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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!

new pgn viewer test

By on March 19, 2010 in

Ben's Blog: Spring Spice Cup - Round 8

By on March 18, 2010 in

[imagefield_assist|fid=3531|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]Hard work has paid off! I had a novelty (20.Qe2) ready for Darwin, and I have been analyzing this position for a month! I had a big-time edge, and pushed my advantage to the maximum. Darwin made about two bad moves after my novelty, but, he was not happy with his position at all, and said he might give up the line completely.

GM Julio Becerra, who has been unstoppable thus far, lost a long tough game to IM Davorin Kuljasevic. Julio is now only leading by half a point, as IM Gergely Antal won against IM Dean Ippolito.

Chess program offers opportunities for ICA students

By on March 18, 2010 in

The scholastic chess tournament, run by the Gateway Chess League, featured tournament participants that ranged from grades K-12. The students from the ICA were sponsored by the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, which operates a curriculum-based, in-school program at the school as well as an after-school chess program.

Ben's Blog: Spring Spice Cup - Rounds 6-7

By on March 17, 2010 in

Round 6 saw another *classic* game, as I was winning against GM Jesse Kraai, when he played the opening a bit too fancy (maybe he prepared for the game with Squidward?), and at the point where Rybka says I am +5 (!) I promptly blow all my advantage.

The next round, I was black against FM Eric Hansen, who is trying to get his final IM norm. I was very slightly better most of the game, and, when Eric finally made some bad moves near the end ...