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Ben's Blog: Easter Updates

By on April 04, 2010 in

I have not blogged in a while, as I am still recovering from my long trek. I was =2nd in Lubbock, Tx and =1st in Skokie, Il, and was able to score 6 wins and 12 draws (with no losses!) in 13 days, with no rest! Luckily, I was able to workout on the treadmill in Skokie, and walk a lot in Lubbock to keep fit as well as staying on the straight and naarrow food-wise. I have lost 27 pounds thus far this year, and have about 100 more to go!

Three-way tie for title of Club Champion

By on March 30, 2010 in

Jim Voelker topped Tony Rich early on in round five to finish the tournament with 3.5/5. Richard Benjamin needed a victory over Paul Mechem to claim the title outright, and Mechem had a shot to tie Voelker with a win. The hard-fought match between the two ended in a draw, securing a first-place tie between Benjamin and Voelker.

Ben's Blog: NACA FIDE INVITATIONAL - Final Report

By on March 25, 2010 in

I drew quickly yesterday with IM Angelo Young, and Mackenzie Molner was able to hold a draw against GM Mesgen Amanov, so we tied for first place, and Molner earned his first GM norm! Molner played the five highest rated players in the event, in rating order, in the final five rounds --- all GMs! An amazing performance.

Ben's Blog: NACA FIDE INVITATIONAL - Third Report

By on March 24, 2010 in

I had a good day yesterday, beating Molner in a nice game, and drawing a very long, tough game, with GM Mesgen Amanov.

Maurice Ashley, $10,000 blitz tourney highlight 2010 U.S. Champs

By on March 23, 2010 in

[imagefield_assist|fid=3544|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]SAINT LOUIS, March 23, 2010 -- Grandmaster Maurice Ashley, the first African-American GM in the history of chess, will provide expert analysis and commentary at the 2010 U.S. Chess Championship, set for the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis May 13-25. Ashley was featured on ESPN in 1996 when he provided commentary for the Man vs. Machine match (Garry Kasparov vs. IBM's super-computer Deep Blue) and again in 1997 for the Kasparov vs. Deep Blue rematch. Ashley earned the title of grandmaster in 1999. He and WGM Jennifer Shahade will provide in-depth commentary throughout the 2010 U.S. Chess Championship.

Ben's Blog: NACA FIDE INVITATIONAL - Second Report

By on March 23, 2010 in

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.

Ben's Blog: NACA FIDE INVITATIONAL - First Report

By on March 22, 2010 in

[imagefield_assist|fid=3537|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]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!

Ben's Blog: Spring Spice Cup - Final Report

By on March 21, 2010 in

[imagefield_assist|fid=3536|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]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.

Criteria for 2010 Women's and Junior Closed Championships set

By on March 19, 2010 in

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.

Facebook fan DVD giveaway at the CCSCSL

By on March 19, 2010 in

[imagefield_assist|fid=3534|preset=frontpage_200x200|title=|desc=|link=none|origsize=|align=left|width=200|height=200]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!