Gens Una Sumus!
Newsletter #379, 1/17/2008
"In chess, at least, the brave inherit the earth."
~Edmar Mednis
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) January FIDE Ratings
3) US Ch. Qualifier Details Announced by Tom Braunlich
4) US Amateur Team North by Alex Betaneli
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
NM Sam Shankland of Orinda is the 2008 Falconer Award winner. The award, given by former US Senior Champion Neil Falconer to the highest rated Bay Area player under 18, is equal to the youngster's rating - in Sam's case 2262.

Previous winners:

2000 SM Vinay Bhat
2001 SM Vinay Bhat
2002 SM Vinay Bhat
2003 NM Michael Pearson
2004 NM Nicholas Yap
2005 NM Matthew Ho
2006 NM Matthew Ho
2007 NM Nicholas Yap

The Winter TNM started last Tuesday night. 76 players are signed up including former US Champion John Grefe, FM Frank Thornally, World Under 12 champion Daniel Naroditsky and 2008 Falconer winner Sam Shankland. It is still possible to enter the event with a half point bye for round one.

The Mechanics' Institute is pleased to announce that IM Josh Friedel, the highest rated player in Northern California, will be giving a free lecture on Tuesday, January 22, from 5:15 to 6:15 pm. Don't miss this chance to hear Josh speak!

This Saturday the MI will be hosting the 8th annual Bob Burger Open.
2) January FIDE Ratings
MI member David Pruess defeated GMs in the last three rounds to tie for first with Hikaru Nakamura in the North American Open held in Las Vegas from December 26 to 29.

North American Open
Final Standings

Top 20

1. Kramnik RUS 1975 2799 9
2. Anand IND 1969 2799 3
3. Topalov BUL 1975 2780 14
4. Morozevich RUS 1977 2765 12
5. Svidler RUS 1976 2763 19
6. Mamedyarov AZE 1985 2760 35
7. Shirov ESP 1972 2755 49
8. Leko HUN 1979 2753 9
9. Ivanchuk UKR 1969 2751 30
10. Aronian ARM 1982 2739 16
11. Gelfand ISR 1968 2737 9
12. Radjabov AZE 1987 2735 20
13. Carlsen NOR 1990 2733 37
14. Karjakin UKR 1990 2732 36
15. Kamsky USA 1974 2726 32
16. Adams ENG 1971 2726 31
17. Jakovenko RUS 1983 2720 33
18. Ponomariov UKR 1983 2719 40
19. Cheparinov BUL 1986 2713 36
20. Alekseev RUS 1985 2711 35
21. Grischuk RUS 1983 2711 21

US Top 10

1. Kamsky 2726
2. Nakamura 2670
3. Onischuk 2664
4. Seirawan 2628
5. Shabalov 2622
6. Shulman 2614
7. Ibragimov 2605
8. Kaidanov 2604
9. Ehlvest 2601
10. Akobian 2599
3) US Ch. Qualifier Details Announced by Tom Braunlich
You too may qualify for the 2008 U.S. Chess Championship! Seven invitations will be up for grabs in a special Qualifier Open tournament slated for March 28-30, 2008, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In recent years the system allowing any player to win qualification into the U.S. Championship via other major tournaments throughout the year has been quite popular. Last year over half of the 36 championship contenders were qualifiers.

That tradition continues for 2008, but without qualification events throughout 2007 the championship committee has announced a new format — a single special QUALIFIER OPEN, 7-round Swiss System, at which seven players will earn an invitation to the 2008 Frank K Berry U.S. Chess Championship.

These 7 qualifiers will join 17 top-rated GMs and seeded players including defending champion GM Alex Shabalov to form a field of 24 contenders at the 2008 FKB U.S. Chess Championship to be held May 13-21 in Tulsa. Also, the top female finisher in the Qualifier Open will receive an invitation to the 2008 Frank K. Berry U.S. Women’s Chess Championship, to be held alongside the U.S. Championship.

To win a qualification spot a player must be eligible to play in the U.S. Championship, of course, which means he/she must be a U.S. citizen or resident with federation listed by FIDE as “USA”. (American USCF players without FIDE rating are also eligible.)

Unlike some previous years there is no additional $75 fee to be considered for qualification. Players simply enter and compete in the Qualifier Open just as in any regular large event (see details below).

The top 7 finishers each receive $1000 (Guaranteed) plus a qualification spot (which is itself of value in addition to its prestige; remember that all players in the Championship receive prize money there.).

The event is open to all players, regardless of rating, though of course it is to be expected that masters will be the primary contenders for the top spots. There are also prizes of $1000 (Guaranteed) for top U2400, top U2200, top U2000, and top female finishers.

The Entry Fee is $25 for all masters, $100 for experts, and $200 for anyone rated below 2000. But to get this low EF your entry must be received in advance by March 13. All EFs received after that or at the door cost $100 more. Send entries to: Frank K. Berry, 402 S. Willis St, Stillwater, OK 74074.

The venue is the Best Western Trade Winds Central, ($55/60; 918-749-5561 or 800-685-4564) with free airport shuttle available. See http://www.tradewindstulsa.com/. It is expected that the hotel will sell out, but note that there are three other motels within a very short walking distance of the venue — the Ramada ($60; 918-743-9811), the Howard Johnson ($55; 918-794-5156), and the Trade Winds East ($45; 800-254-7449). Ask for the chess rate.

The Time Control for the Qualifier Open will be Game/90, with 30-second delay. Two half-point byes are available for rounds 1, 2, or 5, if requested in advance. Of course, if there are players tied for the qualification places the prize money will be split normally but the qualification spots themselves will be awarded by mathematical tiebreaks.

Additional info on the Qualifier Open will be available online at www.uschess.org or in Chess Life TLA announcements. Please direct questions to FKimBerry@aol.com.

As far as is known, this is the first time a dedicated Qualifier Open event of this type has ever been held for the prestigious U.S. Championship. We are hoping for an exciting event!

Further details on the 2008 Frank K Berry U.S. Chess Championship, including the details of the new venue and the participant lists, etc., will be forthcoming. It will be a 9-round Swiss, with 24 players and at least a $50,000 prize fund. The 2008 FKB U.S. Women’s Chess Championship will be held at the same time and place, as a 10-player round robin. (The organizing committee for the championship is Frank K. Berry, Jim Berry, and Tom Braunlich)
4) US Amateur Team North by Alex Betaneli
Dear Chess Players (and parents):

You are invited to participate in the annual national event, the 2008 U.S. Amateur Team Championships North on February 16-17. Start forming teams now as December supplement ratings are used for your convenience! **Hotel rate is only $69** and it includes tropical pool and free breakfast!

Any winning team can request nice trophies with their names engraved instead of the digital clock prizes!

Alex Betaneli
WI Chess Academy
abetaneli@hotmail.com

Feb. 16-17 2008 U.S. Amateur Team Championships North Wisconsin 5SS, Best Western Hotel, 5105 S. Howell Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (414)769-2100. Special chess rate of $69, reserve early. Free hot breakfast. Two sections: OPEN (four players plus alternate: must play in rating order, top four average rating below 2200, December supplement used. Prizes: 4 digital clocks to top two teams, 4 digital clocks to top teams with average rating u1900, u1600, and u1300.Winning team qualifies for national play-offs on April 12th. Prizes to top score on each board. Prizes to best team name. EF: $120 per team if received by Feb. 10th, $190 thereafter. Cash only at site. TC: g/90 rds 1-3, 30/90 sd/60 rds 4-5. Late reg.: 8:30-9:30am on Saturday. Rds.: 10:30am-3pm-7pm; 10:00am-3:30pm. SCHOLASTIC (all players must be High School age or younger; average rating u2200). Prizes: 4 digital clocks to top team overall, top two High School Teams, top two Middle School Teams, top two Elementary School teams. Prizes to top club team, top team composed of all girls, and to best name team. EF: $116 per team if received by Feb. 10th, $190 thereafter. Cash only at site. TC: G/90. Late reg.: 8:30-9:30am on Saturday. Rds.: 10:15am-3pm-7pm; 10:00am-2pm. SIDE EVENT: blitz tournament on Saturday night; details at site. INFO/ENTRIES: make checks payable and send to: Alex Betaneli, POB 260122, Madison WI 53726. abetaneli@hotmail.com 608-334-2574. Bring boards/sets/clocks. NC. NS. W. JGP.
Newsletter #380, 1/24/2008
"I've always felt uneasy with teachers and programs presenting a line of attack to study independent of particular student needs."
~Bruce Pandolfini
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) Top FIDE rated US Women
3) Frank Anderson at Munich
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
Expert Dmitry Vayntrub won the 8th Annual Bob Burger Open on January 12th with a 5-0 score, defeating Class A player Naveen Jain in the last round. Jain earned his Experts rating from the event by upsetting Masters Paul Gallegos and Keith Vickers. Tying for second with four points in the 53 player event were Jain, IM Ricardo DeGuzman, NM Michael Pearson, and Experts Romulo Fuentes and James Jones.

The second round of the 78-player Winter Tuesday Night Marathon featured several upsets with Class A high school student Adam Goldberg defeating Expert Oleg Shakhnazarov and Alan Naroditsky closing in on a 2000 rating by drawing former US Champion John Grefe. It is still possible to enter the eight round event with byes for rounds 1 and 2.

Top rated Bay Area players on January 2008 FIDE rating list

1. IM Friedel 2487
2. IM Bhat 2481
3. GM Browne 2444
4. IM Pruess 2431
5. IM Donaldson 2420
6. IM Zilberstein 2411
7. IM Stein 2405
8. IM Mezentsev 2398
9. IM DeGuzman 2389
10. IM Grefe 2381

IMs David Pruess and Josh Friedel will be playing in the second section (2400-2549) of the Aeroflot Open this coming February 14-22. Good luck guys!
2) Top FIDE rated US Women
The following players are top rated on the January 2008 FIDE rating list. This year, for the first time, five and not four women will play for each team in the Chess Olympiads with four regular players and one reserve.

1. Krush 2473
2. Zatonskih 2458
3. Goletiani 2387
4-5. Rohonyan and Baginskaite 2309
3) Frank Anderson at Munich in 1958
The notes to the following game by Hans Kmoch come from the July 1959 (page 212) issue of Chess Review.
Anderson,Frank Ross - Enevoldsen,Jens [B75]
Olympiad fin-B Munich (8), 1958
Segundo Sin Segundo. By the above title, the Spanish speak reverently of their King Phillip the Second: "a second as no second." So the Canadians may speak of Frank Anderson who made the best score on board two in the Team Championship, emerging as King of all the seconds.The following game is one of his captivating performances. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 a6 8.Qd2 Nbd7 9.0–0–0 b5 White's aggressive setup is difficult to meet, and there is considerable question as to Black's proper line of play. But, whatever the right answer may be, it can hardly start with the last three moves in this game. For more or less better ways of doing it, see Fischer-Larsen ( Chess Review, page 342, November, 1958). 10.g4 Ne5 Black faces great troubles in any event, but this line of play is particularly cumbersome. Better is 10...Nb6 11.g5 Nfd7 12.f4 (12.h4 Ne5; or 12.Nc6 Qc7 13.Bd4 Bxd4 14.Qxd4 Ne5) 12...Bb7. Even 10...Bb7 11.g5 Nh5 12.f4 Nb6 offers better chances than the text line. 11.g5 Nfd7 Or 11...Nh5 12.f4 with a winning advantage for White after 12...Nc4 (12...Ng4 13.Bg1 (or even 13.Be2 Nxe3 14.Qxe3) ) 13.Bxc4 Still, the text move loses by force. 12.f4 Nc4 Just as hopeless is 12...Ng4 as 13.Bg1 sets up the threat of 14.h3. 13.Bxc4 bxc4 14.Nc6! Qc7 15.Nxe7! A little executive combination of devastating consequences. Black loses only a pawn, but the very pawn which holds his position together. 15...Bb7 16.Ncd5 Bxd5 17.Nxd5 Qb7 18.Bd4 Bxd4 Or 18...0–0 19.Ne7+ Kh8 20.Bxg7+ Kxg7 21.Qxd6 Rad8 22.Nc6 and White wins. 19.Qxd4 0–0–0 20.Ne7+ Kb8 21.Qxd6+ Ka8 22.Nc6 c3 23.b3 Nb8 24.Nxd8 1–0
Newsletter #381, 1/31/2008
"It was Bobby Fischer who had, single-handedly, made the world recognize that chess on its highest level was as competitive as football, as thrilling as a duel to the death, as esthetically satisfying as a fine work of art, as intellectually demanding as any form of human activity."
~Harold C. Schonberg (in his 1973 book Grandmasters of Chess.)
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) Bobby Fischer 1943-2008
3) People's Tournament Rescheduled
4) Young and Finegold lead in Chicago
5) U.S. Championship Details by Tom Braunlich
6) Richard Shorman USCF Volunteer of the Month
7) Here and There
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
FM Frank Thornally and NM Daniel Naroditsky have the only perfect scores after three rounds of the Winter Tuesday Night Marathon. 11 players are tied for third at 2 1/2 led by IM John Grefe and NM Sam Shankland. Also on this score is newly minted Expert Alan Naroditsky who is enjoying an excellent start with a draw with IM Grefe and a win over Expert Nicholas Nip.

MICC Newsletter #380 mentioned that MI members IMs David Pruess and Josh Friedel will be playing in the Aeroflot Open in Moscow next month. In fact not only will they be playing in that event they will also be participating in the Moscow Open as well.

World Under 12 Champion Daniel Naroditsky turned in an excellent performance in the Western Class Championship in Agoura Hills held January 18-21. The young Mechanics' member scored 3.5 from 6 playing up five rounds out of six, including a first round draw with GM Melik Khachiyan. This event, organized by Bill Goichberg's Continental Chess Association and directed by Randy Hough, was won by visiting Bulgarian IM Valetin Yotov, IM Andranik Matikoziyan and NM Matthew Beelby. The three winners scored 4.5 from 6 in an open section that attracted only 23 players. Overall the turnout of 170 players was below expectation and continues a discouraging decline in attendance for open tournaments in the Los Angeles area despite dedicated organizers, a strong local chess column and a well-regarded bimonthly magazine devoted to Southern California chess.

9-year-old Expert Nicholas Nip is looking for players rated over 2000 for matches and quads to be held at the Mechanics' Institute in San Francisco on weekends. Interested parties may contact John Donaldson at imwjd@aol.com.

Book and equipment donations to the Mechanics' are always welcome. All donations to the Mechanics' are tax deductible due to the M.I.'s 501(c) (3) nonprofit status. If you have any chess books or equipment that have been lying around unused for some time consider donating to the Mechanics'. You will not only get a tax write off but also the satisfaction of seeing things put to good use.
2) Bobby Fischer 1943-2008
Bobby Fischer died on Thursday, January 17, 2008, in Reykjavik, Iceland, of kidney failure at the age of 64. His death was widely reported in the media. Most of the obituaries covered well trodden ground but one of the better ones, by long time Guardian columnist Leonard Barden, was more personal. Here is a brief excerpt on Fischer's visit to England in the early 1960s that may be new for many readers.

