AMATEUR TEAM EAST GUO ON THE GM HUNT A NIMZO TABIYA

MAY 2024 USChess.org

Repeat wins
for Dalton and
Wang at NHS
 The United States’ Largest
Chess Specialty Retailer

888.51.CHESS (512.4377) www.USCFSales.com

Eye-Opening Lessons for Improvers dŚĞƉƌŽĨŽƵŶĚŝŶŇƵĞŶĐĞŽĨDĂƌŬǀŽƌĞƚƐŬLJ
Miron Sher Vladimir Barsky
>ĞŐĞŶĚĂƌLJĐŚĞƐƐĐŽĂĐŚDŝƌŽŶ^ŚĞƌ͕ǁŚŽƚƌĂŝŶĞĚ tŚĞŶDĂƌŬǀŽƌĞƚƐŬLJƐƚĂƌƚĞĚĐŽĂĐŚŝŶŐ͕ŚĞďĞĐĂŵĞ
'DƐZŽďĞƌƚ,ĞƐƐĂŶĚ&ĂďŝĂŶŽĂƌƵĂŶĂ͕ĐŽůůĞĐƚĞĚ ĂŬŝŶĚŽĨĚŽĐƚŽƌ͕ƋƵŝĐŬůLJŝĚĞŶƟĨLJŝŶŐǁŚĂƚŚŝƐ
ŚƵŶĚƌĞĚƐŽĨŝŶƐƚƌƵĐƟǀĞƉŽƐŝƟŽŶƐĨŽƌŚŝƐƐƚƵĚĞŶƚƐ͘ ƐƚƵĚĞŶƚƐŶĞĞĚĞĚŚĞůƉǁŝƚŚ͘,ĞŵĂĚĞƚŚĞŵďĞƩĞƌ
dŚŝƐŬĨŽĐƵƐĞƐŽŶĮǀĞƚŽƉŝĐƐƚŚĂƚ^ŚĞƌ ĐŚĞƐƐƉůĂLJĞƌƐ͕ďƵƚĂůƐŽďĞƩĞƌƉĞŽƉůĞ͘/ŶƚŚŝƐŬ͕
ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌĞĚŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶƚĨŽƌĐŚĞƐƐŝŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚ͕ ƐƚƵĚĞŶƚƐƐƵĐŚĂƐzƵƐƵƉŽǀ͕<ĂƐƉĂƌŽǀ͕ŶĂŶĚ͕dŽƉĂůŽǀ
ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐƌĞĂŵDŽǀĞƐ͘/ĨLJŽƵĐĂŶĚƌĞĂŵĂďŽƵƚ ĂŶĚĂƌůƐĞŶ͕ƚŽŶĂŵĞďƵƚĂĨĞǁ͕ƉĂLJƚƌŝďƵƚĞƚŽƚŚĞ
ƚŚĞĮŶĂů͕ĚĞĐŝƐŝǀĞŵŽǀĞƚŚĂƚůĞĂĚƐƚŽĂǁŝŶŶŝŶŐ ŵŽƐƚŝŶƐƉŝƌŝŶŐĐŚĞƐƐĐŽĂĐŚŽĨŚŝƐŐĞŶĞƌĂƟŽŶ͘
NEW! ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶ͕LJŽƵǁŝůůĮŶĚLJŽƵƌǁĂLJƚŚĞƌĞ͘ NEW!
͚dŚĞĮŶĞƐƚĐŚĞƐƐŬ/͛ǀĞĞǀĞƌƌĞĂĚ͛ Mindful Chess
DĂƩŚĞǁ^ĂĚůĞƌŝŶEĞǁ/ŶŚĞƐƐ Paul van der Sterren
/ŶƚŚŝƐďƌƵƚĂůůLJŚŽŶĞƐƚĂƵƚŽďŝŽŐƌĂƉŚLJ͕ƵƚĐŚ'D sĂŶĚĞƌ^ƚĞƌƌĞŶǁĂƐĂƉƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂůĐŚĞƐƐƉůĂLJĞƌĨŽƌ
WĂƵůǀĂŶĚĞƌ^ƚĞƌƌĞŶĚĞƐĐƌŝďĞƐŚŝƐƌŝƐĞƚŽƚŚĞĐŚĞƐƐ ŵŽƌĞƚŚĂŶƚǁĞŶƚLJLJĞĂƌƐ͘,ĞŵĞƚǁŝƚŚďŽƚŚǀŝĐƚŽƌLJ
ĞůŝƚĞĂŶĚŚŝƐƐƚƌƵŐŐůĞƚŽŐĞƚďĞƩĞƌ͕ǁŝƚŚĂůůƚŚĞ ĂŶĚĚĞĨĞĂƚ͕ũŽLJĂŶĚƐƵīĞƌŝŶŐ͘tŚĞŶ͕ůĂƚĞƌŝŶůŝĨĞ͕ŚĞ
ƵŶĐĞƌƚĂŝŶƟĞƐĂŶĚĚŝĸĐƵůƟĞƐŽŶŚŝƐƉĂƚŚ͘&ƌŽŵŚŝƐ ĚŝƐĐŽǀĞƌĞĚǀŝƉĂƐƐĂŶĂŵĞĚŝƚĂƟŽŶ͕ŚĞĂƉƉƌŽĂĐŚĞĚ
ǀĞƌLJĮƌƐƚŵŽǀĞƐƚŽŚŝƐŵĂƚĐŚĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ'ĂƚĂ<ĂŵƐŬLJ͕ ŵĞĚŝƚĂƟŽŶǁŝƚŚƚŚĞƐĂŵĞĚĞǀŽƟŽŶĂƐŚŝƐĐŚĞƐƐ͘
ĞǀĞƌLJƚŚŝŶŐŝƐĚĞƐĐƌŝďĞĚŝŶŐƌĞĂƚĚĞƚĂŝůĂŶĚǁŝƚŚƚŚĞ /ŶŽŶůLJϭϮϴƉĂŐĞƐ͕ƚŚĞƌĞĂĚĞƌĨŽůůŽǁƐ his two
ŐƌĞĂƚĞƐƚĨƌĂŶŬŶĞƐƐ͘ ũŽƵƌŶĞLJƐ͕ĂƐŬŝŶŐƋƵĞƐƟŽŶƐƐƵĐŚĂƐ͗tŚĂƚŝƐĐŚĞƐƐ͍
NEW! ĞǁĂƌŶĞĚ͗ϳϲϴƉĂŐĞƐ͊ tŚĂƚŝƐŵĞĚŝƚĂƟŽŶ͍tŚŽĂŵ/͍ NEW!

Winning Middlegames with 1.e4 Improve Your Decision-Making

Ivan Sokolov Thomas Willemze
/ŶŚŝƐϮϬϭϬďĞƐƚƐĞůůĞƌWinning Chess Middlegames͕ dŚĞďĞƐƚĐŚĞƐƐƚƌĂŝŶŝŶŐĐůŽƐĞůLJƌĞƐĞŵďůĞƐƚŚĞ
'D/ǀĂŶ^ŽŬŽůŽǀĨŽĐƵƐĞĚŽŶϭ͘ĚϰŽƉĞŶŝŶŐƐ͘EŽǁ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJLJŽƵ͛ƌĞƚƌĂŝŶŝŶŐĨŽƌ͘dŚŝƐŬƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ
ǁŝƚŚsŽůƵŵĞϮ͕ϭ͘ĞϰƉůĂLJĞƌƐŐĞƚƚŚĞŝƌƚƵƌŶ͘ĚŽnjĞŶ ĂĐŚĞƐƐƉůĂLJĞƌǁŝƚŚĂŶĞƐƐĞŶƟĂůĐŽŵƉŽŶĞŶƚʹ
ƚŽƉŝĐĂůƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞƐĂƌĞĐŽǀĞƌĞĚ;ŝŶƚŚĞZƵLJ>ŽƉĞnj͕ƚŚĞ ĚĞĐŝƐŝŽŶͲŵĂŬŝŶŐŝŶƚŚĞĐƌƵĐŝĂůƉŽƐŝƟŽŶƐŽĨĂƌĞĂů
/ƚĂůŝĂŶ͕ƚŚĞWĞƚƌŽī͕ƚŚĞZĂƵnjĞƌ^ŝĐŝůŝĂŶ͕ƚŚĞDĂƌŽĐnjLJ ĐŚĞƐƐŐĂŵĞ͕ƉůĂLJĞĚďLJĐůƵďƉůĂLJĞƌƐƌĂƚŚĞƌƚŚĂŶ
ŝŶĚ͕ƚŚĞ,ĞĚŐĞŚŽŐ͕ƚŚĞ^ǀĞƐŚŶŝŬŽǀ͕ƚŚĞ&ƌĞŶĐŚ ŐƌĂŶĚŵĂƐƚĞƌƐ͘zŽƵŚĂǀĞƚŽĂŶƐǁĞƌƚŚĞƐĂŵĞ
tŝŶĂǁĞƌĂŶĚŵŽƌĞͿ͘ĞĞƉůLJĂŶĂůLJnjĞĚƚŽƉͲůĞǀĞů ƋƵĞƐƟŽŶƐƚŚĂƚLJŽƵĨĂĐĞǁŚĞŶLJŽƵƐƚĂƌĞĂƚƚŚĞ
ŐĂŵĞƐŝůůƵƐƚƌĂƚĞƚŚĞŵŽƟĨƐŝŶĂůůƚŚĞƐĞƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞƐ͘ ĐŚĞƐƐďŽĂƌĚĂŶĚŚĂǀĞƚŽĮŶĚĂŵŽǀĞ͘

dŚĞďĞƐƚƉƌĂĐƟĐĂůĂĚǀŝĐĞ A Rich and Dynamic Opening Repertoire for White

Ben Johnson Christof Sielecki
Ben Johnson hosts the Perpetual Chess Podcast͕ŝŶ ŽĂĐŚŚƌŝƐƚŽĨ^ŝĞůĞĐŬŝŚĂƐƚŚŽƌŽƵŐŚůLJƌĞǀŝƐĞĚ
ǁŚŝĐŚŚĞŝƐƚĂůŬŝŶŐĐŚĞƐƐǁŝƚŚŵĂŶLJŽĨƚŚĞǁŽƌůĚ͛Ɛ ĂŶĚƵƉĚĂƚĞĚŚŝƐϮϬϭϴĐŚĞƐƐŽƉĞŶŝŶŐŵĂŶƵĂů͕
ƚŽƉƉůĂLJĞƌƐ͕ƚƌĂŝŶĞƌƐĂŶĚƉĂƐƐŝŽŶĂƚĞŝŵƉƌŽǀĞƌƐ͘/Ŷ ŽŶĞŽĨEĞǁ/ŶŚĞƐƐ͛ĂůůͲƟŵĞďĞƐƚƐĞůůŝŶŐŽƉĞŶŝŶŐ
ƚŚŝƐŬ͕ĞŶůŽŽŬƐĨŽƌĐŽŵŵŽŶŐƌŽƵŶĚĂŶĚƐŚĂƌĞĚ ŬƐ͘dŚŝƐŶĞǁϲϯϮͲƉĂŐĞŚĂƌĚĐŽǀĞƌĞĚŝƟŽŶ
ƉƌŝŶĐŝƉůĞƐŝŶĂůůĐŚĞƐƐĂĚǀŝĐĞŽŶƚŚĞƉŽĚĐĂƐƚ͘zŽƵǁŝůů ĐŽŶƚĂŝŶƐĞǀĞƌLJƚŚŝŶŐLJŽƵŶĞĞĚƚŽŬŶŽǁƚŽƉůĂLJ
ĨĂŵŝůŝĂƌŝnjĞLJŽƵƌƐĞůĨǁŝƚŚƚŚĞĐŽůůĞĐƚĞĚǁŝƐĚŽŵŽĨ ϭ͘ĞϰǁŝƚŚĐŽŶĮĚĞŶĐĞ͘dŚĞƌĞƉĞƌƚŽŝƌĞŝƐƐƵŝƚĞĚĨŽƌ
ŐƵĞƐƚƐƐƵĐŚĂƐŶĂŶĚ͕EĂŬĂŵƵƌĂ͕ZĂŵĞƐŚ͕,ĞŶĚƌŝŬƐ͕ ƉůĂLJĞƌƐŽĨĂůůůĞǀĞůƐĂŶĚƚŚĞǀĂƌŝĂƟŽŶƐĂƌĞĞĂƐLJƚŽ
ĂŐĂĂƌĚ͕ŚƌŝƐƚŽƉŚĞƌŚĂďƌŝƐĂŶĚEĞĂůƌƵĐĞ͘ ƌĞŵĞŵďĞƌĂŶĚƌĞƋƵŝƌĞůŝƩůĞŽƌŶŽŵĂŝŶƚĞŶĂŶĐĞ͘

Magnus Carlsen & David Howell Explain the Grind Excercises and Training for Improvers, Volume 2
Magnus Carlsen and David Howell show how to win a Davorin Kuljasevic
ƐĞĞŵŝŶŐůLJĞƋƵĂůĐŚĞƐƐƉŽƐŝƟŽŶ͘dŚĞŝƌĮƌƐƚŬƚĞůůƐ dŚŝƐƐĞĐŽŶĚǁŽƌŬŬŝŶĂǀŽƌŝŶ<ƵůũĂƐĞǀŝĐ͛ƐHow
LJŽƵŚŽǁƚŽŬĞĞƉĂŐĂŵĞĂůŝǀĞ͕ŬĞĞƉƉŽƐŝŶŐƉƌŽďůĞŵƐ͕ to Study Chess on Your OwnƐĞƌŝĞƐŝƐŽƉƟŵŝnjĞĚ
ƌĞĐŽŐŶŝnjĞƚŚĞĮƌƐƚƐŵĂůůŵŝƐƚĂŬĞƐ͕ĂŶĚŐƌŝŶĚLJŽƵƌ ĨŽƌĐŚĞƐƐƉůĂLJĞƌƐǁŝƚŚĂŶůŽƌĂƟŶŐďĞƚǁĞĞŶϭϱϬϬ
ŽƉƉŽŶĞŶƚĚŽǁŶƵŶƟůŚĞĐƌĂĐŬƐ͘ ĂŶĚϭϴϬϬďƵƚŝƐŚĞůƉĨƵůĨŽƌĂŶLJŽŶĞďĞƚǁĞĞŶϭϮϬϬ
dŚĞŬŝƐĐŽŶǀĞƌƚĞĚĨƌŽŵĂƉŽƉƵůĂƌŚĞƐƐĂďůĞ ĂŶĚϮϬϬϬ͘dŚĞĂƐƚŽƵŶĚŝŶŐƐƵĐĐĞƐƐŽĨŚŝƐƐĞƌŝĞƐ
ĐŽƵƌƐĞ͘dŚĞůŝǀĞůLJĐŽŶǀĞƌƐĂƟŽŶƐŽĨƚŚĞƚǁŽĨƌŝĞŶĚƐ ŵĂĚĞĐůĞĂƌƚŚĂƚƚŚŽƵƐĂŶĚƐŽĨĐŚĞƐƐƉůĂLJĞƌƐǁĂŶƚ
ƚƌĂŶƐůĂƚĞǀĞƌLJǁĞůůŝŶƚŽĂŚŝŐŚůLJŝŶƐƚƌƵĐƟǀĞĐŚĞƐƐ ƚŽŝŵƉƌŽǀĞƚŚĞŝƌŐĂŵĞĂŶĚůŝŬĞƚŽǁŽƌŬŽŶƚŚĞŝƌ
ŵĂŶƵĂů͘ ƚƌĂŝŶŝŶŐĂƚůĞĂƐƚƉĂƌƟĂůůLJďLJƚŚĞŵƐĞůǀĞƐ͘

Free Ground Shipping On All Books, Software and DVDS at US Chess Sales
$25.00 Minimum - Excludes Clearance, Shopworn and Items Otherwise Marked
 May
16 ANALYSIS STUDYING
A TABIYA
Learning the Nimzo
Key games and concrete
analysis are essential to
learning openings. Part one of a
multi-issue series.
BY IM ROBERT SHLYAKHTENKO

22 EVENTS AMATEUR
TEAM EAST
Repeat Champions and
Returning Players
Why the Amateur Team East
keeps us coming back
BY FM ALISA MELEKHINA
AND WFM LAURA SMITH

32 COVER STORY
THE LAST
DANCE
It’s nostalgia mixed with
the here and now for
our author at the 2024
National High School
(K-12) Championship.
BY FM DAVIS ZONG

42 PERSPECTIVE
ARTHUR GUO
Achieving My Aim
Reflections on earning the GM
title, and what I learned along
the way.
BY GM ARTHUR GUO AMATEUR TEAM EAST
GUO ON THE GM HUNT A NIMZO TABIYA

MAY 2024 USChess.org

Repeat wins
for Dalton and
PHOTO: CAROLINE KING FOR US CHESS

The 2024 National High School Wang at NHS

(K-12) Championship was another
record-breaking event for American
chess. Some 1,825 players came
together at the Baltimore Conven-
tion Center to push pawns, make
friends, and create memories that
will last a lifetime.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CAROLINE KING

CL_05-2024_Cover_r03_JH.indd
CL_05-2024 Cover r03 JH indd 1

4/17/2024 11:33:40 AM

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 1

   
      


      
           
>4 !24.5. .?(*+@%' ()345 ?(*+@%' ()>345
           
 !"#$%  &%' ()$ (*+),$#-  
   ,$#-.!"-('/)%0&%' ()1*"-2*+*#345

 

 !"#"$%&&'(#)*& !$'
<*#$% */8-*=$% )-$)
&%' (!,$))634 5.67!8-))9: ;21&*#(
         

  

3AB88A 
    C B  AB : D

    !"# $%#&'%( )*)#+,$%-)$, !B!

       E DBFGHBD  AB

: IHBG D
!
!
 .#& !"/"%0!1!+%"$#&/&$ 2 !
    J K AB L 

2 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 CONTRIBUTORS
F M D AVI S
May ZO N G
(Cover Story) is
a 12th grader at

COLUMNS
Hunter College
High School in
12 CHESS TO ENJOY New York, NY. The
winner of multiple
ENTERTAINMENT New York scholastic
Out of Focus
BY GM ANDY SOLTIS 22 titles, he is a newly
minted FIDE mas-
ter. He is one of the co-founders of Chess
14 GETTING TO WORK
INSTRUCTION 32 Connections magazine.

Space I M RO B ERT
BY WGM TATEV ABRAHAMYAN S H Y L A K H T EN KO
(Learning the Nimzo) is a
21 PUZZLES first-year student in math-
MAKE YOUR MOVE! ematics at Brown Universi-
BY FM CARSTEN HANSEN ty and the 22nd ranked American junior as
of the April 2024 US Chess rating list.
46 SOLITAIRE CHESS
F M A L I SA
INSTRUCTION
PHOTOS: CAROLINE KING / US CHESS (NHS), HARTMANN (USATE), LINKEDIN (MELEKHINA, SMITH), WIKIPEDIA (GUO), COURTESY SUBJECT (ZONG)

M EL EK H I N A
Sammy was Real Good (Amateur Team East) is a
BY BRUCE PANDOLFINI litigation partner in the

48 BOOKS AND BEYOND New York office of Kirkland

& Ellis, LLP, with a focus on litigation and
SHOULD I BUY IT? eDiscovery strategy. She is a FIDE master
What’s Old is New Again and women’s international master, and
BY IM JOHN WATSON has represented the United States in inter-
national competition.
50 ENDGAME SCHOOL
INSTRUCTION W F M L A U R A S MI T H
Back in the Arena (Amateur Team East) is
a national master and
BY GM JOEL BENJAMIN
and highly-regarded
chess instructor. Her first
32 Chessable course, “Forcing Moves for
Beginners,” was released in 2023, and her
newest (with Dan Heisman) course, “Can I
DEPARTMENTS Take It?,” was just published. Follow her on

5 COUNTERPLAY Twitter at @lauraloveschess.

READERS RESPOND G M A RT H U R G U O

6 FIRST MOVES (Perspective) became a

grandmaster in July 2023,
CHESS NEWS FROM the culmination of many
AROUND THE U.S. years of hard work. He

8 US CHESS AFFAIRS has won nine national titles during his

scholastic career, along with three inter-
NEWS FOR OUR MEMBERS national golds, and he is currently the
53 TOURNAMENT LIFE seventh-ranked American junior as of the
April 2024 list. He is currently wrapping up
62 CLASSIFIEDS his high school days at The Westminster
Schools in Atlanta, GA.
63 SOLUTIONS
64 MY BEST MOVE
PERSONALITIES
MICHAEL MILLER

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 3

 COUNTERPLAY

A
Appreciation Program and to
rread Kamryn Hellman’s fine
article on the group.
a
I was a chess nut in high
sschool but, in 1965, discovered
a new addiction (geometry) and
felt obliged to quit the old one
fe
E D I TO R I A L (chess) “cold turkey.” In 2016, I
(c
C H E S S L I F E / C L K E D I TO R John Hartmann ([email protected]) retired from the Department of
re
A R T D I R E C TO R Natasha Roberts Mathematics at North Dakota
M
M A N A G I N G E D I TO R Melinda Matthews
State University in Fargo. As
S
my retirement approached, my
m
G R A P H I CS A S S I STA N T Nicole Esaltare
main thought was “I can play
m
T E C H N I C A L E D I TO R IM Ron Burnett
cchess again!” And that is how I
S E N I O R D I R E C TO R O F ST R AT E G I C CO M M U N I C AT I O N Dan Lucas
became acquainted with Fargo
b
cchess players, the NDCA, and
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Todd Wolf of Bismarck.
T
P R E S I D E N T Randy Bauer ([email protected]) Yo Lev! ND chess has benefited from
V I C E P R E S I D E N T Kevin Pryor ([email protected])
Regarding the call in the March years of quiet support from
V I C E P R E S I D E N T O F F I N A N C E Chuck Unruh ([email protected]) 2024 issue for input on the wis- many enthusiasts, but there is
S E C R E TA R Y Mike Hoffpauir ([email protected]) dom of long thinks, I think one individual who deserves
M E M B E R AT L A R G E Leila D’Aquin ([email protected]) class players might have a dif- special mention for literally
M E M B E R AT L A R G E John Fernandez ([email protected]) ficult time comfortably spend- DECADES of persistent effort:
M E M B E R AT L A R G E David Hater ([email protected]) ing “30 (or more!) minutes” on Todd Wolf.
M E M B E R AT L A R G E Lakshmana “Vish” Viswanath ([email protected]) a move. Year after year, Todd has or-
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ranae Bartlett ([email protected]) The time controls at the ganized and served as TD for the
weekly local clubs in my area annual state and state scholastic
Contact [email protected] or call 1-800-903-8723 for assistance and see are G/90 and 45/90 with five-sec- championships, run monthly
uschess.org for the full staff listing. ond delays. (I help run one of tournaments at the Bismarck
CHESS LIFE IS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE US CHESS FEDERATION
those clubs and a significantly Chess Club, and given presen-
slower control just isn’t possible tations at schools around the
due to “real-life” constraints.) state. His perpetual kindly en-
Further, the main time control couragement has been an in-
at the upcoming World Open is spiration for countless players.

U.S. CHESS TRUST 40/90 with a 30-second delay. At

those controls, one has to en-
Kamryn described how “The
Queen’s Gambit” interested her
sure the 30-minute think either in chess and how she soon be-
leads to mate or a game that’s came obsessed. She played
really easy to play. entirely online at first. Then,
Youngest-Ever USA As always, it is wise to re- in early 2022, she saw players
Female to Earn the IM Title! member what the great Amer- in a Bismarck mall. She want-
ican philosopher Rocky Balboa ed to try some over-the-board
said when asked how he beat play but felt like a complete
Apollo Creed: “Time beat him. outsider. One guy motioned to
Time, you know, takes every- the empty seat in front of him:
body out. It’s undefeated.” “Want to play?” That guy was
Jay Kleinman Todd Wolf. That story is a per-
“I’d like to thank the U.S. Chess Trust Via email fect picture of Todd’s friendly,
for their support in my chess career. welcoming enthusiasm.
I have had the honor of receiving Kamryn is now an active
the prestigious Samford Fellowship,
chess streamer, converting her
which has given me encouragement Wolfpack learning experiences into vid-
and support for my chess.”
I was delighted to learn from eos. And Todd, well, the state
the March 2024 issue that the scholastic and state champion-
COURTESY SLCC/LENNART OOTES

North Dakota Chess Associa- ships are coming up soon!

tion (NDCA) was the Small State Davis Cope
winner of the 2022 Membership Via email

Send your letters to [email protected]. Letters are

www.uschesstrust.org subject to editing for style, length, and content.

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 5

FIRST MOVES Chess news from around the U.S.

Chess in the Mess

Hampton Roads hosts tournament on the Battleship Wisconsin.
BY CHRISTINA SCHWEISS

C OMMISSIONED IN 1944, THE

highly decorated Battleship
Wisconsin saw wartime service
in World War II, the Korean
in the mess, not--
ing what a per--
fect location itt
would be for a
War, and the Gulf War before retiring in the chess tourna-
city of Norfolk, Virginia. The ship is berthed ment.
in the Elizabeth River in the Waterside Dis- And the hull
trict, just blocks from where the 2017 U.S. n u m b e r wa s
Open Championship was held, and where not lost on me.
the 2024 edition will take place this summer. The BB-64. I set
It is adjacent to and connected with Nauti- my mind on
cus, a maritime discovery center that offers hosting a tour-
experiential learning for all ages. nament on the
I first laid eyes on the crew mess of the ship — it had
Wisconsin while hosting family and friends to be done!
visiting the area before the pandemic. As a I reached
chess tournament organizer and Executive out to a contact at Nauticus to inquire
Director of Hampton Roads Chess Associa- about the possibilities.
ilities Knowing itt would be theyy knew theyy wanted to partner with
tion (HRCA), a 501(c)(3), my eyes are always administratively and logistically challenging, meaningful organizations to celebrate
open for possible venues. While others with everyone still creeping back to normal this milestone event.
were snapping pictures of the famous guns operations after COVID-19, we were unable “When Hampton Roads Chess As-
and other interesting areas of the ship, I to make it happen that year. sociation (HRCA) reached out with
was photographing and cataloguing the Still, I refused to give up. Through our an idea to host a chess tournament
number and size of the tables and chairs partnership with Norfolk Feste- aboard the ship in April, it only made
vents, I reengaged and received
vent sense to partner together.
another contact for the ship in
ano “In March, Nauticus was proud
late 2023. Luckily for us, they had to offer two Chess Workshops in the
recently hired Nate Sandel as their
rece ship’s galley taught by a coach from
first-ever Director of Education
firs HRCA. In exchange, in early April,
and Community Engagement. the Hampton Roads Chess Association
When I explained to Nate what I
Wh hosted their ‘Battle on the BB-64’ on
wanted to do, rather than cite the
wa Battleship Wisconsin free of charge!
likely challenges, he immediately
like Nauticus is thankful to the Hampton
PHOTOS: COURTESY JHALAK PATTNAIK

said yes! We set April 6, 2024, for

sai Roads Chess Association for their co-
the big event.
th operation and assistance with this
Nauticus Associate Director of partnership.”
Marketing Catherine Taterway
M The event took far more coordination
shared:
sh than your average one-day scholastic chess
“As Nauticus began plan- tournament. I worked out all the details with
ning for a month long cel-
n Nate, who on his end was coordinating both
ebration in honor of the
e with the Nauticus Foundation, a 501(c)(3)
Battleship Wisconsin’s 80th
B that supports Nauticus and the Battleship,
ccommissioning anniversary, and the City of Norfolk, which owns the

6 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 we had to have everyone
and everything off!) led
an
us to choose a Quick-rat-
ed only time control of
G/25,d3 so the kids could
G/
focus on having FUN.
fo
W h i l e t h e re we re
areas for parents and
ar
players to sit in a skittles
pl
room, most behaved as
ro
expected and spent their
ex
time touring the ship
ti
and Nauticus between
a
the announced round
th
start times.
st
b ildi
building, grounds,
d and d ship.
hi G Group admis-
d i IIn ttotal,
t l 113 kid
kids played in the tourna-
sions had to be handled in advance for all ment, ranging in age from six to 17. As with
the players, accompanying parents, siblings, all our tournaments, we offered sections
other relatives and friends. The flow of foot for all ages and abilities, from beginners Stephen Zhou (Open). Old Donation School
traffic down to the crew mess had to be to experienced players. Our “Rookie” sec- from Virginia Beach swept the team awards
mapped out. Every detail was addressed d with 1st place in every category.
in advance to ensure a great experience e After the awards ceremony in the
for the kids and families. beautiful Nauticus Theater, with one
b
A team of HRCA volunteers handled d of the ship’s Navy veteran docents pre-
o
wristband distribution on the day off senting ribbons, trophies, and medals,
se
the event, getting over 275 guests and d we quickly herded the kids back across
w
players into the building in a very shortt the footbridge onto the ship for a group
th
amount of time and guiding them to the photo by the iconic big guns. On the way
ph
playing area, which required them to to their cars, we requested that they
take an elevator and a footbridge, transit stop again for a final group photo under
sto
around lifeboats toward the fantail of the the hull number… 64. It had to be done.
ship, and descend a very steep ladder Overall, the tournament ran as close to
Ov
down to the crew mess! This same route perfect as possible, thanks to the Nauti-
per
had to be navigated by our setup crew. cus Foundation, City of Norfolk, HRCA
Thinking ahead, we purchased some staff and volunteers, parents, and players.
stackable tough totes with sturdy han- HRCA welcomes you to Norfolk (where
H
dles so we could repack our equipment your travels across Hampton Roads will
you
and make it down that ladder and back carry you on Interstates 64 and 264, or
carr
up at the end of the event! maybe
may 664, or 464 to the event site) for
Our volunteer team also handled the he the 2024
2 U.S. Open and hopes you will find
normal tournament duties of scorekeep- tions are non-rated, but are run with US the time while in town to stop by and visit
ing and directing. Navy veteran Joe Rysavy Chess rules and procedures and offer a the BB-64!!!
performed Chief TD duties like a champ, way for new players to try outut
overcoming an extremely loud setting with tournaments before deciding g
the constant hum of ventilation, and a chal- to become US Chess memberss
lenging layout that included doorways and and rated players — and many y
drink machines dividing the rooms. Han- do! The three non-rated Rookiee
dling the floor with him were three of our sections included Junior (PreK--
teenage Club TDs, who were invaluable 3rd), Intermediate (4th-5th),
members of the team. and Senior (Middle and High
PHOTOS: COURTESY CHRISTINA SCHWEISS

Because the venue was still open to the School), and our rated sec-
public, public tours / tourists could wander tions were split into Novice
through playing area during our event. Our (U600) and Open. Individual
TDs were further challenged by the prox- winners, almost all with per-
imity of parents who didn’t want their very fect scores, were Ved Vihaan
young children trying to navigate back to Sai Mamilla (Junior Rookie),
a skittles room alone. All of these factors, Adam Amitay and Wyatt Sim-
along with a tight time schedule (the ship mons (Intermediate Rook-
didn’t open until 10 a.m. — and we allowed ie), Channing Parris (Senior
an hour to get all those people into the Rookie), Adithi Deepu (Nov-
venue — and closed at 5 p.m. sharp, when ice), and Hans Acedo and

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 7

US CHESS AFFAIRS News for our Members

2024 Chess Journalist

of America
Awards
BY
T
JOSHUA ANDERSON
HE CHESS JOURNAL-
ists of America (CJA)
calls for nominations
for the annual Chess
Journalists of America
awards. The CJA Awards recognize the best
in all facets of chess journalism, both print
2024 AWARDS Best Tournament Report –
and online. The best chess articles, columns,
TOP THREE CATEGORIES National/International
photojournalism, layout, and online writing
(Open to print or online) Best Tournament Report – State/Local
are honored within their respective catego-
Chess Journalist of the Year Best Club Newsletter
ries. Recognized annually by their peers, the
Best Story of the Year Best Instruction Lesson
public, and members of CJA, these presti-
Best Column Best Analysis
gious awards showcase American works
Best Humorous Contribution published in English between June 1, 2023,
BEST CHESS BOOK Best Historical Article and May 31, 2024.
Best Book – Instruction Best Personal Narrative CJA is a nonprofit organization dedicated
Best Book – Other Best Overall Chess Website to promoting the study and knowledge of
Best Self-Published Book Best Overall Website Small Organization chess as a journalistic and scholarly en-
(group of less than 500) deavor. Membership is open to everyone at
BEST VISUAL ARTS Best Online Blog an annual membership fee of $10. Award
Best Photojournalism Article Best Paid Blog (Substack or similar) winners receive online certificates that can
Best Single Chess Photo Best Educational Lesson be printed and are acknowledged in CJA’s
Best Art Best Online Review online magazine, The Chess Journalist, as
Best Single Chess Magazine Cover Best Non-Instructive Chess Video well as on the CJA website and social media.
Best Cartoon Best Twitter Feed CJA’s annual awards are open to anyone.
Best Weekly Video Program There is an entry fee of $15 for the first entry,
BEST PRINT ARTICLES Best Documentary
which includes membership or renewal to
(Open only to print publications)
Best Tournament/Match Coverage (This
CJA, and an $8 fee for each subsequent entry
Best Regular Newspaper Column (unless otherwise noted). State organiza-
may be a series of videos)
Best Overall Magazine tions may enter three entries in the Cramer
Best Single Article of Local Interest Awards for free. Additional award details
JUNIOR
Best Feature Article can be found online at chessjournalism.org.
(Under 21 at time of writing)
Best Interview Interested parties can also contact CJA
Best Print Article by a Junior
Best Tournament Report – Chief Judge Joshua Anderson at joshuamil-
Best Online Article by a Junior
National/International [email protected]. Please use the QR
Best Personal Narrative by a Junior code to go directly to our entry page.
Best Tournament Report – State/Local
Best Photo by a Junior
Best Club Newsletter
Best Instructive Lesson
Best Review
CRAMER AWARDS
Best Analysis Best State Championship Report

Best Historical Article Best State Tournament Coverage

Best Humorous Contribution Best Scholastic Coverage in State (may

Best Personal Narrative be multiple articles)
Best Overall State Website
BEST ONLINE AND SOCIAL Best State Magazine/Newsletter – Print
MEDIA NEWS AND FEATURES Best State Magazine/Newsletter – Online
Best Interview Best Personal Narrative
Best Photograph Award winners will be announced first at
Best Feature Article
Best State Magazine Photo
the annual CJA meeting during the 2024
Best Podcast
U.S. Open, followed by a complete listing
Best Single Podcast Episode Best State Facebook Page
on the CJA website.

