URBAN KNIGHTS CHESS TEAM RECOGNITION DAY!

CONGRATULATIONS! The Urban Knights were recognized for their performance at the 2010 National Scholastic High School K - 12 Chess Championship held in Columbus, Ohio during April 2010 by the Dr James A. Williams, Superintendent for the Buffalo School District.

The family members were allowed to take pictures with the team and superintendent during the Buffalo School Board Executive Session. This was the first time that a student(Andrew J Pencille, Lockport School District)from out of the district was recognized by the Buffalo School Board.

All the Urban Knights are planning to play in the 4th Annual Mayor's Cup Chess Championships, featuring Vance Williams, 2009 Mayors Cup Champion, Saturday and Sunday, June 5th & 6th, 2010, held at Buffalo State College, Campbell Student Union, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222.

The 2010 Mayor's Cup Championships are presented by the Buffalo State College Student Affairs Department in conjunction with The Archangel 8 Chess Academy and Simpson & Simpson, PLLC. For more information and details, please reply to arcangel8chess@yahoo.com. The Championships are open to all ages and all levels of play. US Chess Federation membership is required and memberships must be current. All chess players must bring chess clocks, chess set and chess board. The Mayor's Cup Masters Section will be 5 rounds, Swiss with Game 120 and rated by The World Chess Federation - FIDE and The United States Chess Federation. The Scholastic Section will be 6 rounds, Swiss with Game 60.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Mc Duffie, with reply to arcangel8chess@yahoo.com.

Submitted by Mc Duffie, Chess Ambassador

Results from the Bishop Timon Chess Challenge

Ben Havey won the Bishop Timon Chess Challenge hels May 22,2010 with a perfect 4-0 score, Ben defeated Richard Brent(830), Joe Covley (1299), James Paul , (1350) and Matthew Leahy en route to victory. Joe Covley took second with 3 and Vinay Sharma (1595) from Ontario ,Canada tied with Sam Santora and Richard Brent for under 1500. Thank you to all that participated and thank you for supporting Buffalo Chess.

Third Annual Minorities In Criminal Justice Grand Prix Results

Another forty player turnout at the Main Place Mall. The cross table is at http://main.uschess.org/assets/msa_joomla/XtblMain.php?201005152791.0

The winners in the Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell W. Whitfield Jr. Star Scholastic (K - 12) Section are as follows; Undefeated Champion - Raemell C. Johnson, 6th grader, City Honors & Urban Knights Chess Club member. Second Place - Miles A. James, 3rd grader, Olmstead #64 and Urban Knights Chess Club member, Third Place - James W. Hamton, East High and Urban Knights Chess Club member, Fourth Place - Lorena M. James, Nichols School & Urban Queens Chess Club member.

The winners of the David Evans Jr Purple Heart U1500 Section are as follows; Co-Champions - David C. Gluchowski and Khadir Muhammad, Third place - Eric Muhammad, Fourth place - James J. Paul, M.D.

In the MCJ Open, was the largest section with 20 players. The winners are Undefeated Champion - Eric Grabowski(2109) and a five way tie for second were Mark J. Clark,(2047} Jamestown NY, Marijan Procyk(2053), Harish Srinivasan(1893), Alanna Katz(1868) and newcomer Richard Brent(830), Lockport NY.

Upset Leaders were Richard Brent(830) with 1684 points, Thomas C. Callea(1509)with 552 points, Michael A. Mc Duffie(1202)with 544 points, Erik W. Lubas(1648)with 248.5 points, Mike Jocko(1535)with 166.5 points, Francis B. Grabowski(1409)with 126 points, Alanna Katz(1868)with 98.5 points, Ryan Madden(1727)with 92 points, Marijan Procyk(2053)with 12 points.

We want to extend a welcome to newcomers Richard Brent from Lockport NY, Jaymes Rodgers, Khadir Muhammad, Eric Muhammad, John C. Dill. Congratulations to Lorena M. James for winning her first chess trophy with her brother Miles.

The next event is the 4th Annual Mayor's Cup Chess Championships, presented by The Buffalo State College Student Affairs department in conjunction with The Archangel 8 Chess Academy and Simpson & Simpson PLLC., Featuring defending 2009 Mayor's Cup Champion Vance Williams, on June 5th & 6th, held at Buffalo State College, Campbell Student Union, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo NY 14222, for more information, please reply to arcangel8chess@yahoo.com.

Bishop Timon Chess Results

Ben Havey won all 4 games and is approproaching the 1800 plateau as he captured first place in an eight player field.