In autumn 1960, Fischer led the US team to silver medals behind the USSR in the chess olympiad at Leipzig, drawing his individual game with Tal. Handsome and over six feet tall, he was friendly, talkative, and took pride in his growing collection of suits. Claiming to be a palm-reader, he took Tal's hand and said "I can see that the next world champion is going to be a young American". After Leipzig he decided to visit London and Saville Row, and agreed to take part in a consultation game on BBC's Network Three weekly half-hour radio chess programme. His fee was £50, which covered the cost of the suit.

Fischer's opponents were Jonathan Penrose, the British champion, and Peter Clarke. I was nominally the American's consultation partner, but the producer told me that my real job was to encourage the sometimes-taciturn Bobby to verbalise his ideas. This proved unexpectedly easy, since Bobby had the advantage throughout the game and explained eloquently the value of two bishops against knights. However, the opponents proved good defenders, and after a marathon eight-hour session the studio recording time ran out with no decision. Despite Fischer's claims that the game was resignable, the producer ruled that the position should go for adjudication, and the former world champion Dr Max Euwe declared it drawn.

The next day, after being fitted for his suit, Bobby visited my home. He had a prodigious appetite and ate most of the contents of my mother's well-stocked fridge. We played five-minute blitz at which, although I was then British lightning champion, he trounced me. "You're just a British weakie," he taunted. Fischer's deep-set eyes, large hands and talon-like fingers had a charismatic and even hypnotic effect. During Leipzig I also gave the top grandmasters memory tests for the BBC programme, with revealing results. Tal, prompted with some obscure game, rattled off the opening and the occasion, and when it was his own game, gave me a resume of the pre-game banter and the post-mortem analysis. Fischer's memory, by contrast, was excellent only for his own wins.

You can find the entire article at http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,,2243266,00.html.

For a tribute to Fischer from participants in the Corus tournament consult the following production.

Dear colleagues,

ICC's special "Fischer Remembered" video filmed and edited by Macauley Peterson is available on www.chessclub.com. More of a short documentary, this 13 minute video (with interviews and tributes from Corus players) is available for cross-posting, under a Creative Commons license, available at the following URL:

http://blip.tv/file/609251#share

You can select your web site format and copy & paste the relevant code to embed the video on your site.

John Henderson
Director of Marketing & Chess Content
Internet Chess Club
3) People's Tournament Rescheduled
This Newsletter is coming out late in part due to the desire to offer the latest news on the People's Tournament. Held since the mid 1970s in Berkeley this Bay Area tradition has suffered from the lack of an active UC Berkeley Chess Club presence the past few years. This year, due to a scheduling mix-up the event will not be held in Berkeley at the UC Student Union Pauley Ballroom on President's Day weekend - the advertisement in Chess Life to the contrary. Tournament Director Richard Koepcke hopes to hold the event at the usual venue, but sometime this spring - dates still to be determined.

When it was announced that the People's was in trouble Elizabeth Shaughnessy and Salman Azhar both offered suggestions for alternative sites for the President's Day weekend and it is Mr. Azhar's intention to host an event this February 16-18 on the Peninsula. Note the Young Peoples tournament will still be held on February 18.
4) IM Ben Finegold wins 7th North American FIDE Invitational in Chicago
The following information comes from the North American Chess Association website http://www.nachess.org/fide. The event was held January 20-26 at the The Touch Move Chess Center in Chicago.

1st - 8.0/9.0
IM Ben Finegold (USA)
2nd place - 7.0/9.0
IM Angelo Young (PHI)

3rd place - 6.5/9.0
Dr. Tansel Turgut (TUR) - IM Norm Scored!

4th - 10th place:
4th place - FM Mehmed Pasalic (GER) - 5.5/9.0
5th place - IM Arjun Vishnuvardhan (IND) - 4.5/9.0
6th place - Gauri Shankar (IND) - 4.0/9 .0
7th place - FM Albert Chow (USA) - 3.5/9.0
8th place - FM Dr. Ricardo Szmetan (BAR) - 2.5/9.0
9th place - Bill Calton (USA) - 2.0/9.0
10th place - FM Thomas Bartell (USA) - 1.5/9.0

Judging from the crosstable a serious illness must have swept through the tournament as 9 games were forfeited ( four by Carlton and three each by Bartell and Szmetan ( now representing Barbados instead of his native Argentina). Fortunately they did not influence first place ( Finegold had one forfeit win and Young had two) nor apparently Turgut's norm as he played all nine games.

1st North American Match Challenge
Krush (USA) vs Mkrtchian (ARM)
March 31 - April 3, 2008

The North American Chess Association is proud to announce the 1st North American Match Challenge featuring two-time US Women's Champion, IM Irina Krush, taking on four-time Armenian Women's Champion, IM Lilit Mkrtchian. Event Details:
More information will be updated at http://www.nachess.org/match
5) US Championship Details by Tom Braunlich
The U.S. Chess Championship dates back to 1845 and includes among its victors such famous champions of the past as Morphy, Pillsbury, Marshall, Reshevsky, and the late Bobby Fischer. Who will be the champion for 2008?

The 2008 Frank K. Berry U.S. Chess Championship is now slated for May 13-21 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is sanctioned by the USCF and will be a 9-round Swiss System event with 24 contenders. The 2008 Frank K. Berry U.S. Women's Chess Championship will be held at the same time and location, as a 10-player round robin. International Arbiter Frank K. Berry is again sponsoring this year's events as he did last year in nearby Stillwater. The move to Tulsa is intended to simplify travel for the players.

The organizing committee today announces the following details: Venue - Radisson Hotel Tulsa. http://www.radisson.com/tulsaok_hotel

Prizes - at least $50,000

Seeding - The 24 invitees to the event will be determined as follows: Since the already-seeded Shabalov and Gulko will likely be among the top 10 players on the rating list, in effect invitations will go to the Top 11 rated players, plus the various qualifiers to make up 24 total players. This might be considered somewhat "tighter" at the top compared with last year in which there were only 6 players seeded directly by rating out of 36 total, and similar ratios in the previous few years.

Players who win qualification or are seeded under these rules but who decline the invitation will be replaced by the next available person in line on the March rating list. In case an already-seeded player wins the U.S. Senior Open (or the Qualifier Open) the qualification spot goes to the next-highest eligible finisher in that tournament. Of course all players must meet the eligibility requirements.

The Frank K. Berry U.S. Women's Chess Championship

Prizes -$25,000

Seeding - The 10 contenders for the title will be determined as follows: MonRoi will again be a sponsor, and will carry the official website and host LIVE games from both events for viewing online. http://www.monroi.com/

In the event of a tie for first place at the championship, in both the events, there will be a playoff for the title similar to previous years. The final announcement of the players will be made in April on Chess Life Online. The championship organizing committee consists of Frank K. Berry, Jim Berry, and Tom Braunlich; with assistance from Bill Goichberg, Bill Hall, and John Donaldson.
6) Richard Shorman USCF Volunteer of the Month
Northern California has known about Richard Shorman for half a century as a chess teacher to tens of thousands of children, as a long running chess columnist and for his efforts to preserve a visual memory of chess history through the many photos he has taken (archived at http://chessdryad.com) over the decades. Now he is finally receiving national recognition. Last August the USCF awarded him its Meritorious Service award and next month he will be the Federation's Volunteer of the Month for February. Well done Richard!
7) Here and There
Jonathan Hilton of Cincinnati, known to many for his series at Chess Life Online on the late Alex Wojtkiewicz has started up a new magazine devoted to Ohio chess. Check it out at http://ohiochessconnection.googlepages.com/.

GM Bu of China leads a star-studded GM field two thirds of the way through the Gibralter Chess Festival with 5.5 from 6. GMs Hikaru Nakamura and Varuzhan Akobian have 4 while Texans IMs Joe Bradford and FM Michael Langner have 3 1/2 and 3 respectively.

IM Nikolay Minev has a new book out devoted to one of the strongest players never to be World Champion. David Bronstein: Fifty Great Short Games (pb, 97 pages, Indices: player, opening, event index) $15.28 + $3 shipping (US destinations only) can be examined at: Preview this book at lulu.com. For more offerings by Dr. Minev go to http://www.thechesslibrary.com/books.html.
The recently concluded Corus tournament in Holland will be remembered for the dramatic fight for first place in the top group ( Aronian and Carlsen shared first) but Americans participants in group C also did very well. Italian-American Fabiano Caruana scored 10 from 13 to finish two points ahead of the field! This result should put Fabiano comfortably over 2600. One of his two losses was to Irina Krush who recovered from a slow start to finish on a very creditable 7 points.

Expert Salar Jahedi scored 4.5 from 5 to win the Richard Shorman Marathon held at the Berkeley Chess Club the past two months. Tying for second in the 23-player event were Farid Mark Watson and Glenn Leotaud. Go to http://www.berkeleychessschool.org/chessclub.htm for more information.

FM Bruce Harper has been working on a tribute to Canadian Grandmaster Duncan Suttles for close to two decades and the wait has been worth it. His three(!) volume series totaling over 1000 pages, written in collaboration with GM Yasser Seirawan, on one of the most original and entertaining players in the history of the game, will be long remembered. You can find out more about the book at http://www.suttlesbook.com/. The publisher is offering a discount for pre-release orders ($100 (Can) for all three volumes, rather than $120

Organizer Len Molden writes:

A major regular chess event is happening on March 15, 2008 in Vancouver, B.C. Canada involving both GM Duncan Suttles and GM Yasser Seirawan. To reserve tickets for the March 15 "Chess on the Edge", Volumes 1-3 book launch and to play in the tandem (alternating move) simultaneous against GMs Suttles and Seirawan, please register now at http://www.suttlesbook.com/.
Newsletter #382, 2/02/2008
"Tal called Fischer 'the greatest genius to descend from the chess heavens.' Comparing Fischer to Kasparov is like comparing a lone warrior armed only with his wits to the pampered general of an army."
~IM Anthony Saidy (Los Angeles Times, January 27, 2008)
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) Boris Bacynzskyj (1945-2008)
3) Bobby Fischer Remembered
4) People's Replacement Tournament
5) Northern California USCF Masters by Michael Aigner
6) Here and There
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
The fourth round of the Winter Tuesday Night Marathon featured several interesting match ups.

Experience triumphed over youth on board one as IM John Grefe defeated World Under 12 Champion Daniel Naroditsky.
Naroditsky,Daniel - Grefe,John [B23]
Winter TNM (4), 29.01.2008
1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bg2 Nf6 6.d3 d4 7.Nce2 Nc6 8.Nf3 Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Nf4 Bf5 11.Re1 Bd6 12.h3 Qc7 13.Nh4 Bd7 14.Nh5 Nxh5 15.Qxh5 Nb4 16.Be4 g6 17.Nxg6 fxg6 18.Bxg6 Bxh3 19.Bh6 Bxg3 A strange position with Bishops on g6 and h6 and g3 and h3. Black won shortly.

There were missed opportunities but plenty of entertainment on board three while Alan Naroditsky missed a chance to be tied for first by failing to convert a winning ending against veteran Expert Larry Snyder.
Goins,Demetrious - Jelinek,Jules [A46]
Winter TNM (4), 29.01.2008
1.d4 c5 2.e3 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Bd3 b5 5.a4 b4 6.Qe2 Bb7 7.Nbd2 Qc7 8.0-0 Nc6 9.b3 h5 10.Bb2 Ng4 11.h3 cxd4 12.exd4 Nf6 13.Nc4 Nd5 14.Bc1 Nc3 15.Qe1 Be7 16.Bd2 g5 17.Bxc3 bxc3 18.Qxc3 Bf6 19.Rfe1 g4 20.hxg4 hxg4 21.Nfe5 d6 22.Rad1 dxe5 23.dxe5 Bg7 24.Be4 Rd8 25.Na5 0-0 26.Nxb7 Rc8 27.Qxc6 Qxc6 28.Bxc6 Rxc6 29.Na5 Rxc2 30.Rd4 g3 31.fxg3 Rfc8 ½-½
Snyder,Larry - Naroditsky,Alan [B22]
Winter TNM (4), 29.01.2008
1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.cxd4 d6 7.Bc4 Nb6 8.Bb3 Bf5 9.Nc3 e6 10.Bg5 Be7 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 12.0-0 0-0 13.Rc1 Rfd8 14.Qe2 dxe5 15.Nxe5 Nxd4 16.Qe3 Nxb3 17.axb3 Nd5 18.Nxd5 Rxd5 19.Rfd1 Rxd1+ 20.Rxd1 Rd8 21.Rxd8+ Qxd8 22.h3 Qd1+ 23.Kh2 Qd6 24.g3 b6 25.Qc3 f6 26.Nc4 Qd3 27.Qxd3 Bxd3 28.Nd6 Ba6 29.b4 Kf8 30.f4 Ke7 31.Ne4 Bd3 32.Nc3 Kd6 33.Kg2 a5 34.bxa5 bxa5 35.Kf2 Kc5 36.Ke3 Kc4 37.Kd2 Bf1 38.h4 Kb3 39.Nd1 Ba6 40.Kc1 e5 41.fxe5 fxe5 42.Ne3 Bd3 43.Nd1 Be2 44.Ne3 Bf3 45.Nf5 g6 46.Ne3 a4 47.Nf1 e4 48.Ne3 ½-½ Standings after 4 of 8 rounds:

1-5. IM John Grefe, FM Frank Thornally, Steve Gaffagan, John Jaffray and Adam Goldberg 3 1/2 points
2) Boris Bacynzskyj 1945-2008
FM Boris Bacynzskyj of Philadelphia passed away on January 16. A friendly giant who stood 6-foot-6 Boris was an institution at the Franklin Mercantile Chess Clubin Center City Philadelphia for four decades. Born in Vienna to Ukrainian parents who had been displaced during War World II Boris came to the USA in 1948 but he never forgot his roots. When the land of his birth celebrated its independence Boris was there to cover the action as a reporter.

Boris led an event filled life. He served for three years in the Peace Corps in Thailand after graduating from Yale in 1967 and was working as a free lance journalist in Cambodia when the Khmer Rouge overthrew the government in 1975.

Boris played a lot of chess in the late 1970s and early 1980s but by the middle of that decade he had become active in computer chess and co-authored two early books on the subject. He also found time to teach chess to thousands of kids including members of the Vaux Junior High School chess team which won seven national junior high chess championships. You can find a picture of Boris at http://uschessleague.com/BorisBaczynskyj.html.
3) Bobby Fischer Remembered
One of the better tributes to Bobby Fischer was written by former Washington State Champion NM Bobby Ferguson who serves on the King County Council in Seattle. You can find the article at http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2004141350_bobbyfischer24.html.

Not to be missed is Bobby Fischer's appearance on I've Got a Secret which can be located at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7JcwOJADf8.
4) People's Replacement Tournament
Salman Azhar will be running the People’s Replacement tournament on February 16-17 in Santa Clara. Go to http://www.bayareachess.com/events/PeopleReplacement.php for more information.
5) Northern California USCF Masters by Michael Aigner
Here is a list of all masters who live in Northern California (according to USCF records) who have played at least one USCF rated game since the beginning of 2007. There are 47 names on this list. State champion IM Josh Friedel is registered in his home state of New Hampshire, but I manually added him to this list because he lives in Alameda.

