36th Annual Eastern Open: A Chess Celebration (Dec. 27-30)
December 30, 2009 by Chess Press
Filed under News, Tournaments/Events
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!
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!
Happy Holidays from the U.S. Chess Trust!
December 25, 2009 by Chess Press
Filed under News
The U.S. Chess Trust would like to send warm wishes to all this holiday season!
Thank you for your continued support and interest in the U.S. Chess Trust!
2009 National K-12 Championships (Results)
December 14, 2009 by Chess Press
Filed under News, Scholastic Chess, Tournaments/Events
The National K-12 Championships are over and the results are in (see the list below)!
REPLAY a few of the games here and even more on Monroi.com (click here).
The U.S. Chess Trust would like to congratulate all of the players as well as their families, schools and coaches that help support chess across the nation!
RESULTS:
CLICK HERE for COMPLETE RESULTS
- Kindergarten
Individual Champion: Joaquin Perkins
Team Champions: The Village School, Houston, Texas
- 1st Grade
Individual Champion: Awonder Liang
Team Champions: Dalton, New York
- 2nd Grade
Individual Champion : Rayan Taghizadeh
Team Champions: NEST School, New York
- 3rd Grade
Individual Champion : Ruifeng Li
Team Champions: Hunter College Campus School, New York
- 4th Grade
Individual Champion: Jeffrey Xiong (sp)
Team Champions: The Village School, Houston, Texas
- 5th Grade
Individual Champion: Christopher Wu
Team Champions: Horace Mann, New York
- 6th Grade
Individual Champion: James Black
Team Champions: IS 318, Brooklyn, New York
- 7th Grade
Individual Champion: Jarod Pamatmat
Team Champions: IS 318, Brooklyn, New York
- 8th Grade
Individual Champion: Vincent Zhang
Team Champions: Canyon Vista Middle School, Austin, Texas
- 9th Grade
Individual Champion: Michael Chiang and Justin Karp
Team Champions: Horace Mann, New York
- 10th Grade
Individual Champion: Matthew Liu
Team Champions: Westwood, Austin, Texas
- 11th Grade
Individual Champion: Marc Arnold
Team: Bronx High School of Science, New York
- 12th Grade
Individual Champion: William Ong
Team: Bellaire High School, Houston, Texas
Boris Gelfand Wins the World Cup!
December 14, 2009 by Chess Press
Filed under News, Tournaments/Events
Boris Gelfand: “I made a good present to my mom on her anniversary.”
“Boris Gelfand from Israel became a winner of the World Cup 2009. He won the Ukrainian chess player Ruslan Ponomariov in the tie breaks 7-5.” CLICK HERE to read more on the official website…
Replay the game that led to Boris Gelfand’s victory! (below)
Final Results (Click Here)
National K-12 Scholastic Championship (Dec. 11-13)
December 10, 2009 by Chess Press
Filed under News, Scholastic Chess, Tournaments/Events
December 11-13, 2009 · Dallas, TX
Hilton Anatole · 2201 Stemmons Freeway · Dallas, TX 75207 · 1.214.748.1200 or 1.800.955.4281 · Ask for the Chess Rate $120 · Web Site · Groups of 10 or more must call the above number to make reservations.
Click Here for Players & Results
13 Sections Play only in your Grade.
December rating supplement will be used in compliance with the guidelines for National Scholastic Events.
1/2 point bye available any round except 7 if requested before round 1.
Players registering late (after 10 AM Friday) will not be paired for round 1, will receive a 1/2 bye, and will begin play with round 2.
Team score is total of top three (minimum two) finishers from each school per grade.
First place individual and team, including ties, will be National Champion for their grade.
Time Control: Game/90.
Entry Fee: $50 by Nov. 15, $70 by Nov. 29, $85 later, $90 on site.
$5.00 extra for all phone registrations.
$20 change fee for roster or section changes after Nov. 13 or on site.
Schedule:
Opening ceremony Fri. 12:30 pm.
Rounds: Fri. 1 pm-6 pm, Sat. 10 am-2 pm-6 pm, Sun. 9 am-1 pm.
Awards Ceremony: Sunday 5 pm (approximately)
Special round times for K-1 sections:
Fri. 1:30 pm-5:30 pm, Sat. 9:30 am-1:30 pm-5:30 pm, Sun. 9:30 am-1:30 pm.
K-1 Awards Ceremony 4:30 pm (approximately)
Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk Simul
GM Alexandra Kosteniuk, the FIDE Women’s World Champion, will be conducting a Simul on Friday 11 December 2009 at 10:00 AM.
Ten more boards have been added! Register on site only! Registration for the final thirteen spots will begin at 9 AM on Thursday at Chess Control.
Trophies:
Top 10 individuals & top five teams (minimum) in each grade.
Class Awards: 1st-3rd place
K-3: 800-999, 600-799, U600, Unr.
4-6: 1000-1199, 800-999, 600-799, U600, Unr.
7-9: 1200-1399, 1000-1199, 800-999, U800, Unr.
9-12: 1400-1599, 1200-1399, 1000-1199, U1000, Unr.
Every player receives a commemorative item!
Blitz Tournament: Thursday 5 pm, entry fee $15 by 11/29, $20 after 11/29 or on site. Registration closes at 4 pm.
Trophies in K-6 and K-12 sections.
Individual: TBA,
Team: TBA.
K-6 Class: 1000-1199, 800-999, 600-799, U600, Unr.;
K-12 Class: 1400-1599, 1200-1399, 1000-1199, U1000, Unr.
