nick Karlow won the June Knights with an undefeated performance. After taking a half-point bye in round two, Karlow put himself in a hole, one half point behind the leaders. After pulling off a much needed round three victory against thee-time Knights Champion Paul Goddard, Nick had a crucial round four match-up vs. CCSCSL chess instructor Alex Marler.

Alex had been perfect up until that point in the tournament, and a Karlow loss would put him out of prize contention. Alex got in time pressure, however, and missed an attack that ultimately cost him the game.