FRIEDEL, JOSHUA E 2531
BROWNE, WALTER S 2512
PRUESS, DAVID 2497
MEZENTSEV, VLADIMIR 2474
BHAT, VINAY S 2472
DE GUZMAN, RICARDO 2463
DONALDSON, JOHN 2458
ZILBERSTEIN, DMITRY 2457
STRUGATSKY, VLADIMIR 2450
GREFE, JOHN A 2429
ISHKHANOV, TIGRAN 2393
MAR, CRAIG H 2389
CUSI, RONALD L 2343
EADE, JAMES V 2331
EVANS, BELA 2303
YAP, NICOLAS A 2297
TUVSHINTUGS, BATCHIMEG 2289
PEREZ, EMMANUEL 2282
HO, MATTHEW 2281
SHANKLAND, SAMUEL L 2279
BARBALAT, ALEX 2268
LEE, ANDY C 2267
ZAVADSKY, PETER 2258
ZILDZIC, KENAN 2252
FRANKLE, JONATHAN A 2252
POEHLMANN, ROGER M 2250
SCHWARZ, DANIEL 2249
SHIPMAN, WALTER J 2248
KEATINGE-CLAY, ADRIAN 2245
AIGNER, MICHAEL 2242
NARODITSKY, DANIEL A 2239
WANG, DRAKE 2239
RICH, ALBERT J 2230
SPLANE, MIKE 2229
VON KROGH, CHRISTOPHER J 2228
PEARSON, MICHAEL 2225
THORNALLY, FRANK 2223
VAN BERGEN, HENRY 2221
CRIPE, PAUL G 2217
GALLEGOS, PAUL A 2212
KOEPCKE, RICHARD W 2212
PINTO, MARK A 2212
SCHILLER, ERIC 2200
VICKERS, KEITH 2200
MAC FARLAND, JAMES S 2200
WANG, ARTHUR D 2200
ROSS, STEVEN G 2200
6) Here and There
Marek Soszynski (soszynski@btopenworld.com) writes: I am researching into Sammy Reshevsky, and would welcome any games or memories of him.

The New York Times featured a half page story on Gata Kamsky (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/crosswords/chess/27kamsky.html) this past weekend which covered his life from the late 1990s to present.

Hi, GM Yasser Seirawan sent me this video that he made, explaining why he created S-Chess and wants me to share it with fellow chess enthusiasts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nht2TqabPr0

Regards,

Len Molden
Vancouver Chess Organizer

The Bay Area's George Koltanowski is the record holder for the longest running chess column (1948-2000) but not for much longer. That distinction will soon go to Leonard Barden. Stephen Ross of the Guardian has a proper tribute to Barden, who wrote his first column for the Manchester Guardian in September 1955, at http://sport.guardian.co.uk/chess/story/0,,2248222,00.html.
Newsletter #383, 2/02/2008
"A man without frontiers. He didn't divide the East and the West, he brought them together in their admiration for him."
~Ljubomir Ljubojevic (talking about Bobby Fischer)
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) Hikaru wins in Gibraltar!
3) Our Men in Moscow
4) National Chess Championships Coming to Lindsborg
5) Here and There
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
IM John Grefe, FMs Frank Thornally and Daniel Naroditsky, NM Sam Shankland, Experts Jules Jelinek, Arthur Ismakov and Steve Gaffagan, and A players Adam Goldberg and Jeff Ensley are tied for first at 4-1 in the 80-player Winter Tuesday Night Marathon with 3 rounds remaining.

World Under 12 Champion Daniel Naroditsky was a guest on Michael Krasny's Forum on KQED Radio. You can list to the program, which also features Josh Waitzkin at This Saturday the Mechanics' will be hosting its annual Henry Gross Memorial to honor the memory of one of the strongest Bay Area players from the 1930s to 1960s. The 5 round G/45 event starts at 10 am.

GM Gregory Kaidanov will be at the Mechanics' on Sunday, March 2. He will give a free lecture open to all from 2 to 3 pm. Don't miss this chance to listen to one of the top players in the US.
2) Hikaru wins in Gibraltar!
Things didn't look good for Hirkaru Nakamura midway through the Gibraltar Telecom Chess Festival as he stood at 3 from 5 but 5(!) consecutive victories over top quality opposition enabled him to catch Chinese 2700 GM Xinghzi Bu at the finish. Hikaru then won the playoff 2-0. Well done!

Los Angeles GM Varuzhan Akobian turned in a 2600 performance in finishing at 7-3 while Texans IM Joe Bradford and FM Mikail Langer ended on 5 and 4.5 points respectively.
Nakamura,Hikaru (2670) - Hebden,Mark L (2530) [C55]
Gibtelecom Masters Gibraltar (8), 29.01.2008
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.e5 d5 6.Bb5 Ne4 7.Nxd4 Bc5 8.Be3 Bd7 9.Bxc6 bxc6 10.Nd2 Qh4 11.0-0 Bb6 12.N2b3 Qe7 13.Re1 0-0 14.f3 Nc5 15.Nxc5 Bxc5 16.Nb3 Bb6 17.Qd2 Rae8 18.a4 f6 19.e6 Bxe6 20.a5 Bxe3+ 21.Qxe3 Qb4 22.Qxa7 Bf5 23.Rec1 Bxc2 24.Nd4 Bd3 25.Nxc6 Qxb2 26.Qd4 Qxd4+ 27.Nxd4 Bc4 28.a6 c5 29.Nc6 Re6 30.a7 Rxc6 31.a8Q Rxa8 32.Rxa8+ Kf7 33.Ra7+ Kg6 34.Re1 Bd3 35.Rd7 d4 36.Rc1 Ra6 37.h4 Bf5 38.Rd5 Be6 39.Rdxc5 d3 40.R5c3 Kh5 41.g3 Ra2 42.Rxd3 Bh3 43.Rc7 Kh6 44.g4 Rg2+ 45.Kh1 Rf2 46.Rdd7 Bf1 47.Rxg7 Bd3 48.Rgd7 Rxf3 49.Kg2 1-0
Petrosian,Tigran L (2606) - Nakamura,Hikaru (2670) [B02]
Gibtelecom Masters Gibraltar (9), 30.01.2008
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.g3 d6 4.exd6 Qxd6 5.Bg2 Nc6 6.Nc3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 e5 8.d3 Be7 9.Ne2 Be6 10.c4 Qd7 11.Rb1 0-0-0 12.0-0 Bh3 13.Bh1 Bxf1 14.Qxf1 f5 15.Nc3 Rdf8 16.Nd5 Bc5 17.Rb5 b6 18.c3 Nb8 19.Rb3 f4 20.d4 fxg3 21.hxg3 exd4 22.Bg2 Qf7 23.cxd4 Bxd4 24.Rf3 Qe8 25.Bf4 Rf7 26.Rd3 Bc5 27.Nc3 Re7 28.Rd1 c6 29.Bf3 Rf8 30.Qh3+ Kb7 31.Kg2 g5 32.Bxg5 Qf7 33.Rd3 Rd7 34.Rxd7+ Nxd7 35.Bf4 Ne5 36.Ne4 Nd3 37.Ng5 Nxf4+ 38.gxf4 Qxf4 39.Qh5 Rf5 40.Bxc6+ Ka6 41.Nh3 Qxf2+ 42.Nxf2 Rxh5 43.Ne4 0-1
Nakamura,Hikaru (2670) - Efimenko,Zahar (2638) [A22]
Gibtelecom Masters Gibraltar (10), 31.01.2008
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.g3 Bb4 4.Bg2 Bxc3 5.bxc3 0-0 6.d3 d6 7.e4 Nc6 8.Ne2 Bd7 9.h3 Ne8 10.0-0 a6 11.a4 b6 12.f4 exf4 13.Bxf4 Ne5 14.Nd4 g6 15.Nc2 Ng7 16.Ne3 f6 17.d4 Nf7 18.g4 c6 19.Ra2 Ne6 20.Bg3 Neg5 21.Qd3 Qe7 22.h4 Ne6 23.Rb2 Rab8 24.Rbf2 Nh6 25.c5 bxc5 26.dxc5 Nxc5 27.Qxd6 Qxd6 28.Bxd6 Nxa4 29.Bxf8 Rxf8 30.g5 Ng4 31.Nxg4 Bxg4 32.Rxf6 Rc8 33.R1f4 Bd7 34.Bf1 1-0 You can find a picture of Boris at http://uschessleague.com/BorisBaczynskyj.html.
3) Our Men in Moscow
Mechanics' members IMs Josh Friedel and David Pruess made it safely to the site of the Moscow Open after a few adventures and have after 4 rounds have 3 and 2 points respectively. GM Gregory Kaidanov has 3 points while IM Irina Krush, playing in a strong all women's Swiss, has 3.5.
4) National Chess Championships Coming to Lindsborg
ANATOLY KARPOV INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF CHESS

106 South Main Street., Lindsborg, Kansas 67456

785-227-2224 - Internet site: http://anatolykarpovchessschool.org

Contact: Tom Brownscombe 785-227-2224 Brownscombe@anatolykarpovchessschool.org or Wes Fisk 785-227-4121 fisk@anatolykarpovchessschool.org

National Chess Championships Coming to Lindsborg Lindsborg, Kansas will be the site of three major national chess championships in June and July. The Karpov Chess School’s Executive Director, Tom Brownscombe, said the United States Chess Federation (USCF) notified him that Lindsborg submitted the winning bids for three national championship events: the U.S. Junior Open, U.S. Junior Closed Championship, and the U.S. Cadet Championship. New York had been chosen as the site for these championships, but Lindsborg was given the championships after the organizers in New York failed to make the necessary arrangements. Tampa, Florida hosted these events in 2007.

“As to the U.S. Junior Open, the top junior chess players from throughout the United States will be coming to Lindsborg this summer. This is a great opportunity for the top young chess players in Kansas to play against the best young players in the country,” said Brownscombe. The U.S. Junior Open will be played on July 25-27 and is expected to bring about 150-200 players to Lindsborg.

The U.S. Junior Closed and U.S. Cadet Championships, unlike the U.S. Junior Open, are invitational events that will be held June 13-17. In the U.S. Junior Closed, USCF officials will select the top ten ranked players under 21 years of age who in turn will compete for national honors. The Cadet Championships will be similar except invitations will go out to the top eight ranked U.S. players under 16.

The U.S. Junior Open will immediately follow the second week of the Karpov Chess Camp, which has back-to-back camps scheduled from July 13 through July 25. Grandmaster Varuzhan Akobian, winner of the 2007 World Open, will be this year’s guest instructor. Akobian will be assisted by FIDE Master Tom Brownscombe, Executive Director of the Karpov Chess School.

“This is exciting,” said Marck Cobb, President of the International Chess Institute of the Midwest that operates the Karpov Chess School. “We are pleased to be part of the tradition of hosting these prestigious national events.”

The Lindsborg bid was made possible with the help of a grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce.

The Karpov Chess School, located at 106 South Main, hosts Social Chess nights at 7p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Beginners are welcome.
5) Here and There
The Berkeley Chess Club's new Sunday night tournament begins this Sunday, the 10th. New players are always welcome and half-point byes are available by request. http://www.berkeleychessschool.org/chessclub.htm. Here are the standings for the six-week tournament that ended on January 27th ( mistakenly reported as 5 rounds in Newsletter #381). Expert Salar Jahedi took first place with 5.5 points with Steven Krasnov second at 4.5. http://www.berkeleychessschool.org/BCC/Standings.html.

The book Bobby Fischer goes to War is going to be made into a movie. Go to http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117979908.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 for more information.

NM Sam Shankland writes,

John,
Because the Peoples is likely to be considerably weaker this year, I was thinking of playing in the US Amateur Team West in Los Angeles (see details below under upcoming events) but I would need a team. I am looking for players rated between 2000-2250. Contact me at samshankland@yahoo.com if interested.
Newsletter #384, 2/02/2008
"Pruess and Friedel's chess is as uncompromising as their spartan furnishings. They are about as likely to accept a draw as Jack Bauer is to respect the Geneva Convention."
~GM Jesse Krai (From his award winning article East Bay Flight Club)
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) Dick Cavett and Bobby Fischer
3) Kamsky-Topalov
4) Our Men in Moscow - Part Two
5) Evans-Steiner: 1952 US Championship Match
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
IM Ricardo DeGuzman and NM Emanuel Perez tied for first at 4.5 from 5 in the 8th Annual Henry Gross Memorial held February 9th at the Mechanics'. DeGuzman, who drew with NM Michael Pearson in round four, defeated WIM Batchimeg Tuvshintugs in the last round while Pearson was beaten by Perez. Expert James Jones had a chance to tie for first but drew his last game with NM Keith Vickers in the 54 player event.

IM John Grefe, FM Frank Thornally and NM Sam Shankland are tied at 5 from 6 with two rounds to go in the Winter Tuesday Night Marathon.

Go to http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7419244392874056308&hl=en or http://chessdiva.blogspot.com/ ( and see where it says "Chess Diva #4 is Here!") and you will find a short video clip that includes coverage of the MI's Sunday's Woman's Chess Class taught by Ewelina Krubnik which is sponsored by the Wiskemann Foundation in memory of Martin Wiskemann. The part with the MI plays after 2 minutes or so.

9-year-old Expert Nicholas Nip is looking for players rated over 2000 for matches and quads to be held at the Mechanics' Institute in San Francisco on weekends. Interested parties may contact John Donaldson at imwjd@aol.com.

Book and equipment donations to the Mechanics' are always welcome. All donations to the Mechanics' are tax deductible due to the M.I.'s 501(c) (3) nonprofit status. If you have any chess books or equipment that have been lying around unused for some time consider donating to the Mechanics'. You will not only get a tax write off but also the satisfaction of seeing things put to good use.
2) Dick Cavett and Bobby Fischer
Former Northwest Chess Editor and Inside Chess proof reader Dan Bailey always spoke highly of the interview skills of Dick Cavett and they stand out in Cavett's remembrance of the interviews he did with Bobby Fischer.

Here is an excerpt from the piece that recently appeared in the New York Times ( http://cavett.blogs.nytimes.com/ )

Until the advent of Bobby Fischer, my image of a young chess genius was not flattering. I pictured a sort of wizened and unpopular youth, small of frame, reclusive, short, with messy hair, untended acne, thick glasses and shirt sticking out in back. And also perhaps, as the great V. Nabokov wrote in describing somewhat genderless piano prodigies with eye trouble, obscure ailments, "and something vaguely misshapen about their eunuchoid hindquarters."

Getting Fischer on my show that first time, before the big match, was considered a major catch at the time. If anyone in the audience shared my image of what a chess genius probably looked like, Bobby’s entrance erased it.

Here was no Nabakovian homunculus. There appeared, somewhat disconcerted, a tall and handsome lad with football-player shoulders, impeccably suited, a little awkward of carriage and unsure how to negotiate the unfamiliarity of the set, the bright lights, the wearing of make-up, the band music, the hand-shaking and the thundering ovation — all at the same time. I had hoped to avoid the cliché "gangling," but Bobby gangled. He sort of lurched into his chair.

