The British International School of New York Hosts Chess Tournament (Sunday, May 20, 2012)

15 Waterside Plaza New York, NY 10010-2612 (BISNY Dining Hall)

Open to All Players from Kindergarten – Eighth Grade
Trophies for All Players

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:

On-site registrations: From 9am – 9:30 am. Rounds begin at 10 am. Pre-registration rates end at Noon on the day before the event.

• Pre-K – K Section: From 10 – 1 ; Awards at 1:15 PM
• Novice Open: 1-8 Section: From 10 – 1 ; Awards at 1:15 PM
• Open Under 799 Section: GAME 45 PER PLAYER ; Awards at 4:30 PM
• Open Under 1199 Section: GAME 45 PER PLAYER ; Award Ceremony 4:30 PM
• Championship Over 1200 Section: GAME 45 PER PLAYER ; Award Ceremony 4:30 PM

ENTRY FEES:

• Entry fee $30 if received by May 14, 2012
• $35 if received between May 15-19, 2012
• $40 for Walk-ins

Please note that our space is limited. Please visit us at www.ChessEducators.com for tournament House Rules and complete information.

Registration & Payment:

• CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR ONLINE PAYMENT
• CLICK HERE for ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM
• BISNY Chess Tournament Flyer May 2012
  
• By Mail: Make Check Payable to Chess Educators and mail with your registration form to Chess Educators P.O. Box 160 New York, NY 10028.
• Note: Note: Pre-registration rates deadlines apply. Please allow plenty of time for mailed entries.

For More Information Contact: Beatriz Marinello (917)553-4522 or Beatriz@Chesseducators.com

For more information about British International School of New York please visit www.bis-ny.org.

How to Get There

Directions to 15 Waterside Plaza:

By Car and approaching from south of 23rd Street: FDR Drive to the 20th-23rd Street exit, then onto the FDR Drive Service Road (along the East River) to 25th Street. Enter the Waterside Plaza complex go past the marina & UNIS. Parking is available for a fee at both the Marina at 23rd Street and at Waterside Plaza. Building 15 is on the Plaza level. To access the Plaza level take the main staircase just north of the parking garage entrance and walk South across the Plaza to Bldg 15.

By Car and approaching from north of 23rd Street: FDR Drive to the 23rd Street Exit; make a left at the 23rd Street traffic light and go underneath the FDR Drive; make a second left (bearing to the right) at the next traffic light onto the FDR Drive Service Road (along the East River) to 25th Street. Enter the Waterside Plaza complex go past the marina & UNIS. Parking is available for a fee at both the Marina at 23rd Street and at Waterside Plaza. Building 15 is on the Plaza level. To access the Plaza level take the main staircase just north of the parking garage entrance and walk South across the Plaza to Bldg 15.

By Taxi: If coming by taxi, ask the driver to take you to “Waterside Plaza”, when he pulls in, ask him to go straight just past the parking garage you will see a staircase with waterfall & glass elevator. Building 15 is on the Plaza level. To access the Plaza level take the main staircase just north of the parking garage entrance and walk South across the Plaza to Bldg 15.

By subway: Trains 1, 6, E, F, Q, 63 St/6 Ave Shuttle, or W to the 23rd Street station; then take the 23rd Street crosstown bus east (M23) to FDR Drive. Walk under the FDR drive, turn left at the Marina, and walk north two blocks along the East River. Enter Waterside complex, walk straight just past the parking garage you will see a staircase with waterfall & glass elevator. Building 15 is on the Plaza level. To access the Plaza level take the main staircase just north of the parking garage entrance and walk South across the Plaza to Bldg 15.

By bus: Any north or southbound bus to 23rd Street; transfer to the 23rd Street crosstown bus (M23) to the FDR Drive. Walk under the FDR drive, turn left at the Marina, and walk north two blocks along the East River. Or take the 34th Street crosstown bus (M-16 Waterside) east to Waterside Plaza (last stop). Enter Waterside complex, walk straight just past the parking garage you will see a staircase with waterfall & glass elevator. Building 15 is on the Plaza level. To access the Plaza level take the main staircase just north of the parking garage entrance and walk South across the Plaza to Bldg 15.

