25 th USA Jr Chess Olympics

Sat. Dec 5 , 2009 At Sardinia Town Hall 12320 Savage Rd, Sardinia,NY 5SS, G/30, EF $5 includes free pizza for lunch Rds. 10,11,12:30,1:30,2:30 2 Sections: K-6 and 7-12 Prizes: Olympic style medals to 1st,2nd,and 3rd place winners to individuals and teams in each section USCF membership required, can join at tournament No limit to number of players on team, but only top 4 scores will count for team total. Can have more than 1 team per school. Entries & info: Tom Warner 496-5230 warner689@roadrunner.com There will also be an adult tournament- 3SS, G/45, EF $20, Rds 10:30, 12:30, 2:00, Prizes per entries

Practical choice in a game

This is an experiment that I want to try by asking various chess players as to what strategy they will use in a position as this in a critical tournament requiring you not to lose the game. Black to move, has only two choices (I think so)

1. Play the variation ...Bxe3 Nxc7 ...Bxh6 Nxe8 ...Bd2 and play down the exchange but may be with some compensation of having two connected passed pawns on d and c file (since ...Bxc3 cannot be avoided by White I think)
2. Or, play ...Qb6 in the position and play with either pawn down or even material as in the variation bxc5 ...Qxb5 black will eventually also win back the pawn on c5. But the dark squares are very weak around the black king.

It will be good to know your responses independent of others and the reasons for the same. Your answers can give the readers an idea of the choices different players of different strengths and playing style make.

ROLAND K BEARD JR GRAND PRIX REPORT

This month's Main Place Mall "Grand Prix" was very special indeed. It began with the Honor Guard from WNY Maritime Charter School. This all girl color guard team, under the direction of FC1 Michael Allen, has done over 150 events last year. These ladies who were our color guard for this event had won an inhouse competition to represent the MCS, as all 200 team members wanted to participate in this special Veterans Day honor.

What also made it special was that Marissa L. Herko of MCS has now officially established The WNY Maritime Chess Club which will meet every Friday after school. It will be supervised by Michael A. Mc Duffie, USCF Certified Chess Coach, and director of The Archangel 8 Chess Academy.

The family of Roland K. Beard, which included Mrs. Carol Thompson, his grandson and grand daugher-in-law, and his great-grandchildren, were very delighted and impressed to see 33 chess players of all ages would come out to honor their WWII veteran patriarch. The cross table is found at http://main.uschess.org/assets/msa_joomla/XtblMain.php?200911213921.0

The Beard Airforce Stars 'n Stripes Scholastic section had a total of 10 players, who played a 6 round Swiss, Game/45, tournament. The 2009 Co-Champions were Ryan and Nathan Palmisano from Pioneer Middle School. 3rdd Place went to Miles A. James, a Urban Knights Chess Club member and The 2009 Scholastic Fall K - 4 Champion. Trevor D. Cohn of Kenmore Middle School and a Archangel 8 Chess Club member took 4th Place. Jamar C. Young, a new USCF member and 12th grader from Bishop Timon took 5th Place. Another new USCF member and Bishop Timon 9th grader Nathaniel J. Rosenthal was 6th. Lorena M. James, a 5th grader from Nichols was honorable mention . She lost her first three games but came back to win her last three games, including one where she defeated a 7th grader.

In the John F Kennedy Memorial U1500 section, the Top College Player was David C. Gluchowski from Erie Community College-he too is a new USCF member. Representing Bishop Timon Joe Covley(1110) was the 2009 Champion. Joe was undefeated at 4 - 0. 2nd Place went to Mike R. Jocko(1381) and James J. Paul, MD (1296) was 3rd Place. Upset leaders were Joe Covley with 544 points and James J. Paul, MD with 42.5 pts.

The Beard OSS Airforce Grand Prix Section, had a total of 12 players. and was quite exciting. It included "The Challenge of the Day" which was a claim in the Final round by NM Barry Davis(2091) v Vance Williams(2132), of insufficient losing chances. The advisement committee of TD Thomas A Warner and International Master Mladen Vucic upheld the claim thus resulting in a draw.