Once seated, he was something to behold. Six foot two (tall in those days), athletic in build, perfect in grooming, and with striking features. The face radiated intelligence. You couldn’t confuse him with anyone you’d ever seen.

And there were the eyes.

Cameras fail to convey the effect of his eyes when they were looking at you. A bit of Svengali perhaps, but vulnerable. And only the slightest hint of a sort of theatrical menace, the menace that so disconcerted his opponents.

Looking out over the audience, I could clearly see entranced women gazing at him as if willing to offer their hearts — and perhaps more — to the hunky chess master.
3) Kamsky-Topalov
Athens, 11 February 2008
BIDS FOR THE WCC CHALLENGERS MATCH KAMSKY - TOPALOV 2008

FIDE has accepted an offer for the WCC Challengers Match Kamsky - Topalov 2008 by the Bulgarian Chess Federation. This offer included a net prize fund of 150,000 USD and has been approved by the FIDE Presidential Board since June 2007.

However, after the recent FIDE Presidential Board meeting in Singapore and following discussions with all parties involved, FIDE has decided the following in order to try to improve the financial terms and conditions for both players:

a) if by 11 April 2008, FIDE receives a bid with a net prize fund of 250,000 USD (minimum) from any country other than USA, Bulgaria, Russia and Spain, then the match will be organised in that country with the highest bid.

b) if by 11 April 2008, FIDE receives a bid with a net prize fund of 250,000 USD (minimum) from USA, Russia or Spain, the organisers in Bulgaria will be requested to match that bid by 30 May 2008. If Bulgaria matches the new bid, the event will be organised in Bulgaria. If Bulgaria refuses, then the match will be organised in the bidding country.

c) if by 11 April 2008 no such bids arrive, the match will be organised in Bulgaria with a net prize fund of 150,000 USD.

In order for a proposed bid to be considered, it should be accompanied by a 2-month term recognised bank guarantee covering the amount of prize fund (minimum 250,000 USD), the FIDE contribution (20% over and above the prize fund), and 35,000 USD covering expenses of FIDE as described in articles 3.17.4 and 3.17.5 of the match regulations. Within 30 days of a bidder being awarded the event, the amount of the bank guarantee should be transferred to the bank account of FIDE.

Each bid shall also contain the following particulars: a) Proposed exact dates of the event between 26 November and 11 December 2008.
b) Proposed tournament venue.
c) Proposed prize fund.
d) Commitment to cover all organisation costs, in accordance with the match regulations.
e) Special rates for hotel rooms, including meals.
f) A statement that the applicant accepts the regulations of the Match without any reservations.
g) The applicant's name, signatures and authentication.
h) An invitation for at least one member of the World Chess Championship Committee to inspect the proposed venue and examine the other conditions, with all expenses paid by the bidder.

No bidder can propose a sponsor which shall be in conflict with the regulations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The bids, including all original documents and particulars, shall arrive by registered post to the FIDE Secretariat in Athens, Greece by the deadline of 11 April 2008.
4) Our Men in Moscow - Part Two
Probably no American was completely pleased with their performance in the Moscow Open. GM Gregory Kaidanov and IM Josh Friedel finished with 5.5 from 9 and IM David Pruess ended on 4.5 while Irina Krush lost to top seed Anna Ushenina in the last round - a win would have given her equal second.On the positive side, Josh and David, who both start the Aeroflot Open today, both finished strongly. Check out the sparkling finish in Josh's last round game.
Moscow Open 2008
White: Friedel, J.
Black: Moiseev, G.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.d4 Nxd4 9.Nxd4 exd4 10.e5 Ne8 11.Qxd4 Bb7 12.c4 c5 13.Qg4 bxc4 14.Bxc4 d5 15.exd6 Nxd6 16.Nc3 Nxc4 17.Qxc4 Bf6 18.Be3 Rc8 19.Rad1 Qb6 20.Na4 Qc6 21.f3 Be7 22.Bf2 Bd6 23.Bg3 Bxg3 24.hxg3 Rfe8 25.Nxc5 h6 26.b4 Rxe1+ 27.Rxe1 a5 28.Re7 Qd5 29.Qg4 h5 30.Qf4 Bc6 31.Ne6 Be8 32.Nc7 Qxa2 33.Nxe8 Rc2 34.Qd4 Rxg2+ 35.Kf1 Rxg3 36.Qxg7+ Rxg7 37.Nf6+ 1-0 You can find Josh's second blog from Moscow at :

http://main.uschess.org/content/view/8188/436/
5) Evans-Steiner: 1952 US Championship Match
In June and July of 1952 a match for the US Championship was held between the reigning champion Larry Evans and the previous title holder Herman Steiner, and won in decisive fashion by Evans 10-4. Games 1-10 were played in Los Angeles, game 11 was suppose to be held in San Francisco, game 12 and 13 were held in Reno and game 14 in Las Vegas. GM Evans remembers games 1-10 being played in Los Angeles, and games 12 -13 in Reno ( at Harold's Club) and Game 14 in Las Vegas ( maybe at the Silver Slipper). Coverage in Chess Review, Chess Life, the American Chess Bulletin and the California Chess Reporter was not very extensive. Would any reader be able to confirm if game 11 of the match was played in San Francisco and if so where? Dates to the games are not provided in the late Jack Spence's work on the match but GM Evans has scoresheets that indicate Game 1 in Los Angeles began on June 13, 1952. Game 13 was on July 2 and game 14 on July 3. If a game was played in San Francisco (the only US Championship game ever to be played in the city) it would likely have been in late June.
Newsletter #385, 2/20/2008
"As a kid growing up in the Soviet Union, I was a big Fischer fan. His uncompromising chess style, his bizarre behavior, everything appealed to me. I felt that by choosing him as my chess hero I am rebelling against surrounding reality."
~Gregory Kaidanov (Los Angeles Times, January 27, 2008)
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) Our Men in Moscow - Part Three
3) Chess Haiku by Dennis Fritzinger
4) Aigner wins in Santa Clara
5) Here and There
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
The Winter Tuesday Night Marathon is turning out to be one of the most competitive events in Mechanic's history with a dozen players having a chance to finish first going into the last round. Tied for the lead at 5.5 from 7 are IM John Grefe, NMs Sam Shankland and Daniel Naroditsky, Expert Steve Gaffagan and Class A player ( and soon to be Expert) John Jaffray.

Steve Gaffagan kindly annotates his exciting fifth round draw with World Under 12 Champion Daniel Naroditsky.
Naroditsky,Daniel (2234) - Gaffagan,Steven (2007) [A07]
Tuesday Night Marathon (5) .2008
1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 c6 4.0-0 Bg4 5.d3 Nbd7 6.Nbd2 e5 7.e4 Bd6 8.c3 8.h3 Bh5 9.Qe1 (9.exd5 cxd5 10.c4!?) 9...0-0 10.Nh4 Re8; 8.Qe1 0-0 9.h3 Bh5. 8...0-0 9.Qc2 Re8 10.Re1 Qc7 Black may also play 10...a5 gaining more space. 11.Nf1 Rad8N Black focuses his heavy pieces on the center. However, it is not yet clear which files will be relevant. There is no need to rush with 11...dxe4 ; The tactical slugfest Nisipeanu,L (2675)-Dautov,R (2610)/Kreuzberg GER 2003 is quite amusing. 11...h6 12.Ne3 Be6 13.Nh4 a5 14.Qe2 Rad8 15.Qf3 Bf8 16.Bf1 Kh7 17.g4 g6 18.Nef5 dxe4 19.dxe4 gxf5 20.gxf5 Bd5 21.exd5 cxd5 22.Qh3 e4 23.Kh1 Ne5 24.Bf4 Bd6 25.Be2 Nd3 26.Bxd6 Nxf2+ 27.Kg2 Qb6 28.Qg3 Rg8 29.Ng6 Rxd6 30.Qxf2 fxg6 0-1.; After the thematic moves 11...a5 12.Ne3 Bh5 13.Nh4 dxe4 14.dxe4 a4 15.Nhf5 Bf8 16.h3 Nc5 17.Bd2 Red8 18.g4 Bg6 Black has a good game here, but there is a whole lot of play left. The game was drawn in 65 moves in Franz,K (2240)-Berg,K (2400)/Gothenburg 1997.
11...Bf8 is also reasonable. 12.Ne3 dxe4 13.dxe4 13.Nxg4?! Nxg4 (‹13...exf3=) 14.Rxe4 and Black has a comfortable game.(14.dxe4 Bc5 15.Rf1 Ndf6 (15...Qb6 Black would prefer the a7 pawn on a5. See the note to Black's 10th move. 16.h3 Nxf2 17.b4 (17.Rxf2) 17...Nxe4+ 18.bxc5 Qxc5+ 19.Kh2 and Black has weakened the White kingside, but White retains two bishops. 19...Qxc3 20.Qxe4 Qxa1 21.Ng5 Nf8 22.Rxf7 Qxc1 23.Rxf8+ Kxf8 24.Qf3+ Kg8™ (24...Ke7 25.Qf7+ Kd6 26.Ne4#) 25.Qb3+ Rd5 26.Bxd5+ Kf8 27.Nxh7+ Ke7 28.Qxb7+ Kd6 29.Bg2+-) 16.Bg5 h6 17.Bxf6 Nxf6³ Black's rooks and bishop are better placed than their counterparts.) 13...Bh5 14.Nf5 Bf8 15.h3 I thought during the game that this move was unnecessary. 15...Bg6 16.N5h4 Nc5 17.Nxg6 hxg6 This is a good time to pause and reassess the position. The pawn structure has just changed and there is now a minor piece imbalance. The pawn structure around the Black king is sound but not terribly relevant. The real battle is whether White's light squared bishop can be put to work. 18.Bg5 b5?! Black hopes to align the pawns on a4, b5, and c6, which would further blunt the potential of White's light squared bishop. Better is 18...a5 or 18...Be7.

Of course I considered the natural 18...Rd7 but rejected it because I could not figure a way to exploit the d file. Furthermore, White can play 19.h4 and the White bishops might commit Black to "proving" something on the d file. The funny thing is that if you give the position after 18...Rd7 to the computer, it does not even "see" 19.h4. But when you suggest the move to HIARCS, the machine concludes it is the best move!?

(19.h4 Red8 20.b4 Nd3 21.Re3 c5 22.Bf1 c4 23.Rd1 a5 24.Bxf6 gxf6 25.Bxd3 cxd3 26.Rexd3 Rxd3 27.Rxd3 Rxd3 28.Qxd3 axb4 29.cxb4 Bxb4 30.Qb5 Bc5 31.a4 b6 32.Qe8+ Kg7 A rather obscure variation. 0.16/2 ; HIARCS 11.2 SP: 2) 19.a4 a5 20.Bf1 Red8 21.Bc4 Be7 22.Kg2 b6 23.Rab1 Nh5 24.Bxe7 Rxe7 25.Rbd1 Nf6 26.Rxd8+ -0.06/15 ; HIARCS 11.2 SP: 3) 19.b4 Ne6 20.h4 c5 21.Qa4 Red8 22.b5 b6 23.Bxf6 gxf6 24.Rad1 Bh6 25.Rxd7 Qxd7 26.Qc4 Nc7 -0.07/15 ; HIARCS 11.2 SP: 4) 19.Bf1 Red8 20.a4 Ne6 21.Bxf6 gxf6 22.Red1 Ng5 23.Nxg5 fxg5 24.Be2 -0.08/15 ) ] 19.Nd2 White plays to contest the strong knight c5. 19...Be7 Probably a waste of time. 19...a5 20.Nb3. 20.Be3 a6!? 20...a5 21.Nb3 Ne6 (21...Na4 "looks" awkward with the pawn on a5.) 22.a4 is not what I had in mind. Black is okay, but White is developing a simmering initiative. 21.Nb3! Na4 Black has succeeded in blocking the a2-a4 advance. 22.c4! A bold move, chipping away at the light squares. White wants to open the game on the queenside and activate his light squared bishop. Black's position is quite solid for the moment. 22...c5!? 22...bxc4?! falls in with White's desire to open the game. 23.Qxc4 (23.Nd2 c3 24.Qxa4 cxd2 25.Red1) 23...Nxb2 24.Qe2 Na4 25.Qxa6; 22...Qd7 is probably a better move. 23.c5 Qd3 24.Qxd3 Rxd3. 23.Nd2 Nb6 24.cxb5 axb5 25.Rac1?! 25.Rec1 or 25.b3. 25...Rd7?! 25...c4! 26.b3 Ba3 27.Rcd1 (27.Rb1 c3) 27...Bb4. 26.b3 Rc8 27.a4! I love this battle for the light squares on the queenside. All the while the bishop g2 is waiting in the wings for a grand entrance. Its specter hangs over all these moves. Imagine a position without the a4 and b5 pawns and knights d2 and b6 exchanged. White plays bishop f1-c4. It's not the end of the world for Black, but that would be a huge improvement for White. 27...Qc6 28.axb5 Black accepts 28.a5 Na8. 28...Qxb5 29.Nc4 29.Bf1 is the thematic move. 29...Nxc4 30.Qxc4 Rb7 31.Qc3 The time control reached, Black rejects 31...Qxb3. Also, the move 31...Nd7 looked poor. 31...Bd6! 31...Nd7 32.Bf1 Qc6 33.Bc4±; 31...Qxb3 32.Qxe5 c4 33.Qa1± Black has a passed c pawn but I did not like the looks of this position. What should Black play now? 33...Rb4 34.e5 Ra4 35.Qb1 Qxb1 36.Rxb1 Ne8 37.Rb7 Kf8 38.Rc1 c3. 32.Red1 Bb8 33.Rd3? 33.Bf1 Qc6 (33...Qxb3 34.Ba6) 34.Bc4 Nxe4 35.Qc2 Nf6 36.Qxg6 Black is suffering on the light squares - 33...Qb4?! , 33...Ba7. 34.Qxb4 Rxb4 35.Rxc5 Re8 36.Rc4 Rb7 37.Rdc3 Ba7 38.Bxa7 Rxa7 39.Bf3 Rb7 40.b4 Kf8 41.Kf1 Reb8 42.Rb3 Ke7 43.Ke2 Ne8 44.Ke3 Nd6 45.Rc5 f6 46.Rd3 Nb5 46...Rxb4? 47.Rc7+ Ke6 48.Rxg7. 47.Bg4 g5 48.f4 gxf4+ 49.gxf4 exf4+ 50.Kxf4 Rd8 51.Rxd8 Kxd8 I stopped keeping score after this move, because my clock read less than 5 minutes remained in sudden death. Please "ignore" moves 52-62. They are only used to reach the next known position. 52.Rd5+ Ke7 53.Rd3 Nd6 54.Rb3 g5+ 55.Ke3 Nb5 56.Be2 Ke6 57.Rd3 Nd6 58.Rc3 Ke5 59.Rc2 Nxe4 60.Bf3 f5 61.b5 Rb8 62.Rc1 Rb7 Here White played 63.Bxe4 fxe4 64.Rc5+ and Black found the best move 64...Kd6!= 64...Kf6? 65.Kxe4 and White wins.; 64...Ke6?! 65.Kxe4 Rh7 66.Rc6+ Kd7 67.Rc3 65.Rxg5 Rh7! and the game was drawn after a series of lightning moves. ½-½ Nine-year-old Nicholas Nip is leading matches against Expert Romulo Fuentes (3-0) and NM Emanuel Perez (2.5-1.5) which will conclude this coming weekend at the MI.