The cross table is available at http://main.uschess.org/assets/msa_joomla/XtblMain.php?201005223171

Bishop Timon Chess Challenge

Bishop Timon Chess Challenge Saturday, May 22, 2010 Bishop Timon High school 601 Mc Kinley Parkway , Buffalo,NY 4 round swiss, G/45, EF: $20, All Prizes based on entries. Registration 8:30-9:25 Rounds:9:30-11-12:30-2:00 in Open section. There will be a class prize for U1900. U1500 section rounds:9:30-11-12:30-2:00. Scholastic:G/30, 5 rounds EF:$5.00, rounds:9:30-10:30-11:30-12:30-1:30. No checks at the site , late entries will be forced to take a ½ point bye. Send advanced entries and inquiries to Old School Chess Enterprises c/o Douglas Dubose 124 Military Road, Buffalo, NY 14207 or email zugzwang92857@yahoo.com Park in the back parking lot the east rear door will be open for admittance.

2010 Manlius Pebble Hill Scholastic K-6th CHAMPIONS!

On Sunday, April 16th, the Archangel 8 Chess Academy travelled to Dewitt, New York, just outside of Syracuse NY and played in the K - 6th section of the 2010 Manlius Pebble Hill Scholastic Championships directed by Robert Nasiff, a former USCF National Scholastic Tournament Director.

Teams and players came from Potsdam New York, Buffalo New York and the Syracuse New York area.

The six members are from the Urban Knights and Urban Queens Chess Club, which meets every wednesday nights from 6pm until 7:45pm at the Frank E Merriweather Jr Branch Library on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo New York. According to the US Chess Federation, there is less than 8 percent of females who play chess. The Urban Queens Chess Club was established to recruit and train females to learn, play and have fun in chess. Currently, The Archangel 8 Chess Academy is looking to recruit female chess players to train and participate in the 2010 National High School Scholastic All Girls Championships in December.

Pictured are the following players:(L-R Back)Savanah Pencille, 5th grader at Charles Upson Elementary in Lockport New York, Robert Nasiff, MPH Tournament Director, Miles James, 3rd grader at Olmstead #64, Mc Duffie, USCF Certified Chess Coach, Tomescia Weissinger, 6th grader at Charter School for Applied Technology, (L-R front)Andrew Pencille, 4th grader at Charles Upson Elementary in Lockport New York, Lorena James, 5th grader at Nichols, and Javanna Chambers, 2nd grader at Charter School for Applied Technology. Top honors went to Andrew Pencille who finished in 2nd place where the top 7 received trophies, and medals went to Lorena and Miles James for earning two points in the four round tournament.

If you would like to come and join us, you can find us at the Frank E Merriweather Jr Branch Library every wednesday night from 6pm until 7:45pm and every friday night at the Gloria J Parks Community Center, 3242 Main Street, Buffalo New York from 7pm until 8:30pm. Both programs are Free, Open to any and all skill levels, chess boards and chess sets are provided, group chess lessons are provided by Mc Duffie, USCF Certified Chess Coach.

Check out http://susanpolar.blgspot.com/2010/05/urban-knights-and-urban-queens.html.

The players will be playing in the 2010 Mayor's Cup, 4th Annual Chess Championships, featuring defending 2009 Champion Vance Williams on June 5th and June 6th, held at Buffalo State College Campbell Student Union, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo New York, for more information or to register, please reply to arcangel8chess@yahoo.com. Females are strongly encourage to participate!

Submitted by Mc Duffie, Chess Ambassador

EAST HIGH CHESS TEAM RECEIVES SPECIAL HONORS!

The East High Chess Team has been invited by Superintendent Dr James A Williams to the Buffalo School Board meeting, Wednesday, May 26th at 5:30pm for special recognition for their performace at the 2010 National High School Scholastic K-12 Chess Championship, Columbus Ohio held in April.

The East High three man team in their first national championship, pictured above with Carol Jarecki, USCF National Tournament Director, competed in the Unrated Section against 144 players and 32 teams during the three days, seven round championship, finished 24th place where only the top twenty five teams earn team trophies. Pictured (L-R)James Hampton, Joshua Hampton, Coach Mc Duffie, seated is Christian F.E. Collier.

The final national individual results were Christian F.E. Collier, senior finished 77th place, Joshua Hampton, spohomore finished 92nd, James Hampton, sophomore finished 123rd, Andrew Pencille, 4th grader from Charles Upson Elementary finished 124th, Miles A James, 3rd grader from Olmstead #64, played in the U800 section and finished 138th place out of 222 players.