8 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

2024 Scholar- GRAND PRIX
UPDATES
The US Chess Executive Board has made

Chessplayer the following changes to the Grand Prix

program:

■ The Executive Board moves to re-

move, effective April 30, 2024, the

Winners temporary change to US Chess

Grand Prix rules implemented
during the COVID-19 pandemic and
to return to previous Grand Prix

Announced
THE US CHESS FEDERATION (US CHESS) AND THE US CHESS TRUST, BOTH INDE-
requirements. Motion Passed 8-0.

■ The Executive Board moves to allow

tournaments limited to seniors, ju-
niors, women, or college students
pendent 501(c)(3) organizations, are pleased to announce seven recipients of the 2024 to be eligible for the US Chess Fed-
Scholar-Chessplayer Awards. This includes the winner of the new category introduced in eration Grand Prix, provided they
2022, Scholastic Chess Ambassador, which permits acknowledgement of lower-rated but satisfy the other Grand Prix require-
deserving chess scholars. ments. Motion Passed 8-0.
The Scholar-Chessplayer Awards recognize and encourage outstanding high school ju-
niors and seniors who promote a positive image of chess, while excelling in academics and For complete information on the Grand
leadership. A total of $9,000 in scholarship money is being awarded this year. Each recipient Prix program, please see here: new.uschess.
will receive $1,500. org/us-chess-grand-prix-program
All Scholar-Chessplayer Awards are funded through the US Chess Trust (USCT), with a
significant contribution from the National Scholastic Chess Foundation (NSCF). The USCT’s ADMs
vision is that one day, every American, from schoolkid to senior citizen, will have the op- Advance delegate motions (ADMs) for the
portunity to learn chess and enjoy its many mental and social benefits. delegates’ meeting at this year’s U.S. Open
Thank you also to the US Chess scholastic committee members, who reviewed and eval- are due before May 10, 2024. They can be
uated all the applications. mailed to Rose McMahon, c/o US Chess,
P.O. Box 775308, St. Louis, MO 63177; or
2024 SCHOLAR-CHESSPLAYERS emailed to [email protected].
CM Jack Heller (2166), 12th grade, Chicago, Illinois
IM Ming Lu (2461), 11th grade, San Diego, California
Alexander Rutten (2249), 11th grade, Johns Creek, Georgia
IM Sandeep Sethuraman (2311), 12th grade, Chandler, Arizona
WIM Ellen Wang (2275), 11th grade, The Bronx, New York REMINDER ABOUT
SAFESPORT TRAINING
June 1, 2024, is the deadline for all US
SCHOLASTIC CHESS AMBASSADORS Chess-certified Tournament Directors
Laurel Aronian (1373), 11th grade, North Salem, New York (TDs) to complete authorized core training
from the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
To qualify, applicants must be US Chess members who satisfy these requirements: TDs who have not completed training
by June 1, 2024, will be made inactive
■ Play at least 25 regular-rated US Chess or FIDE games during the current academic year;
and must complete SafeSport core train-
■ Show outstanding achievement in academics and chess (Scholastic Chess Ambassadors ing before their TD certification will be
are not required to be highly rated); reactivated. Requests to reactivate must
be submitted in writing to tdcert-group@
■ Have completed at least one year of chess-related community service since starting
uschess.org and can take up to 10 business
the ninth grade;
days to process, so plan accordingly.
■ Describe in an essay of 500 words how being selected as a 2024 Scholar-Chessplayer With both the June 1 deadline and the
will enable the recipient to further their education, improve their chess, and allow spring scholastic tournament season in
them to continue contributing to the chess community. full swing, those who have not already
completed the SafeSport core training
Congratulations to all the 2024 Scholar-Chessplayers! should visit new.uschess.org/safesport-train-
ing to download instructions for the core
For more information, please visit www.uschess.org, www.uschesstrust.org, and www.nscfchess. course.
org. The US Chess Trust is a separate 501(c)(3) organization operating independently of US Chess.

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 9

US CHESS AFFAIRS News for our Members

Ranae Bartlett
Named Executive
Director
RANAE BARTLETT, WHO HAS BEEN SERVING AS THE INTERIM
Executive Director since February 10, has been named as the US
Chess Executive Director effective March 16, 2024. Previously, Bart-
lett had been hired as the Director of Operations on September 5,
2023. Prior to working for US Chess, she was an Assistant General
Counsel for a Fortune 5 company as well as Executive Director for
the non-profit chess organization she founded.
US Chess President Randy Bauer states, “Ranae Bartlett is an ac-
complished leader in both the chess community and in her home-
town. As a volunteer, she has led our Chess in Education Committee,
and she has served on her city’s school board and currently on its
city council. Professionally, she has been the US Chess Director of
Operations and Interim Executive Director, where she is instrumental
in the continued implementation of the Safe Play requirements that
were put in place by our previous Executive Director, Carol Meyer.”
Kevin Pryor, Vice President of US Chess, adds, “Bartlett was
clearly the strongest and best-suited selection among several ex-
cellent final candidates. She knows the US Chess community and
has distinguished herself while on various committees and as our
Interim Executive Director. She is the right person to lead the or- forward to helping US Chess plan for the future while meeting its
ganization and we look forward to all that she will do in service to mission to ‘empower people, enrich lives and enhance communi-
chess in our country.” ties through chess.’”
Bartlett, who is the 18th person to hold the title of Executive Di-
rector (not including interim/acting ones), said, “I appreciate the Learn more about Ranae on her staff page: new.uschess.org/people/
trust and confidence the Executive Board has placed in me. I look ranae-bartlett

US Chess suspends US
Chess rated events in U.S.
Virgin Islands
AT THE BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 16-17, THE EXECUTIVE “We recognize there are US Chess Federation members who live
Board passed the following motion 8-0: in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). However, the USVI is recognized
“The Executive Board moves to suspend indefinitely the ability of US as a separate nation under FIDE. The FIDE-recognized leadership
Chess Tournament Directors and Affiliates to advertise or organize US of USVI chess has asked US Chess to respect their sovereignty and
Chess rated tournaments to be held or hosted in the US Virgin Islands not allow anyone to organize or advertise US Chess-rated events to
(USVI). This policy shall be reviewed annually or when necessary for be held on USVI soil. Their restriction does not inhibit the ability
continuation, change, or removal.” of USVI citizens from participating in US Chess-rated events held
US Chess President Randy Bauer offered this context: outside of the USVI as they have frequently done.”

10 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 The United States’ Largest
Chess Specialty Retailer
888.51.CHESS (512.4377) www.USCFSales.com

DGT Electronic
Chess Boards
(e-Boards)

The DGT Project’s Electronic Chessboard is the PERFECT

RFECT way to play
computer chess! This elegant Chessboard connects ts to your PC, allowing
you to accurately recreate the tournament-playing experience while playing
against one of the many compatible chess softwaree programs available.

Classic Timeless Royal

Rosewood Walnut Wenge

With USB Connection

Available in your choice of Wenge, Rosewood or Walnut

Starting at $ 1,099.00 BRDEDGT-USB

With Bluetooth Connection

Available in Rosewood or Walnut

Starting at $ 1,299.00 BRDEDGT-BT

The DGT Electronic Chessboard
ðĊķĮЭĴĴìÐǡǟǠǥwðĊĪķÐťÐăÌķĨȘ
The House of Staunton®-brand DGT Enabled Chess Pieces Now Available!

Free Ground Shipping On All Orders Over $100.00

Excludes Clearance, Shopworn and Items Otherwise Marked
CHESS TO ENJOY Entertainment

Out of Focus
Can you concentrate better than a goldfish?
BY GM ANDY SOLTIS

C ONVENTIONAL WISDOM SAYS:

When two players of compara-
ble rating are paired, the one
who can concentrate better
“I lost my ability to concentrate,” GM
Magnus Carlsen said after his surprise loss
to GM Alisher Suleymenov at the 2003 Qatar
Masters Open. (See page 25 of the January
26. c4!, threatening a decisive capture on d5.
Black went into desperation-mode with
26. ... dxc4 27. Rxd8 Rxd8.

has a tangible advantage — as real as an Chess Life for more. ~ed.)

extra pawn. Carlsen moved quickly in that game. He
But many of today’s players feel deep had 30-plus minutes on his clock when he
concentration is overrated. A short attention resigned. But he has been making intuitive
span works well with them. “Magnus moves” throughout his career. “I
The traditional view made heroes out of usually know what I am going to do after 10
masters who could spend an hour staring seconds,” he told The Guardian newspaper
at a position without a blink of distraction. in 2013. “The rest is just double-checking.”
One hero was GM Svetozar Gligoric, as his Here is a recent example.
friend GM Dragolyub Velimirovic recalled:
They were flying to a tournament when
“Gliga” began analyzing an opening on his BLITZ MODE
pocket set. Velimirovic, sitting in the next GM Magnus Carlsen There was a chance Carlsen might prepare
seat, glanced outside the airplane window GM Yu Yangyi to push the c-pawn with 28. Bg4.
and suddenly saw flames. World Blitz Ch (17), Samarkand, Then Black can play on with 28. ... f5!
“Look, the wing is burning!” he said. 12.30.2023 29. Bxf5 Ra8 so that 30. c7 Nb6.
Gligoric was annoyed at being interrupt- But Carlsen spotted 28. c7! so that
ed. “I almost refuted a Fischer variation,” 28. ... Rc8 is met with 29. Rd1! and Rd1-d8+.
he said. Black resigned soon after 28. ... Rf8 29.
The plane lurched forward. Flight at- Bb7 c3 30. c8=Q.
tendants ran down the aisle. Passengers
screamed. Today’s fast time controls have taught play-
“What’s with you?” Velimirovic exclaimed ers to think like Carlsen — to make the first
to Gligoric. “We’re going to die!” move that comes to mind. Science says that
“Hmmm, after knight to c3 it’s just bet- fits in with how our minds work now.
ter,” Gliga said as he continued to study his A widely reported 2015 study concluded
pocket set. that when people focus on a subject they get
Somehow the plane landed safely. Only distracted after an average of eight seconds.
then did Gligoric become excited, as he That’s a decline from 12 seconds in 2000.
showed his friend the strong move he dis- BLACK TO MOVE Time magazine summed up the study in its
covered. headline: “You Have a Shorter Attention
Velimirovic’s account, published in 64 In this three-minute game, a draw would Span than a Goldfish.”
magazine in 2003, is an extreme example have been likely after 24. ... g6. For example, This sounded alarming — but not to many
of über-concentration, like the trance-like 25. Rad1 d5! and if 26. Bxd5 Nxd5 27. Rxd5 chess players. They know a time control that
“big thinks” that GMs used to indulge in Rxd5 28. Rxd5 Rc8. gives them at least a 10-second increment
during tournament games. But nowadays Black chose the immediate 24. ... d5 and is plenty.
GMs talk more often about concentration threatened to gain the upper hand with The study, by Microsoft Corp., differenti-
when it fails them. 25. ... Rd6. ated between “sustained attention” — what
“I couldn’t concentrate and think about Carlsen quickly spotted 25. a4!. He dou- Gligoric was doing on the burning aircraft
chess,” GM Ding Liren said after he lost the ble-checked to make sure he would be win- — and “alternating attention,” the shifting
first game of the 2023 world championship ning after 25. ... bxa4 26. Rb1! Nc8 27. Bxd5. of focus from one task to another.
match. Black responded 25. ... Nxa4 but then came In speed chess, the clock forces you to

12 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 QUIZ FOR PROBLEM 1 PROBLEM 2 PROBLEM 3
MAY IM Alexander Prameshuber
GM Luděk Pachman
Carlos Jauregui
GM Luděk Pachman
Maximilian Ujtelky
IM Luděk Pachman
WHO IS THE WORLD’S
number one authority on
openings? Today there is none.
But for decades the recognized
expert was a Czech GM named
Luděk Pachman. Born 100 years
ago this month, Pachman’s
encyclopedic knowledge helped
make him one of the world’s top
20 players and most popular
BLACK TO MOVE BLACK TO MOVE BLACK TO MOVE
authors. Our quiz this month
features six positions from his
games. In each diagram, try to PROBLEM 4 PROBLEM 5 PROBLEM 6
GM Luděk Pachman Friedrich Saemisch GM Luděk Pachman
find the fastest winning line of
IM Oleg Neikirch Luděk Pachman Jiri Vesely
play. This will usually mean the
forced win of a decisive amount
of material. Solutions are on
page 63.

WHITE TO MOVE BLACK TO MOVE WHITE TO MOVE

shift focus constantly. Alternating atten- It happened in a Candidates finals match,

tion rewards you for reacting to each new when Boris Spassky and Viktor Korchnoi
image — such as recognizing an opportunity both suffered a case of brain fog that they
like 25. a4! and 26. c4! in the Carlsen game. blamed on their opponent.
Alternating attention seems to help in Spassky suspected a parapsychologist,
other forms of mental competition, such as allied with Korchnoi and sitting in the au-
trivia contests. Ken Jennings said his “short, dience, was messing with his mind. Spass-
short attention span” may have been an asset ky’s solution was to leave the board after
in becoming TV’s “Jeopardy” champion. making a move and examine the position
Carlsen, who often seems bored in a on the large demonstration board, far from
classical game, is the first alternating atten- the spectators. This had a great effect — on
tion world champion. Ironically, in 2022 he Korchnoi.
suspected GM Hans Niemann of cheating WHITE TO MOVE
because the American didn’t seem “fully
concentrating in critical positions.” That MIND GAMES at the board rarely bothered him. But when
is, Niemann was making “Magnus moves.” GM Viktor Korchnoi he lost four straight games in this match
The different kinds of attention also GM Boris Spassky he charged Spassky’s absence was cheating.
affects how people study chess. A short Candidates finals match (13), Belgrade, He said he would quit the match if Spass-
attention span is a serious liability if you 12.28.1977 ky wasn’t forced to sit at the same table as
are trying to unpack the logic of a Tigran him. Spassky refused and threatened to
Petrosian maneuver. But it can be an asset (see diagram top of next column) forfeit. Somehow FIDE got them to finish
if you are clicking through a series of on- the match.
line quiz positions. You use alternating Korchnoi squandered a substantial advan- Korchnoi advanced to the next world
attention to quickly digest the changing tage with his last two moves. Now he hallu- championship match in 1978, where he
visual landscape. cinated with 32. Bxf5?? Rxf5 33. Qxf5? Bxf5. claimed that champion Anatoly Karpov’s
The inability to sustain attention trig- There was no Rh1-h8 mate. He resigned. parapsychologist tried to hypnotize him.
gered one of the great scandals of chess Korchnoi was famous for his concentra- When Korchnoi lost, he blamed — what
history, the Concentration Crisis of 1977. tion. Opponents with distracting mannerisms else? — his inability to concentrate.

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 13

GETTING TO WORK Improvement

14. a4 bxa4 15. Rxa4 Bf6 16. Bb2 a6

17. Nfe5!?
Known for his prophylactic thinking, Petro-

Space
sian must have foreseen Black’s upcoming
... g7-g5 move and decided to ultimately
exchange a pair of pieces on e5.

17. ... Nfxe5 18. dxe5 Be7

What it is, and how to use it
BY WGM TATEV ABRAHAMYAN

T O HAVE SPACE ADVANTAGE

in chess means that you control
more of the board, specifical-
ly your opponent’s half of the
DUTCH DEFENSE (A92)
Tigran Petrosian
GM Igor Bondarevsky
board. This normally happens through pawn Soviet Championship (17), Moscow,
advancement, which takes away squares 12.11.1950 19. f4
from your opponent’s pieces and leaves The exchange on e5 alleviated some of
more squares for yours. 1. Nf3 e6 2. g3 f5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. 0-0 Be7 5. Black’s suffering, but his remaining pieces
There are several openings where one d4 0-0 6. c4 c6 7. Qc2 Qe8 8. Nbd2 d5 9. are not exactly moving freely. White also
side — usually Black — gives up the center Ne5 Nbd7 stopped Black’s idea of ... g7-g5, leaving his
in the hope to strike back later, including opponent with a limited number of squares
the French, the King’s Indian Defense, the for his pieces.
Stonewall, etc. If you are like me and play
one of these openings stubbornly, you prob- 19. ... Rb8
ably have felt the pain of misplaying the The rash 19. ... g5 20. fxg5 Bxg5 21. Bc1!
structures and scrambling to find moves for would saddle Black with major weaknesses
pieces that are stepping on each other’s toes. after the d3-knight lands on f4.
On the other end of things, having a space
advantage can be one of the more enjoyable 20. Rfa1 Rb5 21. b4 h5 22. Bc3 h4 23. e3
ways of dictating the course of a game. You Nb8 24. Ne1!
can have a space advantage through various The beginning of a typical maneuver: the
means, such as controlling the only open knight is headed to the d4-square.
file in the endgame, or possessing a bishop
in an open position against a knight. There 10. Nd3! 24. ... Rb7 25. gxh4 Bxh4 26. Nf3 Bd8 27.
are a few general principles to follow when Keeping the knights on the board makes life h4 Qh5 28. Be1 Bd7 29. Qf2 Kf7 30. Bf1
you have this type of advantage. difficult for Black, as both black knights want Rh8 31. Bxa6 Nxa6 32. Rxa6 Be7 33. Ra7
to be on the e4-square. This is what we call Rhb8 34. Rxb7 Rxb7 35. Nd4 Qh8 36. Qg3
AVOID PIECE TRADES “superfluous knights.” The same argument Qb8 37. h5 Ra7 38. Rc1 Qg8 39. Qg6+
As a general rule, the side with the space can be made about the white knights, both Kf8 40. b5 Qf7 41. bxc6 Bc8, and Black
advantage would prefer to keep more pieces of which want to be on e5, but stationing resigned.
on the board, while the side with less space them on f3 and d3 for the time being does
would prefer to trade pieces. Having more not come with a downside. One further Now compare the opening in the Petrosian
pieces and no space makes it difficult for point: the e5-square is an outpost, whereas game to a position that emerges from the
the player to find moves, as the pieces are e4 is only a temporary home for the black Semi-Tarrasch after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3
fighting over a limited number of squares knights due to a possible f2-f3. d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 c5 7. Nf3
and getting in the way of each other. cxd4 8. cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 0-0
Of course, this rule is not written in stone, 10. ... Ne4 11. Nf3! 11. Bc4 Nd7 12. 0-0 b6 13. Rfe1 Bb7, where
and if exchanging means removing one of Avoiding exchanging a pair of knights White enjoys control of the center.
your opponent’s only defenders, or gaining a again. Even though Black has given up the cen-
material advantage, then you should not shy ter, all the pieces have designated squares:
away from this decision. In order to success- 11. ... Nd6 12. b3 b5 13. c5 Nf7 the knight and the bishop are happy where
fully utilize your space advantage, you should Here 13. ... Ne4 feels more natural, but they are, the a8-rook will go to c8, the queen
remain patient, not rush your decisions, and White can proceed as he did in the game has a spot on c7 and the-f8 rook can either
minimize counterplay. Here’s an example by with 14. a4 bxa4 15. Rxa4 and eventually live on e8 or d8. Not all space advantages
one of the great strategists in chess history. kick the knight out with f2-f3. are winning, it seems.

14 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

FLANK ATTACKS Not 21. ... Qxb2?? 22. Rb1 winning the be impossible for Black to hang on to her
Having a grip on the center allows one to b7-bishop. queenside pawns.
play for a flank attack, even when the kings
are castled on the same side. Of course, the 22. Qd3 Nb6 23. Qg3 24. Kc2 Nd6 25. f3 Rac8 26. Kc3 Rc7
player with more space is better positioned Transferring the queen to the kingside. 27. Rh1
to start such an attack, as tactics will also Defending the h5-pawn in order to improve
favor the side with better pieces. 23. ... Kh8 the g3-knight. I am quite proud of the pa-
If 23. ... Nxd5 24. Nxd5 Bxd5 25. Nf6+! gxf6 tience I showed in this game!
26. gxf6+ Kh8 27. Bxd5 with a winning po-
QUEEN’S INDIAN DEFENSE sition. 27. ... Ke7 28. Nd3
(E18) Aiming to prevent Black’s knight from get-
GM Anatoly Karpov (2725) 24. Rcd1 Nc4 25. b3 Nb6 26. g6 fxg6 27. f5 ting to f5. We see why this is important after
GN Valery Salov (2660) Black cannot defend his king, as most of his 28. Nf1 Nf5 29. Rd2 Nd7. Black has improved
Linares (1), 1993 army is stuck on the queenside and cannot her position a bit, as my h1-rook is out of
easily come to its aid. the game.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5.
Bg2 Be7 6. Nc3 Ne4 7. Bd2 Bf6 8. 0-0 0-0 27. ... gxf5 28. Rxf5 Nd7 29. Rdf1 Ne5 28. ... Kd7 29. Nf1 Ke7
9. Rc1 c5 10. d5 exd5 11. cxd5 Nxd2 12. 30. R5f4 Qb6 31. Ng5 Ng6 32. Nf7+ Kg8 Now 29. ... Nf5 runs into 30. g4 as the d4-
Nxd2 d6 13. Nde4 Be7 33. Qxg6!!, Black resigned. pawn is not under attack.
A memorable finish! We sometimes forget
what a good tactician Karpov could be. 30. g4 Kf8 31. Ng3 Nc8 32. Ne5 Nd7 33. f4
I have to admit something: I did not have
SPACE IN THE ENDGAME a specific plan in mind here, but I knew
Trading pieces does not always offer solace that marching all my pawns forward would
to the side with less space, especially if the somehow make life unbearable for my
remaining pieces still lack comfortable opponent!
squares and there are no possibilities to
create counterplay. Here’s an example. 33. ... Ne7 34. Ne4 Ng8 35. Nc5! Nxc5
36. bxc5

FORWARD!
WGM Tatev Abrahamyan (2361)
14. f4 Nd7 15. g4 a6 16. a4 GM Anna Ushenina (2451)
Stopping Black from gaining space on the Women’s Olympiad (11.3), Batumi,
queenside. 10.05.2018

16. ... Re8

Black needs to move quickly for counterplay,
even if it comes at the expense of a pawn:
16. ... b5! 17. axb5 axb5 18. Nxb5 Nf6 19.
Nxf6+ Bxf6. Not only did Black trade a pair
of minor pieces, but his bishops are now
very active; he can even try to exploit White’s The change in pawn structure favors me,
weakened kingside and dark squares. This is as I now have a clear target on b7 as well as
a great example of how to fight back when the possibility of creating a passed pawn or
lacking space. weakness after I play g4-g5.

17. g5 36. ... Nf6 37. g5 Nd7 38. Nf3!

White now has a solid grip on the position, WHITE TO MOVE Avoiding exchanging as it would activate
making it more difficult for Black to find her rooks. The black knight does not have
active play. 23. a5! a bright future in this position.
With this move, White takes full control
17. ... Bf8 18. Kh1 b5 19. axb5 axb5 20. of the queenside. It will be hard for Black 38. ... hxg5 39. fxg5 Ke7 40. h6 gxh6 41.
Nxb5 to create any pawn breakthroughs with ... gxh6 Rh8 42. Ng5
Finally Black sought counterplay through a b7-b6, as it would leave the c6-pawn ex- The distant passed pawn will prove too
pawn sacrifice, but it is too late now, as his tremely weak. much to deal with.
dark-squared bishop can’t easily activate. If
we compare it to the note to move 16, this 23. ... Nce8 42. ... e5 43. dxe5 Nxc5 44. h7 Rd7 45. Rf1
version is more desperate and less effective. If 23. ... Nd7 24. Ne4 Nxe5 25. dxe5 would Ke8 46. Ref2 Re7 47. Kc2 Ne6 48. Ne4 Kf8
leave the c7-knight completely dominated. 49. Nf6 Ng5 50. Rg2 Nxh7 51. Rh1 Re6 52.
20. ... Qb6 21. Nbc3 Qb4 Once the white knight lands on c5, it will Rxh7 Rxh7 53. Rg8+ Ke7 54. Re8, mate.

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 15

ANALYSIS Studying a Tabiya

Learning the Nimzo

Key games and concrete analysis are essential to learning
openings. Part one of a multi-issue series.
BY IM ROBERT SHLYAKHTENKO

W HAT IS THE CORRECT AP-

proach to studying the open-
ing today?
For many players, opening
underlying positional themes. Nevertheless,
I will refrain from summarizing my obser-
vations in a list of rules or guidelines — the
more generalized a statement is, the less
— but he deserves much of the credit for
popularizing this line.

8. Bd3 0-0 9. Ne2!

work consists mainly of analyzing and mem- accurate it becomes. The beginning of a plan which soon became
orizing concrete variations. In some open- I will begin with the game that popular- classic. White keeps the f3-square clear so
ings, like the 6. Bg5 Najdorf or the Grünfeld, ized the entire line: Botvinnik’s famous win that he can expand in the center with f2-f3
this makes sense, as there are a great num- against Capablanca in the AVRO tournament and e3-e4 at a later stage. The knight on e2 is
ber of forcing lines. In others, this strategy of 1938. While this game has been annotat- well-placed to support this by a later jump to
is insufficient: the opponent simply has too ed in many different places, I have reached g3, although it sometimes goes to f4 as well.
many reasonable options, and it’s impossible somewhat different conclusions following
to prepare for each and every one. In such analysis with modern engines. 9. ... b6
cases it’s more important to develop a good Positionally speaking, this is the soundest
knowledge of the key tactical and strategic approach: Black intends to trade off White’s
motifs, typical piece placements and ma- NIMZO-INDIAN DEFENSE, effective light-squared bishop by playing ...
neuvers, and common mistakes. BOTVINNIK SYSTEM (E49) Bc8-a6. However, this comes at the cost of
One of the best ways to gain this knowl- Mikhail Botvinnik some time, which is why Black players have
edge is by studying an opening from the José Raúl Capablanca investigated alternatives such as 9. ... Bg4
historical point of view, tracing the devel- AVRO (11), Netherlands, 11.22.1938 (Fischer’s choice) and 9. ... Nc6. In this ar-
opment of a variation to see how now-stan- ticle, I will only analyze the plan involving
dard ideas were invented, popularized, and 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 d5 5. a3 the trade of light-squared bishops.
refined. In the present article, I will present Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. cxd5 exd5 It should be noted that 9. ... Re8 10. 0-0
an example of this kind of work, using as b6 11. f3 Ba6 is similar. Nearly twenty years
a model the variation of the Nimzo-Indian later, a young Spassky introduced a devi-
Defense arising after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 ation from Botvinnik’s plan, choosing to
2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. keep light-squared bishops on the board
bxc3 c5 7. cxd5 exd5. (Note that other move with 12. Bc2!? (in 2021, Kuzubov played
orders, through 4. a3 or 4. f3, also exist.) The similarly in blitz).
resulting structure is imbalanced and full Spassky’s game continued as follows:
of ideas, has a rich classical heritage, and 12. ... Nc6 13. Rf2 Qc7 (I would prefer the
yet remains fresh and under-analyzed. As prophylactic 13. ... h5!) 14. g4!? (Spassky –
a result, this variation is ideal for the type Stoliar, Soviet Ch, 1957; after 14. Ng3 Rad8
of work that I propose. it’s very difficult to prepare e3-e4, in view
A few preliminary notes: I have tried to of Black’s sound coordination), and now the
write something more than a mere opening best way to diffuse White’s kingside play is
survey, and I hope that my analysis will be The structure under discussion. Botvinnik by eliminating the dangerous e2-knight,
of interest even to players who have little loved to play these kinds of positions: they while maintaining the central tension: 14.
affection for the Nimzo-Indian. Wherever afforded him the type of schematic play ... Bxe2 15. Rxe2 g6!? followed by ... Re8-e6
possible, I have tried to emphasize un- that he really enjoyed. It would be incor- and ... Ra8-e8, with a very solid position. We
derstanding rather than memorization, rect to say that Botvinnik was the inventor can conclude that losing a tempo in order
and have attempted to present concrete of this variation — Lilienthal had already to avoid the trade of light-squared bishops
variations as a natural consequence of the won several games in the period 1934-1935 is too slow to promise an advantage. In the

16 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 actual game, Spassky maneuvered beauti- Black’s position is solid enough) White has This move is not bad, but perhaps Black
fully and won — but in view of his superior 17. f3!, which restricts Black’s knights. After should have searched for ways to exploit
class rather than his opening play. 17. ... Rfe8 18. e4 Nb6 19. Ra2 Rac8 20. Rc2 White’s somewhat slow play.
h6 21. Be3 Nfd7 22. Rfc1 (better is 22. Ng3!) For instance, 13. ... Rac8 14. Qd3 Qb7!? is
10. 0-0 very interesting, intending to open the c-file
Later, Botvinnik attempted to improve his with ... c5xd4 next.
play with 10. a4 against C.H.O.D. Alexan- Botvinnik’s old suggestion 13. ... cxd4 14.
der. However, few players followed in his cxd4 Rfc8 is also playable, though the a6-
footsteps — the notable exception is once knight remains problematic after 15. Qb3.
again Spassky, against Yukhtman in 1952.
14. Qd3 c4!
10. ... Ba6 11. Bxa6
Here 11. f3 limits Black’s choice of setups
and is therefore stronger.
POSITION AFTER 22. Rfc1
11. ... Nxa6
Black will almost surely lose the c5-pawn,
but with the right defense he can still hope
to hold. Play continued 22. ... Na4 (with 22.
... f5! Black should seize the chance to trade
off another pair of pawns.) 23. Nc3 Nxc3
24. Rxc3 Rb8? (necessary was 24. ... Re6!
25. Bxc5 Nxc5 26. Rxc5 Rxc5 27. Rxc5 Ra6!,
and since White’s rook is passive, Black can
hold with precise play) 25. Bxc5 Nxc5 26. Conceptually, the most important moment
Rxc5 Rb3 27. R1c3 was Fine – Steiner, US of the game. Black finally commits to a clear
Open Final, 1940. plan: advancing his queenside pawn ma-
In this version, White keeps an active rook jority. However, Black releases the tension
and should win routinely. The rest of the in the center and makes it much easier for
12. Bb2?! game was filled with errors, but it is outside White to prepare e3-e4. So, the evaluation
This move is wrong, but not for the rea- the scope of this article. I will state only one of ... c5-c4 depends on whether Black has
sons often stated by annotators — see the general guideline (attributable to GM Sam the resources dissipate White’s central dy-
next note. Shankland), which is very relevant to this namism; if he does, his long-term advantage
Now 12. Qd3 would transpose to the mod- position: in rook endings with equal pawns on the queenside can become a major factor.
ern main line if Black played 12. ... Nb8, but on one side and a one-pawn difference on Assessing this properly is very difficult,
instead 12. ... Nc7!? leads to very interesting the other, the player with the passive rook
play. Let’s examine two continuations. often loses a half-point.
(a) Here the standard 13. f3 doesn’t give
White anything. After 13. ... Re8 (Benko 12. ... Qd7 13. a4
once tried 13. ... Qe8, intending ... Qe8-b5, Supposedly, 12. Bb2 was wrong because 13.
but after 14. a4 Qc6 15. c4! cxd4 16. cxd5 Qd3 now allows 13. ... Qa4, with the idea
Qxd5 17. e4 Qd7 18. Qxd4 as in Lilienthal of ... Ra8-c8 and ... c5xd4, invading on the
– Benko, Moscow-Budapest match 1949. c-file. But after 14. f3 Rac8 15. Rf2! I don’t
White’s position was preferable) 14. Ng3 see any obvious way for Black to make use
(14. dxc5 is less good now that the e3-pawn of the c-file, while White threatens Ne2-g3
has been weakened, i.e., 14. ... bxc5 15. c4 followed by e3-e4, taking advantage of the
Ne6 16. Bb2?! dxc4 17. Qxc4 Nd5 18. Qc1? Black queen’s lack of influence on the center
[18. Bc1 was necessary] 18. ... Nxe3! 19. Qxe3 and kingside.
Nd4 20. Bxd4 Rxe3 21. Bxe3 Qe7 as in Olsen The real problem with 12. Bb2 is that
– Aagaard, Danish Teams 2019, and Black after 13. ... c4 the b2-bishop is out of play.
was already winning) 14. ... Ne6, Black’s Sometimes White is willing to allow this if
knight is ideally positioned on e6. Now the he can at least advance e3-e4 later, but here
naive 15. Bb2 Rc8!? 16. e4? is bad because Black is in time to prevent this: 14. Qc2 Nh5!
of 16. ... cxd4 17. cxd4 dxe4 18. fxe4 Nc5!. does not waste any time on repositioning
(b) I’d like to point out a plan introduced the a6-knight — prophylaxis against e3-e4
by Reuben Fine: after 13. dxc5! bxc5 14. takes precedence. White’s knight is denied
PHOTO: WIKIPEDIA

c4! White gains a structural advantage. Play its usual g3-square, and after 15. f3 there
continued 14. ... dxc4 15. Qxc4 Qd5 16. Qxd5 follows 15. ... f5!. This whole idea is even
and Black doesn’t find the correct defensive stronger here than on move 14.
setup, as after 16. ... Ncxd5?! (16. ... Nfxd5! GM Mikhail Botvinnik
is correct, and after 17. e4 Nb6 18. Be3 Ne6 13. ... Rfe8