By foot: Take the pedestrian footbridge at the end of East 25th Street over the FDR Drive and follow the ramp to the left. Walk past water feature & roof access staircase and Bldg 15 will be on your right side.

BISNY CHESS Tournament Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

Students from schools in New York City and Queens participated, these included:  The Hewitt School, All Souls, Anderson, Hunter College High School, P.S. 116, Dalton, Garden School, P.S. I.S. 499.

It was a great opportunity for these young players to play chess and socialize with students outside their school’s circle.  Congratulations to all of the chess players!

BISNY CHESS Tournament Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

Tournament Results

Pre-K – K Section

• 1st Place: Kieran Mann (BISNY)
• 2nd Place:  Ema Kobayashi (BISNY)
• 3rd Place:  Nikash Das (BISNY)
• 4th Place:  Hyatt Hicks (BISNY)
• 5th Place:  Stella Liebeskind (SOULS)
• 6th Place:  Talin Schlachet (BISNY)

Novice Section

• 1st Place:  Joelle Garcia (GARDEN SCHOOL)
• 2nd Place:  Jason Milch (BISNY)
• 3rd Place:  Olivia Pichardo (GARDEN SCHOOL)
• 4th Place:  Charles Simmons (BISNY)
• 5th Place:  Noah Schwartz (BISNY)
• 6th Place:  Armen Setrakian (BISNY)

Challenge Section

• 1st Place:  Gregory Llewellyn (PS859)
• 2nd Place:  Jessee Roonprapunt (ANDERSON)
• 3rd Place:  Taran Pandya (BISNY)
• 4th Place:  Kayla Liebeskind (HEWITT)
• 5th Place:  Nathaniel Tay Fox  (DALTON)
• 6th Place:  Rebecca Kovarcik (HEWITT)
• 7th Place:  Rachel D Kovarcik (HEWITT)
• 8th Place:  Sloane Wachs (HEWITT)
• 9th Place:  Logan Rebe Oscher (FRIEND)
• 10th Place:  Carter Lee-Millstein (DALTON)
• 11th Place:  Nancy Lindsey (HEWITT)
• 12th Place:  Able Adams (PS499)

Photo Gallery

BISNY CHESS Tournament Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

BISNY CHESS Tournament Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

BISNY CHESS Tournament Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

BISNY CHESS Tournament Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

BISNY CHESS Tournament Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

BISNY CHESS Tournament Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

BISNY CHESS Tournament Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

BISNY CHESS Tournament Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

BISNY CHESS Tournament Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

Playing a game between rounds Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

BISNY CHESS Tournament Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

BISNY CHESS Tournament Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

BISNY CHESS Tournament Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

BISNY CHESS Tournament Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

Tension builds as chessplayers anxiously wait for results Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

BISNY CHESS Tournament Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

BISNY CHESS Tournament Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

Taking home his first chess trophy Nov. 13, 2011, Photo Credit – Dora Leticia ©

All Photos by Dora Leticia ©

The U.S. Chess Trust Co-Sponsors FIDE International Youth Event

Very rarely in the United States we host World Chess Federation (FIDE) events.

With the recording breaking attendance of the 2011 North American Youth Chess Championship, it is evident that young chess players across our nation are hungry for international competition.

Previously hosted in Boca Raton, Florida (USA) in 2004, it is with great pleasure and honor that I organized this event yet again, bringing it to the United States for the second time around.

The tournament had staff that spoke English, Portuguese, Spanish and French, the main languages of the Americas.

