Zachary Memorial Classic 2011

The results from the 2011 Bill Zachary Memorial Classic are (available at http://main.uschess.org/assets/msa_joomla/XtblMain.php?201105218741 ) and are as follows: But first we want you to keep Jonathan J. Boone and IM Kenneth W. Regan and their familes in your thoughts and prayers. Jonathan's grandfather passed away this week after he was elected class officer at East High School and Dr. Regan's father passed away in New Jersey.

The results of the Urban Queens section playing in honor of Armed Forces Day, had 8 players participate. The Champion was Ruby Z. Soudant, 2nd place - Corey K. Spencer, 3rd place - Alexis Schlaak and 4th place - Da'Ron C. Lipscomb. Highlights from tournament play was Kindergartener Alexis Schlaak defeated Champion Ruby with a discovered check move and also won her queen. Champion Ruby defeated 7th grader Corey, Matthew Schlaak defeated Corey Edwards, 6th grader, Rachel Bartlett defeated C. Edward, 6th grader, Nathan Lange defeated Rachel, 3rd grader. The Top Upset leaders were Ruby Soudant, Matthew Schlaak, Alexis Schlaak, Rachel Bartlett and Nathan Lange.

In the Zachary K-12 section had 7 players participate. Congratulations and Kudos to Joshua Hampton, Jonathan Boone and James Hampton who were elected Class officers at East High School following their accomplishment of being awarded their 2nd National Team Trophy in Nashville, TN. The results are undefeated Champion - Karl White, 2nd place - Kevin Roulhac, 3rd place - James Lyon, 4th place - James Hampton. Top Upset leaders were Justin Arrington with 363 pts, Kevin Roulhac with 331 pts, and Karl White with 25 pts.

Results of the Zachary U1500 section had 6 players, undefeated Champion - James P. Davis, Esq. who continues to keep his winning ways, 2nd place - James J. Paul, MD. Top Upset Leaderboard is Steve L. Baer.

In the Zachary Open section where 12 players participated has a new Champion, Barry Davis takes the new crown by himself, 2nd place - Lionel L. Davis, U1900 winners were Thomas A. Warner and Justin Craddock. Top upset leaderboard had Justin Craddock defeating Albert Patterson(1754), Sam Copeland draws with Lionel Davis(2241), Thomas A. Warner defeated Erik Lubas(1827), Marijan Proczyk defeated Sam Copeland(2088).

We want to give a special thanks to the volunteer parents who helped with lunch and taking pictures for our chess archives. James Lyon earned 3pts at the USCF National Elementary Championships in Dallas, Texas last week. There is still time to reserve your place in the 5th Annual Mayor's Cup International Chess Championships on June 3rd, 4th and 5th at Buffalo State College, Campbell Student Union, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, New York. Online advance registrations can be made by May 31, 2011 with reply to arcangel8chess@yahoo.com. Please encourage others to come out and support our efforts in making Buffalo "the gateway to international chess".

All tournament players will be awarded a special gift negotiated with Ashley Parr, LLC and The Archangel 8 Chess Academy. Ashley Parr, LLC is a collaborative effort between Grand Master Maurice Ashley and Dr. Teresa Parr. Their programs and products are based on Grand Master Ashley's unique method for developing visualization skills, focus, concentration and coolness under pressure agumened by Dr. Parr's expertise in psychology and education. Challenge your mind by visiting www.Pawnmower.com. You can check out more picture from today's event at Facebook/Archangel 8 Chess Academy. Please leave a comment and lets us know about your thoughts.

Reported by Mc Duffie, Chief USCF Tournament Director

Copeland Conquers Sardinia

In his first time in Sardinia, expert Sam Copeland (2088) won all 3 games in a strong field to win the Sardinia tournament last Saturday. Sam defeated Ryan Madden, Don Hoak, and Chris Darling, who had upset Pat Patterson in round 1. There were 15 players in this tournament, of which 7 were rated over 1700! This was the strongest tournament ever held in Sardinia. Thanks to all who attended, especially to Irving Schoenaker, Drew Tuck, and Garrett Thompson from Nunda,NY in their first trip to Sardinia. In the 9 player Scholastic section, Wes Darling won 6 games to take the trophy.Max Tell finished 2nd with 5 wins. Due to the Mayors Cup there will be no Sardinia tournament next month. we will be back in July. See you then!