Blitz Rules
Bughouse Tournament: Thursday 11 am, $25 per 2-player team on site only. Registration 9-10 am.
Trophies: TBA. One section K-12.
Bughouse Rules
Team Rooms:
Team rooms are limited! Contact Cheryle Bruce 931.787.1234 ext 147 cbruce@uschess.org
If you are interested in volunteering for this event take a look at the information on our volunteer letter.
Mail your entries to: US Chess, Attn: 2009 K12, PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557 or fax to: 931-787-1200.
Contact: Cheryle Bruce 931-787-1234 ext.147 cbruce@uschess.org
The London Chess Classic (Dec. 8-15)
December 10, 2009 by Chess Press
Filed under News, Tournaments/Events
“The London Chess Classic 2009 is the highest level tournament in London for 25 years and is the first in a series of events designed to increase enthusiasm for chess in the UK and promote the game and its undoubted educational benefits in schools and communities. It is also our objective to bring the world championship to London in the Olympic year 2012. England’s four leading Grandmasters; Nigel Short, Michael Adams, Luke McShane and David Howell will be pitched against a world class field that includes a former world champion Vladimir Kramnik and 18 year old Magnus Carlsen ranked world number two and widely seen a future holder of the world crown. One of China’s finest players; Ni Hua and the US Champion Hikaru Nakamura, complete the field. CLICK HERE to read their profiles.“
Replay the Games:
Results of Round 3, Thur Dec 10th, 14:00
- Luke McShane 0-1 Vladimir Kramnik
- David Howell ½-½ Magnus Carlsen
- Hikaru Nakamura ½-½ Nigel Short
- Ni Hua ½-½ Michael Adams
Round 4 is scheduled for Sat Dec 12th, 14:00 (See below for pairings)
- Vladimir Kramnik - Michael Adams
- Nigel Short - Ni Hua
- Magnus Carlsen - Hikaru Nakamura
- Luke McShane - David Howell
Related News (Excerpt from the London Chess Classic Website)
Nakamura beats Carlsen in Oslo Blitz (Nov. 28th Oslo, Norway)
“Ten players were invited and divided into two groups, ensuring that Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, would meet in the final. And that’s what happened!
The final between Carlsen and Nakamura was best of four games. The result was 3-1 in favour of Nakamura.
Hikaru is one of the all-time great blitz players and now has beaten the unofficial number one player Magnus Carlsen, who also won one of the strongest blitz tournaments in history in Moscow recently.” READ THE STORY ON THE LONDON CHESS CLASSIC SITE!
CLICK HERE to watch ALL of the NAKAMURA/CARLSEN Blitz VIDEOS
2009 Pan American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championships (Dec. 27-30)
December 9, 2009 by Chess Press
Filed under News, Scholastic Chess, Tournaments/Events
December 27-30, 2009 (South Padre Island, Texas)
Team Format:
4 player Teams, up to 2 Alternates, Traditional 6 round Fix Roster Swiss Tournament
Open to College and Universities teams (at least two players) from North and South America, including the Caribbean
Time Control:
Game/90 with a 30-second increment per move
Notation is required throughout the games
MonRoi Units (Electronic Scoresheets may be provided and must be used)
This tournament is FIDE and USCF rated, but uses United States Chess Federation Rules. All U.S. players must have current USCF memberships.
Championships to be awarded in 4 divisions (according to average team rating)
Teams must supply letter from University stating that the players meet eligibility requirements. (Please refer to Registration Information for more details.)
Round Times (for all):
- Check In: 12/27 4pm
- Reception: 12/27 5pm
- Round 1: 12/27 6pm
- Round 2: 12/28 10am
- Round 3: 12/28 5pm
- Round 4: 12/29 10am
- Round 5: 12/29 5pm
- Round 6: 12/30 9am
- Award Ceremony: 12/30 2-3pm
Coach/Captain must hand in proposed team roster changes one hour before the beginning of the Round.
There will be a reception for all participants at 5 p.m. Sunday.
Prizes:
- 1st Team; $1250, Trophy
- 2nd Team; $750, Trophy
- 3rd Team; $600, Trophy
- 4th Team; $400, Trophy
- 5th Team; $250, Trophy
- Top International Team; $500, Trophy
- 2nd International Team; Trophy
- 3rd International Team; Trophy
- Division I Champ (Team rated 2200 or above); Trophy
- Division II Champ (Team rated 2000-2199); Trophy
- Division III Champ (Team rated 1800-1999); Trophy
- Division IV Champ (Team rated below 1800); Trophy
- Top Board 1; $100, Plaque
- Top Board 2; $100, Plaque
- Top Board 3; $100, Plaque
- Top Board 4; $100, Plaque
- Top Alternate
Chess sets will be provided for tournament use, but please be sure to bring your chess clocks!
Eligibility Requirements
Please see the complete College Chess Eligibility Requirements.Click here
Eligibility Letters will be required for every team, from respective University, stating that the players meet eligibility requirements.
Letters should be faxed to Rusty Harwood by December 24, 2009:
Attn: Russell Harwood
(956)882-5763 – Fax
Please note: Original eligibility letters must be presented at the tournament before the competition begins.
Entry Fee
$200 per team – Priority Registration by December 1, 2009
$225 per team – After December 1, 2009
Please make checks payable to/mail to:
UTB/TSC
Attn: Chess Program Office SU 2.28
80 Fort Brown
Brownsville, TX 78520
For additional information please contact Rusty Harwood.
russell.harwood@utb.edu
(956) 882-5762 or (956) 551-0303
