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Ben's Blog: Musings of a Grandmaster

By on January 05, 2010 in

[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 ...

Christmas Open presents fighting chess

By on January 05, 2010 in

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.

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

By on January 04, 2010 in

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.

December Knights tourney recap

By on January 04, 2010 in

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.

Ben Finegold interviewed on Chess.FM

By on December 18, 2009 in

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 ...

Central West End Association to honor CCSCSL with award

By on December 17, 2009 in

[imagefield_assist|fid=1738|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]SAINT LOUIS – The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis will receive the Renaissance Award from the Central West End Association at its annual meeting on Jan. 11. The annual award recognizes groups, corporations or associations that have made a significant, positive economic or social impact on the survival or comeback of the Central West End.

The club renovated the building at 4657 Maryland Ave., turning it into a gleaming, technologically sophisticated chess center that opened in July 2008. Many chess experts have described it as the finest chess club in the country ...

CCSCSL featured on Chessboss.com

By on December 14, 2009 in

While this information is old news to our members, the recognition of the CCSCSL as the elite chess club in the country is quickly becoming national in scope. As we prepare for a new year and the 2010 U.S. Championship, word of our programming, our mission and our world-class facility is spreading across the nation and across the globe.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Irina Krush Prophylaxis Lecture: Segment 1

By on December 08, 2009 in

With her natural, easy style, it's simple for those of us who are not IMs to follow the more complex lines to completion. Part lecture, part demonstration, this first installment expresses prophylaxis in easy-to-understand terms and prepares you for the next in the series. Click read more to view the video!

Chess for Life volunteers gather at Siteman Cancer Center

By on December 07, 2009 in

Volunteers and staff from the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis manned seven chess boards in the Siteman Cancer Center’s seventh-floor reception area. Patients in treatment were also invited to play with a volunteer who then was able to bring the game to them in their treatment area.

Ben Finegold and Iryna Zenyuk interviewed at King's Island Open

By on December 07, 2009 in

[imagefield_assist|fid=1641|preset=frontpage_200x200|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]CINCINNATI -- Grandmaster Ben Finegold finished in a four-way tie for first place at the King's island Open in Cincinnati with a score of 4.0/5.0. Three other players, Seth Homa, FM Peter Bereolos and FM Andrew Karklins also finished with four points. Because of tiebreaks, Finegold brought home $1,220, which was slightly more than the $1,140 that each of the other three first-place finishers received.

WIM Iryna Zenyuk also had an excellent tournament as her 3.5/5.0 performance secured a share of fifth place. The USCF's JW Holes was on hand to interview Finegold and Zenyuk following their performance.