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Better late than never

By on December 06, 2010 in

I lost in the last round to IM Irina Krush. It was an up and down affair (don't tell Lynne!), and I made many mistakes in critical positions. I started out well, playing 1.b3! This is a good choice against Irina, who has quite extensive "book" knowledge in a lot of lines, but is not as experienced (aka old) as I in different positions. I have played 1.b3 often in blitz, and, I am starting to play 1.e4 a lot, so I figured she would have good prep for that.

Kasparov visits Saint Louis, Short puts on lecture and simul

By on December 03, 2010 in

[imagefield_assist|fid=8568|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis was abuzz on Monday, November 29, as a group of 150-plus eagerly awaited the arrival of the legendary GM Garry Kasparov. The crowd, which had already been treated to a weekend with GM Nigel Short at the Thanksgiving Open, mingled around the casual play area on the main floor of the chess club. Some played chess and some casually chatted, but all were devoting at least some of their attention to the front door of the club.

Dates set for 2011 U.S. Chess Championships

By on December 01, 2010 in

These two prestigious events will be held concurrently, and each will feature the largest per capita prize fund in history. More than $230,000 will be at stake in both events.

Thanksgiving Open: Final Results

By on November 29, 2010 in

Onischuk emerged from the two-day schedule unscathed to take on GM Dmitry Gurevich in round four. Onischuk's rook sacrifice gave him two advanced, connected center pawns, which gave him enough pressure to convert the victory.

Thanksgiving Open: Pairings for Round 3

By on November 26, 2010 in

The big surprise of round two was CCSCSL standout Kevin Cao's draw against GM Gregory Kaidanov.

The three-day option started today and brought out more than 100 participants. The two-day option begins tomorrow at 9 a.m. and should add an additional 20+ participants to the field. The fileds will merge during round four, which begins tomorrow at 6 p.m.

Stay tuned for a more complete recap of the first two rounds tomorrow.

Kasparov and Short in Saint Louis after Thanksgiving Open

By on November 23, 2010 in

[imagefield_assist|fid=8555|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]SAINT LOUIS, November 23, 2010 – Grandmaster Garry Kasparov, widely recognized as the world’s greatest chess player, has announced he will be making an appearance at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis on Monday, November 29, just one day after the conclusion of the Thanksgiving Open tourney featuring renowned GM Nigel Short and an $11,000 prize fund.

Kasparov, who is coming to Saint Louis to deliver a political lecture, will make an appearance at the CCSCSL from 4-5 p.m. The club has arranged a special setting in which club members and the general public can meet and greet the living legend.

Meet and Greet a Legend

By on November 19, 2010 in

The lecture will be followed by a simul exhibition, in which Short will take on all comers. The simul will also be free for members of the CCSCSL, but will cost non-members $10.

Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take on one of the greatest chess players of all time. There will be players from all over the world attending the event.

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!