Bishop Timon Chess Team competed in the U800 Section with 222 players, finished 4th in the nation and special honors trophy was awarded to Scott Wilson, senior finished 14th was extended an invitation by Mc Duffie, Chess Ambassador as they have continued to perform well. All the chess players will receive certificates of outstanding achievement from the Superintendent and the Buffalo School Board. Maybe Chess has finally arrived in Buffalo and hopefully this will lead to more support and encouragement from Superintendent Williams.

Special thanks to volunteers Barry Davis, National Master who traveled with the Bishop Timon team and Alanna Katz, University of Buffalo, who both spent time during the three days and helped give encouragement, reviewed games and chess strateies to all of the players from Buffalo.

I have begun to assemble the makings of an All Girls Chess team for the 2010 National High School K - 12 Championships to be held in Florida come this December. If you know of any girls who should be considered, or if you would like to help train, Coach, an All Girls Chess Team, please send me her full name and telephone number with reply to arcangel8chess@yahoo.com.

Respectfully submitted by Mc Duffie, Chess Ambassador

The King Retains his Title

Playing the black pieces Anand was able to win in the final game 12 of the World

Championship. The game can be replayed at http://www.anand-topalov.com/en/game12.html

The last classical game of the FIDE World Chess Championship was opened with Lasker variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined as Viswanathan Anand sought for a solid defence in which White would have only minimal chances to score a victory. The opening went quietly until Anand moved the slightly unusual 16...Nf6. This was the moment where Veselin Topalov took a bit longer to decide on the middlegame plan. Topalov allowed Black to trade the Be4 and in return he forced an isolated pawn on c5. But is was not easy to besiege this pawn as Black successfully coordinated pieces and obtained excellent counterplay. White took some time to consolidate the position and avoid tactics on the back-rank and against the Knight on d2. Anand silently offered a moves repetition with Bd3-a6, but Topalov snubbed the offer. White established the Knight on c4, while Black Bishop possessed a long diagonal from a8. Exactly in this moment, Topalov erred in an attempt to prevent Black's e5-e4. He played e4 himself, but Anand did not hesitate long before breaking the formation with 30...f5 and 31...e4. Topalov carelessly traded the pawn on e4 and fell under a strong attack. The Black battery Queen-Rook-Bishop worked perfectly in the pursuit after White King. It looked like the game was over, and even Anand admitted that he couldn't see a defence for White, but Topalov found some remarkable resources and managed to prolong the game. But with a series of precise moves, Anand managed to convert the advantage and bring victory home on move 56. The final score is 6,5:5,5. Thus Anand retained the title of the World Chess Champion! Congratulations!

CAN/AM INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 2010!

For those who love the longer time controls and are looking to have a World Chess Federation - FIDE rating, this summer will be for you.

As Buffalo hosts its annual Friendship Festival, the Buffalo chess community will have the 2nd Annual CAN/AM International FIDE Masters Series. Starting July 17th & 18th, August 21st & 22nd and September 18th & 19th, 2010, held at the Gloria J Parks Community Center, 3242 Main Street, Buffalo NY 14215. The FIDE Master Series are for established FIDE rated players and for those who are looking to establish a FIDE rating. Currently there are 28 FIDE rated players in Canada, 178 in New York State, just imagine if those from Maryland, PA, OH, MA and NJ decide to participate?

The format for the FIDE World Chess tournament will be Five rounds, FIDE & USCF rated, Swiss, Game 120, 20 Enhanced U.S.C.F. Grand Prix points, Entry fee is $55, Guaranteed Cash Prizes for the Top 3 are as follows, 1st $350, 2nd $250 & 3rd $200. Class Prizes are U2000 $175 and U1800 $150.

There will be an U1500 Section, Entry fee $30 v $50 USD Cash only on site, Guaranteed Cash Prizes $150, $90, $60.

The game schedule for all games will be Saturdays at 10am, 2:30pm and 7pm, Sundays at 10am and 2pm. Byes are available if requested at registration, none available in Round 5.

Advance Online registration with reply to arcangel8chess@yahoo.com with full name, current FIDE/USCF Id numbers, section of play and telephone number. Please mail and make checks payable to The Archangel 8 Chess Academy,"FIDE" 60F Guilford Lane, Buffalo, NY 14221 postmarked no later than 7 days prior to the tournament.

This is my second attempt to attract higher rated chess players to the Buffalo - Niagara region, I would appreciate everyones help, please invite your chess friends to come and join us this summer in Buffalo. My brother "Pawn Master" is scheduled to bring some players in a van. If you would like me to contact someone, please email their full name, phone and email information.