IM Mladen Vucic(2389) was our 2009 Champion. IM Vucic was born in Yugoslavia but now lives in WNY. He came out because his rating dropped below 2400 and it "bothered" him. 2nd Place was shared by NM Barry Davis and Eric Grabowski(2091). The U1900 winner was Ryan Madden (1598). Upset Leaderboard: Barry Davis 169.5 points, David Miller 153 pts, David Biddle 97 pts, Matthew Peck 88 pts and Eric Grabowski 41 pts. Excused notables were Evan Ashton, Mark Clark, Robert Cousins, Pierce Cummings, Lionel Davis, Chester Fell, Neil Goldberg, Josua Guo, Brian Hartman, Michael Hillery, Tony Kimbrough, Eddie Mark, Albert Patterson, Marijan Procyk, Nourali Rastbood, Kenneth Regan, Patrick Robinson, Josh Rofrano, Harish Srinivasan, Ferdinand Supsup, Glenn Westcott, Vince Woodard and David W. Mc Duffie (Pawn Master).

Excused notables were Evan Ashton, Mark Clark, Robert Cousins, Pierce Cummings, Lionel Davis, Chester Fell, Neil Goldberg, Josua Guo, Brian Hartman, Michael Hillery, Tony Kimbrough, Eddie Mark, Albert Patterson, Marijan Procyk, Nourali Rastbood, Kenneth Regan, Patrick Robinson, Josh Rofrano, Harish Srinivasan, Ferdinand Supsup, Glenn Westcott, Vince Woodard and David W. Mc Duffie (Pawn Master).

Thank you for everyone who supported this event-with a special thanks to Mrs. Cummings and Lorena James who helped organized lunch for us.

Our next event will be Saturday, December 19, 2009 for the Garnell Whitfield Jr Grand Prix, Garnell is the first minority appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Buffalo Fire Department, USCF Rated, Four Rounds, Swiss, Game 50, there will be a Fireman Section for the Champion of the Buffalo Firehouses, get your firehouse represented now. PIZZA and BEVERAGES FOR ALL CHESS PLAYERS! Advance registrations $20 v $35 at the door, postmarked no later than wednesday, December 16, 2009, please mail and make checks payable to Archangel 8 Chess Academy, 60F Guilford Lane, Buffalo, NY 14221 with full name, USCF Id number, section of play and telephone number.

Respectfully submitted by Mc Duffie, Chess Ambassador and USCF Tournament Director

Want to become better at chess?

Here are some suggestions. Read them and decide what you should study. They are designed for players under 1800 or so, but I am sure we all can learn something from them. http://www.chess.com/article/view/creating-a-study-program http://www.chessville.com/instruction/instr_gen_path_to_improve.htm http://www.chessville.com/instruction/instr_gen_suggestions_for_improving.htm

2009 WNY FALL SCHOLASTIC CHAMPIONSHIPS REPORT

The Second Annual Fall Scholastic Championships drew a total of thirty seven students, our most successful draw but not as many from chess teams. Team awards were withdrawn and the sections were revised to reflect a more balanced Swiss format.

Winners pictured above in the STAR SCHOLASTIC Section K - 4th grades sponsored by the Willie Hutch Jones Educational and Sports Clinics were Champion - Miles A. James, 3rd Grader at Olmstead #64 and Urban Knights Chess Club, 2nd Place - Kevin Farris, 4th grader from the Chess Club of Buffalo, 3rd Place - Adam Velaquez, Kindergarden at Ellicott Road Elementary in Orchard Park, 4th Place - James Velaquez, 1st Grader at Ellicott Road Elementary, 5th Place - Andrew Pencille, Upman School, Lockport NY.

Winners from the Main Liberty Group Section 5th - 8th grades were as follows, Pioneer Middle School dominated this section and remain the Middle School Champions for 2009. Leading the way was Champion Nathan Palmisano, Pioneer Middle, grandson of Thomas Warner, 2nd Place - Samuel Tillinghast, Pioneer, 3rd Place - Chris Darling, 4th Place - Nick Brennan, Pioneer and 5th Place - Spencer Rhyans, Westminister Charter and Urban Knights member, other 5th place honorable mentions were Carl Raymore, Pioneer, Nathan Schiener, Pioneer and Yamil Cruz, Enterprise Charter.

Winners from the Archangel 8 Chess Academy Section 9 - 12th grades, most of the players in this section were underclassmen, USCF rated members and were the most advanced from the total pool of tournament players. This section will be our first USCF Rated section. Champion - Benjamin Havey(1757), Kenmore Middle and the highest USCF rated player in the section, 2nd Place - Partho Bhattacharya(1242), City Honors, 3rd Place - Austin Kossow(895)Pioneer Middle, 4th Place - Richard Herko(941) Global Concept Charter and 5th Place - Ryan Madden(1598), Pioneer Middle. Other 5th Place honorable mentions were John Osborn, Chess Club of Buffalo, Colden NY and Trevor Cohn(761)Kenmore Middle and a Archangel 8 Chess Academy member.

