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Ben's Blog: Round two analysis with GM Ben Finegold

[imagefield_assist|fid=1758|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]Round two of the WTC was quite nice for the U.S. Team, as we managed to win on boards one and two, and draw easily on boards three and four, a surprisingly easy win over a tough Indian team.  Although Hikaru Nakamura's game was up and down, with both sides having the advantage throughout, our board two, Alexander Onischuk won quite easily with black against the usually very tough Pentala Harikrishna. Onischuk was better out of the opening and built up pressure relentlessly on the queenside, until his two extra passed pawns were simply too much for white to handle.  A dream start for the U.S. Team, two wins of 3-1.  Can we make it three in a row tomorrow?

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2010 U.S. Championship dates shift to May 13-25

[imagefield_assist|fid=1723|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]SAINT LOUIS -- The dates for the 2010 U.S. Championship have shifted. The tournament is now scheduled from May 13-25 at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. The U.S. Championship will have a larger prize fund than the 2009 tournament with more than $170,000 up for grabs.

The U.S. Championship was rescheduled to prevent overlapping with the World Championship match between Veselin Topalov and Viswanathan Anand in Bulgaria in order to ensure the highest quality of coverage.  

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EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Irina Krush Prophylaxis Lecture: Segment 2

[imagefield_assist|fid=1757|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]In the first part of this video series, Irina Krush introduced the idea of prophylaxis, which simply means that you move in a way that hinders your opponents plans. Continuing the theme of prophylaxis, Krush presents another challenging puzzle. Taking audience suggestions, she explores several options before revealing the solution. This approach offers a deeper understanding of the puzzle and the thought process used in solving it.

Bringing prophylaxis out of openings and into more strategic situations, Krush gives us one more piece of her “Secret Principle."

 

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Strong start for U.S. at World Team Championship

[imagefield_assist|fid=1755|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]BURSA, TURKEY -- The U.S. made an impression in the first round of the World Team Championship with a convincing victory over Turkey.

When discussing round one with GM Ben Finegold just hours before it was to start, he predicted a 3-1 victory for the U.S. team; Finegold's clairvoyance proved to be accurate as GMs Hikaru Nakamura, Alexander Onischuk and Varuzhan Akobian each scored fine victories. In the Akobian game, Baris Esen walked into excellent team preparation from the U.S. and never really recovered.

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Ben's Blog: GM analysis from the World Team Championship

[imagefield_assist|fid=1714|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]The U.S team in Turkey is being sponsored by our chess club and I'll be doing game analysis of my favorite game from the American team each day. Today Hikaru Nakamura won in scintillating fashion with black on board one.

Chess Club Executive Director Tony Rich is on the scene providing us updates and pictures from the event. We have great expectations for our youthful squad as the U.S. sends the youngest team in history to the World Team Championship.

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Ben's Blog: Musings of a Grandmaster

[imagefield_assist|fid=1753|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]Welcome to my blog!  I moved to Saint Louis last week, and started working at the chess club immediately.  It took me quite a while to find a city that had a worse record than the Detroit Lions, but I was able to manage!  I had lived in Ann Arbor, MI since 2002, and look forward to all Saint Louis has to offer. 

My work at the chess club will consist of private lessons (call or email the Chess Club for details/pricing), a weekly lecture Thursday's from 7:00PM - 8:30PM, and hanging out at the club and playing blitz and casual chess with members.  I have already played over 100 blitz and casual games at the club in 2010 ... 

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Christmas Open presents fighting chess

[imagefield_assist|fid=1751|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]The Christmas Open, held on December 26, was one of the most competitive events held at the club all year. 

Going into the final round, 32 of the 44 participants still had dreams of prize money. First place in each class paid a hefty $150 and, even after 10 of the 20 games concluded in round four, no one was assured a prize. William Tong (1911) changed all that when he checkmated Margaret Hua (1756) in a wide open queen and rook vs. queen and rook endgame. 

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U.S. team arrives, prepares for World Team Championship

[imagefield_assist|fid=1745|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]BURSA, TURKEY -- What a long, strange trip it's been, and the real adventure is just getting started.

Despite inclement weather, traffic, and an extensive commute, the American team has made it to the World Team Championship, scheduled to be held in Bursa, Turkey, from January 5-14. This ten-team, round-robin event promises to be full of excitement and top-level chess with teams from America, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Egypt, Greece, India, Israel, Russia and Turkey.

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December Knights tourney recap

[imagefield_assist|fid=1719|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]The December Knights saw a familiar face sweep the field as Paul Mechem took first in the last Knights event of 2009.

The 5.0/5.0 perfomance puts him just eight points shy of his goal of becoming an expert. Mechem had previously qualified for the 2010 Club Championship by winning the June Knights. Therefore, the second place finisher for this Knight's event was lined up to grab the invitational spot.

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Ben Finegold interviewed on Chess.FM

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Grandmaster Ben Finegold joins IM John Watson on Chess Talk. Finegold is America's latest addition to the ranks of GM. Although this show is restricted to ICC members only, Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis members can listen to this show in full by going to this link: http://bit.ly/8L2lf6

Life certainly begins at 40 for Finegold, who, after years of trying and being ranked as one of the most experienced IMs in the U.S., has now finally become a GM! Ben is also set for for a career move away from his normal habitat of Michigan to the burgeoning American chess mecca at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center ...


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