The Convention Visitors Bureau is also working with me to attract 200 chess players, with reduced hotel and motel room rates, for all to See and Do in Buffalo, www.visitbuffaloniagara.com, YES! WE CAN! Each event will be published in the July, August and September Chess Life magazine, please tell your friends to look for it and join us.

If you have any ideas or comments that could make this a success, please make your comments known, so we all can share these ideas. The Rochester Chess Center has been holding a FIDE Rated, 9 Rounds, Round Robin Tournament, Entry fee is $50 for established FIDE rated players and $100 for NON FIDE rated players who are rated USCF 1600 and higher. Five of the players have established FIDE ratings, none are from the Buffalo - Niagara area.

HELP! Grow the Buffalo chess community, TELL A FRIEND & BRING A FRIEND! Let me know what you think.

Submitted by Mc Duffie, Chess Ambassador

4th Annual 2010 MAYOR'S CUP MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Fourth Annual Buffalo Mayors Cup and Class Chess Championships, featuring defending 2009 Mayor's Cup Champion Vance Williams, will be held on Saturday, June 5th and Sunday, June 6th, 2010 at Buffalo State College's Campbell Student Union (1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY) and is presented by Buffalo State College Student Affairs in conjunction with The Archangel 8 Chess Academy and Simpson and Simpson, PLLC.

In the Mayor's Cup Section, EF $55, 5 Rounds, Swiss, Game 120, Guaranteed Cash Prizes, First Place winner will be crowned the title of 2010 Buffalo Chess Champion & awarded $300, 2nd Place $225, 3rd Place $150, U1900 $150. The Championship title will be awarded only to residents of the Western New York region. Mayor's Cup game schedule will be Sat at 9:30am, 2:30pm & 7:30pm., Sun at 9:30am & 2:30pm. The Mayors Cup trophy presentation by Mayor Byron W Brown with pictures to follow.

NYS Senator Antoine M. Thompson U1500 Section, EF$45, 6 Rounds, Game 90, Guaranteed Cash Prizes - 1st $200, 2nd $100 & 3rd $75. Game Schedule U1500 & U1200 on Sat at 9:30am, 1:30pm & 5:30pm, Sun. at 10am & 2pm. NYS State Senator Antoine M Thompson trophy presented by Sen. Antoine M. Thopmson to follow.

Jeff White Memorial U1200 Section, EF $35, 6 Rounds, Game 90, Guaranteed Cash Prizes, 1st Place $125, 2nd Place $90, 3rd Place $50. Awards to follow.

Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell W. Whitfield Jr. Star Scholastic K - 12 Section, EF $20, 6 Rounds, Game 60. Game Schedule on Sat at 10am, 12:30pm, 3pm, Sun. at 10am, 12:30pm and 3pm. Trophies to the Top 5 Winners. Trophy presentation by Buffalo Fire Commissioner, Garnell W. Whitfield Jr.

All entry fees are to be received no later than Monday, May 31, 2010. Entries after May 31, 2010 please add an additional $25.00. Please mail and make checks payable to The Archangel 8 Chess Academy, 60F Guilford Lane, Buffalo NY 14221, please include the section of play, full name, FIDE/USCF ID number and telephone number. Advance online registrations must be received by Monday, May 31, 2010 by midnight to arcangel8chess@yahoo.com

This two day chess championship will be both a FIDE and United States Chess Federation Rated tournament. It will be the first of four such FIDE rated tournaments that will be held this summer in Western New York. The other three all will be part of The 2010 CanAm International FIDE Master Series with weekend dates of July 17th & 18th, August 21st & 22nd, and September 18th & 19th. The CanAM series will be a 20 point Enhanced Grand Prix event and have guaranteed prizes of $350 - $250 - $200, U2000 $175 and U1800 $175 and this should make this International series an attraction for Canadian FIDE rated players to come to Buffalo.

If you have any questions or comments please reply to arcangel8chess@yahoo.com Help us to continue to grow the Buffalo Niagara Chess Community, TELL A FRIEND & BRING A FRIEND! Start a chess club at your Elementary, Middle and High School today.

Respectfully submitted by Mc Duffie, Chess Ambassador

3rd ANNUAL MINORITIES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRAND PRIX 2010

Saturday May 15th, 2010

Main Place Mall, Upper Level, 390 Main Street, Buffalo, NY

FREE PARKING under Mall

FREE PIZZA AND REFRESHMENTS TO ALL TOURNAMENT PLAYERS!

FOUR ROUNDS, SWISS, GAME 50, USCF OPEN RATED TOURNAMENT, USCF MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED!

Advance Entry fee $20 v. $35, Cash only at the door. Scholastics EF $10.00.

$445 GUARANTEED CASH PRIZES!