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 17

ANALYSIS Studying a Tabiya

and when I revised my annotations to this 17. ... Na5? Of course 26. ... Kg7 27. Rxf6! is decisive.
game for the present article, I experienced This is the real mistake; Black does nothing
a complete shock. The move 14. ... c5-c4 — a to oppose White’s plan. Perhaps the main 27. fxe6 Kg7 28. Qf4 Qe8 29. Qe5
move condemned by all annotators — is the takeaway from this game is that if Black al- As Kasparov points out, 29. Qc7+! Kg8 30.
computer’s top choice! Certainly 80 years of lows e3-e4 without creating any counterplay, Qe5 is stronger.
analysis, including that of Kasparov, should he will almost always get crushed.
not be dismissed lightly, but despite many Possibly, it was not too late to start queen- 29. ... Qe7
analytical efforts, I can’t help but agree side play with 17. ... Reb8 18. f3 b5! and Black’s position is on the verge of collapse.
with the computer’s assessment: the cause Black seems to be just in time. White adds one more element to the mix,
of Capablanca’s defeat was not this move It turns out that 17. ... Ne4!?, as sug- and it falls apart completely.
itself, but his later, overly slow approach gested by multiple annotators, is not bad
to the position. either. After 18. Nh1 (I think 18. Nh5!? Qf5 30. Ba3!!
19. Nf4 deserves serious consideration. In
15. Qc2 Nb8?! this case White is not opposed to the trade
I believe that this move (or, more precisely, of queens!) Black has several reasonable
the plan associated with it) is the source of ways to play, but I cannot resist mentioning
Black’s trouble. Capablanca wants to play the following computer line: 18. ... a5!?
... Nc6-a5-b3 and capture the a4-pawn, but (Lakdawala’s 18. ... f5?! is doubtful because
this plan significantly underestimates the of 19. f3 Nf6 20. Ng3 Ne7 21. Ba3 g6 and now
dynamic potential inherent in White’s setup. 22. Bc1!, with the clear intention of e3-e4,
A more difficult question is what plan should is unpleasant for Black. Sooner or later the
he have chosen instead. weakness of the dark-squares will become
(a) 15. ... Nh5 is reasonable; analogously noticeable) 19. f3 Nd6 20. e4 Nb4!! 21. cxb4
to the variation after 13. Qd3, Black prevents axb4 and the machine alleges that Black has
Ne2-g3 and prepares ... f7-f5. However, this full compensation for the piece! Of course,
is less strong here — after playing ... f7-f5 no human would play like this, but it does Cruel irony — the dormant bishop becomes
later, Black will really want to have a rook prove one point: Black must seek counter- the hero of the combination.
on f8! With 16. Bc1 White has to continue play immediately.
preparing f2-f3 and e3-e4. Otherwise, there 30. ... Qxa3 31. Nh5+ gxh5 32. Qg5+ Kf8
is no point to his position. Play continues 16. 18. f3! 33. Qxf6+ Kg8 34. e7
... f5 17. f3 and White now hints at playing Resolute play. Botvinnik correctly judges Botvinnik calculated everything perfectly.
h2-h3 and g2-g4, using the f5-pawn as a hook. that the a4-pawn is much less important Black’s checks soon run out.
I tried several moves for Black in this po- than the kingside attack.
sition. Maybe the most logical continuation 34. ... Qc1+ 35. Kf2 Qc2+ 36. Kg3 Qd3+ 37.
is 17. ... Nc7 18. h3 Nf6 (18. ... g6!? 19. g4 Ng7 18. ... Nb3 Kh4 Qe4+ 38. Kxh5 Qe2+ 39. Kh4 Qe4+ 40.
20. Ng3 Rf8 is also possible, but Black has The knight on b3 is only visually impressive. g4 Qe1+ 41. Kh5, Black resigned.
had to lose time with his rook.) 19. Kh2 a6!?
20. g4 fxg4 21. hxg4 b5 22. Ng3 h6! with an 19. e4 Qxa4 20. e5 Nd7 21. Qf2 g6 22. f4 f5 Botvinnik’s setup was revolutionary, and
unclear position. it was extraordinarily successful. In the
(b) Also possible is 15. ... h5!?. As we will eighty years since, White’s basic plan of
see later, this prophylactic move is often very advancing f2-f3 and then e3-e4 has not
important in this line. changed. Black’s choice of counter-scheme
(c) Finally, the direct 15. ... Nc7 may be is more difficult.
the most convincing, as after 16. Bc1 a5 17. In this game, we saw the first of Black’s
f3 b5 Black’s effortless play on the queen- two major plans: to close the center with
side is much faster than White’s nascent … c5-c4 and advance his queenside pawn
kingside attack. majority. However, under the impression of
Capablanca’s disastrous loss, Black players
16. Rae1 Nc6 17. Ng3 in the next decade began (for reasons not
entirely valid, as we saw) to avoid playing ...
c5-c4 at all costs, instead keeping the center
Capablanca tries to consolidate the position, fluid and trying to improve their position
but he is not in time to do so. From here on in other ways.
Botvinnik plays with great energy. The initial experiments in this vein were
not very fruitful. The 1952 Interzonal in
23. exf6 e.p. Nxf6 24. f5 Rxe1 25. Rxe1 Saltsjobaden was particularly catastrophic
Re8 26. Re6! for Black: White scored two decisive vic-
A star move, hitting Black’s position where tories in this variation — one by Averbakh
it is weakest. Not 26. fxg6? hxg6!. against Golombek, and one by tournament
winner Kotov against Unzicker. We will an-
26. ... Rxe6 alyze both games:

18 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 16. Rae1 Na5 17. e4 Nc4 18. Bc1; once again, he does
NIMZO-INDIAN DEFENSE, not mind retreating the bishop. After 18. ...
BOTVINNIK SYSTEM (E49) cxd4 19. cxd4 dxe4 (19. ... b5 20. e5 Nd7 21.
GM Alexander Kotov f4 Qb6 22. Kh1 f6 23. Qf3 Qc6 24. Qg4 is also
IM Wolfgang Unzicker bad for Black, as in Shlyakhtenko – Yudasin,
Interzonal (7), Saltsjobaden, 1952 San Jose 2022) 20. fxe4 Ne5

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 d5 5.

a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Bd3
0-0 9. Ne2 b6 10. 0-0 Ba6 11. Bxa6 Nxa6
12. f3
A refinement over Botvinnik’s plan.

12. ... Nb8 13. Qd3 Re8 14. Ng3 Nc6

Strictly speaking, an inaccuracy as well
— given the chance to play e3-e4, White
shouldn’t ask for a second invitation! All the POSITION AFTER 20. ... Ne5
same, Black’s position is worse here as well.
After 16. e4! White doesn’t fear 16. ... the next move is worth remembering: 21.
dxe4 17. fxe4 Ne5, since after 18. Qe2 cxd4 Qd2!. An accurate defense — White doesn’t
19. cxd4 Nc4 20. Rae1 Nxb2 21. Qxb2 (Anton fall for any tricks! (Note that 21. Qd1? Rxc1!
Guijarro – Abdusattorov, Aeroflot Open 2019) 22. Qxc1 Nd3 allows Black to simplify the
he has strong pressure. position.) After 21. ... Ng6 Black has spent
four moves improving the position of this
16. ... h6? knight. In the meantime, White was able
A passive move that, in the end, only harms to consolidate his position in the center,
Black’s position. and stands much better, and with 22. e5
15. Bb2! Let’s take a look at a number of other White simply mobilizes his army. It’s very
Much like the c8-bishop in the French, all tries for Black. difficult for Black to defend in such a sit-
of White’s hopes rest on the bad b2-bishop (a) Golombek tried 16. ... cxd4 17. cxd4 uation: all of White’s moves are so easy
— even though it temporarily looks quite Qd7, but was swiftly overrun: 18. e4! dxe4 that it’s hard to create challenges for the
clumsy. 19. fxe4 Ne5 20. Qd1 (20. Qe2!? Nc4 21. Rxf6! first player. After 22. ... Nd5 23. Nf5 Re6
A few years ago, I played 15. Ra2 against gxf6 22. Nh5 Qd6 23. Qg4+ Kf8 is also strong, 24. Qf2 Qd7 25. h4!
IM Jack Peters. However, the text move is although White has no clear win yet.) 20. ...
stronger: though the bishop is far from ide- Nc4 21. Bc1.
ally placed on b2, the speed of development
takes precedence. Moreover, after 15. ... Rc8
16. Raf2 (16. Re2 was played in Taimanov –
Ragozin, 1948 — a fascinating game that is
well worth checking) 16. ... Rc7 (a classical
maneuver!) 17. Kh1 Qd7! (this improves
on Peters’ 17. ... Qc8?!, where White gained
an initiative with 18. e4! — the idea is 18. ...
cxd4 19. cxd4 Nxd4? 20. Bg5! and the bishop
lands on its desired square) White will have
to play Bc1-b2 anyway if he ever wants to POSITION AFTER 21. Bc1
accomplish e3-e4.
Having done its duty on b2, the bishop
15. ... Rc8? returns to its normal diagonal. Play con-
This is a natural, common, and extremely tinues 21. ... Qc6 22. e5 Nd5 23. Qf3 f6?
costly mistake. Black simply cannot get away (A fatal mistake; 23. ... Rc7! was best. The
with abstract play in this variation. As this difference is that after 24. Nh5?! b5 25. Qg3
move does nothing constructive to oppose Black defends with 25. ... Qg6!) 24. Nh5!
White’s plan, it has to be condemned: pieces Rf8 25. Qg3 Qc7 26. Bh6 and White keeps
PHOTO: US CHESS ARCHIVES

can never be developed simply for develop- his eyes on the prize. The entire attack is
ment’s sake; their activation must always be focused on the g7-square: 26. ... Rf7 27.
tied to some concrete idea. This is actually Qf3 Rd8 28. Nxg7 Rxg7 29. exf6 Rgd7 30.
one of the ways in which chess has really f7+ (Averbakh – Golombek, Saltsjobaden
advanced: we often see moves like this in Iz 1952) and Black resigned in view of 30.
classic games, but much more rarely in the ... Rxf7 31. Qxd5!!. GM Alexander Kotov
games of today’s top players. (b) White is also not concerned by 16. ...

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 19

ANALYSIS Studying a Tabiya

27. d5! (activating the bishop; once again,

it is this piece that decides the game!) 27.
... Ne3 28. Nh6+ Kh8 29. Rxf6 Qc5 30. Nxf7+
Kg8 31. Nh6+ Kh8

POSITION AFTER 25. h4

This chases away an important defender. Kotov summarizes Black’s difficulties: “What
We continue 25. ... f6 (as in Averbakh – have Black’s efforts led to? He has no points
Golombek, this move doesn’t help Black) POSITION AFTER 31. ... Kh8 in the center, the White pawns on d4 and e4
26. Qg3 fxe5 27. dxe5 (here Nf5-d4 is threat- are on the point of rushing forward, crush-
ened) 27. ... Nde7. This prepares a desperate And now White concluded the game with a ing everything in their way. Black has to
sacrifice, which does not succeed in com- beautiful — and necessary — combination: take urgent measures to meet the powerful
plicating the game: 28. Nd6 Rxc1 29. Rxc1 32. Rf8+!! Qxf8 33. Bxg7+! Qxg7 34. Qd8+ onslaught by all the White pieces. However,
Nxe5 and here White could simply retreat and Black resigned in Gustafsson – Grigor- by now no amount of ingenuity can save
the knight with a winning position, but it’s ian, Bundesliga 2022-2023. Black’s hopeless position.”
even stronger to continue playing for the (d) Kotov analyzed 16. ... c4, where 17.
attack with 30. Qf2 (30. Qb3! is even better. Qb1! looks strongest, since after 17. ... b5 21. ... Nh7 22. e5
The point is very beautiful: 30. ... Qxd6 31. 18. e4 g6 19. Bc1! (once again this maneu- White’s pieces are temporarily on the back
Rcd1 Qc5+ 32. Kh1 Qc8 33. Qxe6+!) 30. ... h6 ver!) the b5-pawn is hanging. rank, but from now on, they advance on
31. Qf8+ Kh7 32. Nf5 Nxf5 33. Qxf5+ g6 34. (e) Ultimately the best defense relies on every single move. In these kinds of dynamic
Qf8. White has provoked even more weak- specific tactics: 16. ... Nd7 17. e4! dxe4 18. positions, Kotov was unparalleled.
nesses in Black’s position. The rest is easy: fxe4 Nde5 19. Qd1 Nc4 20. Ba1 Rf8 and
34. ... Re8 35. Qf4 h5 36. Rc3! Re7 37. Re3 White is only slightly better, since advanc- 22. ... Re6 23. Re4
and Black resigned in Furman – Lilienthal, ing either central pawn creates outposts for White should probably start with 23. Nf5!.
Moscow 1949. Black’s knights. The plan ... Nc6-e7 and ...
(c) A more recent game at the GM-level Rc8-c6 will help Black support his kingside. 23. ... Nf8?
saw 16. ... Rc7 17. e4! dxe4 18. fxe4 Ne5 Necessary was 23. ... Qd5! 24. Rg4 Rg6!. Tak-
19. Qe2 cxd4 20. cxd4 Nc4 21. Ba1 Qe7 and 17. e4! ing on g6 would solve all of Black’s problems.
now White correctly decided that checkmat- Now there is no reason to avoid this break.
ing Black’s king was more important than 24. Nf5 Kh8 25. Qh5! Rc7 26. Rh4 Nh7 27.
the a3-pawn: 22. Qf2 Qxa3 23. Qf4 Rce7 17. ... cxd4 18. cxd4 dxe4 19. fxe4 Ne5 20. Nxg7!
24. Nf5! Rxe4 25. Rxe4 Rxe4 26. Qg5 Qf8 Qd1 Nc4 21. Bc1 The natural culmination of White’s previ-
ous play.

27. ... Kxg7 28. Bxh6+ Kg8 29. Rg4+ Rg6

30. e6!, Black resigned.

Based on these (and other) games, it’s rea-

sonable to conclude that Black’s position
after 14. Bb2 is simply worse. Indeed, over
the next several decades, the variation lost
popularity and slid into obscurity.
What I find amazing — and what is lost
nowadays, when an engine solution to any
problem is always just two clicks away — is
the amount of time and effort that was re-
PHOTO: ANEFO / JOOP VAN BILSEN

quired for theoreticians to find an adequate

solution. It was not until the 21st century
that a serious equalizing attempt was discov-
ered, but as we’ll see next month, it exists!

Left: The 1954 Soviet Olympiad team in

Amsterdam. Kotov is seen far left, while Bot-
vinnik is second from the right.

20 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 May 2024 PUZZLES

BY FM CARSTEN HANSEN Try first to solve the puzzle before reading the text at the bottom
of the page. If unsuccessful, play through the solution, but return to
THIS MONTH’S PUZZLES ARE TAKEN FROM YEAR’S REYKJAVIK the puzzle in one or two weeks to see if you can now solve it. That way
Open that took place in March 2024. you gradually expand your tactical vision, and it will be more likely
The puzzles start from easy and gradually move toward being that you will spot tactics as they occur in your own games. Whatever
difficult. It is worth noting that “easy” is a relative term. If you are you do, do not use an engine to solve the puzzles. You will only cheat
new to the game, the easy ones can also represent a challenge. yourself out of improving your game. Solutions are on page 63.

TACTIC 1. TACTIC 2. TACTIC 3.

BLACK TO MOVE BLACK TO MOVE WHITE TO MOVE

TACTIC 4. TACTIC 5. TACTIC 6.

WHITE TO MOVE WHITE TO MOVE BLACK TO MOVE

TACTIC 7. TACTIC 8. TACTIC 9.

BLACK TO MOVE BLACK TO MOVE BLACK TO MOVE

Position 1: TOO MANY JOBS Position 4: NOT ENOUGH DEFENDERS Position 7: DEEP WEAKNESSES
Position 2: THE RIGHT DISTRACTION Position 5: OVERBURDENED DEFENDER Position 8: BRUTAL FORCE
Position 3: HITTING FROM ALL ANGLES Position 6: COMPLEX SQUARES Position 9: BE CREATIVE

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 21

 Repeat Champions and
Returning Players
Why the Amateur Team
East keeps us coming back
BY FM ALISA MELEKHINA AND WFM LAURA SMITH

T HE 2024 U.S. AMATEUR

Team East (USATE) is one of
the most anticipated events
on the east coast chess cal-
first four players figure into the average rat-
ing.) The 2024 edition boasted 330 teams and
over 1,400 registered players. Indeed, hotel
room blocks always sell out fast as some
and Chess en Passant.”
We asked the four winners to annotate their
favorite games from the event. Their games
are as tasty as their namesake sandwiches.
endar. Half reunion, half tournament, and teams plan their trips months in advance.
100% an experience like no other, USATE Only one team finished with a perfect 6/6
attracts players of every age and strength to score this year. True to their name, “Another SLAV DEFENSE, EXCHANGE
PHOTO: JOHN HARTMANN

the Hilton in Parsippany, New Jersey over Bacon, Egg, and Cheese en Passant Please” VARIATION (D10)
President’s Day weekend for three days of became repeat USATE champions. Major Kevin Stern (1948)
slow chess and general mayhem. congratulations are in order to the return- Jane Stripunsky (1581)
The main rule for the composition of ing team (in board order): IM Gus Huston, Amateur Team East (4), Parsippany,
USATE is that the average rating for the four Nathaniel Shuman, Ryan Peterson, and 02.18.2024
players on a team must fall below 2200 US Kevin Stern, whose first three boards were Annotations by Kevin Stern
Chess. (Alternates are allowed, but only the part of the winning 2023 team “Bacon, Egg,

22 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

Left: It was victory for the second straight 21. cxd3
year for Peterson, Shuman, Huston, and LONDON SYSTEM, JOBAVA If 21. Rxd3 exd3 22. Nc7+ Kb8 White has no
Stern, flanked by parents and guardians. VARIATION (D00) strong moves for the knight, which neces-
Adegboyega Adebayo (2345) sitates a repetition with 23. Na6+ Ka8 24.
Nate Shuman (2193) Nc7+ Kb8.
1. c4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Amateur Team East (5), Parsippany,
Bf4 e6 6. e3 Bd6 7. Bxd6 Qxd6 8. Bd3 0-0 02.19.2024 21. ... fxe6 22. d6!
9. f4!? Annotations by Nate Shuman An extremely sharp move by my opponent;
Entering a Stonewall structure makes however, he missed the next move which
sense now that my dark-squared bishop 1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Bf5 3. Bf4 c6 4. e3 e6 would have given him a slight advantage.
is gone. 5. Bd3 Bd6
Purposefully trying to create an imbalanced 22. ... Rxd6 23. dxe4
9. ... Nc6 10. Nf3 a6 11. 0-0 Ng4? pawn structure to generate chances. I am The right way was 23. Qe5! Rhd8 24. dxe4
also looking to stop White from breaking Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 26. Kxd1 with a min-
the position open with e3-e4, and also po- imal endgame advantage for White.
tentially plunking my knight there.
23. ... e5 24. Rxd6 Qxd6 25. Rd1 Qe6
6. Bxf5 exf5 7. Qf3 g6 8. h3 Qc7 26. Kb1 Rf8 27. Qf3 Qc8 28. Qg3 Qe6
Perhaps stronger is 8. ... h5 to stop the g2-g4 A draw was very good for my team at this
break, despite it looking unnatural. point, so I was offering a repetition.

9. Nge2 Nd7 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 11. g4 fxg4 29. Qf3 Qc8 30. Qe2 a6
12. hxg4 0-0-0 13. 0-0-0 Ngf6 14. Nf4 Creating luft for my king, thereby freeing my
White should have played 14. g5 Nh5 15. rook from its post on the back rank.
e4, trying to open the center while he can.
31. Rf1 Qe6 32. f4 exf4 33. exf4 Rd8 34. a3
This move is so natural. Black wants to shut 14. ... Qe7 Rd4 35. Re1 Qd6
out the light-squared bishop with ... f7-f5, Now e3-e4 is stopped. Tempting my opponent to push his e-pawn.
but White now has a tactic!
15. g5 Ne4 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. Qg4 Kb8 36. e5 Qe6 37. Qe3
12. Bxh7+!! Kxh7 18. d5 Also equal is 37. Rd1 Qf5+ 38. Ka1 Rxd1+ 39.
If 12. ... Kh8 13. Ne5 attacks the knight. After White is creating chances, but my pieces Qxd1 Qxf4 40. e6 Qxg5 41. Qd6 Qc1+.
13. ... Ngxe5 (much worse is 13. ... Nxe3?? are more active.
14. Qh5) 14. fxe5 the queen will slide to h5 37. ... Qf5+ 38. Ka2 Qxf4 39. Qxf4 Rxf4
with a winning position. 18. ... Ne5 19. Qg3 Ka8! 40. e6 Rf8 41. a4 Re8 42. Kb3

13. Ng5+ Kg8 14. Qxg4

Regaining the knight, leaving White a pawn
up.

14. ... f6 15. Nf3?

Again, a natural move, but I had much bet-
ter! After 15. Qh5!! fxg5 16. fxg5 the threat
is g5-g6 and Qh5-h7 mate. Black cannot stop
it without giving material back.

15. ... Ne7 16. Nh4 e5 17. f5

Locking out Black’s pieces out. White also
has a winning ending after 17. fxe5 Qxe5 18. Moving away from the potential pin from Here my opponent offered me a draw. At this
Qxg7+ Kxg7 19. dxe5 fxe5. the queen on g3. point in the match, we were up 1½-½, and
our fourth board had a very drawish rook
17. ... e4? 20. Ne6! Nd3+! endgame. Rather than accept the draw im-
I don’t think that resolving the tension in the I was careful to look for in-between moves mediately, and because I was up on time, I
center while I am attacking is a good idea. here. White is better after 20. ... fxe6 21. decided to stall for 30 minutes to see how his
Qxe5 cxd5 22. Rxd5. match would play out. If he ended up losing,
18. Qh5 Rf7 19. Ng6 Nxg6 20. fxg6 Rc7 21. I investigated 20. ... Nc4, but unfortunate- I would try to go for the win. If he drew, I
Qh7+ Kf8 22. Qh8+ Ke7 23. Qxg7+ Ke8 24. ly it does not work: 21. Nxd8 Qb4 22. Rd4 would accept the draw offer and we would
Qg8+ Kd7 25. Nxd5 Rc2 26. Rxf6, Black Qxb2+ 23. Kd1 Qb1+ 24. Ke2 Qxc2+ (or 24. win the match 2½-1½. After 30 minutes, my
resigned. ... Qxh1 25. dxc6 bxc6 26. Nxc6 Qh5+ 27. Kf1 teammate ended up winning his game, giving
A clean victory that eventually won the Qh1+ 28. Qg1 with a significant advantage) us the match victory. Now, with nothing to
match for our team. 25. Kf1 Rxd8 and White should win. lose, I tried to go for the win...

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 23

EVENTS Amateur Team East

42. ... Kb8 43. Kb4 Kc7 44. Re3 Kd6 56. ... b3 57. Kd3 g4 58. a6 b2! I missed the incredible 16. Nd6+! Bxd6 17.
45. Ka5 Kc7 White also holds after 58. ... g3 59. a7 b2! exd6 Qxd6 18. Nf5! Qf8 19. Bb5+! Nd7 (or 19.
Hoping for anything other than the game (59. ... g2? 60. a8=Q g1=Q 61. Qh8+ Kg6 62. ... axb5 20. Qxb5+ Kd8 21. Be3) 20. Bf4 with
continuation, so that I could check him Qg8+ wins the queen) 60. Kc2 g2!. tremendous pressure.
with ... b7-b6+, as Ka5xa6 gets checkmated
by ... Rd8-a8. 59. Kc2 b1=Q+! 16. ... 0-0-0 17. a5?
Now the game will end in a draw. This move fixes the pawn structure, but
46. Kb4 Kd6 47. Ka5 doesn’t do much more.
Now it’s a pawn race. 60. Kxb1 g3 61. a7 g2 62. a8=Q g1=Q+,
draw. 17. ... Kb8 18. Nb3 g5 19. Nxc5 Bxc5 20.
47. ... Rxe6 48. Rxe6+ Kxe6 49. Kb6 h5 Be4!
50. gxh6 e.p. Kf7 51. Kxb7 The only move for White to maintain an
QUEEN’S GAMBIT advantage. It is necessary to counter the
ACCEPTED (D26) b7-bishop. If Black gets the opportunity to
Ryan Peterson (2200) play ... f7-f5, the b7-bishop would terrorize
Murodjon Shadiev (2004) the kingside. For example: 20. Bd2 f5 21.
Amateur Team East (5), Parsippany, exf6 e.p. Nxf6.
02.19.2024
Annotations by Ryan Peterson 20. ... Nc3?

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 a6

5. Bxc4 e6 6. 0-0 b5
Less popular than the solid ... c7-c5, Black
seeks to create a more dynamic position
with fast development.
51. ... a5
After 51. ... g5 52. Kxa6 g4 53. Kb7 g3 54. a5 7. Bd3 Bb7 8. a4 b4 9. Nbd2 c5 10. Qe2
g2 55. a6 g1=Q 56. a7 the c6-pawn stops any Nbd7 11. Nc4 Qc7 12. Rd1 Be7 13. e4
checks. So I played the game continuation, A very important pawn push. The goal is
which I thought was winning. In fact, I to advance the e-pawn one more square,
missed White’s saving idea, which was to run taking space, and gaining control of the
their king back to the other side of the board! d6- and f6-squares.
Attempting to win the bishop pair fails
52. Kxc6!! 13. ... cxd4 14. e5 tactically.
I thought that I was “in time” after 52. Kb6 Worse is 14. Nxd4? Nc5.
g5 53. Kxa5 g4 54. Kb6 g3 55. a5 g2 56. a6 21. Rxd8+ Qxd8 22. bxc3 Bxe4 23. Bxg5 Qd3
g1=Q+, but this is a win for Black! 14. ... Nd5 Worse is 23. ... Qxg5 24. Qxe4, while White
After 14. ... Bxf3? 15. Qxf3 Nd5 16. Qg3 Black also keeps the advantage after 23. ... Bd3 24.
52. ... g5 53. Kd5 Kg6 54. Ke4 Kxh6 55. b4 does keep the pawn, but the knight is ready Qf3 Qd5 25. Qf6! Rg8 26. Nb6.
axb4 56. a5 to jump into the d6-square, and White has
The white king is the perfect distance between kingside pressure. 24. Qxd3 Bxd3 25. cxb4
the two pawns. Now I had to find the draw. A key intermezzo.
15. Nxd4 Nc5
25. ... Bxb4 26. Nd6 Bg6 27. Bf6
I wanted to play 27. Nxf7 Rc8 (or 27. ... Bxf7
28. Rb1) but missed the key idea 28. Nd8!
Bc3 29. Rd1 Bxe5 30. Nxe6 with an excel-
lent position.

27. ... Rg8 28. h4 Kc7 29. Ra4 Rb8

Any White advantage has evaporated in
these last few moves. Black’s bishops are
very strong, and there are no clear targets
in his position.
PHOTO: JOHN HARTMANN

30. Be7 Kc6 31. Ra1 Kd5 32. Rd1+

16. Bc2 Setting up a checkmating trap that, with just
seconds on his clock, Black unfortunately
Left: The traditional round three matchup falls into.
between West Point and Annapolis gave this
year’s bragging rights to the Cadets. 32. ... Kxe5? 33. g3 Bh5?? 34. f4, mate.

24 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 Preparing ... d6-d5. Pushing the d-pawn
SICILIAN DEFENSE, SOZIN immediately is an option, but there is no WFM Megan
VARIATION (B57) need to rush. Paragua
Roger Zhang (2245)
IM Gus Huston (2450) 18. Kh1 Bf8
Amateur Team East (2), Parsippany, White doesn’t have a clear plan, so Black
02.17.2024 can continue to make small improvements
Annotations by IM Gus Huston until the time is right to break with ... d6-d5.

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 19. Nde2 d5

5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bc4 Qb6 The time has come!
One of a few options in this position. Both
6. ... Bd7 and 6. ... e6 are also very playable, 20. exd5 exd5
but I decided to pull out a less mainstream It may look strange to self-inflict an iso-
line. The idea is to push the knight back to lated pawn, but it keeps more pieces on
the b3-square, where it occupies the space the board than after 20. ... Nxd5 21. Nxd5
that the bishop would ideally like to occupy. Bxd5 22. Bxd5 Rxd5. White’s position is
cramped, so keeping pieces on the board
7. Nb3 e6 8. Be3 favors Black.
Black does lose a tempo by allowing the
queen to be attacked, but in return disrupts 21. b3 Bc5 22. Qg3 Nd6 23. Bb2 d4
the coordination between White’s pieces. 24. Bxb7 Qxb7 25. Nd1 Nf5 26. Qd3 Ne3
27. Nxe3 dxe3 28. Qf5 WFM Laura Smith
8. ... Qc7 9. Be2 a6 10. Qd2 (L) and FM Alisa
Melekhina (R)
A slight inaccuracy. Usually White should
not allow Black to gain space with ... b7-b5,
and plays a2-a4 to prevent this. In this case,
Black usually elects to play ... b7-b6 and ...
Bc8-b7, potentially using the weak b4-square
in the future.

10. ... b5 11. a3 Bb7 12. f4 Be7 13. Bf3 Rc8

14. 0-0 0-0

28. ... Qe4

Slightly more precise is 28. ... Ne4, but here
Black already has a winning advantage.

29. Qg5 h6 30. Qg3 Qf5

Here 30. ... Be7 is also interesting, as it pro-
tects the knight, attacks the c2-pawn, and
threatens ... Rd8-d2. Harold Scott (L)
and GM Joel
Benjamin (R)
31. Qf3 Ne4 32. Ng3 Nxg3+ 33. Qxg3 g6
15. Nd4 34. Qh4 h5 35. Rfe1 Qe4
This move looks natural, but is actually a More forceful is 35. ... Rd2 36. Bc1 Bd4!
grave positional mistake. The knight lacks 37. Rb1 Rxg2!!, but the game continuation
prospects after my next move. works too.

15. ... Na5! 36. Qf6 Bd4 37. Bxd4 Rxd4

Taking advantage of the weak c4-square.
Compare the knights on a5 and d4! (see diagram next page)
PHOTOS: JOHN HARTMANN

16. Qf2 Nc4 17. Bc1 After trading off White’s most active piece,
Allowing the trade of the dark-squared the b2-bishop, Black has an easy game with
bishop would cripple White’s position in the centralized queen, the passed pawn,
the long run. and active rooks.