WILLIAM "BILL" ZACHARY MEMORIAL CLASSIC 2011

With the historical success of the East High Dark Knights Chess Team winning their second consecutive National High School Championship Team Trophy at the 2011 USCF National High School Championships in Nashville TN, along with their opportunity to meet the only African American GrandMaster, Maurice Ashley. As National Master, Barry Davis and I were reflecting on what we had experienced in Nashville, TN, the next thing would be to honor others who help develop chess in Buffalo. William Zachary was also known as the "Godfather of Chess", had established the "Chess House" in Buffalo, NY, encouraged and inspired other african - american males to take up and learn the royal game of chess.

Presented by Barry Davis and James P. Davis, Esq., inconjunction with The Archangel 8 Chess Academy, every year in the month of May, we will celebrate the life of Bill Zachary with a four round, Swiss, Game 50, USCF rated tournament called The Bill Zachary Memorial Classic. Please announce this to other Bill Zachary friends to come out and share this special event with the Buffalo Niagara Community Chess players.

On Saturday, May 21, 2011 at the Main Place Mall, Upper Level, 390 Main Street, Buffalo, NY. An Unrated Quad Section for other adult, non USCF members will be available to encourage other chess members of the Buffalo Niagara community to come out and play three over-the-board chess games under USCF rules.

ALL PLAYERS MUST REPORT BY 9:15am, if paying ENTRY Fee by cash at the door. All games will start at 9:45am, 11:30am, 1:15pm and 3pm.

Sections:OPEN and U1500 - EF$25 v $35 at the door.

Schedule for K-12 Scholastics, Urban Queens and Unrated - EF $10 or $15 Cash at the door, all players must report by 10:30am, Games will start at 11am.

Please bring Chess set, chess board, digital chess clock!

Advance entries along with payment must be made payable and mailed to The Archangel 8 Chess Academy, 60F Guilford Lane, Buffalo, NY 14221 no later than Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Please include full name, USCF Id number, section of play and telephone number.

Online discount entries with reply to arcangel8chess@yahoo.com no later than friday, May 20, 2011 with full name, section, USCF Id number and telephone number.

Respectfully submitted by Mc Duffie, Chess Ambassador

Sardinia Tournament this Saturday

Sardinia Tournament Sat. May 7 At the Sardinia Community Center(Town Hall),12320 Savage Rd, Sardinia NY 2 sections: Adults: 3SS, G45, EF $10, Rds.:11am,1pm,2:30pm. $50 first prize guaranteed! Scholastic: 1-4pm Round Robin-Play as many games as possible in 3 hrs! EF$5, Trophy for 1st place. All Scholastic players will receive a prize! For info call Tom Warner 716-560-4160 E-mail warner689@roadrunner.com

Dark Knights Tour the USCF National Office

The East High Dark Knights was given a tour of the US Chess Federation National office. They met the CFO who had a friend from Buffalo who had a refrieration business in the Lovejoy area called Loyjoy Refrigeration. Next you see the Knights playing on a chess table in the office, a quick board meeting in the confrence room and library with National Master Barry Davis. We have stayed overnight for safety, rest and will head out today to complete our National Championship trip. Currently, the Knights are putting a big dent in the Continental breakfast, ie waffles and Im sure others wont have much left. Keep us in your thoughts! Checkout www.blackwny.com, where the Dark Knights are the featured story thanks to former Senator Antoine Thompson new website. The weekly newspaper The Buffalo Challenger which comes out on Wednesday is to have an article as well. Reported by Mc Duffie, Chess Ambassador

3rd Annual Mother's Day Scholastic Tournament - Saturday, May 7th

Come on out to the Global Concepts Charter School and join us for the 3rd Annual Mother's Day Scholastic Tournament!

The tournament will be held in the Global Concepts Charter School gymnasium located at 1001 Ridge Rd., Lackawanna, 14218.

For early registrations, entry fee is $5.00. If registering on the day of, entry fee is $10.00. To pre-register please contact tournament director Antonio Cirillo at cirilloav@yahoo.com .

The tournament features three sections, Unrated, U700 and U1400. May published ratings will be used. Top 5 in each section receive medals.

Rounds begin promptly at 10am and will conclude at approximately 3pm. Please arrive 15 minutes early to confirm your participation.

Please bring a lunch, as lunch will not be provided.