GRAND PRIX - $120, $80, U1900 $75.

U1500 DAVID EVANS JR MEMORIAL SECTION - $80, $50 & $40.

GRAND PRIX & U1500 SECHEDULE: 9:45AM, 11:30AM, 1:15PM AND 3PM.

GARNELL W. WHITFIELD JR. STAR SCHOLASTIC SECTION,TROPHIES FOR TOP 4 WINNERS.

SCHOLASTIC SCHEDULE:10AM, 11AM, NOON, 1PM AND 2PM.

ARMED FORCES & LAW ENFORCEMENT, UNRATED, EF$25, bb/15, $80 - $50 - $40.

Advanced entries always greatly appreciated. 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, Received no later than wednesday, May 12th, 2010. Online registrations no later than Friday, May 14th at midnight.

SAVE THE DATE: THE 4TH ANNUAL 2010 MAYOR'S CUP, BUFFALO MASTERS & CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS, Sat. June 5th and Sun. June 6th, Buffalo State College, Campbell Student Union, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222. Defending 2009 Champion Vance Williams. This will be a FIDE and USCF rated Championship. CASH PRIZES $300 - $225 - $150, U1900 $150. U1500 Cash Prizes $$200 - $100 - $75, U1200 $125 - $90 - $50. STAR SCHOLASTICS - K - 12th, TOP 5 Winners!

Submitted by Mc Duffie, Chess Ambassador

WCC Game 8 - Topalov Wins. Scores Level

In a very complicated opposite colored bishop endgame, Anand made a very instructive error that lead to his resignation shortly. I am showing the winning plan for white as explained by GM Harikrishna on ICC. Its indeed very instructive. In the first position, it is black to play. Black's way to draw is to have the Bishop guard the h7 pawn and let the king control the queening square white's d6 pawn. After defending well with this idea for a long time, suddenly Anand made the instructive error in this position playing 54...Bc6??. And then after 55.Kh6 ...Kg8 we have reached the opposite plan of what black intended. Now the king guards the h7 pawn and black's bishop cannot leave its diagnol as otherwise d7 wins (diagram 2). White continued with 56.g4 and Anand resigned in view of, 56...Bd7 (cannot leave the diagnol) 57.g5 Be8 (for the moment guarding g6 - you will see why this is crucial - diagram 3) 58.Bg7 and now black has no good moves to make (Zugzwang). 58...Bc6 59.g6! forcing 59...hxg6 60.Kxg6 (diagram 4)and now the king has found its path to f6. Previously there was no way king could enter f6 as g6 was covered by the h7 pawn and white king tried Kg5 then black went Kf7. The game can continue 60...Be8+ 61.Kf6 Bd7 62.Ke7! Bc8 63.Be5 and we reach the final diagram position where black cannot stop d7 push.

WCC Games 6 and 7 both drawn

After having an amazing start with decisively won games, the World Championships have now had several draws in a row. Games 6 and 7 were both drawn leaving Anand now leading 4-3 with only 5 games remaining. At least, like today's game, the draws are not dull, however.

Games 6 and 7 can be replayed at: http://www.anand-topalov.com/en/game6.html

and

http://www.anand-topalov.com/en/game7.html

Mark Clark wins in Sardinia

Expert Mark Clark (seen above- on left )won the May Swiss held this past Saturday at the Sardinia Community Center. He won all 3 games, defeating Carl Raymore, Ryan Madden in a great battle, and Pat Patterson.

In the Clark-Madden game, at one point Ryan had a K-Q-p against Mark's K-R-B-p but Mark's experienced play forced the Queen off and gave him a winning endgame. As Mark said "He gave me a real scare". A great game by both players! Ryan, Pat and Mike Jocko all tied for 2nd. Nathan Palmisano won the u1500 prize. Also competing were Mike McDuffie, Austin Kossow, Ryan Palmisano, Zach Madden, Todd Thompson, and Rosemary Warner.

The Scholastic section was also very competetive. Sam Santora ended up winning with 10 wins followed by Kevin Lyle with 8 and Todd Thompson with 7. It was good to see some new faces this month with Sam Santora and the Lyle boys from Lackawanna, and Lorena and Miles James from Buffalo. Other players were Zach Madden, Carl Raymore, Ryan Palmisano, Max Peters, Nate and Nick Schiener, and Sam Tillinghast.

The cross table for this event is at http://main.uschess.org/assets/msa_joomla/XtblMain.php?201005016621 No tournament next month due to the Mayor's Cup. This will be a FIDE rated tournament, probably the only chance a lot of us will have to get an international rating, so lets get as many players there as possible and help support chess in our area!