The Winners in Each Category are:

1st Place Winners

U8 Open

• Taran Idnani (USA) 1340 Rating, Tot 6.0

U8 Girls

• Alara Balasaygun (USA) 1549 Rating, Tot 6.5

U10 Open

• Aravind Kumar (USA) 1927 Rating, Tot 6.0

U10 Girls

• Emily Q Nguyen (USA) 1617 Rating, Tot 5.5

U12 Open

• Michael Lim (USA) 1924

U12 Girls

• Kimberly Ding (USA) 1960 Rating, Tot 6.5

U14 Open

• Arthur Shen (USA) 2146 Rating, Tot 6.5

U14 Girls

• Jasmine Chen (USA) 1909 Rating, Tot 5.5

U16 Open

• John Hughes (USA) 2048 Rating, Tot 5.5

U18 Open

• Andrew Ng (USA) 2138 Rating, Tot 5.5

2nd Place Winners

U8 Open

• Ethan S Joo (USA) 1458 Rating, Tot 6.0

U8 Girls

• Naomi Bashkansky (USA) 1183 Rating, Tot 6.0

U10 Open

• Leyton Ho (USA) 1717 Rating, Tot 5.5

U10 Girls

• Akshita (USA) 1617 Rating, Tot 5.5

U12 Open

• Hong Rui Zhu (CAN) 1806 Rating, Tot 5.5

U12 Girls

• Catherine Ye (USA) 1431 Rating, Tot 6.0

U14 Open

• Christopher Gu (USA) 2227 Rating, Tot 5.5

U14 Girls

• Joie Wang (USA) 1732 Rating, Tot 5.0

U16 Open

• Nikita Gusev (CAN) 2066 Rating, Tot 5.5

U18 Open

• Michael Vilenchuk (USA) 2186 Rating, Tot 5.5

3rd Place Winners

U8 Open

• Thomas Elberling (USA), 1620 Rating, Tot 6.0

U8 Girls

• Estella Wong (USA) 1042 Rating, Tot 5.0

U10 Open

• Daniel Zotkin (CAN) 1604 Rating, Tot 5.0

U10 Girls

• Sophia Zhang (USA) 1321 Rating, Tot 4.5

U12 Open

• Kadhir Pillai (USA) 2015 Rating, Tot 5.0

U12 Girls

• Florizelle Songco (USA) 1590 Rating, Tot 5.0

U14 Open

• Kapil Chandran (USA) 2048 Rating, Tot 5.0

U14 Girls

• Rina Weinman (USA) Unr., Tot 5.0

U16 Open

• Ziyi Qin (CAN) 2159 Rating, Tot 5.0

U18 Open

• Jesse B Wang (CAN) 2007 Rating, Tot 5.0

4th Place Winners

U8 Open

• Maanav Ganthapodi (USA) 1436 Rating, Tot 5.0

U8 Girls

• Abigail Lee Zhou (USA) 881 Rating, Tot 5.0

U10 Open

• Thomas Knoff (USA) 1819 Rating, Tot 5.0

U10 Girls

• Devina Devagharan (USA) 1764 Rating, Tot 4.5

U12 Open

• Jason Shi (USA) 1918 Rating, Tot 5.0

U12 Girls

• Shannan Chen (USA) 1285 Rating, Tot 5.0

U14 Open

• Michael H Bodek (USA) 2180 Rating, Tot 5.0

U14 Girls

• Kristen S Sarna (USA) 1632 Rating, Tot 4.5

U16 Open

• Alexander R Katz (USA) 2158 Rating, Tot 5.0

U18 Open

• Alena Kats (USA) 2092 Rating, Tot 5.0

5th Place Winners

U8 Open

• Maxim Yaskolko (USA) 1480 Rating, Tot 5.0

U8 Girls

• Chenyi Zhao (USA) 1207 Rating, Tot 4.5

U10 Open

• Trung Nguyen (USA) 1630 Rating, Tot 5.0

U10 Girls

• Ramitha Ravishankar (USA) 1342 Rating, Tot 4.0

U12 Open

• Vignesh Panchanatham (USA) 1885 Rating, Tot 5.0

U12 Girls

• Jane Zhang (USA) 1572 Rating, Tot 4.5

U14 Open

• Andrew Liu (USA) 2029 Rating, Tot 5.0

U14 Girls

• Rachael Eng (USA) 1634 Rating, Tot 4.5

U16 Open

• Dipro Chakraborty (USA) 2150 Rating, Tot 4.5

U18 Open

• Alex M Fikiet (USA) 2233 Rating, Tot 4.5

Congratulations to all of the players!