17. ... Rfd8 38. f5

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 25

EVENTS Amateur Team East

While it wasn’t our personal favorite, we booming voice. The giveaways were already
were definitely humming that B-I-N-G-O underway: chess prizes for “the first person
tune on the car ride back — it does have stay- to the mic” with a $50 bill, a Pennsylvania
ing power. The win must also have resonated library card, or a New York state quarter.
with GM Benjamin, who was the only perfect As we were finding our table and figur-
6/6 score for board one. His team ultimately ing out which end was the first board, I
finished in a solid 14th place with 5/6, while saw familiar faces from “back in the day.”
also winning the U2100 class prize. Locals from New Jersey and Pennsylvania,
The best costume award went to “King some whom I would regularly play in state
Smarty Gras and his Court,” who were cos- championships, were coming out of chess
tumed for a Mardi Gras celebration, com- semi-retirement for this one-of-a-kind chess
plete with instruments that they played! festival. When my first-round opponent
POSITION AFTER 37. ... Rxd4 (And played well, we might add.) This was played 1. b3 against me, I smiled to myself.
perhaps a bit of an upset, as the crowd cer- Notwithstanding my last-minute cramming
A desperate attempt at counterplay. tainly enjoyed seeing “Barbie and her Three for my Black repertoire the night prior
Kens” on the stage! (where I did not go over 1. b3), I remem-
38. ... Rxc2 39. Qg5 e2 40. fxg6 fxg6 41. bered that everyone was here for the same
h3 Rd3 purpose. Chess theory was secondary to the
The easiest way to force a queen trade and camaraderie and nostalgia.
go into a winning double rook endgame. REFLECTIONS Our team came together almost over-
Both of your authors have not played much night. My longtime partner, GM-elect Raja
42. Kh2 Rd5 43. Qf6 Qe5+ 44. Qxe5 Rxe5 tournament chess in recent years by design. Panjwani, was looking for a non-FIDE rated
45. Kg3 Rf5 So what beckoned us to come out of our tournament as practice before playing in
With the King cut off and the rooks doomed own semi-retirements and spend a long Europe. Not being familiar with the U.S. phe-
to passivity, Black can activate the King easily. President’s Day holiday weekend playing nomenon that is the USATE, he forwarded
six classical time control games? the tournament link in passing and asked
46. Kh4 Kg7 47. g4 g5+ 48. Kxh5 if I had heard of it before.
The alternative isn’t much better: 48. Kg3 ALISA: Had I ever! I informed him that this wasn’t
h4+ 49. Kg2 Rf4 and wins. Pulling up at the Hilton Parsippany for the just any “amateur” tournament; this is the
Amateur Team East and stepping out into top team competition in the U.S. (and per-
48. ... Re5, White resigned. the crisp New Jersey winter felt like going haps the world!). I had a fleeting thought to
This game sealed our victory, allowing us back in time. Inside, we were greeted by the have my dad, who is now around 1800, join
to move on to round three unblemished. usual flurry of kids scurrying to find their our team. Surprisingly, everyone was on
teams and boards, frantically followed by board! Still, we needed to find a third board
While our team, “Started from Fritz 5.32, their parents with packed lunches and extra who would make us competitive.
Now We’re Here,” was in the running for chess sets. I had a flashback to hunting for Fortunately, my old friend (and World
top mixed doubles, we faltered the last two unoccupied corners to camp out and eat Youth teammate) Laura Smith agreed to
rounds and the honors went to GM Magesh lunch in between rounds with my dad — play, making our average team
Panchanathan’s team, “CKQ Alpha Dogs,” then, my guardian; this year, for thehe first
also consisting of WIM Michelle Prince, FM time, my teammate!
Arvind Jayaraman, and Charithra Arvind. From outside the large, famil-
Chess aside, the real competition is over iar tournament hall I could al-
the best team name and best costumes. ready hear organizer Steve Doyle’s
While our name was more nostalgic to
our team, the most popular entries tend
to be chess puns or a pop culture refer-
ence. Scanning the pre-entry list, a few
personal stand-outs were “ChessGPT
Charlatan” — simple and nice GenAI
callback — and “Team Say It With Ya
Chess,” a pun on “say it with your chest,”
which is a trendy way to be proud. They
ultimately won best parent/child team.
Among the best-name candidates
ultimately selected were “Travis and
Taylor What’s the Endgame?,” which
we also appreciated, and Shaun Smith’s
musically-inspired “Caro-Kann My
Wayward Son.” In the end, GM Joel Ab
Above: FM Alisa Melekhina with her father,
Benjamin’s “B-E-N-K-O and Benko Aleksandr, at this year’s tournament. Left:
Ale
was his Name O” prevailed. The subjects in the early ‘aughts.

26 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 rating 2182 and a contender for a top Mixed
Doubles team. Given how far all of us had
come together, Team “Started from Fritz
5.32, Now We’re Here” was born.
I surprised myself by finishing with 5/6.
The last time I played in this event was in
2014, exactly 10 years prior. I was in a different
place in my chess and legal careers back then.
For this tournament, I came in with a fresh
perspective, focusing on the team aspect and
putting the individualistic chess tendencies
aside. I found new elements of chess to enjoy.
It made me appreciate unplugging from the is on Black to sift through the numerous Here 16. ... bxa4 17. Qxa4 only makes mat-
“real world” and diving into this celebration captures available. ters worse.
of chess, even if only for a few days.
8. ... Nxc5 17. Rxc7 Qxc7 18. Nxd5
I think 8. ... Bxc5 is the best option, going The pawn falls in an ideal scenario.
CARO-KANN DEFENSE, for either an isolated pawn or sacrificing the
ADVANCE VARIATION (B12) pawn altogether to regain development and 18. ... Qb7 19. Nf4 Bc4 20. Bxc4 bxc4 21. e6
FM Alisa Melekhina (2274) space. Interestingly, the computer analyzes Even more precise per the computer was 21.
Essig Rouven (1967) to an unclear / equal position despite White Bxa7 Qxa7 22. Qd5! Nc5 23. e6 fxe6 24. Nxe6
Amateur Team East (2), Parsippany, being a clear pawn up. Nxe6 25. Qxe6+ Qe7 26. Qxa6. But I saw no
02.17.2024 To wit: 9. cxd5 (or 9. Bxc5 Nxc5 10. cxd5 exd5 drawback to striking with 21. e6 while the
Annotations by FM Alisa Melekhina 11. Nc3 0-0 12. Qxd5 Qb6 13. 0-0 Bg4 with com- black king was stuck in the center.
pensation) 9. ... exd5 10. Qxd5 Bxe3 11. fxe3
I shook off the pre-tournament jitters after 0-0 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. Qxc6 Rb8 14. Nbd2 Rxb2 21. ... Nf6 22. exf7+ Qxf7
a five-hour first round victory. In round two, 15. Qc3 Rb5 with compensation for the pawn.
I found myself playing against an opponent
Raja had recently faced at the National 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Nc3 a6 11. Be2
Chess Congress. I knew going in that my While I would prefer to not lose further time,
opponent was an accomplished physics here 11. Bxc6+ bxc6 would merely reinforce
professor and had recently taken to chess. Black’s center.

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 11. ... Be6 12. 0-0 Ne4?!

The more common move is 3. ... Bf5. The This is not an obviously bad move, but it is
idea behind 3. ... c5 is similar to that in the beginning of the end. The opening has
Advanced French structures, which tend been a success for White, with quick and
to transpose: to undermine the e5-pawn active development and a clear target on d5.
and get activity around the c5-square. How- Black cannot afford to lose any more time,
ever, I don’t find these lines particularly and should consolidate as soon as possible 23. Re1
challenging for White because at the end with ... Bf8-e7 and ... 0-0. White’s last piece is developed with flair.
of the day, Black is down a tempo (com-
pared to playing the French and playing ... 13. Na4 b5? 23. ... Nc6 24. Bc5+ Be7 25. Ng5, Black
c7-c5 immediately) in an already potentially While allowing Na4-b6 would be uncom- resigned.
cramped opening. fortable, Black again had the opportunity A possible finish would have been: 25. Ng5
to consolidate with 13. ... Be7. After 13. Qf8 26. Bxe7 Nxe7 27. Nfe6 Qg8 28. Qd8 mate.
4. dxc5 e6 5. Be3 Nd7 6. Bb5 ... b5, there are too many weaknesses in Our team ended up winning the match 3-1,
Challenging Black to untangle. Black’s position. giving us a strong finish to the first day.

LAURA:
PHOTO, FACING PAGE: COURTESY MELEKHINA

6. ... Ne7 7. Nf3 14. Rc1! Rc8

So far, White’s development has been simple White is winning after 14. ... bxa4 15. Rxc6. I started playing this event for the first time
and intuitive. when I was eight years old. The World Youth
15. Nb6 Rc7 16. a4 was blood, sweat, and tears — mostly sweat
7. ... Nc6 8. c4 and tears! —but also a lot of fun with new
(see diagram top of next column) friends from across the globe. The World
(see diagram top of next column) Open was about money prizes, and whis-
This is the key to unlocking this position, pered scandals of who cheated. (Back then
I spent more time calculating this move than as the b5-pawn is one of the few elements it was collusion, not computers.) Saturdays
I would have liked to admit. Here c2-c4 is still holding things together. at the Marshall were a staple in my chess
a typical idea to undermine Black’s center career, but nothing I’ve found compares
before he can consolidate. Now the onus 16. ... Na7 to USATE.

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 27

EVENTS Amateur Team East

The Amateur Team East was my favor- petition is very much there, but it’s in a 15. Bf6
ite. It was the tournament with costumes, more honor-driven way, with the focus on The engine thinks White is winning. Of
team names, bughouse all-day-everyday, team and family-bonding. It was wonderful course, I have to prove it at the board and
and nonstop chess with friends and fami- to see the tournament foster old and new without silicon reassurance!
ly. My dad and I played on the same team friendships, as well as inspire opportu-
at least once. nities and connections for CIS students 15. ... Qf5 16. Qf3 Qxf3 17. gxf3
I stopped playing chess competitively and alumni. With big plans for my rook, I am very happy
when I went to college in 2006. There was about the opening of the g-file.
not much of a chess scene in Binghamton,
New York, though I did find my way to one We would both like to thank the tournament 17. ... Kd7 18. Nc3 Rae8 19. 0-0-0+ Kc8
through a friend who saw a local posting for staff and organizers, especially Mr. E. Ste- Black has gained a certain amount of king
a chess club. I played. And I did not win. ven Doyle, who has tirelessly directed this safety. But his h7-pawn is weak, his knight
(No, it doesn’t still bother me!) tournament for 49 years and attended 50. is out of the game, and his rooks are tied
Flash forward: I met my now-husband, We will be back, and this time, very soon. down by the presence of the white pawn
Shaun Smith, and while dating him, I got on g7, which is invulnerable for the fore-
back into the chess scene. As a mom of seeable future.
four-year-old twins and a six-year-old,
I can’t remember my chess days in my
ADDITIONAL 20. Rhg1
current life. Instead of tactics puzzles, it’s GAMES I had a lot of good options to choose from
cooking, meals, the dishes, doing laundry, here. I could have gone with a plan of ma-
more snacks, and schlepping to taekwondo, GIUOCO PIANO, DUBOV neuvering the knight to f6 or h6. I played 20.
ballet, and art... all with the hopes of sur- VARIATION (C54) Rhg1 because Rg1-g5-h5xh7 looks unstop-
viving until Friday. But I remember going Dan Bock (1932) pable (if ... Be6-f5 then Nc3-d5 threatening
to the USATE after my first “retirement” Santhosh Ayyappan (2128) Nd5-e7+), and because it could also poten-
from the chess world, and it always felt like Amateur Team East (6), Parsippany, tially support a Nc3-e4-f6 plan by protecting
home even after years away from the game. 02.19.2024 the g7-pawn.
I realized that I missed chess. I remem- Annotations by Dan Bock
ber Shaun showing me some easy openings 20. ... b6 21. Rg5 Nb7 22. Rh5 Nc5
that would get me by after a long absence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 23. Rxh7 Nd7
from the board. While I felt the rust in my 5. d4 exd4 6. b4
game, I also remembered the joys of sitting The Dubov Gambit, named after GM Daniil
across a board and feeling the trivialities of Dubov, who used it to defeat GM Sergey Kar-
life dissolve into the world of 64 squares. jakin in the 2020 Russian Championship. I
To me, USATE also goes hand-in-hand have found that it’s very rare for players to
with New York’s Chess in the Schools be prepared to face this.
(CIS), which sends students to the tour-
nament annually. Shaun serves as CIS’s 6. ... Bb6 7. e5 d5 8. exf6 dxc4 9. Qe2+ Be6
Director of Programs. He attended USATE 10. b5 Na5 11. fxg7 Rg8 12. cxd4 Bxd4
both as a player and as the leader of 53 Black grabs a pawn, but is going to regret
college-bound high school students and not having a dark-squared bishop.
23 CIS alumni. A non-profit that fosters
the intellectual and social development 13. Nxd4 Qxd4 14. Bb2 Qd3
of low-income youth in New York City White has spent the past four moves winning
through chess education, CIS graciously an important pawn and threatening to infil-
covers all expenses for its students to play, trate with the rook all the way to the back
with many thanks to donations from its rank. Black has spent the past four moves
supporters. getting his knight to d7.
CIS has chosen to send students to the
USATE because it is a very meaningful 24. Bd4
competition. Many CIS alumni play along I spent 20 minutes on this move, because
with current students, sharing experiences I really didn’t want to retreat the bishop
and first-hand reflections on colleges and from the amazing f6 square, and it felt like
building professional careers. This year, CIS the right time for an Exchange sacrifice. But
alumnus Lamel McBryde was on the sec- I calculated 24. Rxd7 Kxd7 25. Ne4 Bf5 26.
ond-place team, “International Alliance!” Rh8 Ke6 and decided I’d have to retreat the
While I scored a reasonable 3½/6, the I got this exact position in a tournament bishop anyway, so the sacrifice wouldn’t get
real value of my tournament was the trip game less than two months before this one. me anything I didn’t already have. Of course
down memory lane. Playing at USATE feels In that game, I played 15. Qxd3, and while White is still winning here after 27. Rh6! but
so refreshing for a chess player. Without I did go on to win, I had to fight off some the path is much harder.
the focus on money prizes, it’s about the queenside counterplay for Black. Now I get
chess and the friendships. Well, the com- to show off a bit of my homework. 24. ... Bf5

28 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 Now that the f-pawn is unblocked, I expect- A common repositioning in 1. ... e5 struc-
ed 24. ... f6 now or on the next few moves. tures, sending the knight to the kingside and
preparing ... c7-c6. But here, the knight on
25. Rh8 g6 is restricted by the pawn on g3.
Black is in a bind. Neither rook can move!
11. Bg5 Ng6 12. d4 Qe7 13. Nd2 Bd7 14.
25. ... Bd3 26. h4 dxe5?! Qxe5
Commencing the final winning plan. Now Black picks up the two bishops.

26. ... Nc5 27. Nd5 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. a4

Threatening Nd5-e7+.

27. ... Kd8 28. h5 Time to take stock. We’re up a piece, and
I thought that 28. Nf6 was a slip after 28. ... Stockfish is screaming that Black is crush-
Rxh8, but White can calmly play 29. Bxc5 ing. But I think this position is not so easy
bxc5 30. Nxe8 Rxe8 31. h5 and the pawns to win. Why? White has two pawns. Our g6-
will race home. knight isn’t useful yet, and won’t be for a long
time. White has a clear idea of rolling the
28. ... Be2 f- and e- pawns; this isn’t so easy to resist.
It’s not hard to find the right moves from
here on out.
Dan Bock
29. h6 Nd3+ 30. Kd2 Bxd1 31. Rxg8 Rxg8
32. h7 Re8 33. g8=Q Rxg8 34. hxg8=Q+ 16. ... c6?!
Kd7 35. Kxd1 f5 36. Qf7+, Black resigned. Totally overlooking White’s tactics, although
fortunately I am still okay.
Better was 16. ... Ne5, improving the
KONSTANTINOPOLSKY knight and preparing to expand on the
OPENING (C44) kingside with something like 17. Rae1 h5.
Andrew Ardito (2224)
Todd Bryant (2228) 17. Nc4 Bc5 18. Nbxd6
Amateur Team East (5), Parsippany, Oops. I hadn’t seen this at all. White is trying
02.19.2024 to snatch a pawn with a skewer on the d-file.
Annotations by Todd Bryant Luckily, I took a think here and was able to
find some counterpunches.
1. e4 e5
This was only my second time playing 1. 18. ... Bxd6 19. Rad1
... e5 over the board! My opponent showed I thought 19. Qd3 was his best choice was. I
some disappointment, as he had clearly intended 19. ... Bc5 (19. ... Bg4! is even bet-
prepared for my usual Sicilian. ter, i.e., 20. Qxd6 Be2 21. Qxf6 gxf6 22. Nb6
Bxf1 23. Bxf1 Rad8 and compensation is an
2. Nf3 Nc6 3. g3 open question) 20. Qxd7 Ne5 21. Nxe5 Qxe5
But he sends anti-preparation back over 22. Rad1 with advantage to White. Todd Bryant
the net. Now we both are out of book. I had After 19. Qd1 Be6! 20. Nxd6 Rfd8 the pin
prepared for some sharp Italians. is very hard to deal with.

3. ... Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 19. ... Bc5 20. Rxd7 Qe6

The other path to equality begins with 4. This was my point — a fork at the end of the
... d5. line. But White still has a strong resource we
both discounted!
5. Bg2 d6 6. 0-0 a5
Gaining space, restricting b2-b4, and creat- 21. Qd3?
ing a refuge for the bishop. With the strong 21. Rd4! Bxd4 22. cxd4
PHOTOS: COURTESY SUBJECTS

White’s monster center is good compensa-

7. c3 Ba7 tion for the Exchange.
This retreat wasn’t really necessary yet, and
now the bishop gets needled by Nb1-a3-b5. 21. ... b5
With 7. ... 0-0 we transpose back into a num- Now this wins a piece, as if the knight
ber of high-level games. moves, ... Ng6-e5 will pick up a rook.

8. Na3 0-0 9. Nb5 Bb6 10. Qc2 Ne7 22. axb5 cxb5 23. Rd5 bxc4 24. Qxc4

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 29

EVENTS Amateur Team East

And White can also eventually fine, but to me, this shuffle makes things a
make a passed queenside pawn! little worse. Now White gets an unpleasant
battery against the weak pawn. The stronger
24. ... Be7?! 37. ... Ne6 resisted this idea.
Already a little off. This allows
f2-f4 and gets in the way of my 38. Qb5 Qd8 39. Qc4
knight. The correct 24. ... Bb6 I was not thrilled to be trading pawns a move
restrains f2-f4 and allows ... before time control.
Ng6-e7-c6.
39. ... Qb6 40. Bxf7 Qxb2+
Time control reached!

41. Kf3 a4 42. Be8

25.
f4 Qb6+ 26. Kh1 Rfc8 27. Qe2 The dust has settled. We’re out of time pres-
Rab8 28. Rd2 Rd8 29. Rfd1 sure, but a big check is looming on f7 and
Rxd2 30. Rxd2 Rd8 31. e5 Rxd2 there is only one way for Black to maintain
32. Qxd2 a winning advantage.
We’ve traded more material and
it’s still -3 per Stockfish, but it’s cer-- 42. ... Qb3?
tainly not over yet! White is ready to o The only
o move was 42. ... Qb7+!
move forward, and it’s hard to find d 43. Kf2! (43. Bc6 Qc8 44. Qxa4
even a slow maneuver that mean- n- Qh3! was the more difficult
ingfully attacks something in White’s e’s point: ... Be7xh4 is threat-
p
position. ened, as well as many checks
e
against White’s king) 43. ... a3
ag
32. ... Nf8 and the checks gets nowhere:
an
The metal friend suggests 32. ... Bf8 33. h4 44. Qf7+ Kh8 45. f5 a2! 46. Qxa2
Ne7 34. Be4 h5 35. Kg2 g6, Bc5+ with a queen skewer in-
Bc5
intending the gradual un- coming.
com
tangling ... Kg8-g7 and ...
Ne7-g8 with a very gradual 43. Qc7?
Q
untangling. I don’t find this With 443. Qxa4! Qxc3+ 44. Kg2 Qd2+
very obvious at all. 45. Kh3 Black will never
be able to make progress,
33. Be4 g6 34. Kg2 Qc5 despite the extra piece.
Nearing time control, I
start to shuffle. 43. ... Qd5+ 44. Ke2
Qg2+ 45. Kd1 Qf1+ 46.
35. h4 h5 36. Bd5 Kg7 Kd2 Qf2+ 47. Kd1 Qc5!
37. Qd3 Qc8?! 48. Qxc5!
The engine thinks this is I actually thought trad-
PHOTOS: JOHN HARTMANN

ing queens was impos-

sible, but White still
has ways to resist.
Center: Team spirit is always a
huge component of the Amateur 48. ... Bxc5 49. Bxa4
Team East. Here are some of the Bf2 50. Ke2 Bxg3 51.
competitors for best gimmick. Kf3 Bxh4

30 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 “King Smarty Gras
and his Court” won
for best gimmick.

52. f5!
An excellent practical choice. Black is still
winning here, but he will have to hold onto
his remaining pawn and restrain White’s
passers carefully. Nearing time pressure
again, I promptly fail to do that.

52. ... gxf5

Here 52. ... Kh6 is favored by the computer,
but 53. f6 was very scary to allow. I also felt
the position after 52. ... g5 53. f6+ Kh6 was
one I could even lose in a scramble.

53. Kf4 Be1 54. c4 h4 55. Kxf5 h3 56. Bc6

So far so good!
2024 AMATEUR TEAM EAST
56. ... Bb4? AT A G L A N C E
Played with a minute on the clock; now, all F E B R U A R Y 1 7 - 1 9 , 2 0 2 4 | P A R S I P P A N Y, N Y
winning chances are gone.
So how does Black win here? We begin: WINNERS
56. ... h2 57. e6 Ng6 58. Ba8 Ne7+ 59. Kg4 1ST. Another Bacon, Egg, and Cheese en Passant Please (IM Gus Huston, Nate
Bc3 60. Kh3 Be5 61. c5 Kf6 Shuman, Ryan Peterson, Kevin Stern). 2ND. International alliance (IM Joshua Colas,
Tyrell Harriott, Lamel McBryde, Kyle Cheung). 3RD. Your worst knightmare (Ansh
Shah, Sameer Mujumdar, Kamran Rawshani, Aleksey Sergeev). 4TH. Blitzerland
(Daniel Girsh, Roman Rychkov, Max Farberov, Alan Stolyarov). 5TH. Brighton Chess
(Tobias Rizzo, Sam Luger, John Luger, Henry Swing).

CLASS PRIZES
U2100: B-E-N-K-O and Benko was his name O. U2000: Kenilworth CC. U1900:
Gambiteers. U1800: U.S. Military Academy 1. U1700: Chickmates. U1600: Keep it
in Check (ICA). U1500: Chess Mates 2. U1400: Rook’n’rollers. U1300: KQC Mixed
Generation. U1200: Deez Knights. U1000: Dean Of Chess Kings.
POSITION AFTER 61. ... Kf6
THE TOPS
With the bishop supporting the h2-pawn TOP COLLEGE TEAM: Carnegie Mellon A. TOP HS TEAM (GRADES 9-12 SAME
and restraining the c-pawn, we can careful- SCHOOL): It’s Time to Resign. TOP MIDDLE SCHOOL: Board Wizards. TOP ELE-
ly scoop the white pawns and steer toward MENTARY SCHOOL: Spring Hill. TOP TWO SCHOLASTIC TEAMS: People Against the
bishop and knight versus king: 62. Kg2 Kxe6 London System, Let Those Boys Rook. TOP MIXED DOUBLES: CKQ Alpha Dogs. TOP
63. Kh3 Nf5 64. Bh1 Nd4 65. Bb7 Nb3 66. Bh1 SENIORS: The Price is Right. TOP MILITARY: U.S. Naval Academy. TOP COMPANY
Nxc5 67. Kg2 Nd3 68. Kf1 Kf5 69. Ke2 Nf4+ 70. TEAM: Kramnik’s Math Advisors (US Chess). TOP COACHES: NYCA Coaches A. TOP
Kf3 Nh3 71. Bg2 Kg5 72. Bh1 Bf4 73. Bg2 Kh4 FEMALE TEAM: Queen’s Gambit. TOP FAMILY: Grandpa Knows Best. TOP FUTURE:
74. Bh1 Bg3 75. Bg2 Nf2 76. Ke2 h1=Q 77. Bxh1 Wicked Smaht. TOP MILITARY COLLEGE: U.S. Military Academy 1. TOP PARENT/
PHOTO: JOHN HARTMANN

Nxh1 and now all Black has to do is convert CHILD: Team Say It With Ya Chess.
one of the longest bishop and knight versus
king positions possible! It’s mate in 31! STATE WINNERS
CT: We Got Out Of Perpetual Beliccheck. DE: Mac & Chess Mate Lover. MA: Ajab. NJ:
57. Kg4 h2 58. Kg3 Kg6 59. Kxh2 Kf5 60. Your Worst Knightmare. NY (BENJAMIN AWARD): Another Bacon, Egg, and Cheese en
Bd5 Kxe5, draw. Passant Please. PA: Tata Steal Your Queen. VA: People Against the London System.
Black can make no progress whatsoever.

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 31

COVER STORY National High School Championship

The Last

DANCE
It’s nostalgia mixed
with the here and
now for our author
at the 2024
National High
School (K-12)
Championship.
BY FM DAVIS ZONG

F
ROM A BIRDS-EYE VIEW, THE
weekend of April 5-7 seemed
to be a peaceful one for Balti-
more, Maryland. The city saw
three days of clear skies, and
the resident baseball team, the
Baltimore Orioles, was away at the Pitts-
burgh Pirates, leaving thousands of seats at
Camden Yards completely empty.
Next door at the Baltimore Convention
Center, however, the heart of the scholastic 633 teams from 37 states. The 413-player well-appointed home away from home for
chess world was pounding loud and strong. championship section boasted more than seven rounds.
Lighting up the sky with fiery sacrifices and 40 masters and 120 experts. Overall, the Although the event is in April, prepara-
surgical precision alike, the 2024 National crowd of 1,825 players topped last year’s tions by organizers, schools, players, and
High School (K-12) Championship demon- attendance and set a new record. parents from all around the country began
strated the combined power of thousands Entering the playing hall for the first months in advance. From the early-bird
of adrenaline-filled chess players. round of the main event, the sheer size reservations of hotels and airplane tickets
Since its debut in 1969 at the McAlpin alone was a marvel. Walking through the sky to the assembling of schools’ chess teams,
Hotel in New York City, playing a scholastic bridges connecting the convention center to chess enthusiasts planned way ahead for
national has become an annual tradition for nearby hotels reminded me of internation- the big weekend, with nearby hotels being
many young chess players. Starting with 370 al events such as the Pan-American Youth sold out as early as mid-January.
players from 21 states in 1969, the inaugural Championship, and just like the internation- The players were itching to play, so it was
event was won by John Watson, who is now al tournaments, digital boards and clocks no surprise that the pre-event blitz tourna-
a Hall of Fame inductee in light of his many broadcasted the top boards of each sec- ment was attended by over 350 players for
contributions to our game. tion all around the world. With bathrooms whom seven rounds of slow chess simply
This year’s high school championship just off the hall, and water coolers spaced wasn’t enough action for the weekend. With
was contested across six sections, featuring all around, the tournament room was our an undefeated finish of 11½/12, IM Nico

32 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 GRÜNFELD DEFENSE (D83)
IM Jason Wang (2543)
IM Maximillian Lu (2439)
National HS Ch (5), Baltimore,
04.06.2024

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4

The opening choice itself promises an ex-
citing matchup. Wang has been playing
this line with good results, while Lu is an
experienced Grünfeld player.

4. ... Bg7 5. e3 c5 6. dxc5 Qa5 7. Rc1 0-0 8.

cxd5 Nbd7
In what seems a miraculous series of moves
to someone seeing this variation for the first
time, Lu delays capturing both central pawns
to accelerate his development.

9. f3 Nxc5 10. e4 b5! 11. b4!

A strong series of twin b-pawn thrusts by

the two IMs. In this position, time is key,
and both sides are sacrificing pawns for
extra tempi.
The natural pawn grab 11. Bxb5 would
“Just one more pic- lead to a long series of trades, which promise
ture!” was the motto comfortable equality for Black: 11. ... Nfxe4!
of the day for Dalton.
12. fxe4 Bxc3+ 13. Rxc3 Qxb5 14. Qe2 Qxe2+
15. Nxe2 Nxe4.

Chasin took home his second consecutive as the tournament was starting to heat up, 11. ... Qxb4 12. Bd2 Qb2!? 13. Rc2 Qa3 14.
title of national blitz champion, while also featuring many clashes between masters Be2 Nfd7 15. Nxb5 Qa4 16. Bc3 Bxc3+?!
leading his school, Columbia Grammar and on the top boards. Especially noteworthy The correct 16. ... Ne5! would have main-
Prep, to the blitz team title. was the round five game between IMs Jason tained the balance. By opening lines for the
Another highlight was the bughouse tour- Wang and Maximilian Lu, a game that would c8-bishop, Black disincentivizes Ng1-h3, and
ALL PHOTOS: CAROLINE KING FOR US CHESS

nament, where players team up in duos, ultimately prove critical in deciding the he keeps more pressure by avoiding trades.
passing and dropping pieces onto the board championship itself. A sample line is 17. Qd2 a6 18. Nd4 Rb8.
amidst frantic time scrambles. At the end Both sides demonstrated strong theoretical
of five double rounds, two teams — Leo knowledge in a sharp Grünfeld line, where 17. Nxc3! Qa5 18. Nh3 Nb6 19. Nf2 Bd7
Jiang + Kitana Olson and Maximillian Lu Lu prioritized a lead in development over 20. 0-0
+ Gus Huston — emerged victorious with material, hoping to exploit Wang’s stranded Wang has consolidated the pawn advantage.
9/10 points, with the former prevailing by king. After a daring pawn grab on move 15, Winning this is far from easy, but now he’s
just one tiebreak point and being crowned Wang managed to hold onto the extra pawn no longer behind in development and holds
national bughouse champions for the second all the way into the endgame. Lu defended a clear advantage.
consecutive year. stubbornly, but Wang accurately converted
The blitz awards were handed out before his extra pawn to the full point, the game 20. ... Rfc8 21. Qd2 Nca4 22. Nxa4 Qxd2
rounds three and four of the main event, just being one of the last to finish for the day. 23. Rxd2 Nxa4 24. e5 a5 25. f4?!

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 33

COVER STORY National High School Championship

Restricting the a4-knight with 25. Ne4! was onship section. I have played in weekly school
more precise. White doesn’t fear trading club meetings and national tournaments
pieces because every trade brings him closer alike with many of these players, including
to a simpler, winning endgame. Jack Levine, Kiren Nasta, Ian Nicholson, and
fellow senior Henry Burton, and it’s always
25. ... Nc3! 26. Bf3 Rab8 27. d6 exd6 heartwarming to motivate and encourage each
28. exd6 other before and after each round.
Despite our friendly rivalry, Nationals
has ultimately also been a union of New
York’s super chess schools: Hunter, Dalton,
Columbia Grammar, and Stuyvesant, among
others. Playing together from 1st to 12th
grade has made many good memories, and
no matter how brutal the over-the-board
fights get, we are all good friends outside
of the board. Calculating tiebreaks while
waiting for team results and playing blitz and
bughouse on the skittles room carpets will
always be delightful core memories for me.
Going into the last day, the tournament was
28. ... a4? up for grabs, with the top six teams all within
The final turning point. The push is natu- mere points of each other and several players
ral, advancing a potential passed pawn for within striking range of first place. This made
Black, but it turns out to be the decisive for some of the most exciting action in rounds
blunder. Now White can simply transition six and seven. The final round game between
into a winning bishop versus knight ending. Kent Slate and Derek Clasby was a true nail
More stubborn was 28. ... Rc4! as after 29. biter, with the result in jeopardy until the
Ng4 Bxg4 30. Bxg4 Rd8 the active c4-rook final moment. After Slate won back the pawn
gives better drawing chances. in the Scotch gambit, his active bishop pair
in the open position set him firmly in the
29. Ng4! Bxg4 30. Bxg4 Rd8 31. d7 Kf8 driver’s seat. However, even after ceding
32. Bf3 an Exchange to neutralize the bishop pair,
Both sides are under 20 minutes now, but Clasby remained resilient, boldly venturing
with a star like the d7-pawn on the board, to the edges of the boards to snatch every
Wang doesn’t let the win slip away. extra pawn possible. The endgame, with just
a rook, bishop, and pawns, was sharper than
32. ... f5 33. Rc1 Ne4 34. Bxe4 fxe4 35. Kf2 ever, with promotion tactics, trapped rooks,
a3 36. Ke3 Ke7 37. Rc7 Rb4 38. g4 Ke6 39. and even a sneaky fortress idea! After a long
Rc8 Ke7 40. f5 gxf5 41. gxf5 Rb6 42. Rxd8 fight with just seconds on the clock, Clasby
Kxd8 43. Kxe4 Rb2 44. Ke3 Rb5 45. f6 Rf5 prevailed, helping him finish tied for second
46. Rd6 Rf1 47. h4 h5 48. Ke4 Rf2 49. Ke5 place with 6/7.
Re2+ 50. Kf5 Rxa2 51. f7 Rf2+ 52. Kg6 a2
53. Ra6 Rg2+ 54. Kxh5 Rf2 55. Kg6 Rg2+
56. Kh6 Rf2 57. Rxa2 Rxf7 58. Rd2 Rf1 59. ITALIAN GAME (C50)
h5 Rg1 60. Rd5 Rg2 61. Kh7 Rg3 62. h6 Kent Slate (2219)
Rg2 63. Rd6 Rg3 64. Rg6 Rd3 65. Kg8 Rxd7 Derek Clasby (2393)
66. h7 Kc7 67. Rg7, Black resigned. National HS Ch (7), Baltimore,
04.07.2024
One of my favorite aspects of nationals is the
support and teamwork within school teams 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d4
and the tense yet friendly rivalry between Slate’s opening choice shows that he is ready
schools. I’m lucky to go to a very chess-loving for a fight. Despite being only the sixth most
school, Hunter College High School, whose popular move per the database, this ambi-
chess team is coached by FM Sunil Weera- tious central thrust shoves a pawn into the
mantry and IM Farai Mandizha. This year, we fire of three pieces and promises a sharp
assembled a team of 18 players in the champi- game no matter how Black captures.