GM Gregory Kaidanov will be at the Mechanics' on Sunday, March 2. He will give a free lecture open to all from 2 to 3 pm. Don't miss this chance to listen to one of the top players in the US!

By now every player in the Bay Area has received their February Chess Life with Daniel Naroditsky on the cover. Daniel is also on the cover of the latest issue of the USCF produced Chess for Kids. Well done Daniel!
2) Our Men in Moscow - Part Three
Mechanics' IMs Josh Friedel and David Pruess are almost finished with their stay in Moscow. Six rounds into the A2 section of the Aeroflot Open (players rated 2550 Fide to 2400) Josh has 3 points and David is on 2. Go to http://main.uschess.org/content/view/8200/436/ to read the latest blog by by Josh which includes some very interesting and combative games by him.
3) Chess Haiku by Dennis Fritzinger
Sitting down to chess, the traditional handshake— then the knives come out.
4) Aigner wins in Santa Clara
Congratulations to NM Michael Aigner of Davis who won the People's Replacement Open this past weekend with a 4-0 score. The last round he defeated his long time nemesis IM Ricardo DeGuzman who has beaten him innumerable times. This time the glory was Michael's. Tying for second at 3-1 were young Masters Sam Shankland and Daniel Naroditsky and Rohan Agarwal - all turned in solid performances that netted them rating points. Thanks goes to Salman Azhar who organized and directed the 79 player, multi-section. Look for the regular People's Open sometime this May - still no word yet on the exact dates.
5) Here and There
He may officially be retired but former World Championship Candidate Yasser Seirawan still keeps his toes wet from time to time. Here is a recent effort from the Dutch Team Championship.
Seirawan,Yasser - Leenhouts,Koen [E70]
Dutch Team Ch 2008
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Bd3 0-0 6.Nge2 Na6 7.0-0 c5 8.d5 e6 9.h3 Nd7 10.f4 exd5 11.exd5 f5 12.Be3 Nc7 13.Qd2 Nf6 14.Bf2 Qe7 15.Rae1 Qf7 16.Kh1 Bd7 17.Ng1 Nh5 18.Be2 Nf6 19.Nf3 Bh6 20.Ng5 Qg7 21.Bf3 Rfe8 22.a4 Rxe1 23.Rxe1 Re8 24.Nb5 Nxb5 25.axb5 Bxg5 26.fxg5 Ne4 27.Bxe4 fxe4 28.Be3 Rf8 29.Bf4 e3 30.Qxe3 Re8 31.Qc1 Rxe1+ 32.Qxe1 Qd4 33.Bxd6 Qxc4 34.Qe7 Qf1+ 35.Kh2 Qf7 36.Qd8+ Qe8 37.Qf6 Qf7 38.Qd8+ Qe8 39.Qc7 Qc8 40.Qa5 Be8 41.Bg3 Qd7 42.d6 Qxb5 43.Qe1 Qd7 44.Qe5 Bf7 45.Qxc5 b6 46.Qd4 Be8 47.Be1 Qg7 48.Qe4 Qf7 49.Bc3 Bd7 50.Qa8+ Qf8 51.Qd5+ Qf7 52.Qe5 Kf8 53.Kg1 Be6 54.Qh8+! Qg8 55.Qf6+ Qf7 56.Qd8+ Qe8 57.Bg7+! 1-0 The dates and locations for the FIDE Grand Prix have been announced. Gata Kamsky is representing the United States.

FIDE Grand Prix 2008-9
Baku AZE April 20th - May 6th 2008
Krasnoyarsk * RUS July 30th - August 15th 2008
Doha QAT December 13th - 29th, 2008
Montreux SUI April 14th - 28th, 2009
Elista RUS August 1st - 17th, 2009
Karlovy Vary CZE December 7th - 23rd, 2009
* or other Russian city.
Reserve cities are Istanbul and Teheran.

GM Yury Shulman has a new book out, co-authored with Rishi Sethi. Titled Chess! Lessons from a Grandmaster, the attractively produced, oversized 203 page paperback which sells for $20 is aimed at beginning players and is loaded with instructive material and many exercises. Go to http://shulmanchess.com for more information.

Chess Cafe (http://chesscafe.com) has narrowed its list of candidates for 2007 Book of the Year to three titles: Former Mechanics' member Jeremy Silman's Complete Endgame Course, San Luis 2005 by Gershon and Nor and From London to Elista by Bareev and Levitov. Cast your vote at bookoftheyear@chesscafe.com to help decide the winner.

IM John Donaldson and FM Movses Movsesiyan tied for first with 5.5 from 7 in the Winter FIDE Open in Stillwater, Oklahoma, organized and directed by Frank and Jim Berry. The brothers will be hosting the US Championship qualifier in Tulsa in late March ( details below) and the US Championship in mid-May - again in Tulsa. When one thinks of great patrons of US chess names like Rice, Rosenwald, Piatigorsky and Statham come to mind. Add Berry to the list.
Newsletter #386, 3/10/2008
"Fischer will be remembered as the Mozart of chess, taking Capa's style and sharpening it. He was my childhood inspiration and is the reason I play chess today. We must separate the man who had repugnant views from the artist."
~IM Cyrus Lakdawala
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) Peoples Replacement Open by Michael Aigner
3) Eric Schiller on the Peoples Replacement Open
4) Here and There
5) New England Masters
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
The Winter Tuesday Night Marathon had an exciting finish as NM Sam Shankland defeated World Under 12 Champion Daniel Naroditsky to finish alone in first with 6.5 from 8. There was a five-way-tie for second at 6-2 between IM John Grefe, FM Frank Thornally, and Experts Nicholas Nip, Steve Gaffagan and James Jones. The next Marathon starts March 18th.

Two key games from round seven
Thornally,Frank - Naroditsky,Daniel [B26]
Winter TNM San Francisco (7) 2008
1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.g3 Nc6 4.Bg2 g6 5.d3 Bg7 6.Be3 e6 7.Qd2 Nge7 8.Bh6 0-0 9.h4 Bxh6 10.Qxh6 f6 11.Qd2 d5 12.h5 g5 13.h6 d4 14.Nd1 e5 15.f4 exf4 16.gxf4 Ng6 17.Ne2 Bg4 18.f5 Nge5 19.Nf2 Bf3 20.Kf1 Bxe2+ 21.Kxe2 Qd6 22.Bf3 c4 23.Rag1 c3 24.Qc1 cxb2 25.Qxb2 b6 26.Qb3+ Kh8 27.Bh5 Rac8 28.Rc1 Rc7 29.Rhe1 Rfc8 30.a3 Na5 0-1
Shankland,Sam - Grefe,John [C85]
Winter TNM San Francisco (7) 2008
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.d3 Nd7 8.Nbd2 0-0 9.b3 Re8 10.Bb2 Bf8 11.Nc4 f6 12.Qe1 Nc5 13.h3 Be6 14.Ne3 a5 15.Nd2 a4 16.f4 exf4 17.Rxf4 axb3 18.axb3 Rxa1 19.Bxa1 Bd6 20.Rf1 Nd7 21.Kh1 Nf8 22.Ndc4 b5 23.Nxd6 Qxd6 24.Qa5 Nd7 25.Bc3 Nb6 26.Qb4 c5 27.Qxb5 Bd7 28.Qa5 Ra8 29.e5 fxe5 30.Nc4 Qe7 31.Nxb6 Rxa5 32.Nxd7 Ra2 33.Rf8+ Qxf8 34.Nxf8 Kxf8 35.Bxe5 Rxc2 36.Bxc7 Ke7 37.Bb6 g6 38.d4 c4 39.bxc4 Rxc4 40.Kh2 Ke6 41.Kg3 Rc2 42.Kf3 Kf5 43.g4+ Ke6 44.h4 h6 45.d5+ Kxd5 46.Be3 Rc3 47.Kf2 h5 48.gxh5 gxh5 49.Bg5 Ke4 50.Kg2 Kf5 51.Kf2 Kg4 52.Bd8 Ra3 53.Bg5 ½-½ Nine year old Nicholas Nip will be around 2185 after the Tuesday Night Marathon is rated. The past two weekends he played six game matches at a G/60 time control against Expert Romulo Fuentes (2113) and NM Emmanuel Perez (2282), beating Fuentes by a score of 5.5-0.5 and Perez 4.0-2.0. The lack of tournaments in the Western US is something that Nicholas's mother, Sophia, is acutely aware of. There is no USCF Grand Prix tournament within 1000 miles of San Francisco the next two weeks so Nicholas will be likely be playing more matches at the Mechanics' the next few weeks in his quest to reach 2200 before he turns 10. He would have likely made it already if he had not had a sub par result at Agoura Hills in January while playing with the flu.

Should Nicholas beat Hikaru Nakamura's record for youngest Master he will be in good company. As Michael Aigner points out if he is successful he will become the third local youngster to hold this esteemed record. Back in 1995, young rivals Jordy Mont-Reynaud (10 years and 209 days) and Vinay Bhat (10 years and 176 days) both became the youngest USCF master in short succession. Jordy earned the FIDE Master title but never managed to maintain a rating much above 2300. Vinay now holds the Grandmaster title and is still active as a player.
2) Peoples Replacement Open by Michael Aigner
The annual People’s Chess Tournament in February is one of the oldest traditions of Northern California chess. Its history dates back to the topsy-turvy era of free speech and free love in Berkeley around the early 1970s. Normally the tournament takes place in magnificent Pauley Ballroom looking out at Sproul Plaza and the Campanile (Sather Tower) on the campus of UC Berkeley. The spirit of the counterculture remains alive today, symbolized by the incessant noise generated by the bongo drummers that spend each afternoon in the plaza.

Unfortunately, a scheduling snafu robbed us chess players of this tradition in 2008, for the second time in three years. When it appeared there would be no People’s Tournament at all, South Bay organizer Salman Azhar stepped up to the plate despite only three week’s notice. The People’s Replacement Tournament was definitely not the Real Thing, but it would have to suffice. The event was moved 50 miles south to the library of a grade school in Santa Clara. Only four rounds were played over two days, instead of the usual three-day schedule. And at least one veteran player complained about the lack of drums. On the bright side, the new venue allowed easy freeway access and plenty of free parking.

About 80 players showed up for the 1200+ sections while another 40 kids played in the one-day side event restricted to players rated under 1200. These attendance figures allowed Dr. Azhar to increase the advertised prize fund slightly to $2500, a respectable 71% of last year’s payout in Berkeley despite having 45 fewer players. Players competed in four sections: Master/Expert, Class A, Class B and Class C/D. In an era of G/30, G/45 and G/60 tournaments, the People’s time control was slow enough for classical chess: 30/90, G/60. In fact, some parents remarked how pleased they were to see their kids actually take their time to think while playing chess!

The top section featured local IM Ricardo DeGuzman as the top seed, followed by two FMs and two NMs. Upsets began rolling in as early as the first round: fifth grader Yian Liou (1900) crushed FM Eric Schiller’s anti-Dutch system within 20 moves and high school student NM Sam Shankland could only draw against extensive opening preparation by adult expert Brendan Purcell (2023). In the third round, reigning world U12 champion FM Danya Naroditsky calmly held DeGuzman to a draw. That left this reporter as the only player with a perfect 3-0 score going into the final round, with DeGuzman, Shankland and Naroditsky tied for second at 2.5 each.

That set up my critical round 4 pairing with IM DeGuzman. We had played many times before, with DeGuzman scoring a lopsided 23.5/27 = 87%. I had never won, achieving just seven draws despite several completely winning positions. Our typical game saw DeGuzman overcoming an opening disadvantage through his creative and aggressive middle and endgame play.
Aigner, Michael (2242) vs IM DeGuzman, Ricardo (2457)
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 e6 6. Be3 Nd4 7. Nce2 Ne7 8. c3 Nxe2 9. Nxe2 d6 10. d4 cxd4 11. Bxd4 e5 12. Be3 O-O 13. Qd3 Qc7 14. Rd1 Rd8 15. c4 Be6 16. b3 Qa5+ 17. Qd2 Qc7 18. O-O a6 19. Nc3 Qa5 20. Nd5 Qxd2 21. Nxe7+ Kf8 22. Nxg6+ hxg6 23. Rxd2 b5 24. c5 dxc5 25. Bxc5+ Ke8 26. Rxd8+ Rxd8 27. Be3 Bf8 28. h4 Ba3 29. Kh2 Rc8 30. Rd1 Rc2 31. Rd2 Rc8 32. Re2 Bc1 33. Bb6 Rc6 34. Ba7 f6 35. Bh3 Bf7 36. Kg2 a5 37. Bg4 a4 38. bxa4 bxa4 39. Re1 Bxa2 40. Be2 Rc3 41. Bb5+ Kf7 42. Bxa4 Be6 43. Be3 Bxe3 44. Rxe3 Rxe3 45. fxe3 Bg4 46. Bb3+ Ke7 47. Kf2 Kf8 48. Ke1 Bf3 49. Bc2 Ke7 50. Kf2 Bg4 51. Bd3 Kf8 52. Be2 Bd7 53. Ke1 Bc6 54. Bd3 Kg7 55. g4 Kh6 56. Kd2 Bb7 57. Kc3 Bc8 58. Be2 Bb7 59. Bf3 Kg7 60. Kc4 f5 61. g5 Kf7 62. Kd3 Ba6+ 63. Kd2 Bb7 64. Ke2 fxe4 65. Bg4 Bd5 66. Bc8 Ke7 67. Kf2 Bb3 68. Bb7 Bc2 69. Ke2 Ke6 70. Kd2 Bb1 71. Kc3 Bd3 72. Bc6 Ke7 73. Kb4 Bb1 74. Kc5 Ba2 75. Bxe4 Bf7 76. Bd5 Be8 77. Bg8 Ba4 78. Bc4 Bd7 79. Bd3 1-0 The game in Santa Clara was no different; I achieved a huge opening advantage from the white side of the Maroczy bind. The veteran IM meekly lost a pawn with 19… Qa5 allowing the thematic tactic 20.Nd5, but the game had just begun. Surely a clear pawn up should be enough to win. However, after two inaccuracies (I should have played 32.Bh3 instead of Re2 and 34.Ba5 instead of Ba7), history was well on its way to repeat. Was this the DeGuzman Curse?

Fortunately, history would not repeat itself. Known for impeccable play in the late middlegame and endgames, the sly magician blundered with the greedy 39… Bxa2 when the pawn push a3 would have sufficed for an advantage. The brilliant retreat 40.Be2 threatens three black targets on the a5-e8 diagonal and, from this point forth, black was in trouble. The bishop of same color endgame up a pawn that resulted from further trades on moves 44 and 45 was merely a matter of technique despite white’s doubled pawns. After nearly seven years since our first meeting, the monkey is off my back!

