Beginners Brave Icy Conditions for Tourney Experience

[imagefield_assist|fid=16381|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=Top players from past U.S. Championships look down on tournament participants in the Chess Club's tournament playing hall.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=700|height=467]

By Mike Kummer

A total of nine players showed up despite icy conditions to play in the Unrated Adult Beginner Tournament this past weekend. Many players had high hopes of winning either an annual membership to the Chess Club (CCSCSL) or a membership to the United States Chess Federation (USCF). Nick Baur, nephew of longtime tournament director and chess coach Mr. Ed Baur, had a little previous tournament experience as he had played in some scholastic tourneys in the mid '80s. Michael Ge, student of chess instructor Mike Kummer, was poised to make a breakthrough in the event. Paul Child's club membership had just lapsed so he was looking for an even more affordable alternative to renewing for $80. Roman Makhov came up just a little bit short in the final round of December's tourney and was looking for redemption.

In the first round, two of the favorites were paired against each other right off the bat. Baur had white vs. Ge. The game was tight early, but in the middlegame Ge forked Baur's castled king and queen with his dark-squared bishop. Ge then soon prevailed. Child's dream of a free membership went up in smoke when he lost in his opening game to Makhov, who was down on time but whose opponent kept making illegal moves while his king was in check.

For every illegal move, Makhov got two minutes added to his time. On the third occurrence, Makhov had the time advantage and the game in hand.

In the second round, Makhov had black against Ge. The game was exciting as both kings were castled on opposite sides and each player had direct access to the king via an open file. Checkmate was coming soon for one player. Ge had Makhov king on the run, and it looked like he was caught in a mating net. But Makhov slid his queen toward his king to give the king a flight square. Unfortunately, the king and queen were so close that Michael was able to deliver a crushing pawn fork, winning the queen and the game. Baur recovered nicely defeating a former Adult Beginner Champion. Child's got on the scoreboard by defeating the youngest player in the tournament. He enforced touch move causing the 13-year-old to lose his queen for a bishop. Whatever works!

In round 3, Michael Ge was paired against Robert Sahse, also 2-0. Ge was able to fork both of Sahse's rooks early in the middlegame, and he could never recover. That victory allowed Ge to secure first place overall for the tournament. hechose to take a USCF membership and is anticipating winning a lot of money in the Friday Action Quads.

And of course, no beginner tournament could not be complete without a dreaded stalemate. Makhov was crushing Baur but was again low on time. Baur moved his king into a corner and Makhov moved down his rook setting up a mate in one. Baur declared stalemate! Roman disagreed because Nick had a pawn near the king. But it was pinned by Roman's queen. Stalemate! A fitting end to another glorious beginner tournament.

Adult Beginner Tournament: Final Standings