4. ... Bxd4
Top: FM William Morrison in the Baltimore Clasby opts to win the pawn safely at the
Kids team room. Middle x2: I.S. 318 blows off cost of the bishop pair. Both of the other
steam. Bottom: Hunter takes home a trophy. captures are playable too.

34 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

5. Nxd4 exd4 6. 0-0 Nge7 7. Nd2 0-0 30. Rd1 Qe5 31. Qb5 Qd5 32. Qd3 bxc5
Here 7. ... d6! would have hewn closer to 33. Re1 Qh5 34. Qg3 Nb4 35. Bxb4 axb4
equality. Black wants to get as much as 36. Qxc7 Kh7 37. h3 Qg5
possible before White takes the pawn back,
i.e., 8. Nb3 Ne5 9. Qxd4 Nxc4 10. Qxc4 0-0.

8. Nf3 d6 9. Nxd4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Be6

11. Be2

21. ... Rxc4?!

The lesser evil was 21. ... Nb4!, when Black
loses a pawn instead of the Exchange: 22.
Bxb4 axb4 23. Qxb4 b6 24. Bd3 with advan-
tage to White. 38. Kh2??
The engine does not immediately approve,
22. bxc4 but strongest here is 38. Re4!. This is a hard
It would be easy to call it quits after losing move to find, as it seems to run into a skewer
an Exchange by move 22, but Clasby doesn’t after ... Ba2-d5 and a fork after ... Qg5-c1+.
The bishop pair promises Slate a pleasant give up and instead defends stubbornly. But Re4-g4 is a strong threat, and Black
position. lacks time to grab any pawns. Play might
22. ... d4 23. Rb3 b6 24. Rb5 Be6 25. Qd3 continue 38. ... Bd5 (if 38. ... Qc1+ 39. Kh2
11. ... Nc6 12. Qc3 Kh8 Re8 26. Re1 Bf7 27. Rxe8+ Qxc2 40. Rg4) 39. Rg4 Qf6 40. Qxc5 and White
It was essential to strike with 12. ... f5! be- Good technique by Slate. Trading off a pair of is winning.
fore White gets his bishops set up. Clasby rooks eliminates the difficulties significantly.
had the right idea, but perhaps he wanted 38. ... Bd5 39. f3 Bxf3!
to sidestep checks on the a2-g8 diagonal. 27. ... Qxe8 28. Rb1 h6 29. c5?! All of a sudden, another pawn grab and
White is a bit better after 13. exf5 Rxf5 Stronger was 29. Bb2! Qe6 30. Bxd4 Qxc4 Clasby has equalized! What a shocking
14. b3 Qf6. 31. Qxc4 Bxc4 32. Rd1 with a big advantage. turnaround!

13. b3 f5 14. Bb2 Qd7 15. exf5 Rxf5 16. 29. ... Bxa2! 40. Qg3
Bd3 Rc5 17. Qd2 Bf5 18. Rae1 a5 19. Re3 Grabbing a pawn here and there may not Of course the bishop is taboo in light of
Rg8 20. Bc4 d5 21. Ba3 seem like much, but it can add up. 40. gxf3?? Qd2+!.

The key seventh

round battle between
Slate and Clasby

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 35

COVER STORY National High School Championship

40. ... Bh5 41. Qxg5 hxg5 42. Re5 c4 victory without help from the bishop after become a sole winner in the Championship
43. Re4 d3 44. cxd3 cxd3 45. ... b3! 46. gxh5 d2 47. Rd4 b2. section, but IM Jason Wang pulled it off,
scoring clear first with an undefeated 6½7,
46. Rd4 Bg6 47. Rxd2 b3 48. Rb2?? just like he did in 2023. Wang was closely
The rook gets locked now, and Black is ef- followed by FM Brewington Hardaway, FM
fectively up a bishop! Sharvesh Devisapreth, FM Terry Luo, IM
Here the correct 48. Kg1!! is study-esque! Gus Huston, Derek Clasby, and Taiwei Wu,
Black’s king is trapped on h7 because any who (in tiebreak order) all shared second
move allows a horizontal rook check to get place at 6/7.
the rook behind the passed pawn. It seems The team battlefield was no less intense
that Black can win with ... Bg6-c2 and pro- than the individual competition, with sev-
moting the pawn, but White sets up an im- eral teams stacked with not one but multi-
pregnable fortress with the rook on f2 and ple titled players. Finishing on 21 points,
king on g2/h2! We see this clearly after 48. Dalton — led by IM Gus Huston, WIM Iris
... Bc2 49. Kh2 b2 50. Rxc2 b1=Q 51. Rf2 and Mou, Nathaniel Shuman, and Ryan Peterson
45. g4?? we reach a fortress draw. — defended their championship title from
This natural move, cutting off the promotion 2022 and 2023, finishing a full point ahead
square, turns out to be a decisive blunder! 48. ... Bc2! of the field this time. Dalton was followed
Now White had to find the counterintui- A nice finishing touch by Clasby, sealing the by Livingston High School with 20 points,
tive 45. Rd4!, not taking the b-pawn but in- deal after a roller coaster of a game. and Columbia Grammar, Hunter College
stead attacking the more dangerous d-pawn. High School, and Stuyvesant High School,
Now White is barely in time to stop the 49. Kg3 Kg6 50. h4 Kf6 51. hxg5+ Ke5, all with 19 points. Huston’s round six win
passers, and it would be Black who would White resigned. below, a quiet French Defense that exploded
have to play precisely to draw! A sample line into a quick and deadly kingside attack, was
is 45. ... Be2 46. Kg1 b3 47. Kf2 b2 48. Rb4 After a weekend that felt like a whole era, one of the games of the tournament for me.
g4!! Only but not obvious! Black must use the high school nationals finally came to an
the initiative granted by the passed pawns end. The U1900, U1200, U800, and Unrated
to the fullest. The g-pawn push prepares sections all saw a perfect 7-0 winner, with FRENCH DEFENSE,
simplifying trades that ensure equality: 49. Davin Chen taking U1900, Brendan Wick TARRASCH VARIATION (C07)
h4 g3+ 50. Ke3 Kh6 51. Rxb2 Kh5 and the coming first in U1200, Shu Leong topping Ethan Liu (2131)
draw is in sight. U800, and Francis Casiple winning the Un- IM Gus Huston (2489)
rated section. U1600 saw Michael Usallan National HS Ch (6), Baltimore,
45. ... d2?? and Ethan Brush tie with 6½/7, with the 04.07.2024
Both sides must have thought that Black’s former prevailing on tiebreaks.
bishop and passed pawns would decide. With a super-strong field of more than 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5.
Humorously, Black’s pawns can waltz to 400 players, it was certainly challenging to Ngf3 cxd4 6. Bc4 Qd6 7. 0-0 Nc6 8. Nb3 a6
9. Nbxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 Qc7

IM Gus Huston con-

siders his options in
round seven.

This position has been reached hundreds of

times in the database, but things quickly go
downhill for the first player here.

11. Be2
Rare, and perhaps with good reason. More
precise was 11. Bb3! to discourage the typ-
ical freeing thrust ... e6-e5, which would
free Black’s light-squared bishop. Play can
continue 11. ... Bd6 12. h3 Ne7 13. Re1 0-0
with equality.

36 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

11. ... Bd6 12. h3 Ne7 13. c4 0-0 14. Be3 first national scholastic tournament in first
e5 15. Nb3 grade, I have come back repeatedly over
Offense is often the best defense. Therefore, the years. Even with the rise of many new
I think the right move was 15. c5! Admittedly chess teams and players, and the changing
this is a hard move to play over the board, playing venues across the country, these
but the pawn thrust gives White the neces- events always have the same familiar feel.
sary activity to maintain the balance: 15. ... The halls and team rooms are full of both
Bxc5 16. Rc1 Rd8 17. Nb5 axb5 18. Rxc5 Rxd1 seasoned veterans and fresh faces looking to
19. Rxc7 Rxf1+ 20. Bxf1 and now 20. ... Nd5!. make their mark, sometimes sitting across
the board from me as opponents, or sitting
15. ... Nf5! side-to-side with me on adjacent boards.
Huston conducts the attack flawlessly from For the past decade, scholastic chess
here. nationals fostered little traditions that my
friends and I have grown to love and cherish:
16. Bd2 e4 17. Qc2?! the team photos in matching team shirts, the
Again, the best chance to hold was 17. c5! group applause thanking our amazing orga-
to eliminate the dark-squared bishop before nizers, staff, and parents, and the welcom-
... e4-e3 occurs. Black is slightly better after ing of first-year players to the chess world.
17. ... Be5 18. Bc3 Bxc3. This was my last hurrah. This fall, I’m
fortunate and excited to head off to Yale
17. ... Qe7 University, where I hope to continue to play
Notice how c4-c5 doesn’t work anymore, both individual and team chess in college.
because the dark-squared bishop can sim- With so many fond memories and hours of
ply retreat. adventures both on and off the board, it is
definitely hard to bid farewell to scholastic
18. Bc3 Nh4 19. Qd2 Rd8 20. Qe3 Nf5 21. tournaments, but no matter where my future
Qc1 Bc7 22. c5 e3 23. Bf3 Bf4 adventures take me, scholastic nationals
will always have a sweet spot in my heart.

ONE FROM
JASON
As IM Jason Wang was receiving his first
place medal, we asked him if he might anno-
tate his favorite game from the tournament
for us. Here’s what he chose.

24. Kh1?! CATALAN OPENING (E05)

Here 24. Qc2! Qg5 25. Be4 offered more IM Jason Wang (2543)
resistance. White is prepared to sacrifice James Oh (2241)
the Exchange to neutralize Black’s attack if National HS Ch (3), Baltimore,
needed. If Black grabs it immediately with 04.06.2024
25. ... exf2+? (much better is 25. ... Be6! 26. Annotations by IM Jason Wang
Rae1 h5 with a winning attack) 26. Rxf2 Be3
27. Re1 Bxf2+? 28. Qxf2 the attack completely 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5.
fizzles out. Bg2 0-0 6. 0-0 dxc4 7. Qc2 c6!?
Black opts for an interesting sideline in the
24. ... Qg5 25. g3 Nxg3+! Catalan, which turns out to be sound.
A brilliant sacrifice by Huston to finish off
the game. 8. Qxc4
Also possible is 8. a4, delaying the pawn
26. fxg3 Qxg3 27. Qc2 Rd2!, White re- capture. White has the standard tiny edge
signed. after 8. ... b6 9. Qxc4.
As a famous chess streamer might say, “He
sacrifices THE ROOK!”
Top: Rochelle Ballantyne in the Girls Club.
After wrapping up the seventh round, I could Middle: Two Scholar-Chessplayers! Bottom:
not help but feel deep nostalgia. Since my GM Elshan Moradiabadi in all-comers blitz.

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 37

COVER STORY National High School Championship

8. ... b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Rd1 Nbd7 11. Nc3 b4 cxb3 e.p. 17. axb3 b4 18. e5 bxc3 19. exf6 f2-square. After (b) 18. ... Rf7! 19. Nf4 Qxe4
Qb6 exd5 20. fxg7 Rfc8 with dynamic equality. 20. Qxe4 Bxe4 21. Bg2 Black objectively
should draw.
14. Na4 Qa6 15. Ng5?
The right move was 15. Bg5! Rfe8 (alterna- 16. ... Rfd8
tives: (a) 15. ... h6 16. Bxf6 Nxf6 17. d6 Bxd6 After 16. ... exd5 17. exd5 c4 White again
18. e5 Be4 19. Rxd6 Qxd6 20. Qxe4 Nxe4 21. lacks concrete dynamics that might justify
exd6 and two pieces for the rook and pawn is his awkwardly placed knights.
much better for White, while (b) 15. ... exd5?
16. e5 wins a piece) 16. Bf1 Qa5 17. dxe6 fxe6 17. b3 Rac8
18. Re1 is a dynamic position, but White’s Or 17. ... exd5 18. exd5 Nb6 with an edge
control of the c4-square, coupled with the to Black.
weak black pawn on e6, should give White
the advantage. 18. dxe6! Qxe6 19. Nf4! Qa6
12. e4!? After 19. ... Bxe4!? 20. Nxe6 (20. Qe2 Qf5 21.
This seems like the principled move, gain- 15. ... h6 f3 Bc6 22. Qxe7 Re8 23. Qd6 Ne5 and Black
ing space in the center as Black is playing has compensation for the piece) was my in-
on the flank. In truth, however, 12. Ne5! is tention. The position is approximately equal
probably the way to play for an advantage. after 20. ... Bxc2 21. Nxd8 Bxd1 22. Nc6 Bf8.
After 12. ... Rfd8 13. Bg5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Rxd1+
15. Nxd1 Nd5 16. Bxe7 Nxe7 17. a4 White is 20. Bb2 Bd6?
probing weaknesses and should have a long- Correct per the computer was 20. ... c4!
term advantage via the strong bishop on g2. 21. e5 c3 (if 21. ... Ng4 22. e6! with count-
er-chances) 22. exf6 Bxf6 23. Bc1 Ne5 and
12. ... c5 13. d5?! White’s queenside looks handicapped. Play
This move is also typical, but ineffective due might continue 24. Nd5 Bxd5 25. Rxd5 Rxd5
to a lack of concrete resources on White’s 26. Bxd5 Qd3 27. Qxd3 Nxd3 28. Be4 c2 29.
end. Bxd3 Bxa1 30. Kf1 Bd4 when Black has the
Stronger was 13. e5 Nd5 14. Bg5 Nb4 15. winning chances.
Qb1 Bxf3 16. dxc5 Nxc5 17. Bxe7 Bxd1 18. 16. Nh3?!
Qxd1. Here 16. dxe6!? fxe6 17. Bf1 Qc6 18. Nxe6!? 21. Rxd6! Qxd6 22. e5 Nxe5 23. Bxb7 Rc7
is very interesting, and I saw it during the 24. Re1 Re7 25. Bxe5 Rxe5 26. Rxe5 Qxe5
13. ... b4 game. Now (a) 18. ... Nxe4 is what I had 27. Kg2
Perhaps Black should have played 13. ... c4, calculated. 19. Bc4! Rf7 20. Bd5 Qxd5 21.
opening up the c5-square for the bishop. Rxd5 Bxd5 and now 22. Bf4! (the position
White’s pawns in the center look strong, but after 22. Nc7 Bc6 is wild. White has a queen
he currently lacks a way to use them. The for bishop and rook, but the engine returns
computer line is 14. Be3 (14. Bg5 Bc5 is a bit 0.00!) is the only move to maintain White’s
better for Black) 14. ... Bc5 15. Bxc5 Nxc5 16. advantage, cutting off Black’s attack on the

The Dalton team is

all smiles after their
three-peat!

White has liquidated and should be in a

technically winning position.

27. ... Qe1 28. Nd3 Qe7 29. Ndxc5 h5 30.

h4 Ng4 31. Bf3 Qe1 32. Qe2?
Losing the advantage; now the endgame is
drawn. Simple and winning was 32. Ne4,
with Qc2-c7 coming.

32. ... Qxe2 33. Bxe2 Rd2 34. Bxg4 hxg4

35. Na6 Rxa2 36. Nxb4 Ra3 37. Nc5 a5?
Black perilously pushes his pawn onto a
weaker square.
After 37. ... Ra1 Black’s constant ability
to threaten the b3-pawn, combined with

38 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

the locking in of White’s king, renders this
position drawn. 2024 NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
38. Nc2 Ra2 39. Ne3 Rd2 40. Nc4? ( K - 1 2 ) C H A M P I O N S H I P AT A G L A N C E
I think 40. Nb7 is the easiest way to win. B A LT I M O R E , M D | A P R I L 5 - 7 , 2 0 2 4

40. ... Ra2 41. Na4? Kf8 42. Nxa5 Ke7? INDIVIDUAL:
With the stronger 42. ... Ra3! White’s queen- CHAMPIONSHIP: IM Jason Wang (OH), 6½/7. U1900: David Chen (NY), 7/7.
side is suddenly locked! Still, White should U1600: Jake Usallan, Ethan Brush, 6½/7. U1200: Brendan Wick, 7/7. U800: Shu
win after 43. Nc4 (43. Kf1 g6 44. Ke2 Kg7 45. Leong, 7/7. UNRATED: Francis Casiple, 7/7. BLITZ: IM Nico Chasin (NY), 11½.
Ke3 f5 is a bit better for White) 43. ... Rxb3 BUGHOUSE: Lucas Jiang + Kitana Olson, Maximillian Lu + Gus Huston, 9/10.
44. Ne3 with good technique.

43. Nc4 Ke6 44. Nc3 Ra1 45. Ne2 Rb1 46. TEAM:
Ne3 Rb2 47. Nd4+ Kd7 48. Nxg4 Rd2 49. CHAMPIONSHIP: Dalton (NY), 21 points. U1900: Stuyvesant HS (NY), 19½.
Ne5+ Ke7 50. Kf3 f6 51. Ke3 Rd1 52. Nd3 U1600: Sparta HS (NJ), 19½. U1200: Valley HS (KY), 21. U800: Pocono Mountain
Rb1 53. b4 g6 54. Nf4 g5 55. hxg5 fxg5 56. East HS (PA), 22½. UNRATED: Niles North (IL), 21. BLITZ: Columbia Grammar &
Nd3 Kf6 57. Ke4 Kg6 58. b5 Kf6 59. Kd5 Prep (NY), 40½.
Ke7 60. Ne5, Black resigned.

IM Jason Wang never

left the top board as
he took the title.

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 39

 worldchesshof.org | @WorldChessHOF
D T X \

Clash for the Crown: Celebrating Chess Champions explores the

histories of the World Chess Championship and Women’s World Chess
Championship. This exhibition coincides with the 100th anniversary of
FIDE’s founding and includes never-before-exhibited artifacts related to
many of the game’s most accomplished players.

ON VIEW The mission of the World Chess Hall of Fame is to educate visitors, fans, players, and scholars by preserving, exhibiting and interpreting the game of
chess and its continuing cultural and artistic significance.
April 11, 2024 – The Museum does not discriminate or permit harassment or discrimination on the basis of gender, race, color, national and ethnic origin in the treat-
January 12, 2025 ment of individuals with respect to employment, or admission or access to Museum facilities, programs or activities.
 May 8 - 12 June 26 - July 5 July 10 - 14

WATCH LIVE
GRANDCHESSTOUR.ORG | YOUTUBE | TWITCH

#SuperbetRapidBlitzPoland #SuperbetChessClassic #SuperUnitedRapidBlitzCroatia @GrandChessTour D T \

      

#CairnsCup #STLChessClub @STLChessClub D T \

PERSPECTIVE Arthur Guo

ACHIEVING MY
AIM
Reflections on
earning the
GM title, and
what I learned
along the way.
BY GM ARTHUR GUO

unconditional love and my dad’s unwaver- was wrong. The following year saw some of
ing support that enabled me to fail and fail the worst chess I’ve ever played. Between bal-
PART I - THE again for years so I could figure things out ancing AP classes and other extracurriculars,
OTHER SIDE OF on my own and grow. failed tournament after tournament began
Often, the prolonged frustration I’d feel piling up. Chess became a nuisance, a bur-
CHESS SUCCESS would have me wondering if chess was den. I no longer could muster anything like
IF ANY WORD WERE TO DEFINE ME, IT actually my thing. I would put unhealthy the same zeal and excitement as I had before.
would be “chess.” Consequently, I’ve thought pressure on myself to meet my standards Worse, even sitting down to study chess
a lot about what I’ve told my friends and my of success, and my parents naturally had had become difficult. I was either too dis-
teachers over the years about it: how I in- expectations for me as well. When I didn’t tracted and indifferent, or I made sure to
PHOTO: COURTESY SLCC / LENNART OOTES

tentionally leave out the parts I think people meet those standards, I withdrew from tour- procrastinate so that I didn’t have to stare at
won’t want to hear, and why I often take for naments out of embarrassment. the piles of analysis. Even when I did force
granted everything this beautiful journey I unexpectedly won the National Open in myself to work, I kicked the can down the
across 64 squares has exposed me to. Las Vegas in the summer of 2021, right after road, ignoring my weaknesses and all the
I’m writing this article because I don’t my freshman year of high school. I finished effort that improvement required.
want to continue succumbing to those im- ahead of 22 grandmasters and earned my I had turned my passion into labor. Even
pulses. first grandmaster norm after three-or-so- when there were bright spots in my play,
I started playing chess when I was around years of zero improvement. I remember light piercing through chess’ dark forest,
six years old. I wish I had understood how feeling relieved, thinking, “Finally! This is I chose to ignore them to linger on the
to improve or how to approach chess at that my breakthrough.” same fear that I would forever fall short of
stage, but I didn’t. It was only my mom’s But the bitter truth soon became clear: I becoming a grandmaster. It took a toll on

42 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

me. Whether I’d wanted to admit it or not, fourth and final tournament in Europe: the
chess had finally broken me. Sparkassen Chess Trophy at the Dortmund
Chess Festival.
So I quit. After winning my first two rounds there, I
played GM Peter Prohaszka in round three.
In the summer before my junior year, my (Editor’s note: for another take on this game,
dad and I agreed I should “take a break” check out WGM Tatev Abrahamyan’s anno-
from chess to pursue my other passions. tations in our October 2023 article.)
It was supposed to be temporary, but we
both knew I was giving up the game for a
long while. The shame and regret I felt were CARO-KANN DEFENSE,
unbearable — 10 years down the drain. It ADVANCE VARIATION (B12)
felt cowardly. I blitzed out my moves to here and accu- IM Arthur Guo (2445)
Yet there was a certain peace I felt in mulated a considerable time advantage. I GM Peter Prohaszka (2585)
quitting. Not thinking about chess for about felt confident I could outplay my opponent. Sparkassen A-Open (3), Dortmund,
a year made me rethink my standards and Black has the half-open f-file, the outpost 06.26.2023
what I enjoyed about the game. After a few on the b4-square, and potential breaks with
months, I began to miss the adrenaline. I ... d6-d5 and ... c7-c5 at any given moment. 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2
missed sitting down to adjust my pieces, Meanwhile, White has to deal with his hang- Nd7 6. 0-0 a5 7. a4 f6!?
focusing, and immersing myself in every ing pawn center and the awkward positions An uncommon move order.
nuance of a position for hours on end. I of his major pieces.
missed the feeling of winning and proving 8. Bd3?!
myself wrong. I just missed chess. 20. d5 exd5?? Not the most testing. After 8. Be3 Qc7 9. c4
What I realized is that sometimes, step- Impatient and immature. I don’t know why fxe5 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Nxe5 Black needs to
ping back is okay; I now understand that I rushed to play this move. White has only be careful to develop his pieces quickly.
being away brought me closer to the game. two options, and I didn’t care to evaluate
As my dad and I packed my summer 2023 one of them. So take heart, readers: even 8. ... Bxd3 9. Qxd3 fxe5 10. dxe5 Nc5
schedule with two and a half months of good chess players get impulsive sometimes! 11. Qd4 Qd7 12. Be3 Nh6
nonstop chess, I hoped for a new start and Of course the only viable option was 20. Inviting an interesting imbalance.
felt excited for my last shot at this GM thing ... e5. After 21. Rc3 Na6 22. Qb5 Nc5 23. Qxd7
before my senior year. Nfxd7 Black will press for the win. 13. Bxh6 gxh6
It was smooth sailing at first. After achiev-
ing my second and third norms in my first 21. e5
two tourneys in Budapest, I thought I had We played many more moves, but the game
finally struck gold. is now as good as lost.
Then came a harsh reality check in the
Rigo Janos Memorial. Coming off an abysmal 21. ... dxe5 22. Nxe5 Qc8 23. Nxf7 Rxf7
collapse, and then blowing a clearly winning 24. Rde1 Qd7 25. Qd1 d4 26. Rf3 Qd5
endgame in the previous two rounds, I was 27. Nf5 Nc6 28. Qe2 Kh7 29. Qd3 Kh8 30.
poised to strike back against an opponent Nxh6 Re7 31. Rxe7 Nxe7 32. Ng4 Nd7 33.
who was also struggling in the tournament. Rf4 c5 34. Re4 Qf5 35. f3 Kh7 36. b3 Qg6
37. h4 Nf5 38. h5 Qg5 39. h6 gxh6 40. Qb5
Nf8 41. Qxb6 d3 42. Qxc5 d2 43. Nf2 Ng6
GIUOCO PIANO (C54) 44. Qxa5 h5 45. f4 d1=Q+ 46. Nxd1, Black
GM Adam Horvath (2472) resigned. 14. Nbd2 Rg8 15. c3 h5 16. h3
IM Arthur Guo (2445) I felt like I was already losing the thread
Rigo Janos Memorial (7), Hungary, I was devastated after I lost that game. One here. Black’s king is safe and his pieces are
06.21.2023 cannot quantify my desperation and anger active, while he has a clear plan of targeting
when I realized I was letting my emotions the fragile White kingside.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 get the best of me. Going into the tour-
5. d3 d6 6. 0-0 h6 7. a4 a6 8. Nbd2 Ba7 9. nament believing I could just as quickly 16. ... Qf7 17. Qe3 Be7 18. Kh1 Qg6 19. Ne1
Re1 Be6 10. Bxe6 fxe6 11. Nf1?! continue my winning ways to break 2500 Too passive.
Harmless. was a mistake and a lesson to be learned. I
had to reset. After enjoying the sunset and 19. ... 0-0-0?!
11. ... a5! soaking in the serenity of the vast expanse The first mistake, allowing counterplay.
The right counter. With prophylaxis against of Hungary’s largest lake, I did just that. Instead 19. ... Kd7! is what I was ex-
b2-b4, Black has equalized. I won the next two rounds, and despite pecting. The king’s station in the center is
shedding a couple of rating points, I felt well-protected, and the a8-rook serves to
12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Rxe3 0-0 14. Ng3 Qd7 this was even for the best. The struggle, and enforce prophylaxis against any b2-b4 break.
15. h3 b6 16. Qb3 Rf7 17. Rd1 Raf8 18. d4 the working through it, kept me ground-
exd4 19. cxd4 Nb4 ed, hungry, and feeling confident for my 20. b4 axb4 21. cxb4 Ne4 22. b5

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 43

PERSPECTIVE Arthur Guo

Suddenly I realized that I didn’t even know

how to celebrate. All my friends and family
were thousands of miles away — all I could
do was text them. I think that’s why I felt a
bit empty then. I won’t forget the surreal
train ride back to the hotel, looking out the
window in silence, and seeing all the stations
and people pass by like any other normal day,
oblivious to my feeling of accomplishment.
I wish somebody had told me that be-
coming a grandmaster is not the End-All-
Be-All and that it wouldn’t suddenly make
22. ... Bg5?? 14. Nc2 exd4 15. cxd4 bxa4 16. Rxa4 a5 me fulfilled. I wish somebody had told me
My opponent slips in time pressure. The 17. Re1 Ne7 18. Bxb7 Rxb7 19. Ne3 Rab8 what embarking on this chess expedition
natural 22. ... Bc5 kept the edge after 23. Qe2 20. h3 c6 21. Nc4 Qe6 22. Qc1 was really about.
Rdf8 24. Nxe4 Qxe4 25. Qxe4 dxe4. Here, an equal position arises with both It wasn’t about the titles or the rating gains.
sides having weak pawns. This was the end It was about learning from my mistakes and
23. f4 Bh4 24. Nxe4 Qxe4 25. Qd2 of my pre-game preparation. growing into the person I am today.
A quiet sidestep by the queen reveals how The requirements for the GM title now
quickly White is able to consolidate his 22. ... Bc7 23. Nxa5 Bxa5 24. Rxa5 Rxb2 completed, I returned home to the States in
position. 25. Ra8 Rxa8 26. Qxb2 July for the 2023 U.S. Junior Championship.
There I suffered a tough loss in the final
25. ... d4 26. Nf3 round after going in tied for first, destroy-
How the tables have turned! Now Black’s ing any chances for qualifying to the U.S.
king is in severe danger. Championship. But then, almost as fated,
I was fortunate enough to earn a perfect
26. ... Bg3 27. bxc6 bxc6 28. Rab1 Bxf4 29. score (6/6) for a second consecutive win
Qb4 Kd7 30. Qd6+ Ke8 31. Qxe6+ Kf8 32. at the 2023 Denker to cap off my summer.
Qf6+ Ke8 33. Rb7, Black resigned. Chess has taught me about ups and
downs, and that life goes on. Wins and losses
The win was not clean, and I was fortunate are both natural and necessary; both must
to stay on track. A grueling five-and-a-half be embraced. And even quitting is okay.
hour game against GM Aryan Chopra in Chess has made me realize how blessed
round four, however, brought me back to I am to have found a passion while I was
my senses. Following quick comeback win Liquidation. The rest is balanced. young and could devote everything I had
in round five, the most crucial round thus to it. It’s made me appreciate all the people
far awaited me, which would set the tone 26. ... Qd7 27. Rc1 Qc7 28. g3 Qa7 29. Kg2 who have shared this journey with me. But
for the rest of my tournament. Rb8 30. Ra1 Qc7 31. Qa3 Rc8 32. Rc1 Qd8 above all, through the years I’ve spent on
33. Nd2 Ra8 34. Qb3 Rb8 35. Qc3 Qb6 36. chess, and all the struggles to achieve my
Rb1 Qc7 37. Ra1 Qb7 38. Nc4 d5 39. Nd6 goals, I have been shown glimpses of my-
RUY LOPEZ, ARKHANGEL Qd7 40. e5 Nf5 41. Ra6 Nxd6 42. exd6 Qxd6 self I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. That’s
VARIATION (C78) 43. Rxc6 Qd7 44. Rc5 Rd8 45. Qf3 Qe6 46. the real gift chess has given me, and I don’t
GM Ruslan Ponomariov (2664) g4 g5 47. Rc3 Qe4 48. Qxe4 dxe4 49. Rc4 think there’s anything more important I
IM Arthur Guo (2445) Ra8 50. d5 Rd8 51. Rxe4 Rxd5, draw. could have learned along the way.
Sparkassen A-Open (6), Dortmund,
06.29.2023 Getting a draw as Black against a very strong
grandmaster not only grew my confidence,
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 but it also ensured I’d get even more favor- PART II - MY
5. 0-0 b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 able pairings (for norm purposes) in the
This is second time I played the Archangle- final rounds.
SECRET SAUCE
sk. My opponent, a former world champion, The next three rounds were considerably AND TIPS
was ready for it. less stressful. Solid draws against two 2600s Every chess player is different. Likewise, their
as White and a win as Black against a lower road to improvement will be unique. But I do
7. a4 Bb7 8. c3 d6 9. d4 Bb6 10. Bg5 h6 rated player concluded my title run with hope you’ll gain a bit from my experience.
11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. Bd5 0-0 13. Na3 Rfb8! another GM norm performance. Here is my advice to readers.
After my dad told me I broke the 2500
(see diagram top of next column) rating following my last round, I expelled an 1. WHAT AND HOW TO STUDY
impassioned “YES!!,” and felt nauseous (in a WITH A BUSY LIFE?
Here my opponent’s prep had ended, but I good way). How inexplicably weird to have Like many other full-time students, or adult
was still firmly in book, guided by human the last dozen years of my life culminate in players with multiple life obligations, I didn’t
assistance and that of Leela. one singular moment. have the luxury of many hours a day to study

44 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 chess. The truth is that on many weekdays, crucial; if national master is your goal, then may be better at something else. You will
I didn’t even glance at a board. an IM coach is needed, and so on. come back if you truly miss it, and then you
If you don’t have much time, efficiency However, after your US Chess rating is will know chess is your thing. I would also
in studying is key. For me, I spent my time around 2300 or so, I think it’s possible to argue that interests outside of chess may help
studying GM Magnus Carlsen’s games deeply. plow ahead on your own, especially with all you grow overall, helping your chess without
I would argue that all you need to become a the tools available today: books, annotated your recognizing the benefits.
strong player can be found there. games, videos, online classes, and chess For the parents reading this article, I would
Carlsen’s games have no weaknesses, span engines. refer to an old blogspot post IM Greg Sha-
all kinds of openings, and reveal the best mid- Good coaching is expensive, and many hade wrote many years ago. There he said
dle-game and endgame strategies. Of course, families can’t afford it. Tthe ability to study on getting to GM is very hard, and that while
working with annotations or books on his your own becomes critical. One thing I have chess should be encouraged, it should not be
games can help you understand how the best noticed is that the desire to read chess books forced or falsely pushed. I completely agree.
player in the history of chess thinks. Look up at a very young age often is an indication of As with any time-intensive activity, excel-
the theories if you don’t understand certain how much you will remain truly passionate lence in chess requires years of sacrifices.
openings, pawn structures, strategic themes, about chess later on. The trade-off is having less time to pursue
or endgames, and fire up your engines if you I was fortunate to be among the few made other activities, to focus on academic inter-
can’t grasp why a move is a mistake. the GM title before graduating high school ests, or to spend time with friends and family.
Study those brilliant games — or the games without being homeschooled. I did it without I would argue that even if your kids choose
of your favorite elite GM — again and again. a coach (though I briefly tried to find one), for not to continue in chess, your investment
Everything you need is there. the last six and half years, and after becoming won’t be wasted. I suspect many of them will
Also: work hard and relentlessly on your a strong master. Progress is definitely possi- find their way back to the board again in an-
weaknesses. Chess is more like a marathon ble, but I would be lying if I were to say that other stage of their life, or at least, they can
than a 100-meter dash. In other words, slow it had not been a very lonely and tough road coach their own kids in the future!
and steady wins the race. to traverse. Extremely hard work is needed, Finally, I would like to close by thanking
and so is a pure mind/heart; both are more the people who were instrumental to my
2. PLAYING UP AND PLAYING important than the often overrated “talents.” chess progress: David Vest, who got me start-
DOWN ed in a free library chess class and became
I learned a lesson by always playing up in 4. PURSUE OTHER PASSIONS my coach in my first few years playing; GM
my early chess career. The truth is, I “en- Chess is wonderful, but it’s not everything. Alonso Zapata, who guided me to a rating of
joyed” playing up because it often result- Regardless of what your coach tells you, the nearly 2300 US Chess— I was his first student
ed in gained rating points. But playing up truth is that it’s just one of many passions, when he moved to Atlanta from Colombia; IM
doesn’t give you the pressure you will have activities, or hobbies you can pursue. It’s Greg Shahade, whose US Chess School camps
to face in open tournaments, in which you not the magic pill for your future success, made me hungry to improve; and finally, GM
inevitably will play players around your level but the lessons learned from chess — like Sam Shankland, who helped me shake off the
or below your level. It took me a long time those from any other competitive sport or rustiness after a long absence from chess and
to overcome a sense of uneasiness when intellectual interest, if intensely pursued — boosted my confidence by working with me in
playing lower-rated players due to the fact can be very helpful. an intense multi-day training session.
I always played up. It is okay to leave chess if you find out you To all of them, I’m very grateful.
This is why, if I had to start over, I would
balance playing up with playing in my rat-
ing groups.
I continued to play in scholastic events,
especially Nationals, even after I was already
a titled player. Nationals are hard on the top
seeds. A lot of kids are underrated, and they
prepare with their grandmaster coaches to
take the top players down. You rarely gain
any rating points, and a slight miss is all you
need to ruin your championship chances.
What, then, is the benefit of playing na-
tionals? The experience of how to handle
pressure. It is very stressful to sit on the top
boards all the time; you’ll learn how gravity
works. Fighting against it is a path to growth.
PHOTO: COURTESY SUBJECT

3. COACHING AND LEARNING

TO STUDY ON YOUR OWN
I believe having someone stronger than
you to discuss things with is a shortcut to
improvement. If you want to reach an expert
level, having at least an master-level coach is

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 45

SOLITAIRE CHESS Instruction

7. 0-0
White could also have played 7. a4, de-
terring 7. ... b5, though at the cost of weak-

Sammy was
ening the b4-square.**

7. Par Score 5 b5
By mobilizing in this way, Black now has a
post for his queen-bishop at b7.

Real Good 8. Bd3

A small inaccuracy that doesn’t really gen-
erate an attack. Much safer was 8. Be2.**
Technique and tactics meet in a 8. Par Score 5 cxd4
pleasing game. Reshevsky trades for stability and clarity. You
may accept full credit for 8. ... Bb7, which
BY BRUCE PANDOLFINI keeps the central tension.