FIDE Candidate Master Title

The top player in each section will receive the FIDE Candidate Master Title, which will be officially approved at the FIDE Congress in October 2011. FIDE does award this title to up to 3 players in the section in the event of a tie.

The Players who will receive the FIDE Candidate Master Title: Taran Idnani (USA); Alara Balasaygun (USA), Aravind Kumar (USA), Emily Q Nguyen (USA), Michael Lim (USA), Kimberly Ding (USA), Arthur Shen (USA), Jasmine Chen (USA), John Hughes (USA), Andrew Ng (USA), Ethan S Joo (USA), Thomas Elberling (USA), Akshita Gorti (USA), Hong Rui Zhu (USA), Nikita Gusev (CAN), Michael Vilenchuk (USA

2012 Pan American Youth Championship

The TOP player in each section qualifies for the 2012 Pan American Youth Championship, these players are: Taran Idnani (USA), Alara Balasaygun (USA), Aravind Kumar (USA), Emily Q Nguyen (USA), Michael Lim (USA), Kimberly Ding (USA), Arthur Shen (USA), Jasmine Chen (USA), John Hughes (USA), Andrew Ng (USA)

Record Breaking Attendance

With 272 players participating in the event, this was a record-breaking number for any North American Youth Championship!

The impressive list of participants which included official and extra players from each participating country, are among the top rated in their nations. This was definitely a challenging FIDE event for all of the players. For this event, FIDE rules applied, which exposed many of these young, talented players to the international rules of tournament play.

Get Serious About Your Game – this phrase adequately conveys how these young players feel about chess and the strength of this competition.

To get an idea of how strong this year’s tournament was, no player scored a perfect 7 points. Many of the players repeatedly confirmed that this was a very challenging and tough tournament. These young minds kicked off their summer with an international competition that really challenged their abilities. We enjoyed making this happen for these young talented players.

Thank you to all of the players for participating in this event!

Sponsored by Chess Educators and the U.S. Chess Trust

It is with great gratitude that we acknowledge the contribution of the U.S. Chess Trust, an independent 501(c)(3), non-profit organization created in 1967 to promote, stimulate and encourage the study and play of the game of chess as a means of intellectual development.

A Note to the Trust

I have cultivated many friendships in the 30 + years I have spent promoting chess across the United States and other countries, but, my friends and colleagues at the U.S. Chess Trust hold a special place in my heart. These are truly and honestly, a great group of people who are dignified in their quest to bring chess to the young people of the United States. I am very lucky to have them in my life, and the USA is lucky to have them. It is an honor to work with them.

Last, but not least, I would like to thank the Staff of the 2011 North American Youth Championship for all of their efforts and contribution. I look forward to organizing another great event!

Yours for chess,

WIM Beatriz Marinello

Coming Up!

VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE – CLICK HERE

DATES: June 25-29, 2011

WHERE: Doubletree Tarrytown Hotel
455 South Broadway
Tarrytown, NY 10591 USA

Chess Educators, LLC, The Confederation of Chess for the Americas (CCA), the World Chess Federation (FIDE) and the US Chess Federation (USCF) are pleased to invite you to participate in the 7th Annual North American Youth Championship.

This event is open to players from the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Mexico and the United States. This Championship will be rated by the US Chess Federation (USCF) and the World Chess Federation (FIDE). FIDE rules will apply.

The top boy and the top girl in each section will qualify to play in the 2012 Pan American Youth Championship. These players will be considered official players, and the accommodation and meals will be provided by the local organizer at no cost.

The top player in each section will receive the FIDE Candidate Master Title, which will be officially approved at the FIDE Congress in October 2011.

Trophies for the top five (5) players in each section.

SECTIONS (age as of Jan 1, 2011):
Open Sections and Girls Sections for players ages under 8, 10, 12, 14,16 & 18.

