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U.S. Championships return to Saint Louis in 2011

By on November 19, 2010 in

[imagefield_assist|fid=8390|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]SAINT LOUIS, October 13, 2010 – The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL) has been selected to host the U.S. Championship and the U.S. Women’s Championship for the third year in a row. These two prestigious events will be held concurrently in Spring 2011 and will feature the largest per capita prize funds in history.

A prize fund of at least $170,000 is guaranteed for the 2011 U.S. Championship, and $60,000 for the 2011 U.S. Women’s Championship.

Reaching the 8th Rank with Jennifer Shahade

By on November 16, 2010 in

Shahade, who regularly provides commentary for the U.S. Championships and is the Web editor of Chess Life Online (CLO -www.uschess.org), will present a lecture regarding the tactics on pawn promotion with her special lecture: Reaching the 8th Rank.

SPICE Cup: Rounds 6-8

By on November 05, 2010 in

I had an unusual game against GM-elect Gergely Antal. I played 1.e4, which I have recently started playing (although my opponent doubtless expected 1.d4), and Gergely decided to play 1...Nf6 for the first time!

SPICE Cup Update: Rounds 4 and 5

By on November 02, 2010 in

I have not lost two USCF rated games in a row in years. Also, I have not lost with white since November 2008. Also, The Lions and Rams both won! What a day!

I was white against Danny Rensch, and was not able to get any advantage. I was outplayed most of the game, missing most of the key ideas and tactics. When we reached move 35 or so, it was time to resign, but, I made it to move 40, and Rybka says I am -9 or so.....then.... Danny's technique let him down, and I escaped to a double rook ending with only 1 pawn minus.

SPICE Cup Update: Rounds 2 and 3

By on November 01, 2010 in

Another day, another draw, but not after some excitement. I played a bit too aggressively in the opening, but the game was quite complex and my opponent, the highest rated in the B group, GM Davorin Kuljasevic, and I used a lot of time in the opening and early middle-game.

Spice Cup Begins

By on October 28, 2010 in

[imagefield_assist|fid=8508|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]I arrived today for the 2010 Spice Cup, held on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. There are two GM groups, A and B, and the A group is the highest rated RR ever held in the USA! I am playing in the B group, which has 5 GMs, 4 IMs, and 1 FM. There were a lot of draws today, as the A group, a 6 player, double round robin saw draws in all three games.

Margaret Hua represents U.S. in Greece

By on October 25, 2010 in

She is currently tied for 20th place in the U12 girls division after six rounds.

According to the October supplement of the USCF rating system, Margaret is currently ranked sixth in the country for girls under the age of 13 and 70th out of all female chess players in the country with a rating of 1845.

Chess for Life anniversary celebration

By on October 18, 2010 in

[imagefield_assist|fid=8412|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]SAINT LOUIS - October 18, 2010 - Chess for Life (CFL), a chess-playing program offered to patients by the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, will celebrate its one-year anniversary with a special patient event, Wed. Oct. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m at the Center for Advanced Medicine.

More than 100 cancer patients and survivors are expected to participate in the interactive event with activities such as simul play, when one player takes on multiple opponents simultaneously, and mega chess with an oversized chess board and pieces.

Arch Bishops take apart Mechanics

By on October 15, 2010 in

The Saint Louis Arch Bishops faced-off against San Francisco's Mechanics on Wednesday, and there were no real surprises on any board. Though our opponents had a worthy line-up with GM-FM-FM-FM, they were no match for our big three plus one. I guess one could consider the Mechanics our rival as they too have a wonderful chess club in San Francisco, but The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is of course nicer, and our victory over them karmically proved it.

GM Hikaru Nakamura showed up about 15 minutes late for his game against GM Josh Friedel, which would explain how Nakamura had only 30 minutes more than his GM opponent by the end of his victory?! Nakamura whipped out his first ten move quickly to equalize on time.

Finegolds celebrate National Chess Day with victory

By on October 11, 2010 in

GM Ben Finegold and his son Spencer Finegold entered the tournament as the favorites and did not disappoint with a combined score of 8/8 to bring home $500 and the championship title. Their team, ironically named Two Persons is Not Really a Team, made quick work of the opposition including a round three trouncing of Masters Ron Luther and Bob Holliman.