Blog

A Year In Review

By on January 18, 2011 in

I was quite successful in the quick and blitz tournaments held at the Chess Club, winning each game throughout the year. Slow tournaments were a different story altogether.

There were three types of tournaments held at the Chess Club in 2010. The usual weekend events, the unusually strong weekend events (Saint Louis Open and Thanksgiving Open), and the U.S. Championship.

The Odak Open is Complete!

By on January 15, 2011 in

Between entry fees for the Simul, entry fees for the tournament, and donations from players, over $2200 for the fight against ALS was raised by the Saint Louis Chess community. Thanks to all who participated!

CCSCSL Expert Factory Recap

By on December 21, 2010 in

When I first heard of the Expert Factory, it sounded like a great opportunity to play against opponents who were around my strength and have a grandmaster analyze my games. When I woke up Sunday morning, it felt more like an opportunity to lose three games against my peers and be chastised for my bad play. Luckily neither were true, and the experience made this one of my favorite tournaments ever.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Expert Factory, it is a tournament in which up to 10 Class A players (people rated between 1800 and 2000) can square off in a USCF-rated, three-round Swiss tournament. Between the rounds, all games are analyzed by GM Ben Finegold.

Giving Thanks That It's Over

By on December 08, 2010 in

I had a bad tournament (what else is new) losing to Ron Luther in round 1, then getting crushed by Bob Holliman in round 2! Oh wait, that was a nightmare I had once, 'never-mind' (say that with the Rosanne Rosana Dana voice). In reality, I scored 4-2 winning 4 and losing 2 (unusual for me in an open tournament, to have 2 losses and no draws!).

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.