Note: Sections with less than 8 players may be merged in order to award FIDE Candidate Master titles

FORMAT: 7 ROUNDS, SWISS SYSTEM

TIME CONTROL: Game 90 minutes, plus 30 seconds increment.

SCHEDULE:

• Saturday, June 25, Arrival day
• Sunday, June 26, Opening Ceremony and Technical Meeting 9:30am;
• Round 1, 10am; Round 2, 3pm.
• Monday, June 27, Round 3, 10am; Round 4, 3pm.
• Tuesday, June 28, Round 5, 10am; Round 6, 3pm.
• Wednesday, June 29, Round 7, 10am; Awards Ceremony, 2:15pm; Speed Chess and Bughouse Tournaments from 4-7pm.

TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION:
(All players pay entry fees)

• $75 for registrations by May 24, 2011
• $100 for registration by June 13, 2011
• $125 for registration by June 25, 2011

LODGING: DOUBLETREE TARRYTOWN HOTEL, 455 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA. $119, plus taxes. This hotel is located in Westchester County in New York, and it is only 35 minutes away from Grand Central Station in New York City by Metro North Train. Each room has 2 double beds, and the price is the same for 1-4 people in the same room.

This is special rate and you must mention “Chess” when you make the reservation. You must make your reservation by Thursday, May 26, 2011 (Cutoff Date).

• Call 1-914-631-5700.
• Free Parking
• Free Internet Connection

Each National Federation will be entitled to 1/2 a room in a double room for their official player in the open and girls sections based on ages under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 &18 and a room for the Head of Delegation for each country. National Federations have until Tuesday, May 24, 2011, to send the list of official players to the organizer.

Special letters of invitation will be given to participants for Visa Entry Purposes. These letters can only be requested by the National Federations.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION:

• VISIT www.chesseducators.com/northamericanyouth
• Contact the Organizer, Beatriz Marinello by e-mailing Beatriz@chesseducators.com or calling 917-553-4522.

We are looking forward to your visit and your participation in this prestigious event. The event will include staff who speak English and Spanish.

Yours for Chess,

Beatriz Marinello
2011 North American Youth Championship Organizer

The British International School of New York Chess Tournament (Sunday, May 16, 2010)
www.bis-ny.org

20 Waterside Plaza   New York, NY 10010-2612

Open to All Players from Kindergarten – Eighth Grade
Trophies for All Players

• Click Here for Online Registration
• Click Here for Online Payment
• For complete information please Click Here to Download the Tournament Flyer

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:

On-site registrations: From 9am – 9:30 am. Rounds begin at 10 am.

• Novice: K-2 Section: From 10 – 1 ; Awards at 1 PM
• Challenge 3-8 Section: From 10- 1 ; Awards at 1 PM
• K-1 Advanced Novice: 10 AM, 11:00, 12, 1 ; Award Ceremony 2:15 PM
• K-3 Primary Section: 10, 11:35, 1:10 , 2: 45 ; Award Ceremony 4:20 PM
• K-5 Elementary Section: 10, 11:35, 1:10 , 2: 45 ; Award Ceremony 4:20 PM
• K-8 Championship Section: 10, 11:35, 1:10 , 2: 45 ; Award Ceremony 4:20 PM

ENTRY FEE:

Entry fee for pre-registered entrants: $30 ; $40 for Walk-ins.

Registration & Payment:

• Click Here for Online Payment
• Click Here for  Online Registration
• By Mail: Make Check Payable to Chess Educators and mail with your registration form to Chess Educators P.O. Box 160 New York, NY 10028.
• Note: Pre-registration rates end at Noon on the day before the event. So, please allow plenty of time for mailed entries.