Pizza and beverages were donated by contributions from George K. Arthur and Robert Simpson, Simpson and Simpson, LLC. Trophies donated by the Archangel 8 Chess Academy and The Wright Plaque Company, Kenmore NY.

A special thanks to the Enterprise Charter Chess Team for the Set Up, Marissa Herko, Maritime Charter and Richard Herko, Global Concept Charter for Clean Up, Chess Moms for Lunch, Mrs Herko, Dr Debbie Miller and moms from Pioneer Middle School. Outstanding Coach - Thomas A Warner for delivering a bus load of 14 players and parents. New female chess players were Lorena James, 5th - Nichols and member of the Urban Knights Chess Club, Julia Penchaszadeh Robert, 3rd - Olmstead #64, Jovanna Chambers, 2nd - Charter School for Applied Technology and member of the Urban Knights Chess Club.

Thanks to everyone for making the 2009 WNY Fall Scholastic Championship the most successful. Tell a Friend, Bring a Friend to Chess, start a club in your area. If you would like help or in need of group lessons, requests to arcangel8chess@yahoo.com. We look forward to all returning in 2010.

Respectfully submitted, Michael A. Mc Duffie, Chess Ambassador

ChessJam online gaming

I received the following email, I do not know much more about this than what is offered below. Perhaps our computer experts Harish, Vic, Dr. Regan can clue us in to what Flex and AIR application and ColdFusion and LifeDataServices are. For more info also see: http://gregsramblings.com/2009/10/15/my-pet-project-chessjam-live-online-chess-with-a-fun-attitude/

Hello Dr. Mieth, We are the makers of ChessJam, an online chess game unlike any you have played! We would like to offer you and your members an opportunity to try ChessJam for FREE until 2010 and check out how our rich graphics and easy to use interface make online chess more fun and interactive than it has ever been.

ChessJam allows players to: Choose timed games in 60, 30, or 10 minute lengths, or play speed chess Practice their skills with robots Increase their player ratings by competing directly with other chess players from around the world

With ChessJam you can also: Meet a friend and play in our pre-arranged room Observe games as others play them Meet in the Challenge Court to chat with buddies or challenge them to a game Enjoy every new feature that is added! Some of the features we're currently working on are: the ability to play multiple games at once, improved ratings and game choice, and more towers and rooms

To download ChessJam, please click here: http://www.chessjam.com/ For more information on the best thing to happen to online chess since, well, the internet, please visit our blog at: http://chessjam.blogspot.com/

Thank you! Sincerely, The ChessJam Crew

WNY SCHOLASTIC FALL CHAMPIONSHIPS REMINDER!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2009

Main Place Mall, Upper Level, 390 Main St, Buffalo, New York

Presented by Main Liberty Group, Willie Hutch Jones Educational & Sports Clinics and The Archangel 8 Chess Academy.

Five Rounds, Swiss, Game 30, Unrated, USCF rules enforced.

Three Sections: K - 3, 4 - 8th and 9 - 12th grades.

AWARDS, Trophies and Medals to top winners.

Entry fee: $10 per player, includes Pizza and Beverage.

Check in no later than 10am, Games start at 10:30am.

Schedule:Rd 1 at 10:30am, Rd 2 at 11:30am, Lunch at Noon, Rd 3 at 1:15pm, Rd 4 at 2:15pm, Rd 5 at 3:15pm. Awards and Pictures to follow.

Online registration: Please include full name, School name/Team, Grade and telephone number, USCF id number if member for pairings, no later than Friday, midnight on November 13, 2009.

Email registrations and questions to arcangel8chess@yahoo.com.

Thanks so much for your continued support. Tell and Friend, Bring a Friend.

Mc Duffie, Chess Ambassador

Scholastic Unrated #11 Report

A total of 35 players competed in this weekend's Scholastic #11 at Genesee Valley Central School directed by "the old woodpusher"-Garry Reynolds. Coach Tom Warner's Pioneer Team was particularly impressive. Trophyies and chess clocks were awarded to those who finished in 1st through 3rd place in each section.

In the K-6 section, Sam Tillinghast (493) from Pioneer went a perfect 5 of 5 to take first place. Chris Darling (813), also from Pioneer was second going 4/5. Rayelle Nelling (315p) from Bradford was third but also was 4 of 5.

In the 7-12 section, Luke Duttweiler (unrated) of the host school Genesee Valley Central School, was clear first going a perfect 5 of 5. Luke has been a first place champion in these tournaments now a total of 4 times. Finishing second was Austin Kossow (899) from Pioneer at 4/5. Third place was shared by the Palmisaro brothers Ryan (884) and Nathan (691) both from Pioneer at 3.5/5.