9. exd4
Lasker accepts the isolated d-pawn. Will it
prove to be weak or strong?**

9. Par Score 5 Bb7

Black’s light-squared bishop is well posted

P OLISH-BORN GM SAMUEL
Reshevsky (1911-1992) was a
true chess prodigy and one of
America’s greatest players. He
Now ensure that the position above is set up
on your chessboard. As you play through the
remaining moves in this game, use a piece of
paper to cover the article, exposing Black’s
here, but you may accept full credit for 9. ...
Be7, expediting kingside castling.

10. Bg5
won the U.S. Championship eight times (as next move only after trying to guess it. If White activates his last minor piece.**
did his famous rival Bobby Fischer) and from you guess correctly, give yourself the par
the mid 1930s through the early 1960s, Re- score. Sometimes points are also awarded 10. Par Score 5 Be7
shevsky was a legitimate candidate for the for second-best moves, and there may even Black develops and breaks the pin. Accept
world chess championship. His style was an be bonus points — or deductions — for other full credit for 10. ... Nbd7.
unusual mix of position play and resourceful moves and variations. Note that ** means
tactics. During his heyday he was capable that Black’s move is on the next line.** 11. Qe2
of beating anyone. In this month’s offering, Having played 7. Bd3, more consistent would
playing against Emanuel Lasker at Notting- 4. Par Score 5 e6 be 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Be4.**
ham in 1936, Reshevsky (Black) nurses his The text enables development for the
position along until his strategic advantages f8-bishop. You may accept full credit for 11. Par Score 5 0-0
lead to a surprising tactical conclusion. either 4. ... a6 or 4. ... c5. A natural move, removing the king from
the center. You may accept full credit for
5. Bxc4 11. ... Nbd7.
QUEEN’S GAMBIT White develops and gets back the so-called
ACCEPTED (D28) gambit pawn.** 12. Rad1
Emanuel Lasker White overprotects his d-pawn. The advance
Samuel Reshevsky 5. Par Score 5 c5 12. a4 also makes sense.**
Nottingham, 1936 One typical reason to play the Queen’s Gam-
bit Accepted is to liquidate a few pawns in 12. Par Score 5 Nbd7
1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 the center and possibly saddle White with The queen-knight is better placed on d7
an isolated d-pawn, which can be a negative (instead of c6), keeping the b7-bishop’s long
or a positive, depending on various factors. diagonal unobstructed.
You can accept full credit for 5. ... a6, hoping
to follow with a timely ... b7-b5. 13. Ne5
One plus White’s isolated pawn does give is
6. Nc3 an anchor for a knightly intrusion to e5.**
This is a typical development. White could
also have castled.** 13. Par Score 7 Nd5
Blockading the d4-pawn may lead to some
6. Par Score 5 a6 trades, but that’s okay. Isolated pawns tend
Black continues with the plan of a subse- to be weaker in the endgame. You may ac-
quent 7. ... b5. cept full credit for 13. ... Rc8.

46 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 ABCS OF CHESS PROBLEM 1
Mating net
PROBLEM 2
Mating net
PROBLEM 3
Mating net
THESE PROBLEMS ARE ALL
related to key positions in
this month’s game. In each case,
White is to move. The answers
can be found in Solutions on
page 63.

MAY EXERCISE:
One thing chess engines don’t
quite do yet is translate analysis
into words. An excellent way to
get more out of your chess is to PROBLEM 4 PROBLEM 5 PROBLEM 6
summarize your games in a writ- Mating net Mating net Mating net
ten paragraph of about a hun-
dred words. There’s a real art to
explaining what you attempted
to do and why it succeeded or
failed. As you read through
these accumulating abstracts,
you should come away with a
better sense for what you’re do-
ing right and what you must still
learn how to do better.

14. Bc1 17. Par Score 6 Rfc8 21. Par Score 5 Nxf3+
Lasker avoids trading bishops, still hop- Black uses the king-rook to zero in on the White must allow his kingside to be rup-
ing for a kingside attack. Nevertheless, target at c3. The queen-rook may still find tured, since 22. Qxf3 Qxb5 loses a bishop.
Reshevsky’s position is structurally solid. action on the a-file.
Advantage Black.** 22. gxf3
18. Bb2 Black could take back on f3, or . . .**
14. Par Score 5 Nxc3 White’s weakness is upheld, but Black’s po-
This exchange creates a fresh weakness in sitional advantage is significant.** 22. Par Score 5 Qg5+
the White camp. This check is decisive. If 23. Kh1, both 23.
18. Par Score 6 Ne4 ... Qh5 and 23. ... Qg4 are crushing.
15. bxc3 The knight’s invasion makes sense, since
The isolated d-pawn is gone, but now White trading pieces increases Black’s endgame 23. White resigns.
is hampered with the hanging pawn pair at superiority.
c3 and d4.**
19. Rc1
15. Par Score 5 Nf6 White’s Scotch Tape holds the position to-
Reshevsky maneuvers to occupy d5. You may gether for now, but for how long?**
accept full credit for 15. ... Nxe5, when 16.
dxe5 Qc7 retains Black’s edge. 19. Par Score 7 Ng5
A strong little tactic. Mate at g2 renders
16. a4 Black’s knight immune.
White tries to loosen Black’s queenside. If
16. ... bxa4, there follows 17. c4, and the 20. axb5
isolated pawn pair is now mobile.** Taking on b5 doesn’t change much. Black
still keeps control.**
16. Par Score 5 Qd5 A clear, nicely played little gem by
Mate is threatened, but just as logical is 16. 20. Par Score 4 axb5 Reshevsky.
... Qc7 (full credit), pressuring the c3-pawn. This simple recapture leaves White without
a good answer. For up-to-date chess news and
17. Nf3 analysis, check out Chess Life
Lasker thought this retreat was safer than 21. Bxb5 Online at uschess.org/clo on a
moving the f-pawn, though both f2-f3 and Lasker takes a pawn, perhaps expecting to regular basis.
f2-f4 also worked.** lose one on the kingside.**

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 47

BOOKS AND BEYOND Should I Buy It?

What’s Old is New

Again
Kuljasevic and Mendonca on the “Keymer Variation”
BY IM JOHN WATSON

T RADITIONALLY, THE OPENING

sequence 1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 hasn’t
attracted much interest from
high-level players. The bril-
products on the Keymer System appeared
late last year: Davorin Kuljasevic’s Reti Open-
ing – Repertoire for White after 1. Nf3 d5 2. e3
from Modern Chess, and Leon Mendonca’s
Bg4 3. c4, Kuljasevic looks only at 3. ... c6,
Mendonca only at 3. ... e6. Mendonca cov-
ers some lines which Kuljasevic considers
outside the scope of his investigation, for
liant and unorthodox master Adolf Albin The Keymer Variation — 1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 from example, the Schlechter Slav via the order
used 2. e3 in some elite level games in the ChessBase. 1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 g6 3. c4 c6 4. d4 Bg7 5. Nc3
late 19th- and early 20th-centuries, but for GM Kuljasevic (who wrote the excellent Nf6, and the sequence 1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6
over 100 years it languished in obscurity. biography of Ding Liren I reviewed in the 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 a6 (a type of Chebanenko
Over the past few years, in large part due April issue) is an experienced player and Slav). Overall, Kuljasevic’s coverage of the
to the successes of GM Vincent Keymer, 2. author with 40 Modern Chess products to main lines tends to have more detail than
e3 has dramatically increased in popular- his name. Mendonca is an 18-year-old talent Mendonca’s (although not always), which
ity, including repeated use by the likes of who achieved his Grandmaster title at age might appeal to advanced players. Ideally,
Carlsen, Nakamura, Caruana, So, Wei Yi, 14 and won this year’s powerful Challeng- someone interested in using the Keymer as
and many others. ers section at Wijk aan Zee. Both ebooks a weapon will want to have both products.
Superficially passive, 2. e3 blocks the de- combine video presentations with databas- Let’s look at the most popular setup for
velopment of the c1-bishop and neglects to es of theory, recommending a repertoire Black, selecting just a few ideas from each
acquire space, which explains its historical for White against the most likely and logi- author:
neglect. Nevertheless, an unprepared oppo- cal Black setups. The authors supply PGN
nent can easily run into difficulties against it. files with their analysis, so that you get the 1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. c4 e6
The basic idea is that 2. e3 waits for Black to equivalent of a small repertoire book on the The Queen’s Gambit Declined order, a fa-
commit; after any logical reply, White can set opening. Mendonca’s ChessBase product vorite among Black players. The Semi-Slav
up a position that is genuinely unbalanced. includes the ChessBase Opening Trainer, setup 3. ... c6 4. Nc3 e6 is also very popular,
In many lines White follows with 3. c4, 4. which makes it easy to drill with the lines when White can delay d2-d4 by 5. b3, with
Nc3, 5. b3, and 6. Bb2. and test your play; assuming that you have some surprisingly tactical consequences.
I suspect that some of the appeal of the ChessBase, you can do similar training on One line goes 5. ... Bd6 6. Bb2 Nbd7 7. Qc2
“Keymer Variation” is a reaction to Black’s Kuljasevic’s PGN files by using the “replay
renewed success in multiple variations of training” function.
the classical Queen’s Gambit Declined and The authors cover the same variations
Slav defenses. By delaying or not playing with a few exceptions. Kuljasevic deals
d2-d4, White can avoid the often extreme- with 1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 only; the reader has to
ly theoretical QGD and Slav lines that tend prepare answers to lines beginning with 1.
to peter out before the first player has the ... Nf6, 1. ... c5, 1. ... f5, 1. ... g6, etc. The
chance to set out on his or her own. With same applies to Mendonca’s repertoire,
the Keymer, the play is usually less forcing but he makes an exception when looking
and the pieces stay on the board longer. at independent lines following 1. Nf3 c5
It’s remarkable to see the abundance of 2. b3. Both authors sometimes limit their POSITION AFTER 7. Qc2
new theory about 2. e3 that has accumulated coverage of lines that are less frequently
over such the last three years. Two e-book played. For example, after 1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 7. ... 0-0 (7. ... e5 8. cxd5 cxd5? 9. Nb5 with

48 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

the idea 9. ... Bb8 10. Ba3!) 8. Rg1!? (going Worse is 10. ... h6?! 11. g4! with the idea A position that has been well-tested in
for the king!) 8. ... a6 9. g4 b5 10. g5 Ne8 11. 11. ... Nxc3 12. g5!!, e.g., 12. ... Nd5 13. gxh6 grandmaster play. With his better minor
h4 bxc4 12. bxc4 Rb8 13. h5 e5! 14. cxd5 cxd5 f5! 14. Bxg7 Rf7 15. Rg1 Kh7 16. 0-0-0 with pieces, White has a tiny edge. It is probably
15. Nxd5 Bb7 16. Bc4 Nb6! 17. Nf6+! gxf6 18. a great attack. only temporary, but the positive aspect is
gxf6+ Kh8 19. Nxe5 Nxc4!? 20. Rg7! Nxg7 21. that most pieces will remain on the board
fxg7+ Kxg7 22. Nc6+ Nxb2 23. Nxd8 Ba8! 24. 11. Rd1 for some time to come.
Rb1 Rfxd8 25. Rxb2 with White having slight- This is a rich position with many possibili-
ly better chances due to Black’s exposed ties. Kuljasevic likes 11. Nxd5!? exd5 12. d4 9. ... Bd7
king. You could write a booklet about the best, e.g., 12. ... Be6 (he points out 12. ... Kuljasevic analyses 9. ... a6 10. Be2 b5
many possibilities for both sides with this f4 as a way to muddy the waters) 13. Ba6! 11. a4 b4 12. Nd2 Bb7 13. Bf3 Nd5! at length
Semi-Slav setup. Rb8 14. 0-0. Mendonca gives 11. d4 cxd4 12. and says: “This is one of the few lines in this
Nxd5 Qxd5 13. Bc4, when I think 13. ... Qd6 repertoire where I couldn’t find too much
4. Nc3 Be7 5. b3 0-0 6. Bb2 14. Rd1 Na5! 15. Rxd4 Qc6 should equalize. for White to play for out of the opening.” Of
course, it’s still a game.
11. ... Qe8
Here 11. ... Bb7!? may improve, when 10. Nd2 Nc6 11. N2f3
12. Nxd5 exd5 13. Bd3 is complex. Kuljasevic says that White has a slight po-
sitional pull in this middlegame and shows
12. Bc4! Nc7 13. h5 Bb7?! 14. h6! various super-GM examples. Mendonca
White has a clear advantage. Here Keymer stops here with 11. Rc1 Rc8 12. N2f3 and
– Loiseau, Reykjavik 2021 finished quickly: gives White a small edge. IM Robert Ris in
14. ... g5? 15. Nb5! Nxb5 16. Bxe6+ Rf7 17. his repertoire for Black versus 1. Nf3 (anoth-
Qxf5, which is winning, in view of 17. ... er ChessBase ebook) recommends this line
Kf8 18. Nxg5!. and shows it leading to equality. I suspect
he’s right, but it needn’t deter either player
Kuljasevic calls the following setup with 2. from entering into this variation.
A slow but unbalanced position in which ... c5 the ‘principled approach’ against the
things can get surprisingly tactical. Keymer system: I am impressed by the quality of these prod-
ucts. The theory is clearly laid out, and in the
6. ... c5 1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 c5 3. b3 Nf6 video segments, both authors present their
My database has over 1,200 games with this Now 3. ... Nc6 4. Bb2 (or 4. Bb5) 4. ... Nf6 5. variations comprehensively and at a nice
move. There are 870 with 6. ... b6, when Bb5 is a reversed Nimzo-Indian defense, pace. My only misgiving is that there are
White can choose 7. cxd5 exd5 8. d4 Bb7 which, while playable, isn’t much fun for fewer conceptual explanations than some
(there are numerous options for Black here) Black. Both authors cover it, Kuljasevic in students might like. Of course, the true jus-
9. Bd3 Nbd7 10. 0-0 c5 11. Rc1 Re8 12. Ne2! great depth. And 3. ... a6 4. Bb2 Nc6 5. d4 tification for a repertoire move is precisely
Ne4?! 13. Ne5 Bd6 14. f3 Nef6 15. f4 a6 16. is a reversed Queen’s Indian with plenty of how it works against specific replies by the
Ng3 Bf8 17. Qf3 with an old-fashioned and play and chances for Black to go wrong, as opponent, and the authors supply that in-
very dangerous Pillsbury Attack in Keymer the authors show. formation in abundance. But I suspect that
– Shuvalova, Chess.com 2022. less experienced readers might like more
4. Bb2 g6 abstract verbal explanation of what the
7. cxd5 Nxd5 This trails 4. ... Nc6 and 4. ... e6 in popular- players’ strategies and goals are. With that in
We reach a promising version of the Tar- ity by a good margin, but it’s arguably the mind, I can recommend these works to any
rasch Defense after 7. ... exd5 8. d4 Nc6 best way to play. player who is well past beginner level and
9. Be2. already comfortable with chess theory.
5. c4 dxc4
8. Qc2 Nc6 9. a3 b6!? After 5. ... Bg7 6. cxd5 Qxd5 7. Nc3 turns out Kuljasevic, Davorin. Reti Opening — Reper-
Usually played, although both authors ana- nicely for White. toire for White after 1. Nf3 d5 2. e3. Down-
lyze alternatives such as the recently popular loadable text, video (four hours), and pgn avail-
9. ... Bd7, which can get exciting, e.g., 10. 6. Bxc4 Bg7 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 0-0 9. 0-0 able from Modern-Chess.com, 2023. €49.00.
Bd3 h6 11. g4 Rc8?! (perhaps 11. ... Nxc3)
12. Rg1! Be8 as in Keymer – Le Quan, Biel Mendonca, Luke Leon. Fritztrainer — The
2022, when the variation’s hero missed the Keymer Variation 1. Nf3 d5 2. e3. Down-
remarkable 13. g5! hxg5 14. Nxd5 Qxd5 15. loadable video (six hours) and Chessbase files
Rg3! g6 16. Ke2 and Black is helpless. available from USCFsales.com, product code
WIN0681CB. $38.95.
10. h4!
Karjakin’s idea from ‘way back’ in 2016, For up-to-date chess news
threatening the brutal Nf3-g5. It is still and information, check out
White’s favorite option. Chess Life Online at uschess.
org/clo on a regular basis.
10. ... f5!

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 49

ENDGAME SCHOOL Instruction

Back in the Arena

Shaking off the rust in the rook endgame
BY GM JOEL BENJAMIN

G M DING LIREN HAD BEEN

sitting things out since winning
the World Championship over
GM Ian Nepomniachtchi, so
45. a5 f4 46. Rb3+ and Black has multiple
winning moves, but they are all a bit tricky:
49. Rb1 (if 49. Rb8 f3+ 50. Kg3 e2) 49. ... f3+
50. Kg3 e2 51. Ra1 Ke3 52. Ra3+ Ke4 53. Ra1
Rh3+ 54. Kxg4 Rh8 55. a8=Q+ Rxa8 56. Rxa8
f2 and one of the pawns promotes.
his appearance in the Tata Steel Masters There is no way to be 100% sure of all
in January attracted a lot of attention. His this beyond trusting one’s intuition. Ding
performance was rather mediocre, but he chooses to keep control of the position, but
contested a particularly instructive rook White is still kicking.
ending against the strong young Dutch GM
Max Warmerdam. 43. Rb3!
Both 43. Rb4 and 43. Rc2 are both met deci-
sively by ... Ke4-d3, while 43. Ke2 Rxc4 sets
DON’T GO STALE POSITION AFTER 46. Rb3+ up a killing check.
GM Max Warmerdam (2625)
GM Ding Liren (2780) (a) 46. ... Ke4 47. a6 f3+ 48. Kg1 (after 48. Kg3 43. ... Rxc4 44. Rxb6 e5
Tata Steel Masters (12), Wijk aan Zee, Rh3+ 49. Kxg4 Rh7 the upcoming check on It is telling that Ding did not force his rook
01.27.2024 g7 will be crushing) 48. ... Ra8 49. Ra3 Kf4 50. to the seventh rank here: 44. ... Rc2+ 45. Kg3
c5 g3!! (Black could easily muff this — 50. ... e5 46. a5! (46. Rb3 Ra2 and wins) 46. ... Ra2
e4? 51. c6 g3? [51. ... Rd8 52. Ra1 e3 53. c7 Rh8 (if instead 46. ... Kxe3 47. Rb3+ Ke4 48. Rb4+!
54. a7 e2 55. Ra4+ is equal] 52. hxg3+ Kxg3 Kd5 49. Ra4 and the rook behind the pawn
53. c7 and White, against the odds, actually turns the tables. Black has to go passive with
wins) 51. hxg3+ Kxg3 52. a7 e4 53. c6 (53. Kf1 his rook, allowing White to pick off Black’s
e3 54. Rxe3 Rxa7 55. c6 Rh7 56. Kg1 Rh6 57. pawns) 47. Rb5
Rc3 Rd6 58. Rc1 Rd2 59. c7 Rg2+ 60. Kf1 Rh2
61. Ke1 f2+ 62. Ke2 f1=Q+ 63. Kxf1 Rh1+ 64.
Ke2 Rxc1) 53. ... Rd8 54. Ra1 e3 55. a8=Q e2!!

42. ... Rc6

Technically this could be considered a
blunder, turning a winning position into a POSITION AFTER 47. Rb5
drawable one. Yet the error is understand-
able, given that 42. ... Rh8! creates a lot of We have a perfect storm of luck for White.
tactics that aren’t easy to calculate. White POSITION AFTER 55. ... e2 His rook protects the a5-pawn while hitting
has to hold the h-pawn, as after 43. Rxb6 the e5-pawn, and is poised to get behind his
Rxh2+ 44. Kg1 Ra2 45. Rxe6+ Kf3 Black’s White is mated by the advancing pawns or passer if Black’s rook leaves the a-file. For
g-pawn produces decisive mating threats. rook to the back rank. example, 47. ... Ra3 48. Kf2 (48. Kh4 Kxe3
Play continues 43. Kg2 Kxe3 44. Rxb6 e5 (b) If instead 46. ... Kd4 47. a6 e4 48. a7 e3 49. Kg5! also holds) 48. ... Ra4 49. Kg3 Ra2

50 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

50. Rc5 Ra3 51. Kf2 f4 (what else?) 52. exf4 and now 62. ... Rg3+! (62. ... Kf6?? 63. Rf5+! Clearly hopeless is 65. Kxg1 Rg3+ 66. Rxg3
exf4 53. Rc4+ Ke5 54. Rc2 and White doesn’t the stalemate trick again produces a drawn Kxg3 67. Kf1 Kf3 68. Ke1 Ke3.
need the a-pawn anymore to hold. position) 63. Kxe4 (63. Kf2 Kf6 64. Rg8 Rf3+)
63. ... Kf6 64. Rxe5 Rf3 65. Ra5 Rf1 the white I made something of a return myself, albeit
45. Rb2? king is cut off to decisive effect. with less fanfare, in the U.S. Amateur Team
Warmerdam does his own research and con- East. (See page 22 for our report on this tour-
cludes he needs to guard the second rank. 53. Ra5+ Ke6 nament. ~ed.) I was able to win all my games,
The threat is indeed stronger than the exe- Nothing changes with 53. ... Kd6 54. Rd5+!. though my grandmaster encounter got a bit
cution! We have seen that 45. a5! is correct. sloppy in the rook endgame. It just goes to
54. Rxe5+ Kf6 show that over-the-board endings are an
45. ... Rxa4 46. Ke2 Taking the rook is of course stalemate. inexact science, even for endgame authors!
It seems at first that Black is stymied, but
a little temp maneuver wrong-foots the 55. Ra5!
white rook. White is not home free yet. After 55. Rxe4? ENGLISH OPENING (A21)
Kg5 56. Re8 Kh4 wins with the king cut off GM Alex Fishbein (2493)
along the rank. GM Joel Benjamin (2564)
Amateur Team East (5), Parsippany,
55. ... g3 56. Kf4! 02.19.2024
Black promotes after 56. Kxe4 g2 57. Ra6+
Kg5 58. Ra8 Rh6!. 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. Nd5 Bc5 4. e3 Nf6 5.
b4 Nxd5 6. bxc5 Nf6 7. Nf3 Qe7 8. Be2 0-0
56. ... g2 57. Ra6+ Kf7 58. Ra7+ Ke6 59. 9. d4 exd4 10. exd4 Re8 11. Be3 b6 12. 0-0
Rg7 Kd5 60. Ke3 Rh3+ 61. Ke2 Ng4 13. Bd3 Nxe3 14. fxe3 Nc6 15. Qb1 g6
Or 61. Kf2 Rf3+ 62. Kxg2 Rf8 63. Ra7, leav- 16. d5 Ne5 17. d6 Nxf3+ 18. Rxf3 Qe5 19.
ing Black no answer to White’s upcoming dxc7 Bb7 20. e4 f5 21. Qe1 Qxc5+ 22. Kh1
lateral checks. Bxe4 23. Bxe4 Rxe4 24. Qd2

46. ... Rc4! 47. Ra2 Rb4 48. Rc2 Rb1 49. 61. ... Ra3
Ra2
White invests a whole tempo to get checking
distance, as 49. Rc4+ Kd5 50. Ra4 Rb2+ 51.
Kd3 e4+ wins in a walk.

49. ... Rh1 50. Ra4+ Kd5 51. e4+!

Max “warms” to the occasion (pun intended)
with an ingenious trap. The alternative 51.
Ra5+ Ke6 52. Ra6+ Kf7 53. Ra7+ Kf6 54. Ra6+
Kg5 offers no hope.

51. ... fxe4 52. Ke3 After surviving White’s aggressive opening,
I got a nearly technically winning position.
62. Rd7+??
This lapse is surprising after so many excel- 24. ... Qd4?
lent decisions. The last draw was available The right way was 24. ... Rc8 25. Qxd7 and
with 62. Kf2 Ra2+ (or 62. ... Rf3+ 63. Ke2 Kd4 either capture on c7 should win without
64. Rxg2 Ra3 65. Rg8 Ra2+ 66. Ke1 Kd3 67. many problems.
Re8! Ke3 68. Kf1 with a textbook draw) 63.
Ke3 holding. 25. Qxd4 Rxd4 26. c5!
The first snag.
62. ... Ke5 63. Rg7 Kf4!
Perhaps another stalemate trap 63. ... Ra1 26. ... b5?!
64. Rxg2 Ra2+ 65. Ke3! was irresistible, The erroneous 26. ... bxc5?? 27. Rb3! is a
but now Black will ensure a winning pawn problem, while 26. ... Rc8 27. cxb6 axb6
52. ... Rxh2?? ending. 28. Rc3 Kf7 maintains excellent winning
I have to assume Ding whiffed on the stale- chances, though it’s far from a knockout.
mate trick. Here 52. ... Re1+ 53. Kf2 Rd1 wins 64. Kf2
cleanly, though White can compel a little Now 64. ... Ra2+ 65. Kg1 e3 66. Rf7+ Kg5 67. 27. Ra3!
accuracy from the champ: 54. Ra8 Rd2+ 55. Re7 e2 does the job, but Ding finds a more I whiffed on this move and committed a
Ke3 (55. Kg3 e3) 55. ... Rd3+ 56. Ke2 Rh3 57. aesthetic finish. move sequence howler.
Rd8+ Ke6 58. Re8+ Kf6 59. Rf8+ Ke7 60. Rg8
Rxh2+ 61. Ke3 Rg2 62. Rg5 (62. Kxe4 Kf6) 64. ... g1=Q+!, White resigned. 27. ... Rc4??

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 51

ENDGAME SCHOOL Instruction

I have to do it the other way, with 27. ... Rc8 needs to remove the d-pawn, and there are White’s outside passed pawn is actually a
28. Rxa7 Rc4. surprising ways to do it. negative, as Black can support and advance
The better way forward was 30. Rd1 d5 31. his inside passer.
28. Rxa7? a4!! (31. Ra6 R8xc7 32. Rd6 probably should
It’s counterintuitive to move the rook off hold, too) 31. ... bxa4 32. Rxa4 R8xc7 (or 32…
the a-pawn, but after 28. Rd3! the c7-pawn, Kf7 33. Ra6! Ke7 34. Re1+ Kd7 35. Ree6! R8xc7
which had been sitting awaiting capture for 36. Rad6+ Kc8 37. Re8+ Kb7 38. Red8) 33.
so many moves, decides the game. Ra8+ Kf7 34. Rd8 and Black cannot defend
his pride and joy on d5.
28. ... Rc8 29. h3
I noticed 29. g4!? at the time, and it probably
even draws more cleanly.

29. ... Rxc5

34. Re2 d5 35. Kg1 Kf6 36. Kf1 d4 37. Ke1

Ra3 38. Kd1 d3 39. Rb2 Ke5 40. Kd2 Kf4
41. g4 fxg4 42. Rb4+ Kf3 43. hxg4
POSITION AFTER 34. Rd8 About the same is 43. Rxg4 Rxa2+ 44. Kxd3
Rh2 45. Rh4 h5.
One line is 34. ... Ke6 35. Re1+ Kf6 36. Rd6+
Kg5 37. Rd1. The resulting three on two 43. ... g5 44. Rb7 h6 45. Rb6 Rxa2+ 46.
ending would offer few hopes of winning. Kxd3 Rh2 47. Rb4 Rh4, White resigned.
Simplest, earning connected passers.
30. ... R8xc7 31. Rxc7 Rxc7 32. Rxb5 Ra7
33. Rb2 For more of Benjamin on the
30. Rb1?? The a-pawn drops after 33. Rd5 Kf7 34. a4 endgame, check out the Chess
Alex was not satisfied with this move, but Ke6 35. Rd4 d5. Life archives at new.uschess.
with both sides feeling time pressure he org/chess-life-digital-archives.
couldn’t work out the right path. White 33. ... Kf7

The world’s largest chess community

Play with millions from around the world!

Improve with Lessons, Videos & Tactics

FREE Unlimited Play on Web & Mobile!

Titled Players get Free Diamond Membership &

$2500 Titled Tuesday Tournaments

52 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 At their March 16-17, 2024 meeting, the Executive Board made the following changes to the Grand Prix program:

1. Effective April 30, 2024, the Executive Board moved to remove the temporary change to US Chess Grand Prix rules implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and to return to previous Grand
Prix requirements. Motion Passed 8-0.
2. Effective immediately, the Executive Board moved to allow tournaments limited to seniors, juniors, women, or college students to be eligible for the US Chess Federation Grand Prix, provided
they satisfy the other Grand Prix requirements. Motion Passed 8-0.