For More Information Contact: Beatriz Marinello (917)553-4522 or Beatriz@Chesseducators.com

For more information about British International School of New York please visit www.bis-ny.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis
Mike Wilmering
mwilmering@saintlouischessclub.org
www.saintlouischessclub.org

EXCITING NEW FORMAT DEBUTS AT THE 2010 U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP

SAINT LOUIS, January 28, 2010 — The 2010 U.S. Championship, scheduled to be held May 13-26 at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, will feature a new format, which includes a 24-player, seven-round Swiss tournament followed by a four-player Championship final. The idea is designed to ensure drama in the final three days of play and to avoid the potentially less climactic pairings that are typical in a 24-player, nine-round Swiss. This innovative new format will ensure an exciting finale for chess fans around the world. After seven rounds of play, the top four players will face off in a round robin (also known as a quad). The scores from the Swiss tournament will carry over into the final.

Players who do not make it into the top four places after seven rounds will play two more rounds of the Swiss event. They will also have much to play for as fifth place will be awarded $10,000 and the total prize fund of the “Challenger’s Swiss” will exceed $90,000.

“By structuring this year’s event with both a preliminary Swiss and climactic final, we hope to host a U.S. Championship that fans will never forget and that will help advance the cause of chess as telegenic and thrilling,” said Tony Rich, executive director of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. “Come out to Saint Louis for a long weekend during the finals to see for yourself!”

Tournament Chairperson WGM Jennifer Shahade will provide live commentary of the tournament alongside a Grandmaster commentator soon to be announced.

This year’s prize fund is being increased from $135,000 to more than $170,000 with a grand prize of $35,000, a minimum of $3,000 for last place and more funds going to second place in particular ($20,000 as compared to $15,000 in 2009). The prize fund is differentiated at every single place with the exception of the fourth- and fifth-place finishers, who will both receive $10,000.

“We are proud to present the largest per capita prize fund in U.S. Championship history,” Rich said.

In the event that there is no clear U.S. Champion after the quad finals, there will be a championship playoff. The U.S. Champion will receive $5,000 more than other players tied for first prior to the playoff, but other tied players throughout the tournament will share monies equally. If after seven rounds, there are ties for the four places into the final round-robin quad, then there will be a concise fourth-place playoff on May 21, the scheduled rest day.

“Rules to break possible ties (and multiple ties) for fourth and first will be fully outlined,” said U.S. Championship Rules Advisor Greg Shahade.

They will appear in the players contracts and on the CCSCSL Web site closer to the tournament start.

The 24 invited players will include:

• defending U.S. Chess Champion, GM Hikaru Nakamura;
• winner of the 2009 U.S. Senior Open Championship, GM Larry Christiansen;
• winner of the 2009 U.S. Junior Championship, GM Ray Robson;
• winner of the 2009 U.S. Women’s Championship, IM Anna Zatonskih;
• the top five qualifiers from the 2009 U.S. Open Championship: GM-elect Alex Lenderman, GM Sergey Kudrin, GM Alex Yermolinsky, GM Dmitri Gurevich and GM Jesse Kraai;
• winner of the 2010 ICC State Champion of Champions (to be determined);
• the top 10 U.S. players by rating of the United States Chess Federation’s February supplement (to be determined);
• four wild card spots (to be determined).

Stay tuned to the Web site of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis for more details on the prize fund breakdown, schedule and participants.

###

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization that opened in July 2008. It has more than 500 members. The club offers free classes, discounted tournament entry fees and discounted merchandise for club members.

The United States Chess Federation is the official, not-for-profit U.S. membership organization for chess players and chess supporters of all ages and strengths, from beginners to grand masters. Founded in 1939 with the merger of the American Chess Federation and the National Chess Federation, USCF has grown to more than 80,000 members and nearly 1,200 affiliated chess clubs and organizations. USCF sanctions 25 national championship award titles to both amateurs and professionals, ranging from elementary school students to senior citizens. For more information, visit www.uschess.org.

(From www.uschesstrust.com) All Photos and Article by Dora Leticia

As many prepare to ring in the New Year with family, friends and an onslaught of parties…there are still those who prefer to end the year with a chess tournament at our nations capital, Washington, D.C.!

About the 36th Annual Eastern Open: A Heritage Event

Where? Westin Washington DC City Center Hotel, Thomas Circle, 1400 M St. NW, Washington, DC.