Approximately a quarter of the players in the tournament won a part of the prize fund. Much has been said about the rise of scholastic chess in our area, with many adults dropping out simply because they no longer can keep up with the tactical skill of underrated kids. In fact, the three players who tied for second place in the Master/Expert section were age 12, 14 and 16. But there is still a glimmer of hope for the older generation: the Class A and Class C winners were all adults! Hopefully this success by George Mandrusov, Harold Parker and Kenneth Voss can inspire players at their age not to quit but rather to keep fighting on.

List of Winners Master: 1st NM Michael Aigner; 2nd NM Sam Shankland and FM Danya Naroditsky
Expert: Rohan Agarwal
Class A: George Mandrusov
Class B: Kartik Chillakanti and Chris Tsai
Class C: Harold Parker and Kenneth Voss
Class D: Muhammed Mohideen
U1200: Daniel Liu, Stephen Leung and Rahul Swaminathan
U900: Linus Wang and Malik Khalil
U500: Muzammil Khan

Results: http://www.bayareachess.com/results/peoplerepl08.php 1200+ rated: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?200802179421.0 U1200 rated: http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?200802179361.0 Saturday photos: http://www.chessdryad.com/photos/santaclara/peoples/index.htm Sunday photos: http://www.chessdryad.com/photos/santaclara/peoples_02/index.htm
3) Eric Schiller on the Peoples Replacement Open
A game from Santa Clara with a nice mate (after White resigned.)
Brendan Purcell - Eric Schiller (round 4)
Caro Kann B19
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bf4 Bb4+ This is a sacrifice of a tempo to encourage White to weaken the queenside by advancing the c-pawn. I like it a lot. 12.c3 Be7 13.Ne4 Ndf6 14.O-O-O Nxe4 15.Qxe4 Nf6 16.Qe2 Qd5 A typical theme in this variation. 17.c4 Qa5 18.Ne5 Hoping for tricks at f7 and e6 after Re1.18.a3 is probably best. Nxh5 19.Be5 Nf6 20.d5!? cxd5 21.cxd5 Nxd5 22.Bxg7 Rg8 23.Be5 Rxg2 - Black is ahead, Hungaski vs. Vescovi, 2005. 18... Qxa2 19.Rhe1 O-O 20.g4 a5 Attack? I think I will! The Caro-Kann can be as exciting as any Sicilian, when Black castles on the opposite wing from White. 21.Rd3 ? My opponent forgot that my bishop owns a3.21.g5 was the move that had to be played. No time for defense! 21...hxg5 22.Bxg5 a4 23.Ng6 ! It doesn't work, but causes Black the most problems.23...Bb4 ! (Only this! 23...fxg6 24.Qxe6+ Kh8 25.hxg6 Nh5 26.Qxe7a3 ! 27.bxa3 Qxc4+ 28.Kb2 Qb5+ 29.Kc1 Rxf2 30.Qe8+ ! Rf8 31.Qe7 and Black might have to settle for a perpetual check draw) 21... a4 22.c5 a3 ! 23.bxa3 Rxa3 24.Qxa2 Rxa2 25.Bg3 Rfa8 26.Rb3 Ra1+ 27.Rb1 Nd5 28.Kd2?? 28.Rxa1 Rxa1+ 29.Kd2 Bg5+30.Ke2 Ra4 -White has serious problems but can resist for some time. 28...R1a2+ 0-1 29.Kd3 would have led to a spectacular finish.29...R8a3+ 30.Ke4 Nf6+ 31.Kf4 Rxf2+!! 32.Bxf2 Nxh5+!! 33.gxh5 Bg5+ 34.Kg4 f5# ) ( 29.Kd1 Nc3+ 30.Kc1 Nxb1 31.Kxb1 Ra1+ 32.Kc2 Rxe1 ) ( 29.Kc1 Bg5+ ) 0-1
4) Here and There
Congratulations to former Mechanics' member IM Jeremy Silman for winning the ChessCafe book of the year award for Silman's Complete Endgame Course.

NM Michael Aigner has just started a very good blog. Check it out at http://fpawn.blogspot.com/.

MI Chess Director John Donaldson tied for first with NM Carl Haessler at 4.5 from 5 in the 67 player David Collyer Memorial last weekend in Spokane

IM Josh Friedel turned in a good result in the A2 group section of the Aeroflot Open, scoring 5.5 from 9.
5) New England Masters
Dear Chess Player,

The New England Masters 2008 will take place over the week of August 11-15, 2008, in Pawtucket (near Providence), Rhode Island, USA.

The tournament will be a 9 round Swiss open to players with a FIDE rating of at least 2100. The time control for all rounds will be 40/2 hours, SD/30 minutes. Round times will be at 11:00 am and 6:00 pm each day, apart from the first day which will have only one round at 6:00 pm.

This year's event will see a distinct push to try and attract more non-USA players to our shores in an attempt to increase the norm opportunities for everyone. For instance, non-USA IMs will receive a free entry and a discounted rate on accommodation (just $200 for a half-room), while all non-USA players receive a $100 discount off their relevant entry fees!

Talking about entry fees, all of them have been reduced from last year's event! This is thanks to allowing a new class of players (2100-2199) to participate in the event, benefiting all of the players above, especially those rated 2500 or higher who can now also play for free!

The event will be held at the To Kalon Club, 65 Main Street, Pawtucket. The To Kalon Club is home to the Blackstone Chess Academy who will be holding their own open weekend Swiss straight after the Masters event. (Further details to be announced.)

The Comfort Inn in Pawtucket has given us an $89/night room rate, which is a significant discount off their regular rates. They also include a free breakfast, free wireless internet, exercise room and a heated indoor pool. What more could a chess player need?

For more details on this exciting event, please visit the New England Masters 2008 website at http://www.NewEnglandMasters.com and please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions regarding this event.

Sincerely,

Chris Bird
New England Masters 2008
http://www.NewEnglandMasters.com
Newsletter #387, 3/12/2008
"Bobby Fischer was an inspiration for me and countless others. He was a national hero turned tragic figure. While the decisions he made in life were a mystery, the fact that he died with malice in his heart for his country and people is truly a great tragedy."
~Yaasser Seirawan
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) Far West Open
3) The Masked Grandmaster Redux by Jeremy Silman
4) William Addison - Part One
5) Here and There
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
Congratulations to Jayakrishnan Ramachandran who won the A.J. Fink Amateur, open to players below 2000, with a 6-0 score! Teenager Ted Belanoff lost his first game but then won five in a row including a last round victory over MI Trustee Neil Falconer, to take second with five points. Anthony Corrales, Steve Brandwein and John Donaldson directed the 51-player event held March 1-2.

Last weekend the Mechanics' played host to Grandmaster Gregory Kaidanov who gave a seminar to top Bay Area juniors and then a lecture for the public. NM Michael Aigner, aka fpawn, has an excellent report on his blog ( http://fpawn.blogspot.com ) which follows. To check out the photos from the event taken by Yian Liou's parents, visit Michael's site.

Kaidanov visit by Michael Aigner

Grandmaster Gregory Kaidanov, ranked #5 in the United States at 2697 USCF and 2604 FIDE, visited the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club on Sunday, March 2. Not only is he a strong and active tournament player, he enjoys the reputation as one of America's best chess teachers. In San Francisco for the day, Kaidanov taught a master class to Northern California's most talented juniors and gave a free public lecture prior to the final round of an amateur tournament.

During the master class in the morning, the veteran Grandmaster reviewed some of his own games from the recent Moscow Open. He focused on the thinking process required to first generate reasonable candidate moves and then calculate the best lines. It was a difficult class for all; one self-proclaimed genius in the audience would miss an obvious zwischenzug in his variation. Even the GM was not immune to self-criticism; he shared the hilarious yet humiliating story of a legally blind Russian FM rated 2500 FIDE who outplayed him with black (a draw) and later lectured Kaidanov on finer points of positional strategy! Perhaps appropriately, the public lecture in the afternoon focused on psychology in chess and the chess teacher's role in identifying weaknesses in a student's personality.

The ten students invited for the class included several of America's best for their age. Often overlooked from the East Coast, these California kids can hold their own against anyone across the country and even the world. Four of the participants have held the #1 or #2 national ranking for their age in recent months; six are presently in the top 10. All are rated over 2000 USCF or have performed at that level in recent tournaments. A large group of Bay Area players will be traveling to Tulsa, Oklahoma, the end of this month (see details below under upcoming events) including IMs Vinay Bhat, Josh Friedel, David Pruess and Dmitry Zilberstein and NMs Michael Aigner and Sam Shankland.

NM Ron Cusi and Oleg Shakhnazarov tied for first at 2-1 in a Master/Experts Quad held this past week at the MI. Nine-year-old Nicholas Nip was third at 1 1/2 followed by Carlos Davila with half a point.
2) Far West Open
March 21-23 the Far West Open will be held in Reno ( see details below) . Tournament organizer Jerry Weikel writes that GMs Alex Yermolinsky, Sergey Kudrin and Melik Khachiyan and IM Enrico Sevillano are among the pre-entries. Don't miss this event, one of the highlights of the year for Northern California players.
3) The Masked Grandmaster Redux by Jeremy Silman
IM Jeremy Silman is known as one of the most popular writers and lecturers in the United States. A Mechanics' member for many years in the 1970s, 80s and 90s he immortalizes a magic moment in Mechanics' history in the following article.

Recently a fan of combinative chess wrote me and asked where he might find a game that I wrote about back in 1974. It isn't in any database, which is a real shame since the game in question is very memorable. Since this game is highly enjoyable, I will repeat my Chess Life article here (with various major analytical changes and additional information at the end).

It was Oct. 26, 1974 and the Carrol M. Capps Memorial chess tournament in San Francisco was just starting. Aside from the usual list of prizes, the event also had a "most brilliant game" award.

This prize had little meaning for the lower-rated players though. After all, how could non-masters players hope to play a more brilliant game than powerhouses like Walter Browne, Dennis Waterman, and R. Rodriguez?

"Look at my game! Look at my game! I've played a brilliancy!" screamed Michael Mills, a class "C" player.

Senior Master Waterman, IM (and U.S. Champion) John Grefe and I stared at him and then we all burst into laughter. "You played a brilliancy? Yeah, sure you did. Okay, let's see it."

Mills, seemingly oblivious to the insulting tone of our voices, sat down and began pushing wood:
R.Catig (1500) - M.Mills (1500)
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Be2 0-0 8.Qd2?! d5! So far, we were all silent. Black has played the opening well and has no problems. 9.Nxc6 The continuation 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5 Nxd4! favors Black: 11.Nxe7+ (11.c4 keeps black's edge to a minimum while 11.Bxd4 Qxd5 12.Bxg7 Qxg2! has led to many Black victories) 11…Qxe7 12.Bxd4 Bxd4 13.Qxd4 Bf5 (13…Re8 14.Qe3! does not promise Black as much) 14.Qe3 Qb4+ 15.Qc3 Qxc3+ 16.bxc3 Rfd8 and black's superior structure promises White a certain measure of endgame pain. 9…bxc6 10.e5 Ng4 A good response. Also possible is 10…Nd7 11.f4 e6 when the following trap has claimed many victims: 12.Na4? Nxe5! 13.fxe5 Qh4+ 14.Bf2 Qxa4. 11.Bxg4 Bxg4 12.h3 Bf5 13.g4? Desperate to find something to criticize, we all became hysterical. "You fool!" we howled, "Why did you allow him to attack your Bishop with gain of time?"

"Well," Michael replied coolly, "I was trying to egg him on."

This was too much for us. We fell on the floor and laughed uncontrollably. Undaunted, Michael continued … 13…Be6 We were too busy making fun of Michael to notice 13…Bxe5! 14.Bh6 (14.gxf5 d4) 14…d4! 15.Bxf8 (or 15.Qe2 Bf6 16.Bxf8 dxc3 17.b4 Qd2+ 18.Qxd2 cxd2+ 19.Kxd2 Kxf8) 15…dxc3 and white's position is grim. 14.Qd4? The idea of this move its to post the Queen on c5 -- not a bad concept, but it walks into various tactical problems. Far better was 14.f4. 14…f6 A good move, but interesting alternatives existed:

1) 14…Qb8 (with a double attack against b2 and e5) 15.f4 f6 is tempting.

2) 14…Rc8!? is a computer move: 15.Qxa7 (15.Na4 Qc7) 15…Bxe5 16.Bh6 d4 17.Rd1 Ra8 18.Qc5 Ra5 19.Qxc6 Qb8 20.Bxf8 Kxf8 and White is getting wiped out. 15.f4? Very poor. White should play 15.exf6 Bxf6 16.Qc5 though Black would still retain an obvious advantage. For example 16…Qb6 (16…d4!? 17.0-0-0 dxc3 18.Rxd8 cxb2+ 19.Kb1 Raxd8 looks like it might be interesting, though it's hardly brave of me to sacrifice someone else's Queen!) 17.0-0-0 Rfb8. 15…Qc7 The obvious 15…fxe5 16.fxe5 Qc7 nets a free pawn since 17.Bf4 c5 is crushing. However, the text move also leaves White in a bad way, and might even prove stronger than 15…fxe5. 16.exf6 Bxf6 17.Qc5 Bh4+ More straightforward is 17…d4 18.Bxd4 Qxf4 19.Bxf6 Rxf6 with a winning attack. The path Mills chose is far deeper and far more elegant. 18.Ke2 Other moves:

1) 18.Kd1 d4! 19.Nb5 Qa5 20.Qxc6 dxe3 21.Qxe6+ Kg7 22.Nc3 Rxf4 wins for Black.

2) 18.Bf2 Bxf2+ 19.Qxf2 Rxf4 20.Qe3 Bf7 21.0-0-0 e5 has to be winning for Black.

3) 18.Kd2 d4 wins on the spot. 18…Bc8!! A first-rate move that is even beyond the powers of modern day (2008) computers. Black brings his light-squared Bishop into play and makes way for the advance of his e-pawn, which will rip open the center. Michael's earlier moves had not made much of an impression on us. But when we saw this move, our pompous smiles began to fade. 19.Nxd5 Very tempting and very greedy, but there really isn't a fully acceptable defense. Other tries:

1) 19.Kd2 Ba6 (intending both …d4 and …Rxf4) 20.Rad1 (20.Qd4 Bf6!) 20…Rxf4 21.Bxf4?? Qxf4+ 22.Qe3 Qf6 and White has to resign due to threats like …d4 and …Bg5. Instead of 21.Bxf4??, White should play 21.Nxd5 Rd8 22.Kc1 Rxd5 23.Rxd5 Rc4 24.Qxa7 cxd5 25.Qxa6 Rxc2+ 26.Kb1 Bf6 (26…Rxb2+!? 27.Kxb2 Qe5+ 28.Kc2 Qe4+ 29.Qd3 Qxh1 30.a4 gives White counterplay) 27.Bc1 Rg2! 28.Qb5 Qc2+ 29.Ka1 Kg7 and White's position is most unpleasant.

One would think that White should go for this, except Black can improve: 19.Kd2 Ba6 20.Rad1 (His only chance is probably 20.Kc1!? though White's position would then be wretched in every way after 20…e5) 20…e5! 21.fxe5 (21.Nxd5 Qb7 22.Nb4 Be7 is more than White can handle) 21…d4! 22.Bxd4 Bg5+ 23.Ke1 (23.Be3 Be7 and White will suffer massive material losses) 23…Rad8 and Black's attack should prove decisive. One nice line: 24.Qxa7 Qxe5+! 25.Bxe5 Bh4+ 26.Bg3 Bxg3+ 27.Qf2 Bxf2 mate. Cool!