Special Note: There have had over 230 different students play in these events since it's humble beginnings and a total of 412 players overall!

It's A Boy!!!

Breaking News, this just in: Hi, Saradha and I wish to share the good news of the arrival of a baby boy. He is named Neeraj. Wife and baby are doing well. I hope he picks up a liking for chess !!! Regards, Harish

ROLAND K BEARD JR GRAND PRIX

To honor Roland K. Beard, Jr., a living Airforce OS veteran from Clarence, NY, the Main Liberty Group, Willie Hutch Jones Educational Sports Clinics, and the Archangel 8 Chess Academy, present a chess tournament on Saturday Novemeber 21, 2009. Mr. Beard enlisted at age 18 into the China Burma India Theatre of World War II. He was responsible for breaking a Japanese code that helped saved thousands of lives on a British Naval Ship. Come out and meet, greet, and learn of his story with his sister Mrs Thompson.

The event will be held in the Main Place Mall, Upper Level, 390 Main Street, Buffalo, NY. FREE PARKING UNDER THE MALL! FOOD COURT OPEN DURING TOURNAMENT PLAY!

PIZZA AND BEVERAGE PROVIDED FOR ALL CHESS PLAYERS!

USCF Open rated chess tournament, 4 Rounds, Swiss, Game/50, USCF membership required but can join on site for yearly membership fee.

Registration closes at 9:30am.

SCHEDULE: Round One at 9:45am, RD 2 at 11:30am, RD 3 at 1:15pm, RD 4 at 3pm.

GUARANTEED CASH PRIZES: OPEN $120, 2ND PLACE $80, U1900 $75 AND U1500 $50.

STAR SCHOLASTICS: 5 ROUNDS, SWISS, GAME 30, EF$10.00, TROPHIES FOR TOP 3 WINNERS!

SCHOLASTICS MUST CHECK IN NO LATER THAN 9:30AM, GAMES START AT 10AM.

BUFFALO COLLEGIATE CHESS LEAGUE: EF$20, 1ST PLACE $50 AND $45, GAMES START AT 9:45AM. College ID required!.

SORRY NO REFUNDS! Please mail and make checks payable to Archangel 8 Chess Academy, 60F Guilford Lane, Buffalo NY 14221, POSTMARKED no later than Wednesday, November 18, 2009 with full name, USCF ID number and section of play. Online registration to arcangel8chess@yahoo.com no later than Friday, November 20, 2009. Include full name, USCF ID number, and telephone number. All must check in on Saturday by 9:30am even if advanced entry accepted. ADVANCE ENTRIES $20 VS $35 CASH ONLY on site after Wednesday, November 18, 2009.

Free scholastic unrated event!

The following is from "the old wood pusher" Garry Reynolds:

Chess Coaches/Proctors/Advisers/School Staff: Just a reminder to start herding in all your chess cats and prodigies for the upcoming 11th semi-annual scholastic chess tournament being hosted by Genesee Valley Central School on Nov. 7th. in the school cafeteria. It's just a few days away! Please submit your student list via e-mail to Garry Reynolds garrylreynolds@rocketmail.com no later than Nov. 4th. For those attending this event for the first time please provide: Student Name (spelled correctly) Student Grade Level (Critical to be correct) School: For first time entries please list your students based upon playing strength, at least to the best of your knowledge. If any have a USCF chess rating, please provide. Those that do not have a rating I will provide one based upon my "scholastic rating" system. Generally for grades K-6th I will assign a 600 rating and for grades 7th - 12th a 1000 rating as a entry rating for the tournament. The top rated players from previous tournaments have been given a "scholastic rating" ranging between 1500 - 2000. For those players with an official USCF rating, I will convert into my corresponding "scholastic rating" range. Remember to bring $4.00 for the lunch and bring chess sets and clocks if you have them. The best entrance to the cafeteria area of Genesee Valley is located in the rear of the school near the parking garage for the buses. You will be able to enter the main entrance as well and there should be signs directing you to the cafeteria area. Please have all your troops on deck by 9:30am to sign in and pay lunch fee. Sincerely,

Garry L. Reynolds

The Scholastic Chess Coordinator WNY Tournament Director Scio Central School Chess Coach

garrylreynolds@rocketmail.com

4153 CR 1

Friendship, New York 14739

(585)973-7613 Home

(585)596-3730 Work (7:00 - 4:00)