Organizer - Tom Beckman – Info only, tombeckman@rcn.com

Tournament Directors – NTDs Michael Atkins and Ernie Schlich

$17,000 Unconditionally Guaranteed Prizes – Over 60 Prizes

Class prizes for each 100 points!

• CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS PAGE
• CLICK HERE FOR THE TOURNAMENTS WEBSITE

Schedule:

• Sunday 12/27: 1pm & 7:30pm
• Monday 12/28: 11am & 6pm
• Tuesday 12/29: 11am & 6pm
• Wednesday 12/30: 10am & 4:30pm

This year the 36th Annual Eastern Open has rocked our nations capitol! But, I can’t help but think that something else, something bigger is at play here…and I don’t mean the prize money.

Coming together in our nation’s capitol at the end of a year to play competitive chess means more than the obvious….just look, pay attention…and observe.

The look on a players face during a morning coffee run (prior to game play)…the complete absorption in their own thoughts as they prepare for what could be a win…or a win…because as someone most of us know always says:

“Even when we lose, we win.” – Beatriz Marinello.

You may even come across a player with a slight fear of dogs, even small ones…and even if he has a bigger bite when it comes to chess, well, dogs can be scary. You know who we mean Mr. Lenderman. ; – )

A chess tournament that draws young and older players alike, whether they travel alone or accompanied by friends and family, they share a common sentiment – love for the game.

AND I MEAN L-O-V-E, LOVE. These are high playing, chess loving beings!

Recently, I read a book called “The Equation That Couldn’t Be Solved” by Mario Livio and found a section titled, “The Rules of the Game”.

In this section there is a quote by the man who was nicknamed “Darwin’s Bulldog”, Biologist, Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-95).

“The chess board is the world, the pieces are the phenomena of the universe, the rules of the game are what we call the laws of Nature. The player on the other side is hidden from us…”

According to the book’s author, “today’s physicists would like the laws of nature not only to represent the rules of the game, but also to explain even the existence and properties of the chessboard and the pieces themselves!”

But, the board and the pieces don’t play themselves…and as our chessplayers wander the halls of the Westin lost in thought, or analyze their games after play to try to determine what went wrong, or bask in the glory of a battle won, or simply are just dying to get something to eat after hours on end of a grueling chess match.

Where do the holidays go and how are they celebrated for these chess beings?

And then I see….Chess is their celebration! Chess is their glory, it’s their need, their balance, their life!

What better way to welcome and celebrate the New Year than in doing what we love?

As this event is wrapped up as well as many others being held across our great country – we at the U.S. Chess Trust would like to wish you and yours a very happy and safe New Year!

Check out the 36th Annual Eastern Open photo gallery below and stay tuned for final standings!

Article by WIM Beatriz Marinello

When I first saw this amazing video (check out the new NBA promo video in sidebar), I immediately remembered, a program at the Yonkers Housing Authority in New York State called “Smart Basketball”.

The young players were required to play chess prior to starting their basketball practice.

This program was instituted by Mr. Peter Smith, Executive Director of the YHA at the time.

So, how is basketball like a game of chess?

In James Case’s book, Competition – The Birth of a New Science, this question is asked:

“What do chess-playing, computer programs, biological evolution, competitive sports, gambling, alternative voting systems, public auctions, corporate globalization, and class warfare have in common?

The answer inevitably comes…

“All are manifestations of a new paradigm in scientific thinking, which James Case calls “the emerging science of competition.”

“…Case explores the common game-theoretic strands that tie these seemingly unrelated fields together, showing how each can be better understood in the shared light of the others.”

Another, recently published book, Spark! by Dr. John Ratey says:

“…excercise provides an unparelled stimulus creating an environment in which the brain is ready, willing and able to learn.”

“…physical exercise unleashes certain chemicals in the bloodstream, which leads to direct, positive changes in the brain. One of these chemicals is the protein called BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), known for the impact it has on brain development.”

In other words, exercise makes us smarter…

So, what do you think?