For complete information on the Grand Prix program, please visit new.uschess.org/us-chess-grand-prix-program

NATIONAL EVENTS & BIDS NOW ON USCHESS.ORG Effective with the November 2020 Chess Life, we have removed the National Events and Bids page that has traditionally been
part of our TLA section. This information continues to be available here: new.uschess.org/national-events-calendar

dragonknightchess.com Phone: 9194222535 Website: Crane Email: [email protected] Phone: 817-296-

For complete details on individual events, please visit n/a TLA ID: 42632 4287 Website: n/a TLA ID: 43138
new.uschess.org/node/[TLA ID]. You will find the event’s unique GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX HERITAGE EVENT • GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED
five-digit TLA ID at the end of each TLA. Wake County Open Championship GRAND PRIX • JUNIOR GRAND PRIX • STATE
CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT
MAY 18, 2024, NORTH CAROLINA
Event site: Dragon Knight Chess Center Address: 2000 92nd Massachusetts Open
uschess.org Phone: n/a Website: hhttp://www.us-

Nationals Bearcat Way, Suite 104, Morrisville, NC 27560 Over- MAY 25-27, 2024, MASSACHUSETTS
chess.org/tournaments/2024/usopen TLA ID: 42683 all prize fund: $1,390 GP Points: 20 FIDE Rated: N Event site: Westford Regency Inn & Conference Center
Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N Address: 219 Littleton Road, Westford MA 01886 Over-

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT • HERITAGE

EVENT • JUNIOR GRAND PRIX
Grand Prix
The Grand Prix point totals reflect all rated event infor-
Organizer: Dragon Knight Chess Center Email: jon@
dragonknightchess.com Phone: 9194222535 Website:
n/a TLA ID: 43076
all prize fund: $7,500 GP Points: 50 FIDE Rated: Y
Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N
Organizer: Massachusetts Chess Association Email:
[email protected] Phone: 603-891-2484 Website:
2024 National Middle School (K-8) mation as of December 31, 2023 for the 2023 Grand Prix. GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX • JUNIOR
http://www.masschess.org TLA ID: 42613
Championships GRAND PRIX
MAY 10-12, 2024, GEORGIA GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX
Event site: Hyatt Regency Atlanta Address: 265 FINAL 2023 GRAND PRIX 11th Cherry Blossom Classic
Dragon Knight Pre-Memorial Saturday
Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 Overall prize
fund: n/a GP Points: n/a FIDE Rated: N Handicap
STANDINGS MAY 22-27, VIRGINIA
Event site: Washington Dulles Airport Marriott Ad-
Classic
dress: 45020 Aviation Dr., Dulles, VA 20166 Overall MAY 25, 2024, NORTH CAROLINA
accessible: Y Residency restriction: Y Organiz- Congratulations to the 2023 Grand Prix Champion Event site: Dragon Knight Chess Center Address:
er: Boyd Reed Email: [email protected] prize fund: $26,000 GP Points: 200 FIDE Rated: Y
2000 Bearcat Way, Suite 104, Morrisville, NC 27560
Phone: n/a Website: http://www.uschess.org/tour- GM JIANCHAO ZHOU Handicap accessible: N Residency restriction: N
Overall prize fund: $580 GP Points: 10 FIDE Rated:
naments/2024/ms TLA ID: 41971 Organizer: Anand Dommalapati Email: cbc2024@
N Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N
capitalareachess.com Phone: 703-627-5314 Website:
Name State/Ctry Pts Organizer: Dragon Knight Chess Center Email: jon@
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT https://www.capitalareachess.com/cherryblossom
1. GM JIANCHAO ZHOU MA 562.94 dragonknightchess.com Phone: 9194222535 Website:
TLA ID: 41988
78th Annual U.S. Amateur East 2. GM FIDEL CORRALES JIMENEZ NY 481.29 n/a TLA ID: 43059
Championship 3. GM MIKHAIL ANTIPOV MO 194.33 HERITAGE EVENT • AMERICAN CLASSIC • GRAND
MAY 25-27, 2024, NEW JERSEY 4. GM ARMAN MIKAELYAN -- 157.10 HERITAGE EVENT • AMERICAN CLASSIC •
PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX • JUNIOR ENHANCED GRAND PRIX
Event site: Hyatt Regency New Brunswick Address: 5. GM RAHUL P SRIVATSHAV -- 128.74 GRAND PRIX
Two Albany Street New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901 6. FM SHARVESH R DEVIPRASATH TX 121.10 44th Annual Lina Grumette Memorial
Overall prize fund: n/a GP Points: n/a FIDE Rated: 7. IM SAFAL BORA MI 115.33 33rd Annual Chicago Open Day Classic
N Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: Y 8. GM ALEXANDER FISHBEIN TN 111.47 MAY 23-27, 2024, ILLINOIS MAY 25-27, 2024, CALIFORNIA, S.
Organizer: Aaron Kiedes Email: [email protected] 9. IM JUSTIN WANG TX 108.62 Event site: Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel Address: Event site: Airtel Plaza Hotel Address: 7277 Valjean Ave,
Phone: n/a Website: https://njscf.org/ TLA ID: 42115 601 North Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090 Overall Van Nuys, CA 91406 Overall prize fund: $17,000 GP
10. GM VIKTOR MATVIISHEN TX 106.09
prize fund: $100,000 GP Points: 200 FIDE Rated: Y Points: 60 FIDE Rated: Y Handicap accessible: Y Resi-
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT • HERITAGE Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N dency restriction: N Organizer: Randall Hough Email:
Organizer: Continental Chess Association Email: di- [email protected] Phone: (626) 282-7412 Web-
EVENT • AMERICAN CLASSIC • GRAND PRIX •
ENHANCED GRAND PRIX • JUNIOR GRAND PRIX
2024 U.S. Women’s Open
2023 Awards [email protected] Phone: [email protected] Website:
http://www.chesstour.com TLA ID: 41785
site: http://www.scchess.com/tournaments_n_results/
mdc/2024/2024_mdc_home.html TLA ID: 43072

JUNE 5-6, 2024, NEVADA $12,500 in cash prizes HERITAGE EVENT • GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX
Event site: Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino Ad- First Prize $5,000 GRAND PRIX • STATE CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT
dress: 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S Las Vegas NV 89109 Over- 13th Annual Chicago Open Blitz
all prize fund: $3,500 GP Points: 50 FIDE Rated: Y 2nd: $2,500 3rd: $1,000 Luis Salinas Memorial 79th MAY 26, 2024, ILLINOIS
Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N 4th: $900 5th: $800 Annual Texas State and Amateur Event site: Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel Address:
Organizer: Vegas Chess Festivals Email: vegaschess@
Championships 601 North Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090 Overall
6th: $700 7th: $600
gmail.com Phone: 702-930-9550 Website: https://ve- MAY 24-27, 2024, TEXAS prize fund: $2,500 GP Points: 30 FIDE Rated: N Hand-
8th: $500 9th: $300 Event site: DFW Airport Marriott South Address: 4151 icap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N Organiz-
gaschessfestival.com TLA ID: 42475 10th: $200 Centreport D, Fort Worth, TX 76155 Overall prize fund: er: Continental Chess Association Email: director@
$4,620 GP Points: 50 FIDE Rated: Y Handicap acces- chess.us Phone: [email protected] Website: http://
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT • HERITAGE The Grand Prix continues in 2024. For information vis- sible: Y Residency restriction: N Organizer: Tom www.chesstour.com TLA ID: 42478
EVENT • AMERICAN CLASSIC • GRAND PRIX • it new.uschess.org/us-chess-grand-prix-program
ENHANCED GRAND PRIX • JUNIOR GRAND PRIX
2024 National Open GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX
JUNE 5-9, 2024, NEVADA Dragon Knight Cuatro de Mayo Classic
Event site: Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino Ad- MAY 4, 2024, NORTH CAROLINA PLEASE NOTE
dress: 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S Las Vegas NV 89109 Over- Event site: Dragon Knight Chess Center Address:
all prize fund: $125,000 GP Points: 200 FIDE Rated:
Y Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N
2000 Bearcat Way, Suite 104, Morrisville, NC 27560
Overall prize fund: $580 GP Points: 10 FIDE Rated:
DEADLINE FOR PRINT TLA SUBMISSIONS
Organizer: Vegas Chess Festivals Email: vegaschess@ N Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N
gmail.com Phone: 702-930-9550 Website: https://ve- Organizer: Dragon Knight Chess Center Email: jon@
gaschessfestival.com TLA ID: 41728 dragonknightchess.com Phone: 9194222535 Website:
n/a TLA ID: 42631
TLAs appearing in Chess Life must be uploaded online
HERITAGE EVENT • AMERICAN CLASSIC • on the 10th, two months prior to the issue cover date
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX
GRAND PRIX
Dragon Knight Mother’s Saturday in which the ad is to appear. (For example, October
124th Annual U.S. Open Championship Classic
JULY 27-AUGUST 4, 2024, VIRGINIA MAY 11, 2024, NORTH CAROLINA
TLAs must be uploaded no later than August 10th.) TLAs
Event site: Norfolk Sheraton Waterside Hotel Ad- Event site: Dragon Knight Chess Center Address: uploaded past this deadline cannot be published without
dress: 777 Waterside Drive, Norfolk, VA 23510 Overall 2000 Bearcat Way, Suite 104, Morrisville, NC 27560
prize fund: $60,000 GP Points: 300 FIDE Rated: N Overall prize fund: $580 GP Points: 10 FIDE Rated: special approval by US Chess.
Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N
N Organizer: Boyd Reed Email: nationalevents@ Organizer: Dragon Knight Chess Center Email: jon@

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 53

TOURNAMENT LIFE See Previous Issue for TLAs appearing May 1-14

GRAND PRIX • JUNIOR GRAND PRIX sbcglobal.net Phone: 916-524-9479 Website: https://
For complete details on individual events, please visit sacramentochessclub.org TLA ID: 42062
2024 Chicago Summer Open
new.uschess.org/node/[TLA ID]. You will find the event’s unique JUNE 21-23, 2024, ILLINOIS HERITAGE EVENT • AMERICAN CLASSIC •
five-digit TLA ID at the end of each TLA. Event site: DoubleTree by Hilton Lisle-Naperville Ad- GRAND PRIX • STATE CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT
dress: 3003 Corporate W Dr, Lisle, IL 60532 Overall
prize fund: $10,000 GP Points: 20 FIDE Rated: Y Pacific Southwest Open
Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N JULY 5-7, 2024, CALIFORNIA, S.
GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX sor Locks CT 06096 Overall prize fund: $20,000 GP Event site: Hilton Irvine Orange County Airport Ad-
Organizer: King Registration and Wilson Chess Email:
Points: 120 FIDE Rated: Y Handicap accessible: N dress: 18800 MacArthur Blvd, Irvine, CA 92612 Overall
4th Annual Niagara Falls Open Residency restriction: N Organizer: Continental
[email protected] Phone: n/a Website:
MAY 31-JUNE 2, 2024, NEW YORK https://www.kingregistration.com TLA ID: 43130 prize fund: $13,000 GP Points: 40 FIDE Rated: N
Chess Association Email: [email protected] Phone: Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N
Event site: Sheraton Niagara Falls Address: 300 3rd [email protected] Website: http://www.chesstour.
St, Niagara Falls NY 14303 Overall prize fund: $10,000 GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX • Organizer: Charles Ensey Email: [email protected]
com TLA ID: 42489 Phone: (858)432-8006 Website: n/a TLA ID: 42739
GP Points: 80 FIDE Rated: Y Handicap accessible: JUNIOR GRAND PRIX
N Residency restriction: N Organizer: Continental 17th Annual Philadelphia International
Chess Association Email: [email protected] Phone: GRAND PRIX HERITAGE EVENT • GRAND PRIX • JUNIOR
[email protected] Website: http://www.chesstour. 2024 Des Moines Open & Reserve JUNE 27-JULY 1, 2024, PENNSYLVANIA GRAND PRIX
com TLA ID: 42173 Event site: Philadelphia Sheraton Downtown Hotel
JUNE 7-9, 2024, IOWA Address: 201 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 47th Annual Green Bay Open
Event site: Holiday Inn Address: 6111 Fleur Drive, Overall prize fund: $20,000 GP Points: 200 FIDE Rat- JULY 6-7, 2024, WISCONSIN
GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX • Des Moines, IA 50321 Overall prize fund: $1,025 GP ed: Y Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: Event site: Oneida Hotel (Formerly Radisson Hotel)
JUNIOR GRAND PRIX Points: 6 FIDE Rated: N Handicap accessible: Y N Organizer: Continental Chess Association Email: di- Address: 2040 Airport Drive, Green Bay, WI 54313 Over-
11th Summer Soltice Open Residency restriction: N Organizer: William J. Bro- [email protected] Phone: [email protected] Website: all prize fund: $2,545 GP Points: 15 FIDE Rated: N
ich Email: [email protected] Phone: 5152058062 http://www.chesstour.com TLA ID: 41569 Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N
MAY 31-JUNE 2, 2024, FLORIDA
Website: n/a TLA ID: 43124 Organizer: Luke A Ludwig Email: lukealudwig@aol.
Event site: Embassy Suites Hotel Address: 661 NW 53rd
com Phone: 9204659859 Website: n/a TLA ID: 42969
Street, Boca Raton, FL 33487 Overall prize fund: $10,000 GRAND PRIX • JUNIOR GRAND PRIX
GP Points: 50 FIDE Rated: Y Handicap accessible: GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX
2024 Castle Chess Grand Prix HERITAGE EVENT • GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED
Y Residency restriction: N Organizer: Jon Haskel Walter Browne Memorial National
Email: [email protected] Phone: 561-302-4377 JUNE 28-30, 2024, GEORGIA GRAND PRIX
Open Blitz Championship Event site: Emory University - Emory Student Center
Website: https://www.bocachess.com TLA ID: 42704 JUNE 8, 2024, NEVADA Address: 605 Asbury Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322 Over-
32nd Annual World Open Game/10
Event site: Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino Ad- Championship
all prize fund: $12,000 GP Points: 80 FIDE Rated: N
GRAND PRIX dress: 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S Las Vegas NV 89109 Over- JULY 6, 2024, PENNSYLVANIA
Handicap accessible: N Residency restriction: N
Nebraska Chess Hall of Fame all prize fund: $3,600 GP Points: 30 FIDE Rated: Y Organizer: Castle Chess Email: tournament@cas- Event site: Philadelphia Sheraton Downtown Hotel
Champions Celebration Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N tlechess.org Phone: n/a Website: https://castlechess. Address: 201 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Organizer: Vegas Chess Festivals Email: vegaschess@ org/grandprix/ TLA ID: 42413 Overall prize fund: $2,200 GP Points: 20 FIDE Rated:
JUNE 1- 2, 2024, NEBRASKA N Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N
Event site: Graduate Hotel Address: 141 N 9th St., Lin- gmail.com Phone: 702-930-9550 Website: https://ve-
gaschessfestival.com TLA ID: 42844 Organizer: Continental Chess Association Email: di-
coln, NE 68508 Overall prize fund: $12,150 GP Points: GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX • [email protected] Phone: [email protected] Website:
50 FIDE Rated: N Handicap accessible: Y Residency JUNIOR GRAND PRIX http://www.chesstour.com TLA ID: 42570
restriction: N Organizer: Bruce Draney Email: gam- GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX
[email protected] Phone: 4023126335 Website:
18th Annual Philadelphia Open
https://www.nebraskachess.com TLA ID: 42343
Dragon Knight Oceans Day Classic JUNE 28-30, 2024, PENNSYLVANIA GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX •
JUNE 8, 2024, NORTH CAROLINA Event site: Philadelphia Sheraton Downtown Hotel REGIONALS
Event site: Dragon Knight Chess Center Address: Address: 201 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 35th Annual World Open Blitz
GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX
2000 Bearcat Way, Suite 104, Morrisville, NC 27560 Overall prize fund: $20,000 GP Points: 200 FIDE Rat- Championship
Dragon Knight International Tabletop Overall prize fund: $580 GP Points: 10 FIDE Rated: ed: Y Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction:
Game Day Classic JULY 7, 2024, PENNSYLVANIA
N Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N N Organizer: Continental Chess Association Email: di-
Event site: Philadelphia Sheraton Downtown Hotel
JUNE 1, 2024, NORTH CAROLINA Organizer: Dragon Knight Chess Center Email: jon@ [email protected] Phone: [email protected] Website:
Address: 201 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Event site: Dragon Knight Chess Center Address: dragonknightchess.com Phone: 9194222535 Website: http://www.chesstour.com TLA ID: 41570
Overall prize fund: $3,000 GP Points: 30 FIDE Rated:
2000 Bearcat Way, Suite 104, Morrisville, NC 27560 n/a TLA ID: 43070 N Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N
Overall prize fund: $580 GP Points: 10 FIDE Rated: GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX • Organizer: Continental Chess Association Email: di-
N Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N GRAND PRIX JUNIOR GRAND PRIX [email protected] Phone: [email protected] Website:
Organizer: Dragon Knight Chess Center Email: jon@ http://www.chesstour.com TLA ID: 42571
dragonknightchess.com Phone: 9194222535 Website: CFCC 2024 Sunshine Open & Scholastic 13th Annual World Open Women’s
n/a TLA ID: 43061 JUNE 14-16, 2024, FLORIDA Championship!
Event site: Holiday Inn at Lake Buena Vista Address: JULY 1-2, 2024, PENNSYLVANIA HERITAGE EVENT • GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED
13351 State Road 535 Orlando, Florida, 32821 Over- Event site: Philadelphia Sheraton Downtown Hotel GRAND PRIX • JUNIOR GRAND PRIX
GRAND PRIX
all prize fund: $8,500 GP Points: 20 FIDE Rated: Y Address: 201 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 29th Annual Pacific Coast Open
Rea Hayes Open Chess Tournament Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N Overall prize fund: $2,000 GP Points: 30 FIDE Rated: JULY 19-21, 2024, CALIFORNIA, S.
JUNE 1, 2024, TENNESSEE Organizer: Larry Storch Email: larrystorch88@gmail. Y Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N Event site: Hilton Orange County Airport Address:
Event site: Chattanooga Christian School Address: com Phone: [email protected] Website: http://www. Organizer: Continental Chess Association Email: di- 18800 Macarthur Blvd, Irvine CA 92612 Overall prize
3354 Charger Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37409 Overall prize chesstour.com TLA ID: 42491 [email protected] Phone: [email protected] Website: fund: $30,000 GP Points: 150 FIDE Rated: Y Handicap
fund: $1,000 GP Points: 6 FIDE Rated: N Handicap http://www.chesstour.com TLA ID: 42670 accessible: N Residency restriction: N Organizer:
accessible: N Residency restriction: N Organizer: Continental Chess Association Email: director@chess.
HERITAGE EVENT • GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED
Travis Deere Email: [email protected] Phone: 423- HERITAGE EVENT • AMERICAN CLASSIC • GRAND us Phone: [email protected] Website: http://www.
GRAND PRIX • JUNIOR GRAND PRIX
785-6582 Website: n/a TLA ID: 43052 PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX • JUNIOR chesstour.com TLA ID: 42922
28th Annual New York State Open GRAND PRIX
GRAND PRIX JUNE 14-16, 2024, NEW YORK 52nd Annual World Open, top 6 sections GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX •
Event site: Tiki Resort Address: 2 Canada St., Lake JUNIOR GRAND PRIX
2024 Carolinas Classic JULY 3-7, 2024, PENNSYLVANIA
George, NY 12845 Overall prize fund: $3,300 GP
JUNE 7-9, 2024, NORTH CAROLINA Points: 20 FIDE Rated: N Handicap accessible: N
Event site: Philadelphia Sheraton Downtown Hotel 17th Annual Chicago Class
Event site: Hilton Charlotte University Place Address: Residency restriction: N Organizer: Continental
Address: 201 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Championships
8629 J M Keynes Drive, Charlotte, NC 28262 Overall prize Overall prize fund: $208,000 GP Points: 300 FIDE JULY 19-21, 2024, ILLINOIS
Chess Association Email: [email protected] Phone:
fund: $15,000 GP Points: 80 FIDE Rated: Y Handicap Rated: Y Handicap accessible: Y Residency restric- Event site: Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel Address:
[email protected] Website: http://www.chesstour.
accessible: N Residency restriction: N Organizer: tion: N Organizer: Continental Chess Association 601 N Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling IL 60090 Overall
com TLA ID: 42490
Charlotte Chess Center Email: events@charlottechess- Email: [email protected] Phone: [email protected] prize fund: $30,000 GP Points: 150 FIDE Rated: Y
center.org Phone: n/a Website: https://www.char- Website: http://www.chesstour.com TLA ID: 41566 Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N
lottechesscenter.org/events/classic TLA ID: 42938 GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX
Organizer: Continental Chess Association Email: di-
Dragon Knight Flag/Father’s Saturday GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX [email protected] Phone: [email protected] Website:
GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED GRAND PRIX • Classic 13th Annual World Open Game/7 http://www.chesstour.com TLA ID: 42770
JUNIOR GRAND PRIX JUNE 15, 2024, NORTH CAROLINA Championship
17th Annual Continental Chess Event site: Dragon Knight Chess Center Address: JULY 3, 2024, PENNSYLVANIA HERITAGE EVENT • GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED
Cleveland Open 2000 Bearcat Way, Suite 104, Morrisville, NC 27560 Event site: Philadelphia Sheraton Downtown Hotel GRAND PRIX • JUNIOR GRAND PRIX
JUNE 7-9, 2024, OHIO Overall prize fund: $580 GP Points: 10 FIDE Rated: Address: 201 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 32nd Annual Southern Open
Event site: Crowne Plaza Cleveland Airport Address: N Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N Overall prize fund: $1,500 GP Points: 20 FIDE Rated: JULY 19-21, 2024, FLORIDA
7230 Engle Road, Middleburg Heights OH 44130 Over- Organizer: Dragon Knight Chess Center Email: jon@ N Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N Event site: Wyndham Orlando Resort Address: 8001
all prize fund: $15,000 GP Points: 120 FIDE Rated: dragonknightchess.com Phone: 9194222535 Website: Organizer: Continental Chess Association Email: di- International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819 Overall prize
Y Handicap accessible: N Residency restriction: N n/a TLA ID: 43071 [email protected] Phone: [email protected] Website: fund: $20,000 GP Points: 150 FIDE Rated: Y Handicap
Organizer: Continental Chess Association Email: di- http://www.chesstour.com TLA ID: 42569 accessible: Y Residency restriction: N Organizer:
[email protected] Phone: [email protected] Website: GRAND PRIX Continental Chess Association Email: director@chess.
http://www.chesstour.com TLA ID: 42531 2nd World Chess Festival HERITAGE EVENT • GRAND PRIX us Phone: [email protected] Website: http://www.
chesstour.com TLA ID: 42771
JUNE 17-20, 2024, HAWAII 26th Annual Sacramento Chess
HERITAGE EVENT • GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED Event site: Neal S. Blaisdell Center Address: 777 Ward Championship
GRAND PRIX • JUNIOR GRAND PRIX HERITAGE EVENT • GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED
Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96814 Overall prize fund: $5,000 JULY 5-7, 2024, CALIFORNIA, N.
32nd Annual Eastern Class GP Points: 30 FIDE Rated: Y Handicap accessible: GRAND PRIX • JUNIOR GRAND PRIX
Event site: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Address:
Championships Y Residency restriction: N Organizer: Joe Hanley 2224 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95821 Over- 25th Annual Pittsburgh Open
JUNE 7-9, 2024, CONNECTICUT Email: [email protected] Phone: all prize fund: $11,000 GP Points: 40 FIDE Rated: Y JULY 26-28, 2024, PENNSYLVANIA
Event site: Sheraton Hartford Hotel At Bradley Inter- 7149253195 Website: http://www.hanleychessacade- Handicap accessible: N Residency restriction: N Event site: Doubletree Green Tree Hotel Address:
national Airport Address: One Airport Drive, Wind- my.com TLA ID: 42662 Organizer: John P McCumiskey Email: sactochess@ 500 Mansfield Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15205 Overall prize

54 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

fund: $13,000 GP Points: 80 FIDE Rated: Y Handicap JUNE 27-JULY 1, 2024
accessible: N Residency restriction: N Organizer: CALIFORNIA COLORADO 17th Annual Philadelphia International
Continental Chess Association Email: director@chess. MAY 22-27, 2024 JUNE 1-2, 2024 (PA)
us Phone: [email protected] Website: http://www. 11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA) Nebraska Chess Hall of Fame See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
chesstour.com TLA ID: 43154 See Grand Prix. Champions Celebration (NE)
See Grand Prix. JULY 3-7, 2024
HERITAGE EVENT • GRAND PRIX • ENHANCED MAY 23-27, 2024 52nd Annual World Open, top 6
GRAND PRIX • JUNIOR GRAND PRIX JUNE 5-6, 2024 sections (PA)
33rd Annual Chicago Open (IL)
29th Annual Bradley Open See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. 2024 U.S. Women’s Open (NV) See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
JULY 26-28, 2024, CONNECTICUT See National Events.
Event site: Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Interna- MAY 24-27, 2024 JULY 19-21, 2024
tional Airport Address: 1 Bradley Airport, Windsor Locks JUNE 5-9, 2024 32nd Annual Southern Open (FL)
2024 Memorial Day Championship
CT 06096 Overall prize fund: $15,000 GP Points: 120
Event site: Santa Clara Convention Center Address:
2024 National Open (NV) See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
FIDE Rated: Y Handicap accessible: N Residency re- See National Events.
5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95035 Over- AUGUST 10-14, 2024
striction: N Organizer: Continental Chess Association
all prize fund: $6,000 GP Points: n/a FIDE Rated: Y
Email: [email protected] Phone: [email protected] 11th Annual Washington International
Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N Or-
Website: http://www.chesstour.com TLA ID: 43155
ganizer: BayAreaChess Email: events@bayareachess.
CONNECTICUT (MD)
MAY 18, 2024 See Grand Prix.
com Phone: 408.409.6596 (voicemail/text only) Web-
GRAND PRIX
site: n/a TLA ID: 43057 1st Greater Baystate Spring Classic
11th Annual Washington International (MA)
AUGUST 10-14, 2024, MARYLAND MAY 25-27, 2024 See Massachusetts.
GEORGIA
Event site: Rockville Hilton Address: 21750 Rockville APRIL 8, 2024-MONTHLY ON SATURDAY
44th Annual Lina Grumette Memorial
Pike, Rockville, MD 20852 Overall prize fund: $40,650 MAY 22-27, 2024 Pizza Scholastic
GP Points: 150 FIDE Rated: Y Handicap accessible: Day Classic (CA-S) Event site: The Boardroom Address: 1675 Peachtree
See Grand Prix.
11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA)
N Residency restriction: N Organizer: Michael W See Grand Prix. Pkwy, Suite #180, Cumming Georgia 30041 Over-
Regan Email: [email protected] Phone: 4104195130 all prize fund: n/a GP Points: n/a FIDE Rated: N
Website: https://mdchess.com TLA ID: 42528 MAY 25, 2024 MAY 31-JUNE 2, 2024 Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N
MDC Scholastics Organizer: ThinkChess, LLC Email: info@myThink-
11th Summer Soltice Open (FL) Chess.com Phone: 770.744.8595 Website: https://
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT • GRAND PRIX Event site: Airtel Plaza Hotel Address: 7277 Valjean See Grand Prix.
Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406 Overall prize fund: Trophies mythinkchess.com/ TLA ID: 37216
96th Wisconsin Closed Championship /
Only GP Points: n/a FIDE Rated: N Handicap acces- JUNE 7-9, 2024
Marshall Rohland Memorial MAY 22-27, 2024
sible: Y Residency restriction: N Organizer: Randall
AUGUST 16-18, 2024, WISCONSIN 32nd Annual Eastern Class 11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA)
Hough Email: [email protected] Phone: (626)
Event site: Holiday Inn - Manitowoc Address: 4601 Championships (CT) See Grand Prix.
282-7412 Website: http://www.scchess.com/calen-
Calumet Ave., Manitowoc, WI 54220 Overall prize See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
dar_kids.html TLA ID: 43125
fund: $4,500 GP Points: 40 FIDE Rated: N Handicap MAY 31-JUNE 2, 2024
accessible: Y Residency restriction: Y Organizer: JUNE 14-16, 2024
11th Summer Soltice Open (FL)
Terran Chess Federation Email: terranchess@gmail. MAY 26, 2024 28th Annual New York State Open (NY) See Grand Prix.
com Phone: 920-279-5688 Website: n/a TLA ID: 41708 MDC Blitz See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
Event site: Airtel Plaza Hotel Address: 7277 Valjean JUNE 1, 2024
JULY 3-7, 2024

Regional
Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406 Overall prize fund: See online Rea Hayes Open Chess Tournament
TLA GP Points: n/a FIDE Rated: N Handicap accessi- 52nd Annual World Open, top 6 (TN)
ble: Y Residency restriction: N Organizer: Randall sections (PA) See Grand Prix.
Hough Email: [email protected] Phone: (626) See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
282-7412 Website: n/a TLA ID: 43073 JULY 3-7, 2024
JULY 26-28, 2024
ALABAMA 52nd Annual World Open, top 6
JUNE 5-6, 2024 29th Annual Bradley Open (CT) sections (PA)
JUNE 1, 2024 See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
Rea Hayes Open Chess Tournament 2024 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
(TN) See National Events. AUGUST 10-14, 2024 JULY 19-21, 2024
See Grand Prix. 11th Annual Washington International 32nd Annual Southern Open (FL)
JUNE 5-9, 92024 (MD) See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
2024 National Open (NV) See Grand Prix.
ARIZONA See National Events. AUGUST 10-14, 2024
MAY 22-27, 2024 11th Annual Washington International
11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA) JUNE 7, 2024 DELAWARE (MD)
See Grand Prix. Youth Trophy Tournament (NV) MAY 22-27, 2024 See Grand Prix.
See Nevada. 11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA)
JUNE 5-6, 2024 See Grand Prix.
2024 U.S. Women’s Open (NV) JUNE 8, 2024 IDAHO
See National Events. Walter Browne Memorial National JUNE 28-30, 2024 JUNE 5-6, 2024
Open Blitz Championship (NV) 52nd Annual World Open, Under 1200 2024 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
JUNE 7, 2024 See Grand Prix. and Under 1000 Sections (PA) See National Events.
Youth Trophy Tournament (NV) See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us
See Nevada. JUNE 8, 2024 JUNE 5-9, 2024
International Youth Championship (NV) JULY 3-7, 2024 2024 National Open (NV)
JUNE 5-9, 2024 See Nevada. 52nd Annual World Open, top 6 See National Events.
2024 National Open (NV) sections (PA)
See National Events. JULY 3-7, 2024 See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. JULY 5-7, 2024
52nd Annual World Open, top 6 26th Annual Sacramento Chess
JUNE 8, 2024 sections (PA) Championship (CA-N)
International Youth Championship (NV) See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. DIST. OF COLUMBIA See Grand Prix.
See Nevada. MAY 22-27, 2024
JULY 5-7, 2024 11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA)
JULY 5-7, 2024 26th Annual Sacramento Chess See Grand Prix.
ILLINOIS
26th Annual Sacramento Chess Championship (CA-N) MAY 11, 2024
Championship (CA-N) See Grand Prix. Caveman May 3x3
See Grand Prix. FLORIDA Event site: Regus Address: 1222 S Prospect Ave, Park
JULY 5-7, 2024 Ridge, IL 60068 Overall prize fund: n/a GP Points: n/a
MAY 22-27, 2024 FIDE Rated: N Handicap accessible: Y Residency re-
JULY 19-21, 2024 Pacific Southwest Open (CA-S) 11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA) striction: N Organizer: Kevin Bachler Email: contact@
29th Annual Pacific Coast Open (CA-S) See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix. cavemanchess.com Phone: 224-985-5245 Website:
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. https://www.cavemanchess.com/ TLA ID: 42750
JULY 19-21, 2024 MAY 23-27, 2024
29th Annual Pacific Coast Open (CA-S) 33rd Annual Chicago Open (IL) MAY 22-27, 2024
ARKANSAS See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. 11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA)
MAY 24-27, 2024 See Grand Prix.
Luis Salinas Memorial 79th AUGUST 10-14, 2024 JUNE 14-16, 2024
Annual Texas State and Amateur 11th Annual Washington International CFCC 2024 Sunshine Open & Scholastic MAY 23-27, 2024
Championships (TX) (MD) (FL) 33rd Annual Chicago Open (IL)
See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 55

TOURNAMENT LIFE See Previous Issue for TLAs appearing May 1-14

11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA) ings, signup for K-12 & open e-newsletters, lists of
For complete details on individual events, please visit See Grand Prix. coaches & clubs, camp announcements, & news. K-12
MD players who compete in the Varsity section (for
new.uschess.org/node/[TLA ID]. You will find the event’s unique MAY 23-27, 2024 players rated 1600+) of 1 of 8+ annual MD-Sweet-16
five-digit TLA ID at the end of each TLA. Qualifiers can qualify for the $48,000+ scholarship to
33rd Annual Chicago Open (IL) the University of Maryland, Baltimore County award-
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
ed annually. UMBC is a perennial top-10 contender for
the collegiate national chess championship.
MAY 26, 2024 JULY 19-21, 2024 JUNE 1-2, 2024
13th Annual Chicago Open Blitz (IL) 17th Annual Chicago Class Nebraska Chess Hall of Fame MAY 22-27, 2024
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. Championships (IL) Champions Celebration (NE)
See Grand Prix.
11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA)
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. See Grand Prix.
MAY 31-JUNE 2, 2024
11th Summer Soltice Open (FL) AUGUST 10-14, 2024 JUNE 21-23, 2024
MAY 31-JUNE 2, 2024
See Grand Prix. 11th Annual Washington International 2024 Chicago Summer Open (IL)
(MD) See Grand Prix. 11th Summer Soltice Open (FL)
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 1, 2024 See Grand Prix.
Caveman BOM June 3x3 Pas de Prix JUNE 8, 2024
Event site: Regus Address: 1222 S Prospect Ave, Park KANSAS MCA Baltimore Quads for K-12
Ridge, IL 60068 Overall prize fund: n/a GP Points: n/a INDIANA MAY 22-27, 2024 Event site: Jewish Community Center of Greater Balti-
FIDE Rated: N Handicap accessible: Y Residency re- MAY 23-27, 2024 11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA)
striction: N Organizer: Kevin Bachler Email: contact@ more Address: 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave, Suite 148, Owings
cavemanchess.com Phone: 224-985-5245 Website:
33rd Annual Chicago Open (IL) See Grand Prix. Mills, MD 21117 Overall prize fund: n/a GP Points: n/a
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. FIDE Rated: N Handicap accessible: N Residency re-
https://www.cavemanchess.com/ TLA ID: 42782
JUNE 1-2, 2024 striction: N Organizer: Magnus Chess Academy Email:
JUNE 7-9, 2024 JUNE 7-9, 2024 Nebraska Chess Hall of Fame [email protected] Phone: n/a Website:
Late Spring Swiss (MI) Champions Celebration (NE) https://chessacademy.com/tournaments TLA ID: 39043
Late Spring Swiss (MI) See Michigan. See Grand Prix
See Michigan. JUNE 27-JULY 1, 2024
JUNE 21-23, 2024 17th Annual Philadelphia International
JUNE 21-23, 2024
2024 Chicago Summer Open (IL) 2024 Chicago Summer Open (IL) LOUISIANA (PA)
See Grand Prix. MAY 24-27, 2024 See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
See Grand Prix.
JULY 3-7, 2024 Luis Salinas Memorial 79th Annual Texas JUNE 28-30, 2024
JUNE 29, 2024 State and Amateur Championships (TX)
52nd Annual World Open, top 6 See Grand Prix. 18th Annual Philadelphia Open (PA)
Caveman EOM June 3x3 Pas de Prix sections (PA) See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
Event site: Regus Address: 1222 S Prospect Ave, Park See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
Ridge, IL 60068 Overall prize fund: n/a GP Points: n/a
JUNE 28-30, 2024
FIDE Rated: N Handicap accessible: Y Residency re-
JULY 19-21, 2024 MARYLAND
striction: N Organizer: Kevin Bachler Email: contact@ 52nd Annual World Open, Under 1200
17th Annual Chicago Class MARYLAND CHESS TOURNAMENTS (NORTH and Under 1000 Sections (PA)
cavemanchess.com Phone: 224-985-5245 Website: PENN CHESS CLUB)
https://www.cavemanchess.com/ TLA ID: 42784 Championships (IL) See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us.
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. Maryland Chess runs 21+ annual K-12 tournaments
every other Saturday from September through June
JULY 3-7, 2024 & 12+ annual 1-day or multi-day open tournaments
JULY 1-2, 2024
52nd Annual World Open, top 6 for adults & K-12 players on weekends. See www.MD- 3rd Annual World Open Amateur
sections (PA) IOWA Chess.org for tournament announcements, registra- Championship (PA)
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. MAY 22-27, 2024 tion for tournaments, updated wallcharts, live stand- See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us.