2) 19.b4 e5 20.fxe5 Qxe5 looks grim.

3) 19.Rag1 Ba6+ 20.Kd1 e5 and all I can say is that I wouldn't want to be White. 19…Ba6+ 20.c4 Black has many possibilities after 20.Kf3, the simplest of which is 20…Qe5 when White has to jettison a piece by 21.Nxe7+ (21.Qxc6 Rac8 is game over) 21…Qxe7 22.Qxe7 Bxe7. 20…Qb7! 21.Nb4 e5! White's holding on as best he can, but Mills (who appears to be channeling Alekhine) won't stop playing great moves! 22.Nxa6 If 22.fxe5 Be7 23.Qxc6 Qxb4 (much stronger than 23…Bxb4 -- why not enjoy an extra piece AND a strong attack?) 24.b3 Bb7 25.Qe6+ Kh8! 26.Rhf1 Bg2 and wins. 22…exf4?! Black learned that he's supposed to open lines in this kind of position and he's making sure he does it! Unfortunately, more direct measures were called for: 22…Qxb2+ 23.Kf3 (23.Bd2 holds out a bit longer, though 23…Rxf4 leaves White in agony) 23…e4+ 24.Kxe4 Rae8+ 25.Kd3 (25.Kf3 Rxf4+! mates) 25…Rd8+ and mate is in the air. 23.Bd4 Rae8+?! The most natural move in the world, but it turns out to be inaccurate. Instead, 23…f3+ turns out to be quite strong: 24.Kd3 Rad8 25.Nb4 Be7 (the immediate 25…Rxd4+ is also good) 26.Qe5 Rxd4+ 27.Qxd4 Qxb4 28.Qc3 Qc5 29.Kc2 Rf4 30.b4 Qf2+ 31.Kb3 Bf6 32.Raf1 Qe2 33.Qc2 Qe3+ 34.Ka4 f2 gives Black a winning advantage. 24.Kf3?? Kindly allowing a stunning finish. White had to play 24.Kd3 when 24…Qxa6 25.Qxa7 Qxa7 26.Bxa7 f3 27.Bc5 Rd8+ 28.Ke4 Rf7 still leaves White in serious trouble due to the power of the passed f-pawn and the vulnerability of the white King. One sample: 29.Ba3 f2 30.Raf1 Re8+ 31.Kd3 Rd7+ 32.Kc2 Re2+ 33.Kb3 Bf6 and White is helpless.

After this final mistake by White, Mills really does turn into Alekhine! 24…Re3+!! Still clearing lines like a maniac! At this point all of us were exhibiting signs of shock, jaws hanging to the floor. 25.Kg2 If 25.Bxe3 fxe3+ 26.Ke4 leaves Black with a multitude of winning ideas, with 26…Re8+ 27.Kd3 Rd8+ 28.Ke4 Qxb2 being my personal favorite. 25…f3+ 26.Kf1 Rfe8!! Black now threatens to mate with …Re1+. Of course, White cannot play 27.Bxe3 due to …Qxb2. 27.Kg1 Bg3! Tightening the net. The Rook is still immune to capture -- an incredible situation. Of course, 27…Re1+ also won easily, but 27…Bg3 is more accurate. 28.Rf1 Re1 29.Bc3 Qxb2!! Now, since 30.Bxb2 Rxf1+ 31.Kxf1 Re1 is mate, White resigned. 0-1.

"Who was that masked grandmaster?" Larry Christiansen asked when I showed him the game some months later.

How did Mills do it? Was it something he ate? Did he practice celibacy for this event?

Michael was quite willing to give us the answer. "I just followed the advice given in Vukovic's book, THE ART OF ATTACK."

And it suddenly all made sense! I had told him to read this classic months before the tournament and he had taken the advice to heart. His use of basic tactical motifs like double attack, the opening of lines, the overworked piece, and building a mating net were all beautifully featured in this game.

As it turned out, he really didn't calculate that many variations. He just did what Vukovic told him to in such positions and hoped it would work out. Therefore, this game is both a testament to Vukovic's book as well as a final proof of the validity of the Hundred Monkey Theory. Nevertheless, few players (of any rating) ever create an evergreen such as this, so he can consider himself blessed.

Of course, Mills won the brilliancy prize, and none of us could do anything but applaud him. Truly a fantastic creative effort and, perhaps, the greatest game by a non-master of all time!
4) William Addison - Part one
William Addison, who served as Chess Director of the Mechanics' in the late 1960s, is one of the strongest American players never to become a GM (rated 2490 FIDE at his retirement). Here are a few of his better games.
Addison,W - Reshevsky,S [E88]
New York (US Ch) 1967
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 0-0 6.Be3 e5 7.d5 c6 8.Qd2! cxd5 9.cxd5 Na6 10.Bd3 Bd7 11.Nge2 Ne8 12.0-0-0! Nc5 13.Bb5 Rc8 14.Kb1 f5 15.Bxd7 Qxd7 16.b4! Na4 17.Rc1 Nf6 18.a3 fxe4 19.fxe4 a5!? 20.Qd3 axb4 21.axb4 Ng4 22.Rc2 Nxe3 23.Qxe3 Rc4 24.Nxa4! Rxc2 25.Nac3 Rxc3 26.Nxc3 Qc8 27.Qd3 Bh6 28.Re1 Qg4 29.Qe2 Qf4 30.Kc2 Qxh2 31.Rf1 Rxf1 32.Qxf1 Qf4 33.Qb5 Qf7? 34.Qb6 Bf8 35.Kb3 h5 36.Qd8! Kg7 37.Nb5 Qe7 38.Qc8 Kh6 39.Nc7 b6 40.Ne6 Bg7 41.Ka4 Qf6 42.Kb5 g5 43.Kxb6 Qf2+ 44.Kc6 Qc2+ 45.Kd7 Qa4+ 46.Ke7 Qa7+ 47.Qc7 Qxc7+ 48.Nxc7 g4 49.b5 h4 50.b6 h3 51.gxh3 gxh3 52.b7 h2 53.b8Q h1Q 54.Ne6 Qxe4 55.Qxd6 Bh8 56.Nc5+ Qg6 57.Ne4 Qxd6+ 58.Kxd6 Kg6 59.Ke6 1-0
Addison,W - Matulovic,M [D40]
Maribor 1967
1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.e3 e6 5.d4 d5 6.a3 cxd4 7.exd4 Be7 8.c5 Ne4 9.Qc2 f5 10.Bb5² Bf6 11.Bf4 0-0 12.Bxc6 bxc6 13.0-0 g5? 14.Be5 g4 15.Bxf6 Rxf6 16.Ne5± Ba6 17.Rfe1 Rh6 18.Nxe4 Qh4 19.Nf6+!! Kg7 20.Nfxg4 fxg4 21.h3 gxh3 22.g3 h2+ 23.Kh1 Qh3 24.Re3! Rf8 25.Rae1 Bb7+- 26.Qd2 Kh8 27.f4 Ba6 28.Nxc6 e5 29.Nxe5 Bc8 30.g4 Qh4 31.f5 Bxf5 32.gxf5+- Rxf5 33.Qg2 Rhf6 34.Rg3 Rf8 35.Ng6+ hxg6 36.Rh3 Qxh3 37.Qxh3+ Kg7 38.Re7+ Kf6 39.Qh4+ g5 40.Qh7 Rf1+ 41.Kxh2 Rh8 42.Qxh8+ Kxe7 43.Qe5+ Kf8 1-0
Addison,W - Sigurjonsson,G [E54]
Reykjavik 1968
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 0-0 5.Bd3 c5 6.Nf3 d5 7.0-0 dxc4 8.Bxc4 Qe7 9.a3 Ba5 10.Bd3 a6 11.e4 cxd4 12.e5! dxc3 13.exf6 gxf6 14.Qa4 Nc6 15.Bxh7+! Kh8 16.Be4 b517.Qd1 Rd8 18.Nd4!! Qc5 19.Bxc6 Rxd4 20.Qf3 Ra7 21.Qxf6++- Kh7 22.Be3 Bb6 23.Rad1 e5 24.Bh6 Rg4 25.Be4+! 1-0
Addison-Bisguier,
New York (US CH) 1969
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.e3 Nf6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 a6 9.e4 c5 10.d5 e5 11.b3 Bd6 12.0-0 0-0 13.Nd2 g6? 14.a4 c4 15.Bb1! b4 16.Nxc4 Nc5 17.Na2 Ncxe4 18.Qe1 Nc5 19.Nxb4 Nxb3 20.Nc6 Qc7 21.Nxd6! Nxc1 22.Qxe5+- Ne2+ 23.Kh1 Nxd5 24.Be4! Bd7 25.Qxd5 Bxc6 26.Qxc6 Qxc6 27.Bxc6 Rad8 28.Nb7 Rd2 29.Rfd1 Rc2 30.Be4 Rb2 31.Bf3 Rb8 32.Nc5 Nc3 33.Rdc1 Na2 34.Rf1 a5 35.Nb7 Ra8 36.Nd6 Ra7 37.Nc4 Rc2 38.Be4 1-0
5) Here and There
Los Angeles GM Varuzhan Akobian tied for second in the 3rd Morelia Open in Mexico with 5.5 from 7. Costa Rican GM and UTD student Alejandro Ramirez won with 6 points.

Boris Gulko had an excellent result at Cappelle la Grande with 6.5 from 9 ( 2622 performance) tying for ninth. 16-year-old NYC high school student Robert Hess also did quite well with 6 points ( 2530 performance)

GM Alejandro Ramirez won the St. Louis Open with 4.5 from 5 with GM Alexander Yermolinsky and Nm Carl Boor sharing second at 4. Go to http://main.uschess.org/content/view/8242/443 for more information.

GM Joel Benjamin won the Millennium Festival in Virginia Beach with 4.5 from 5. Father and son IM Larry Kaufman and FM Ray Kaufman shared second with 4. Go to http://main.uschess.org/content/view/8239/443 for more information.

GM Alex Onischuk's excellent website (http://www.alexonischuk.com/index.php) reports that he will play for “Junost Moskvi”. in the Russian Chess League held in Sochi from April 1-14.

Alex Shabalov won the Eastern Class Championship (Sturbridge MA, Feb 29-Mar 2, 2008) with 4.5/5, fellow Pittsburgh resident GM Darmen Sadvakasov was second with 4. Go to http://main.uschess.org/content/view/8241/443/ for more information.
Newsletter #388, 3/12/2008
"Some twenty years ago an English journalist complained that in sports, only chess and marbles were above suspicion. One wonders what has happened in the world of marbles."
~Hans Ree
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) Nicholas Nip Youngest US Master ever by Michael Aigner
3) FIDE Grand Prix
4) Stockholm Ladies Open
5) Donaldson-Sinanan
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
Former US Champion John Grefe, who tied for top honors with GM Lubosh Kavalek at El Paso in 1973, will be giving a one hour lecture next Tuesday night before the start of the Spring Tuesday Night Marathon. John's talk, which will run from 5:15 to 6:15, is free to all.

Add the names of IM Walter Shipman and World Under 12 Champion Daniel Naroditsky to the group of Mechanics' members who will be traveling to Tulsa in late March for the US Championship qualifier. Walter played in his first US Championship in 1946!

So far five GMs and 7 IMs have signed up to play headed by GMs Alexander Goldin, Eugene Perelshteyn and Alex Yermolinsky and IM Ben Finegold. Seven spots in the US Championship are up for grabs.

Organizer, sponsor and tournament director Frank Berry asks those attending the event and flying in Thursday to e-mail (FKimBerry@AOL.com) him their flight information to facilitate their pickup. Also... bring set and clock. G-90 + 30 sec (delay or add-on).

He hasn't gotten his picture on the cover of Rolling Stone yet but don't count Daniel Naroditsky out. After winning the World Under 12 Championship Daniel's face appeared on the cover of Chess Life and Chess for Kids. Now he is featured on Sports Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/scorecard/faces/2008/03/17/.
2) Nicholas Nip Youngest US Master ever by Michael Aigner
The following article comes from Michael Aigner's excellent blog (http://fpawn.blogspot.com) which is the place to go for recent Bay Area chess news.

Nicholas Nip has broken the US Chess Federation's record for the youngest master at the tender age of 9 years and 11 months, shattering the previous record of 10 years and 79 days held by Hikaru Nakamura. His new rating on the MSA website stands at 2207. Nicholas earned the final 20 rating points on March 5 in a G/60 quad tournament at the Mechanics' in San Francisco, defeating FM Ron Cusi (2339) in the climactic game.

The youngest master record is considered one of the most hallowed marks of the USCF. Future World Champion Bobby Fischer was considered a prodigy when he became a master at the age of 13. The rise of computers and prominence of scholastic chess has pushed this record younger and younger. In 1995, two young rivals from the Bay Area earned the master rank before their 11th birthdays. Jordy Mont-Reynaud did it in 10 years and 209 days and then, merely a few months later, Vinay Bhat shaved yet another 33 days off the record. Future Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura lowered the mark almost another 100 days in 1998, a record that nobody has come close to touching until today.

Much of the credit for Nicholas' rapid improvement from a talented yet inexperienced first grader in 2005 to National Master goes to his supportive parents who traveled with him and coaches Liina Vark and Eric Hicks of Academic Chess. The teachers identified his potential in kindergarten and developed it with tender nurturing care over the years. Hicks has told me several times over the years that one reason Nicholas improved quickly is his ability and desire to study on his own, often with the help of a computer. Certainly those of us who have witnessed his meteoric rise first hand can attest to Nicholas' love for the game of chess. He would always be eager to hang around chess players and he quickly became a favorite of many older children at the Mechanics' Institute.

What does the future hold for Nicholas? The fact that he has already defeated nine (9!) different established masters, including this writer, at slow tournament time controls bodes very well. He also has a solid FIDE rating of 2143 which will surely increase over time. Perhaps it is the pedigree of former youngest masters that offers the most hope for the future for young Nicholas. Here's wishing you all the best!
3) FIDE Grand Prix
FIDE published the final list of 21 FIDE Grand Prix participants, as well as a schedule of their participation in six GP tournaments: each player will take part in four events. The sole American participant is Gata Kamsky.