If this is the case, shouldn’t chess be played after a strenuous game of basketball to improve your game, or, should you play chess before basketball to improve your slam dunk abilities?

I say, Peter Smith had it right, stretch the chess muscles, so in the case that you lose, perhaps letting off a little steam with a game of ball will cool you off.

JUST GET YOUR GAME ON!

Fischer Memorial Prize, Jackpot Bonus Added for 2009 U.S. Championships to be Held in St. Louis

By Mark Bretz
February 19, 2009

For more information contact:

Mark Bretz, Slay & Associates

314-838-9371 or mbretz@slayandassociates.com

For Immediate Release:

FISCHER MEMORIAL PRIZE, JACKPOT BONUS ADDED TO PRIZES

FOR 2009 U.S. CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP BEING HELD IN ST. LOUIS

ST. LOUIS, February 19, 2009 — A $64,000 bonus in memory of late chess champion Bobby Fischer and a jackpot bonus for a “clear” first-place winner have been added to the prizes being awarded at the 2009 U.S. Chess Championship. The tournament, which will be held May 7-17, 2009 at the new Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, will offer a purse of more than $130,000 in prize money.

Any player who scores a 9-0 sweep will be awarded the Fischer Memorial Prize, a $64,000 bonus in addition to the first-place award. The prize is in remembrance of the late American world champion Bobby Fischer, who died in 2008 at age 64. Fischer scored an 11-0 victory in the 1963-64 U.S. championship, the only perfect score in the event’s history.

Additionally, a jackpot bonus of $5,000 will be awarded to the first-place winner. If there is a tie for first, the jackpot will be awarded in a playoff for the title of U.S. champion, to be contested on May 17, after the final round and before the closing ceremony. Up to four players will contest a series of one-game rapid matches designed to guarantee a decisive result (”draw odds games”).

Two dozen of the nation’s best players will be invited to participate in the 2009 U.S. Chess Championship. The 24 players include:

* the top 12 American players by rating, using the April rating supplement;
* the top two female players by rating, using the April rating supplement;
* the 2008 U.S. Junior Closed Champion;
* the 2008 U.S. Open Champion;
* the 2009 U.S. State Champion of Champions;
* the 2008 defending U.S. Chess Champion;
* a total of six wild card spots, to be determined later.

The winner will receive $35,000, with additional cash prizes awarded to all participants, including $2,000 to the last-place entrant. Cash prizes will be divided equally among tied competitors. Additionally, top youths from throughout America will be invited to compete. Spectators will be welcome at the event.

The championship will be a 9-round event, using the Swiss system with one round per day and a rest day on Friday, May 15 between rounds 7 and 8. Time controls will be the classical 40 moves in two hours, with one hour allowed for all remaining moves. There also will be a five-second “increment” added to each player’s clock after every move. Guest commentary will be provided by two world-class Grandmasters throughout the event.

“We are excited to be able to provide these extra bonuses to the top-tier contestants who will be participating at the 2009 U.S. Chess Championship,” said Tony Rich, executive director of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. “It is fitting to honor the fiercely competitive late chess legend Bobby Fischer in such an environment.”

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization that opened in July 2008. Founded by retired investment fund manager Rex Sinquefield, it already has nearly 500 members, surpassing its original goal of 300 for its first year of operation by 67 percent. The club, which Steve Goldberg of United States Chess Federation (USCF) Online calls “certainly one of the most impressive chess centers” in the country, offers free classes for beginners, discounted tournament entry fees and discounted merchandise for club members. For more information, please visit www.saintlouischessclub.org or call 314-361-CHESS.

The United States Chess Federation is the official, not-for-profit U.S. membership organization for chess players and chess supporters of all ages and strengths, from beginners to grand masters. Founded in 1939 with the merger of the American Chess Federation and the National Chess Federation, USCF has grown to more than 80,000 members and nearly 1,200 affiliated chess clubs and organizations. USCF sanctions 25 national championship award titles to both amateurs and professionals, ranging from elementary school students to senior citizens. For more information, visit www.uschess.org.