For more information about the Global Concepts Chess Club check out the Global Concepts Chess Blog

DARK KNIGHTS WIN 2ND NATIONAL SCHOLASTIC HS TEAM TROPHY

The East High School Dark Knights Chess team were successful and earned their second National High School Championship U800 Trophy. The Dark Knights finished 20th in the nation out of 37 teams, only the Top 25 teams earn a trophy.

The 5 team members results were as follows; James Hampton finished with 3.5pts, final standing was 117th out of 213 players, Karl D. White finished with 3pts in the U1200 section, final standing was 191st out of 284 players, Joshua Hampton finished with 3pts, final standing was 127th out of 213, Jonathan Boone finished with 3pts with final standing of 149th and Justin Arrington finished with 2pts, with final standings of 186 out of 213 players.

The USCF staff interviewed all the Dark Knights and invited them to visit the National Office before heading back to Buffalo.

The Dark Knights now set their sights for the 5th Annual Mayor's Cup Scholastic Championships on June 4, 2011 at Buffalo State College, Campbell Student Union, 1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY and The USCF National Scholastic High School Championships, November 18 - 20th, at the Hilton Anatole Dallas in Dallas, TX.

The Bon Voyage Raffle drawing will be on May 4 2011. The Dark Knights and The Archangel 8 Chess Academy want to thank everyone who supported their efforts to take advantage of this special opportunity.

Reported by Mc Duffie, Chess Ambassador

GM Maurice Ashley Meets the Dark Knights at Nationals 2011

On "Moving Up" Day on Day 2 of the 2011 National Scholastic K-12 Championships proved very challenging to the Dark Knights. The team was only able to score a total of 5 points vs a potential 12 points. The major 3 points came in the last round of the day as the Dark Knights, had to stop the decline in the team standings and give themselves a better chance for sunday. In Round 5, the Dark Knights scored a remarkable 3 pts out of 4pts., raising their team score to 8 points, placing the Dark Knights in the U800 Section to 20th Place out of 37 team. Only the Top 25 teams earn a National Trophy!

In the afternoon, GrandMaster Maurice Ashley, stopped by the Analysis Room where he observed the Dark Knights Chess Team reviewing their games with Barry Davis, shook hands with the first and only African - American Grandmaster in the United States, posed for a picture with the Dark Knights Chess Team, gave them each some encouraging words, signed autographed chess boards, programs and welcomed them to the Royal Game. Missing was Karl White who was playing in the U1200. For those of you who dont know but Maurice Ashley has been to Buffalo and was impressed with the talent in the area when he play a Simul Exhibition with 20 local participants Douglas Dubose and James Baldwin (Daquan)were the only two winners as National Master Barry Davis recalled. Chess Ambassador Mc Duffie, had visited the Knights of Valor Chess Club in Baltimore Maryland a few years ago and witnessed Grandmaster Ashley defeat 3 scholastic members while playing "BlindFolded Chess" and PawnMaster, David W. Mc Duffie was the last sitting player at the K.O.V. Simul Exhibition. On Sunday, May 1st, the Dark Knights will meet early to take a team photo with all of its members with Maurice Ashley, GrandMaster before the 6th Round.

Also pictured are the Dark Knights being interviewed for a future article that features the East High School Dark Knights and the new development and growth of chess activities in the Buffalo Niagara region. Staff members of the US Chess Federation travelled 2 hours from Crossville, TN to meet and talk with each member of the Dark Knights Chess team along with Barry Davis, National Master and USCF Chess Coach Mc Duffie. The staff was impressed and extended an invitation to have the Dark Knights stop by the USCF National Office on Monday morning, see pictured with Mc Duffie, Chess Ambassador are Susan Houston, Alan Kantor attend the Maurice Ashley booksigning.

Keep the Dark Knights in your hearts and minds, as they are fast asleep but very encouraged to wake up to a brighter future. Barry Davis and Coach Mc Duffie discussed their progress in the afternoon, added some changes that should bring forth the desired points in the final rounds. The USCF National Team Trophy presentation will be at 7pm CST on May 1, 2011. Dont forget to checkout the Facebook page for The Archangel 8 Chess Academy. The Dark Knights Chess team should be at the Sardina Tournament on Saturday May 7th, to celebrate and share their National Scholastic experiences.

Reported by Mc Duffie, Chess Ambassador