The GP participants are:

From Matches: Kamsky By Rating: Mamedyarov, Leko, Ivanchuk, Aronian, Gelfand, Radjabov

World Cup: Carlsen, Karjakin

From Rating Reserve: Adams, Grischuk

FIDE President Nominees: Svidler, Cheparinov, Bacrot, Wang Yue

Representatives of Host Cities:

Jakovenko, Inarkiev, Navara, Gashimov, Pelletier, Al-Modiahki

Players who had a right to participate in the Grand Prix, but declined are: Anand, Kramnik and Topalov (Matches), Morozevich (Rating) and Shirov (World Cup).
4) Stockholm Ladies Open
The Stockholm Ladies Open tournament takes place 20th-25th March 2008. The event has got the astonishing entry of 60 WGMs and 47 WIMs and a total of 150 players making it the biggest women's event ever in Sweden and that maybe a world record. IM Anna Zatonskih and WGM Rusa Goletiani will be representing the United States. Go to http://scandinavian-chess.se for more information.
5) Donaldson-Sinanan
John Donaldson – Josh Sinanan [D41]
Collyer Memorial (Spokane) 2008
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.d4 5.g3 Nc6 6.Bg2 Nc7 followed by ...e5 leads to a reversed Maroczy Bind. Yasser had great success with 5.e4 in his younger days while the text is the preferred choice in the Opening for White According to Kramnik series and Pritchett's new book on the English. 5...e6 5...Nxc3 6.bxc3 g6 7.e4 transposes into the Exchange variation of the Grunfeld. 6.e4 This leads to the main line of the Semi-Tarrasch variation of the Queen's Gambit which Bobby Fischer employed for Black on more than one occasion. 6.e3 cxd4 7.exd4 Nc6 8.Bc4 (or 8.Bd3 Be7 9.0–0 0–0 10.Re1) 8...Be7 9.0–0 0–0 10.Re1 lead to standard Isolated Queen Pawn positions but Black does better to delay capturing on d4. For example 6...Nc6 7.Bd3 Be7 8.0–0 0–0 when 9.Re1 is met by 9...b6 and 9. a3 by 9...cxd4. In both cases White is unable to obtain his maximum IQP position. 6...Nxc3 7.bxc3 cxd4 8.cxd4 Bb4+ 8...Nc6 allows White the option of 9.a3 stopping ...Bb4+. 9.Bd2 Bxd2+ 9...Qa5 10.Rb1! Bxd2+ 11.Qxd2 Qxd2+ 12.Kxd2 might seem to make sense heading for an ending with a queenside pawn majority but White's center and strong pressure on the b and c files make it inadvisable. 12...0–0 13.Bb5! (to force weaknesses) 13...a6 14.Bd3 Rd8 15.Rhc1 led to a classic victory for White in Rubinstein-Schlechter, San Sebastian 1912. 10.Qxd2 0–0 11.Bc4 Nc6 11...b6 (note 11...Nd7 12.0–0 b6 13.Rfe1 Bb7 might be more accurate as 11..b6 12.d5! might be a problem.) 12.0–0 Bb7 13.Rfe1 Nd7 14.a4 Rc8 15.Bd3 a5!? is an interesting idea proposed by GM Comas Fabrego in his book True Lies in Chess. Black stops the plan of a4-a5 in its tracks and advancing d5 or e5 give him many squares. It is not considered by Khalifman and his team in the Opening for White According to Kramnik series. 12.0–0 b6 13.Rad1 Bb7 13...Na5 14.Bd3 Bb7 is considered to be more accurate. Now 15.d5 (? according to Atalik) 15...exd5 16.e5 Nc4 17.Qf4 is Sharavdorj-Atalik, Berkeley 2005. In this exact position the Turkish GM believes that 17...Nb2 is strong(!) as the exclusion of ...Rc8 and Rfe1 favors Black. See his exhaustive notes in Chess Informant 93, game 364. 14.Rfe1 Rc8 14...Na5 gives White the additional option of 15.Bf1 which he would not have had a move before. The Bishop might look modest on its original square but White has d4-d5 coming. 15.d5 .exd5 My knowledge of the variation ended with this move. I remembered 15...Na5 16.Bd3 exd5 17.e5 Nc4 18.Qf4 Nb2 19.Bxh7+! Kxh7 20.Ng5+ Kg6 21.h4 with a winning attack for White in Polugaevsky-Tal, Moscow 1969. A big improvement for Black is 16...Qe7 keeping the tension. 16.Bxd5 16.exd5 is also good. 16...Qe7 Josh, who knew nothing about this line beforehand, finds the best move. Alternatives are not as good: A. 16...Qc7 17.Qg5 h6 18.Qg4 Rfd8 19.h3 (to provide air for the King and free the back rank) (the immediate 19.Qf5 is met by 19...Nb4 20.Bb3 Nd3! 21.Bxf7+ Qxf7 22.Qxf7+ Kxf7 23.Rxd3 Rxd3 24.Ne5+ Kf8 25.Nxd3 Rc3 26.Ne5 Bxe4!) 19...Nb4 20.Nd4 with a strong attack brewing in Kolev-Delchev, Elenite 1994.;

B. 16...Na5 17.Qf4 Qc7 18.Qf5 Bxd5 19.exd5 was better for White in Spassky-Petrosian from their 1969 World Championship match. 17.Qf4 17.e5 Nd8 18.Bxb7 Nxb7 19.Nd4 g6 20.f4 Rc5 21.Qe3 Nd8 22.f5 as in Bocharov-Bologan, Warsaw 2005, may well be stronger. 17...Rfe8 17...Rc7 18.Nh4 Qe5 is an untested suggestion of Bondarevsky. 18.Qf5 It was hard to choose between the text and 18.Nh4. 18.e5 was another move that I considered trying to put a Knight on d6 but didn't see how to do it. For example. 18...Nd8 19.Bxb7 Qxb7 20.Nh4 g6 (20...Ne6 21.Qg3 g6 22.Nf5 is just what White wants) 21.Qg3 Kh8 22.Nf3 Ne6. 18...g6 This is necessary as 18...Rc7 19.Ng5 g6 20.Qf4 Ne5 21.Qh4 h5 22.Qg3 leaves White with a strong initiative. 19.Qg4 Rcd8 One idea of keeping the Queen on the h3-c8 diagonal is to control d7 as can be seen in the variation 19...Nb4 20.Bxb7 Qxb7 21.e5 Nxa2 22.Rd7 Rc7? 23.Rxc7 Qxc7 24.Qa4 picking up a piece. 20.h4 Another possibility here, and maybe an improvement, was 20.Re3. The idea is to prepare Ng5 and use the Rook for the attack. Also, on e3 it is never potentially hanging after ...Bxd5. 20...Na5? This is the first real mistake by Josh who has played very well up to this point. Instead 20...Nb4 21.Bxb7 Qxb7 22.Rxd8 Rxd8 23.Qg5 (23.e5 Qe7) 23...Re8 24.e5 was only slightly better for White. The problem with the text is that Black really never has the possibility to trade on d5 in a satisfactory way. 21.Qf4 A strong alternative was 21.h5 for example 21...Bxd5 22.exd5 Qd6 (one of the reasons I played Qf4 was not to give Black this blockading square but it doesn't solve all of his problems) 23.Qh4 Rxe1+ 24.Rxe1 Qxd5 25.hxg6 fxg6 26.Ng5 h5 27.Ne6 Rd7 28.Qg3 winning at least the Exchange. 21...Kg7 Played to guard the dark-squares around Black's King but 21...b5 22.h5 Nc4 might have been a better try in view of what happens. If 21...Bxd5 then 22.exd5 Qd7 23.Ne5 is strong. 22.h5 h6 23.hxg6 fxg6 Now Black's King is more exposed and his second rank is vulnerable. 24.Qc1 24.Rc1 Rc8 25.Rxc8 Rxc8 26.Qg4 Rd8 27.Nd4 was an attractive alternative. The idea behind the text is to grab the long diagonal and double rooks on the c-file. 24...Bc8?! Josh was running low on time here. More stubborn was 24...Kh7 25.Qb2 Qg7. 25.Nd4 Rf8 26.Qb2 Kh7 27.Rc1 Black's offside Knight really tells. He has no satisfactory answer to White invading with his Rooks along the c-file. 27...Qe5 This stops White's idea but after... 28.Qc3! the upcoming ending is untenable for Black. 28...Rfe8 Or 28...Bd7 29.Ne6! with a winning ending. 29.Qc7+ Qg7 30.Qxg7+ Kxg7 31.Rc7+ Kh8 32.Rec1 a6 33.Nc6 1–0
Newsletter #389, 3/20/2008
"The Game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired and strengthened by it, so as to become habits ready on all occasions for life is a kind of Chess, in which we have points to gain, and competition or adversaries to contend with, and in which there is a vast variety of good and ill events, that are, in some degree, the effect of prudence, or want of it.

By playing at Chess then, we may learn:
First, Foresight...
Second, Circumspection...
Third, Caution...

And lastly, We learn by Chess the habit of not being discouraged by present bad appearances in the state of our affairs the habit of hoping for a favorable chance, and that of persevering in the secrets of resources."

~Benjamin Franklin
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) Schein-Friedman Awards Announced - By Mark Schein/Aviv Friedman
3) Fischer Photos
4) Local News
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
IM John Grefe gave a well-received lecture at the Mechanics' Institute last night and will give another one on Tuesday, April 1, from 5.15 to 6.15pm.

Go to http://main.uschess.org/content/view/8264/443/ to read a story on newly minted Master Nicholas Nip who turned 10 on March 10 including a win over FM Ron Cusi.

IM David Pruess is seconding Irina Krush in the strong Ataturk women's masters in Istanbul. Go to this ChessBase article to find a photo of David from the event.

The Spring Tuesday Night Marathon has 73 players competing including 19 over 2000. Heading the field are IM Grefe, FM Frank Thornally and Daniel Naroditsky and NMs Sam Shankland and Andy Lee. The form charts were almost 100 percent correct with higher rated players wining all but two of the games. Troy Pendergraft, visiting from Oregon, drew FM Thornally and rapidly improving Kyle Tom drew Glenn Leotaud, the ironman of Northern California chess players. Each Tuesday night Glenn drives from his home near Sacramento to either Richmond or Pittsburg then BARTs in making his commute over 2 hours each way. That's dedication!

It is not to late to enter the 8 round event with a bye for round 1.

Crime and punishment from round one.
Grefe,John - Persidsky,Andre [A30]
Spring Tuesday Night Marathon San Francisco (1), 19.03.2008
1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.b3 g6 4.Bb2 Bg7 5.g3 Nc6 6.Bg2 0–0 7.0–0 e6 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Nxd4 10.Qxd4 e5 11.Qd2 Re8 12.Nc3 a6 13.Rfd1 Qc7 14.Rac1 Rb8 15.Ba3 Bf8 16.Bxf8 Rxf8 17.Qg5 Kg7 18.Qxf6+ 1–0 Thanks to the generosity of the Schutt family the Bay Area's strongest blitz tournament is back. Last year's event was won by GM Walter Browne with IMs Ricardo DeGuzman and Dmitry Zilberstein right behind.
2) Schein-Friedman Awards Announced
By Mark Schein/Aviv Friedman March 11, 2008

The Schein - Friedman Scholastic Recognition Project is glad to announce its first year scholarship recipients.

Our top recipient is Floridian IM-elect Ray Robson, who will receive a $6,000 scholarship. Ray is a rising star on the US youth scene, and is an amazing talent. He is a hard worker, who is expected to make it far in the chess world.

Second place, and a $4,000 scholarship goes to Daniel Naroditsky of California. Daniel is another leading talent, who caused a sensation when he won the gold medal and world championship for boys under age 12, in Turkey last year.

The third scholarship, for $2,500 goes to IM Robert Hess from New York. Robert is already a strong International Master, with a rating nearing the 2500 mark. He is actively pursuing his Grandmaster title.

The three winners were selected from am impressive list of promising young applicants, in cooperation with the US Chess Trust (special thanks to Barbara DeMaro).

The project is a two-tier program, designed to help some of our younger champions improve and dedicate themselves more to chess, while offsetting the financial expenses that usually come with those. Hopefully the project will reward excelling youngsters, and help them become tomorrow’s best players and Grandmasters. At the same time they would be serving as role models and inspiration to the entire scholastic community.

The program is generally designed for youngsters age 7-17. Occasionally, in cases of unusual excellence (considerably exceeding the program’s criterions), applications by players up to age 20 would be considered.

We expect to announce our application process for the 2009 year, sometimes in November 2008.
3) Fischer Photos
Newsletter reader Lawrence Totaro of Las Vegas points out a nice link pertaining to photos of Bobby Fischer with over 600 pictures.
Go to http://www.echecs-photos.be/BobbyFischer-photos/index.html
4) Stockholm Ladies Open
David Petty, Salar Jahedi and Farid Mark Watson tied for first with 4.5 from 6 in the 24 player Berkeley Chess Club Bobby Fischer Marathon held February 10th to March 16th.

Below are details for the next Sunday Marathon scheduled to start in a few weeks.

Start Date: 6:00 P.M. February 10, 2008
Location: Room 17 at Hillside School, 1581 LeRoy, Berkeley.
Tournament Format 6 rounds, one game every Sunday
Other Rounds: March 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4
Time Control: 30/90 followed by SD/30.
Byes: Up to two half-point byes are available for rounds 1-4. All byes should be requested before 12pm the Friday before the next round. Byes for rounds 5 and 6 must be requested by round 3.
EF $30

Open at 5pm and closes at 10.30. http://berkeleychessschool.org

It is not yet official but chances are very good that the People's Open will be held in Berkeley on April 12-13 as a four round Swiss at the Hearst Gymnasium just a short walk from the normal Student Union venue on the US Berkeley campus. Final confirmation should come in the next few days.

Ted Castro (ted0712@yahoo.com) writes:

Hello everyone,

Beginning April 4th we will meet regularly every Friday at 7pm at the Newark Library and hold tournaments but will also have casual games for those who simply want to play.
Newsletter #390, 3/29/2008
Veselin Topalov recently gave an interview to Yuri Vasiliev of Sport Express and spoke about his upcoming match with Gata Kamsky

Y. V.- Your match with Kamsky will probably also be played in the spirit of these rules, since Gata is another who always fights to the very end.
"Yes, Gata is a great fighter! Winning the World Cup, beating all the top players in the process, was a great achievement. And he did not only win, but did so convincingly. I was very impressed with his play. He reminds me of a robot that never makes mistakes. I got the impression that he could play 50 games in a row without a mistake! And do you remember how he won his matches 15 years ago? He not only won, he destroyed his opponents! As a match player, he is stronger than Kramnik, I think. The match against him will require all of my strength and colossal concentration."

~Veselin Topalov
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) Melik Khachian wins Far West Open - Bay Area Juniors shine by Michael Aigner
3) Yury Shulman wins Foxwoods
4) Berkeley Chess Club News by Marc Newman
5) Here and There
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
The 78-player Spring Tuesday Night Marathon has 12 perfect scores after round 2. Leading the event are NMs Sam Shankland, Andy Lee and Daniel Naroditsky, Experts Victor Ossipov, Arthur Ismakov, Larry Snyder, Alan Naroditsky, William Gray, James Jones and Felix Rudyak and Class A player David Petty who upset Expert Oleg Shakhnazraov. Top seed IM John Grefe was held to a draw by Expert Igor Traub.
Traub,Igor - Grefe,John [A04]
Spring Tuesday Night Marathon San Francisco (2), 25.03.2008
1.e4 c5 2.d3 Nc6 3.Nf3 g6 4.g3 Bg7 5.Bg2 e5 6.0–0 Nge7 7.c3 d5 8.Nbd2 0–0 9.Re1 d4 10.c4 f5 11.exf5 gxf5 12.Ng5 h6 13.Nh3 Ng6 14.Nb3 Qd6 15.Bd5+ Kh8 16.f4 Nge7 Rybka and Fritz 10 have a major