33rd annual CHICAGO OPEN

May 23-27, 24-27 or 25-27, 2024 - Memorial Day weekend - see chessevents.us
7 sections, prizes $100,000 unconditionally guaranteed!
Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling IL 60090
Open section, 5/23-27: 9 rounds, 40/80, SD/30, d30. Entry fee: $207 at chessaction.com by 3/19, $227 by 5/22,
U2300 through U1300 sections: 5/24-27 or 25-27: 7 $250 online later or at site until 1 hour before round 1 (no
rounds, 40/80, SD/30, d30 (3-day option, rds 1-2 G/60 d10). checks). Open Section $500 extra to US playes below 2200
All merge & play for same prizes in section. Free parking. USCF and below 2000 FIDE. Senior 65/up $100 less. Online
EF $5 less to ICA members (join ICA at il-chess.org). Titled
Open: $10000-5000-2500-1300-1000-900-700-600-500- player entry: see chessevents.us. Refunds, $15 service
500, clear or tiebreak first $300 bonus, top FIDE U2400/unr charge. Re-entry $100 (no Open to Open).
$2000-1000-400. FIDE rated, GM and IM norms possible. Open titled minimum prizes: see chessevents.us. 1/2-pt
U2300, U2100, U1900, U1700 Sections: byes: limit 3 (2 last 4 rds); must commit before rd 3.
Each $5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-400-400-400-300.
U2300 & U2100 sections are also FIDE rated. 5-day schedule (Open only): enter Thu to 6 pm, rds Thu
U1500: $4000-2000-1000-700-500-400-400-400-400-300. 7 pm, Fri 1 & 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 4, Mon 10 & 4.
U1300: $3000-1500-1000-700-500-400-400-400-400-300, 4-day schedule (U2300 to U1300): enter Fri to 6 pm, rds
top rated Under 1100 $1000-600-400. Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 4, Mon 10 & 4.
FIDE ratings used for Open, May 2024 Official USCF for 3-day schedule (U2300 to U1300): enter Sat to 9 am, rds
others. Unofficial USCF ratings usually used if otherwise Sat 10, 1:30 & 5, Sun 10 & 4, Mon 10 & 4.
unrated. Cannot play below Online Regular Rating - 100
points. Hotel rates: 1-4 in room $130, use link at chessevents.us
If post-event Regular OTB or Regular Online rating or 847-777-6500, reserve by 5/11, may sell out before.
posted 5/23/23-5/23/24 or current Regular Online rating is USCF membership required, see chessevent.us for
more than 40 pts over section maximum, prize limit $800. special dues rates if paid online with entry.
Under 26 games prize limit (as of May 2024 Official Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied. No
Rating list): U1300 $1000, U1500 $1500, U1700 $2000, cellphone possession during play (in bag near table OK). See
U1900 $2500. devicerules.com for more electronic device rules.
Unrated prize limits: U1300 $300, U1500 $400, U1700 Email: [email protected].
$600, U1900 $800, U2100 $1200. Entry: chessaction.com. No mailed entry.
Mixed Doubles: male/female combined score, any section
$2000-1000-500-400-300. See chessevents.us. $2500 Blitz tournament, Sunday 10 pm (enter by 9:00).

56 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

JULY 1-2, 2024 MAY 23-27, 2024 JUNE 8, 2024 JULY 1-2, 2024
13th Annual World Open Women’s 33rd Annual Chicago Open (IL) International Youth Championship 3rd Annual World Open Amateur
Championship! (PA) See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. Event site: Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino Ad- Championship (PA)
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. dress: 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S Las Vegas NV 89109 Over- See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us.
JUNE 7-9, 2024 all prize fund: see online TLA GP Points: n/a FIDE
JULY 3-7, 2024 Late Spring Swiss Rated: N Handicap accessible: Y Residency restric- JULY 1-2, 2024
52nd Annual World Open, top 6 Event site: Best Western - Okemos/East Lansing tion: N Organizer: Vegas Chess Festivals Email: ve- 13th Annual World Open Women’s
sections (PA) Address: 2209 University Park Drive, Okemos, MI [email protected] Phone: 702-930-9550 Website: Championship! (PA)
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. 48864 Overall prize fund: $3,500 GP Points: n/a https://vegaschessfestival.com TLA ID: 42843 See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
FIDE Rated: N Handicap accessible: Y Residency
restriction: N Organizer: Edward Mandell Email: JULY 19-21, 2024 JULY 1-2, 2024
MASSACHUSETTS [email protected] Phone: 2486352375 Website: 29th Annual Pacific Coast Open (CA-S) 14th Annual World Open Senior
n/a TLA ID: 43116 See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. Amateur (PA)
MAY 18, 2024
1st Greater Baystate Spring Classic See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us.
JUNE 7-9, 2024
Event site: St. John’s Lutheran Church Address: 360
Broad Street, Westfield, MA 01085 Overall prize fund: 17th Annual Continental Chess NEW HAMPSHIRE JULY 3-7, 2024
$930 b/30 GP Points: n/a FIDE Rated: N Handicap ac- Cleveland Open (OH) 52nd Annual World Open, top 6
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
MAY 18, 2024
cessible: Y Residency restriction: N Organizer: Great-
1st Greater Baystate Spring Classic sections (PA)
er Baystate Chess Association Email: greater.baystate. See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
[email protected] Phone: (413)-356-0303 Website: JULY 1-2, 2024 (MA)
https://www.greaterbaystatechess.com TLA ID: 42503 3rd Annual World Open Amateur See Massachusetts.
AUGUST 10-14, 2024
Championship (PA) 11th Annual Washington International
MAY 22-27, 2024 See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us. MAY 22-27, 2024
11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA) (MD)
92nd Massachusetts Open (MA) See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix. JULY 3-7, 2024 See Grand Prix.
52nd Annual World Open, top 6
MAY 22-27, 2024 sections (PA) NEW MEXICO
11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA) See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. NEW JERSEY
See Grand Prix.
JUNE 5-6, 2024
JANUARY 14-DECEMBER 31, 2024
2024 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
Hamilton Chess Club Quads
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT MINNESOTA Dates: Jan. 13, Feb. 10, Mar. 9, Apr. 20, May 18,
See National Events.
JUNE 1-2, 2024 MAY 23-27, 2024 Jun. 8, Aug. 17, Sep. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, Dec. 21. JUNE 5-9, 2024
7th Massachusetts Senior Open 33rd Annual Chicago Open (IL) Event site: Switlik Park Pavilion Address: Fischer
Event site: Boylston Chess Club Address: 35 Kingston See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. Place/Joe Dimaggio Drive, Hamilton, NJ 08610 Over- 2024 National Open (NV)
all prize fund: n/a GP Points: n/a FIDE Rated: N See National Events.
St. Unit 1, Boston MA 02111 Overall prize fund: $500
GP Points: n/a FIDE Rated: N Handicap accessible: Handicap accessible: N Residency restriction: N
Y Residency restriction: N Organizer: Massachusetts
Chess Association Email: [email protected] Phone:
MISSOURI Organizer: Edward Sytnik Email: edmendou@aol.
com Phone: 609- 351- 2437 text Website: http:// NEW YORK
603-891-2484 Website: http://www.masschess.org MAY 23-27, 2024 hamiltonchessclub.com TLA ID: 40988 MAY 18, 2024
TLA ID: 43113 33rd Annual Chicago Open (IL)
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
1st Greater Baystate Spring Classic
MAY 22-27, 2024 (MA)
JUNE 7-9, 2024 11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA)
MAY 26, 2024 See Massachusetts.
32nd Annual Eastern Class See Grand Prix.
Championships (CT) 13th Annual Chicago Open Blitz (IL) MAY 22-27, 2024
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. MAY 23-27, 2024 11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA)
JUNE 14-16, 2024
33rd Annual Chicago Open (IL) See Grand Prix.
JUNE 1-2, 2024
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
28th Annual New York State Open (NY) Nebraska Chess Hall of Fame MAY 23-27, 2024
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. Champions Celebration (NE) MAY 25, 2024
See Grand Prix 33rd Annual Chicago Open (IL)
JUNE 27-JULY 1, 2024 2024 US Amateur East K-8 Scholastic See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
JULY 3-7, 2024 Event site: Hyatt Regency New Brunswick Address:
17th Annual Philadelphia International Two Albany Street New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901 MAY 31-JUNE 2, 2024
(PA) 52nd Annual World Open, top 6 Overall prize fund: n/a GP Points: n/a FIDE Rated:
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. sections (PA) 4th Annual Niagara Falls Open (NY)
N Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. Organizer: Aaron Kiedes Email: [email protected]
JUNE 28-30, 2024 Phone: n/a Website: hhttps://njscf.org/ TLA ID: 42116
18th Annual Philadelphia Open (PA) JUNE 7-9, 2024
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. NEBRASKA MAY 31-JUNE 2, 2024 32nd Annual Eastern Class
Championships (CT)
JUNE 1-2, 2024 11th Summer Soltice Open (FL) See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
JULY 1-2, 2024
Nebraska Chess Hall of Fame See Grand Prix.
2nd Annual World Open Junior Champions Celebration (NE)
Championship (PA) JUNE 14-16, 2024
See Grand Prix. JUNE 7-9, 2024
See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us. 28th Annual New York State Open (NY)
32nd Annual Eastern Class See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
JULY 1-2, 2024 Championships (CT)
3rd Annual World Open Amateur
NEVADA See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. JUNE 27-JULY 1, 2024
Championship (PA) JUNE 5-6, 2024 17th Annual Philadelphia International
See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us. 2024 U.S. Women’s Open (NV) JUNE 14-16, 2024 (PA)
See National Events. 28th Annual New York State Open (NY) See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
JULY 1-2, 2024 See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
14th Annual World Open Senior JULY 5-7, 2024 JUNE 28-30, 2024
Amateur (PA) 26th Annual Sacramento Chess JUNE 21-23, 2024 18th Annual Philadelphia Open (PA)
See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us. Championship (CA-N) 2024 Chicago Summer Open (IL) See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
See Grand Prix See Grand Prix.
JULY 3-7, 2024 JUNE 28-30, 2024
52nd Annual World Open, top 6 JUNE 6, 2024 JUNE 27-JULY 1, 2024 52nd Annual World Open, Under 1200
sections (PA) National Open Action Quads 17th Annual Philadelphia International and Under 1000 Sections (PA)
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. Event site: Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino Ad- (PA) See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us.
dress: 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S Las Vegas NV 89109 Over- See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
JULY 26-28, 2024 all prize fund: see TLA GP Points: n/a FIDE Rated: JULY 1-2, 2024
29th Annual Bradley Open (CT) N Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N JUNE 28-30, 2024 2nd Annual World Open Junior
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. Organizer: Vegas Chess Festivals Email: vegaschess@ 18th Annual Philadelphia Open (PA) Championship (PA)
gmail.com Phone: 702-930-9550 Website: https://ve- See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us.
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
AUGUST 10-14, 2024 gaschessfestival.com TLA ID: 42845
11th Annual Washington International JUNE 28-30, 2024 JULY 1-2, 2024
(MD) JUNE 7, 2024
Youth Trophy Tournament 52nd Annual World Open, Under 1200 3rd Annual World Open Amateur
See Grand Prix. and Under 1000 Sections (PA) Championship (PA)
Event site: Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino Ad-
See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us. See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us.
dress: 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S Las Vegas NV 89109
MICHIGAN Overall prize fund: n/a GP Points: n/a FIDE Rated:
N Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N JULY 1-2, 2024 JULY 1-2, 2024
MAY 22-27, 2024 Organizer: Vegas Chess Festivals Email: vegaschess@ 2nd Annual World Open Junior 13th Annual World Open Women’s
11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA) gmail.com Phone: 702-930-9550 Website: https://ve- Championship (PA) Championship! (PA)
See Grand Prix. gaschessfestival.com TLA ID: 42841 See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us. See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 57

TOURNAMENT LIFE See Previous Issue for TLAs appearing May 1-14

MAY 31-JUNE 2, 2024 JULY 6, 2024

For complete details on individual events, please visit 11th Summer Soltice Open (FL) 32nd Annual World Open Game/10
new.uschess.org/node/[TLA ID]. You will find the event’s unique See Grand Prix. Championship (PA)
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
five-digit TLA ID at the end of each TLA. JUNE 7-9, 2024
17th Annual Continental Chess JULY 7, 2024
Cleveland Open (OH) 35th Annual World Open Blitz
JULY 1-2, 2024 JUNE 28-30, 2024 See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. Championship (PA)
14th Annual World Open Senior 52nd Annual World Open, Under 1200 See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
Amateur (PA) and Under 1000 Sections (PA) JUNE 27-JULY 1, 2024
See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us. See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us 17th Annual Philadelphia International JULY 26-28, 2024
(PA) 25th Annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
JULY 3-7, 2024 JULY 3-7, 2024 See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
52nd Annual World Open, top 6 52nd Annual World Open, top 6
sections (PA) sections (PA) JUNIOR GRAND PRIX AUGUST 10-14, 2024
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
JUNE 26-27 2024 11th Annual Washington International
JULY 26-28, 2024 AUGUST 10-14, 2024 16th Annual World Open Under 13 (MD)
Championship (PA) See Grand Prix.
25th Annual Pittsburgh Open (PA) 11th Annual Washington International
(MD) Event site: Philadelphia Sheraton Downtown Hotel
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
See Grand Prix. Address: 201 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
JULY 26-28, 2024 Overall prize fund: n/a GP Points: n/a FIDE Rated: RHODE ISLAND
N Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N MAY 18, 2024
29th Annual Bradley Open (CT) Organizer: Continental Chess Association Email: di-
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. OHIO [email protected] Phone: [email protected] Website: 1st Greater Baystate Spring Classic
MAY 22-27, 2024 http://www.chesstour.com TLA ID: 42674 (MA)
AUGUST 10-14, 2024 11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA) See Massachusetts.
11th Annual Washington International See Grand Prix. JUNE 28-30, 2024
(MD) 18th Annual Philadelphia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix. MAY 23-27, 2024 See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. SOUTH CAROLINA
33rd Annual Chicago Open (IL) MAY 22-27, 2024
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. JUNIOR GRAND PRIX 11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA)
NORTH CAROLINA JUNE 28-30, 2024 See Grand Prix.
MAY 4, 2024 MAY 31-JUNE 2, 2024
4th Annual Niagara Falls Open (NY) 52nd Annual World Open, Under 1200
Dragon Knight Cuatro de Mayo Classic
(NC) See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. and Under 1000 Sections SOUTH DAKOTA
See Grand Prix. Event site: Philadelphia Sheraton Downtown Hotel
JUNE 7-9, 2024 Address: 201 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 JUNE 1-2, 2024
MAY 11, 2024 Late Spring Swiss (MI) Overall prize fund: $17,000 GP Points: n/a FIDE Rat- Nebraska Chess Hall of Fame
ed: N Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: Champions Celebration (NE)
Dragon Knight Mother’s Saturday See Michigan.
Classic (NC) N Organizer: Continental Chess Association Email: di- See Grand Prix
See Grand Prix. JUNE 7-9, 2024 [email protected] Phone: [email protected] Website:
http://www.chesstour.com TLA ID: 41567
17th Annual Continental Chess
MAY 18, 2024 Cleveland Open (OH) TENNESSEE
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. JUNIOR GRAND PRIX
Wake County Open Championship (NC) MAY 22-27, 2024
See Grand Prix. JULY 1-2, 2024
JULY 3-7, 2024
11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA)
2nd Annual World Open Junior See Grand Prix.
MAY 22-27, 2024 52nd Annual World Open, top 6 Championship
11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA) sections (PA) Event site: Philadelphia Sheraton Downtown Hotel
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. Address: 201 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
See Grand Prix.
Overall prize fund: $5,000 GP Points: n/a FIDE Rat-
TEXAS
MAY 25, 2024 JULY 26-28, 2024 ed: N Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: FEBRUARY 18, 2024- WEEKLY
Dragon Knight Pre-Memorial Saturday 25th Annual Pittsburgh Open (PA) N Organizer: Continental Chess Association Email: di- CYGA Academy Sunday USCF-Rated
Classic (NC) See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. [email protected] Phone: [email protected] Website: Tournament
See Grand Prix. http://www.chesstour.com TLA ID: 42668 Event site: CYGA Academy Address: 4920 River Falls
Drive, Sugarland, TX 77479 Overall prize fund: n/a GP
MAY 31-JUNE 2, 2024 OKLAHOMA JUNIOR GRAND PRIX Points: n/a FIDE Rated: N Handicap accessible: N
11th Summer Soltice Open (FL) MAY 24-27, 2024 JULY 1-2, 2024 Residency restriction: N Organizer: Wei Yang Email:
See Grand Prix. 3rd Annual World Open Amateur [email protected] Phone: 281-832-6159
Luis Salinas Memorial 79th Website: n/a TLA ID: 42647
Annual Texas State and Amateur Championship
JUNE 1, 2024 Championships (TX) Event site: Philadelphia Sheraton Downtown Hotel
Dragon Knight International Tabletop Address: 201 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 MAY 22-27, 2024
See Grand Prix.
Game Day Classic (NC) Overall prize fund: $3,000 GP Points: n/a FIDE Rat- 11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA)
See Grand Prix. ed: Y Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction: See Grand Prix.
OREGON N Organizer: Continental Chess Association Email: di-
[email protected] Phone: [email protected] Website: MAY 23-27, 2024
JUNIOR GRAND PRIX
JUNE 5-6, 2024 http://www.chesstour.com TLA ID: 42669
JUNE 1, 2024 33rd Annual Chicago Open (IL)
2024 U.S. Women’s Open (NV) See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
Orchard Lake XXVI See National Events. JULY 1-2, 2024
Event site: Orchard Lake Campground Address: 460
Orchard Lake Rd, Saluda, NC 28773 Overall prize fund: 14th Annual World Open Senior MAY 24-27, 2024
JULY 5-7, 2024 Amateur
n/a GP Points: n/a FIDE Rated: N Handicap accessi-
26th Annual Sacramento Chess Luis Salinas Memorial 79th
ble: N Residency restriction: N Organizer: Kevin J Event site: Philadelphia Sheraton Downtown Hotel Annual Texas State and Amateur
Hyde Email: [email protected] Phone:
Championship (CA-N) Address: 201 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
See Grand Prix Championships (TX)
n/a Website: https://achievementtesting.info/chess/ Overall prize fund: $1,000 GP Points: n/a FIDE Rat-
See Grand Prix.
TLA ID: 42876 ed: Y Handicap accessible: Y Residency restriction:
N Organizer: Continental Chess Association Email: di-
PENNSYLVANIA JUNE 5-6, 2024
JUNE 8, 2024 [email protected] Phone: [email protected] Website:
http://www.chesstour.com TLA ID: 42671 2024 U.S. Women’s Open (NV)
Dragon Knight Oceans Day Classic (NC) North Penn Chess Club See National Events.
See Grand Prix. Main & Richardson - St. John’s UCC, 500 West Main St.,
Lansdale, PA 19446. See www.northpennchessclub. JULY 1-2, 2024
org for schedules & info or 215-699-8418 13th Annual World Open Women’s JUNE 5-9, 2024
JUNE 15, 2024
Dragon Knight Flag/Father’s Saturday Championship! (PA) 2024 National Open (NV)
MAY 22-27, 2024 See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. See National Events.
Classic (NC)
See Grand Prix. 11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA)
See Grand Prix. JULY 3-7, 2024 JULY 3-7, 2024
JUNE 27-JULY 1, 2024 52nd Annual World Open, top 6 52nd Annual World Open, top 6
17th Annual Philadelphia International MAY 23-27, 2024 sections (PA) sections (PA)
(PA) 33rd Annual Chicago Open (IL) See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
JULY 3, 2024 AUGUST 10-14, 2024
JUNE 28-30, 2024 MAY 31-JUNE 2, 2024 13th Annual World Open Game/7 11th Annual Washington International
18th Annual Philadelphia Open (PA) 4th Annual Niagara Falls Open (NY) Championship (PA) (MD)
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. See Grand Prix.

58 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 JUNE 28-30, 2024
UTAH VIRGINIA 52nd Annual World Open, Under 1200
WEST VIRGINIA
SEPTEMBER 7, 2023-ONGOING WEEKLY MAY 22-27, 2024 and Under 1000 Sections (PA) MAY 22-27, 2024
Chess Knight 11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA) See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us. 11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA)
Event site: Kiln (Lehi) Address: 2701 N Thanksgiving See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix.
Way #100, Lehi, UT 84043 Overall prize fund: n/a GP JULY 1-2, 2024
Points: n/a FIDE Rated: N Handicap accessible: MAY 23-27, 2024 3rd Annual World Open Amateur
Y Residency restriction: N Organizer: Rob Harker 33rd Annual Chicago Open (IL) Championship (PA)
See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us.
WISCONSIN
Email: [email protected] Phone: n/a Web- See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
site: n/a TLA ID: 39726 MAY 22-27, 2024
MAY 31-JUNE 2, 2024 JULY 1-2, 2024 11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA)
JUNE 5-6, 2024 11th Summer Soltice Open (FL) 13th Annual World Open Women’s See Grand Prix.
2024 U.S. Women’s Open (NV) See Grand Prix. Championship! (PA)
See National Events. See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. JUNE 21-23, 2024
JUNE 1, 2024 2024 Chicago Summer Open (IL)
JUNE 5-9, 2024 JULY 1-2, 2024
MCA Arlington Quads for K-12 See Grand Prix.
2024 National Open (NV) Event site: Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington 14th Annual World Open Senior
Address: 4444 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22204 Amateur (PA) JULY 3-7, 2024
See National Events.
Overall prize fund: n/a GP Points: n/a FIDE Rated: See Pennsylvania or chessevents.us.
52nd Annual World Open, top 6
JUNE 7, 2024 N Handicap accessible: N Residency restriction: N sections (PA)
Organizer: Magnus Chess Academy Email: divyanshu@
JULY 3-7, 2024
Youth Trophy Tournament (NV) chessacademy.com Phone: n/a Website: https://ches- 52nd Annual World Open, top 6 See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
See Nevada. sacademy.com/tournaments TLA ID: 39040 sections (PA)
See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. JULY 6-7, 2024
JUNE 8, 2024 47th Annual Green Bay Open (WI)
International Youth Championship (NV) STATE CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT AUGUST 10-14, 2024 See Grand Prix.
See Nevada. JUNE 7-9, 2024 11th Annual Washington International
2024 Virginia Senior Open (MD) JULY 19-21, 2024
JULY 5-7, 2024 Event site: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Address: See Grand Prix.
17th Annual Chicago Class
26th Annual Sacramento Chess 10358 Patriot Highway, Fredericksburg, VA 22408 Overall Championships (IL)
Championship (CA-N) prize fund: $2,000 GP Points: n/a FIDE Rated: Y Hand- See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
See Grand Prix icap accessible: Y Residency restriction: N Organiz- WASHINGTON
er: Mike Hoffpauir, NTD/IA Email: [email protected] JUNE 8, 2024 AUGUST 16-18, 2024
Phone: 7578464805 Website: https://www.vachess.org International Youth Championship (NV) 96th Wisconsin Closed Championship /
VERMONT TLA ID: 42109 See Nevada. Marshall Rohland Memorial (WI)
MAY 18, 2024 JUNE 27-JULY 1, 2024 JULY 5-7, 2024
See Grand Prix.
1st Greater Baystate Spring Classic 17th Annual Philadelphia International 26th Annual Sacramento Chess
(MA) (PA)
See Massachusetts. See Grand Prix or chessevents.us.
Championship (CA-N)
See Grand Prix.
WYOMING
JUNE 1-2, 2024
MAY 22-27, 2024 JUNE 28-30, 2024 JULY 19-21, 2024 Nebraska Chess Hall of Fame
11th Cherry Blossom Classic (VA) 18th Annual Philadelphia Open (PA) 29th Annual Pacific Coast Open (CA-S) Champions Celebration (NE)
See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. See Grand Prix or chessevents.us. See Grand Prix.

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 59

TOURNAMENT LIFE See Previous Issue for TLAs appearing May 1-14

  THANK YOU TO OUR

       



     
         
BENEFACTORS
673 7%03$75$7 $8'/19+('*:42375:7 48'/19+('*:62345
           
%&"!+ -+('*!'/1* !"# ! "#
Thank-you for being the
    !"#$%&#'()*+,-+('*./&#0/1/"2345 sustaining force behind alll our
initiatives, and for making all
    of our programs possible.

 !"#$#%&''()$*+' "%(
-+('% !**A23 75$7A>%?#**@<=0.-/"'
          For a full list of our
Benefactors please visit
 
 
 
https://new.uschess.org/benefactor-members
 
B/"!+/)?#/;!+*#!*    

PCT GAIN STANDINGS

(MAP)

MEMBERSHIP State
SD
WY
Dec20
81
68
Dec21
172
134
PCT
112.35
97.06
APPRECIATION KS
DC
402
260
776
497
93.03
91.15
PROGRAM RI
SC
215
556
409
1,043
90.23
87.59
US Chess gratefully acknowledges the support HI 162 296 82.72
of our our Affiliates and Members and offers ID 239 422 76.57
CO 952 1,607 68.80
congratulations to these 2022 MAP Winners. AZ 1,293 2,162 67.21

Name State Count Name State Count Name State Count

Overall Affiliate Standings State Chapter Affiliate Standings Scholastic and Youth Membership Standings

CONTINENTAL CHESS ASSOCIATION NY 1,714 MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION MI 222 CONTINENTAL CHESS ASSOCIATION NY 715
PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 431 WASHINGTON CHESS FEDERATION WA 221 PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 430
BAY AREA CHESS CA 303 MARYLAND CHESS ASSOCIATION MD 65 BAY AREA CHESS CA 237
SAN DIEGO CHESS CLUB CA 294 MASSACHUSETTS CHESS ASSOC. MA 58 BOCA RATON CHESS CLUB FL 221
BOCA RATON CHESS CLUB FL 263 MINNESOTA STATE CHESS ASSOC. MN 57 WASHINGTON CHESS FEDERATION WA 179
CHESS CLUB & SCHOLASTIC CENTER MO 224 UTAH CHESS ASSOCIATION UT 56 BERKELEY CHESS SCHOOL CA 166
MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION MI 222 TENNESSEE CHESS ASSOCIATION TN 49 MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION MI 160
WASHINGTON CHESS FEDERATION WA 221 NORTH DAKOTA CHESS ASSOC. ND 47 NEW ENGLAND CHESS SCHOOL MA 143
BERKELEY CHESS SCHOOL CA 191 NEW JERSEY STATE CHESS FED. NJ 45 ROCKS & ROOKS CHESS CLUB TX 117
SOUTH MIAMI CHESS CLUB FL 172 MAINE CHESS ASSOCIATION ME 42 CINCINNATI SCHOLASTIC CHESS OH 117

Small State Affiliate Standings Adult Membership Standings Member Standings

NORTH DAKOTA CHESS ASSOC. ND 47 CONTINENTAL CHESS ASSOCIATION NY 990 WILLIAM GOICHBERG NY 3
MAINE CHESS ASSOCIATION ME 42 SAN DIEGO CHESS CLUB CA 202 STEVEN JOSEFOWICZ NY 3
HARRISON COUNTY CHESS CLUB WV 28 CHESS CLUB & SCHOLASTIC CENTER MO 186 DAMIAN NASH HI 2
NEW MEXICO CHESS ORGANIZATION NM 24 ROCHESTER CHESS CENTER NY 90 BENNY N. ORMSON OK 2
LIKENS CHESS SD 23 CHESSPALACE CA 83
TOURNAMENT IN A NOX NH 21 DOWNRIVER CHESS CLUB LA 70
WVSCA WV 21 MARSHALL CHESS CLUB NY 69
NEW HAMPSHIRE CHESS ASSOC. NH 18 BAY AREA CHESS CA 64
KNIGHTS CHESS CLUB NH 16 MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION MI 62
OCEAN STATE CHESS ASSOCIATION RI 15 SOUTH MIAMI CHESS CLUB FL 59

60 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 Gold & Silver
Affiliates
US CHESS would like to recognize and thank
all of our Affiliates for their commitment and hard work.

US CHESS GOLD AFFILIATES

Bay Area Chess Charlotte Chess Marshall Chess Saint Louis
San Jose, CA Center Club Chess Club
408-409-6596 Charlotte, NC New York, NY St. Louis, MO
www.bayareachess.com 980-265-1156 212-477-3716 314-361-CHESS (2437)
https://www.charlot- www.marshallchessclub.org www.saintlouischessclub.org
Berkeley Chess techesscenter.org/
School Ocean State Chess San Diego Chess
Berkeley, CA Continental Chess Association Club
510-843-0150 Association Riverside, RI San Diego, CA
www.berkeleychessschool.org Pelham, NY 619-752-4377
401-212-1335
201-347-2269 www.oceanstatechess.com www.sandiegochessclub.org
www.chesstour.com
Capital Area Chess
Centreville VA Washington Chess
703-627-5314 King Registration PaperClip Pairings Federation
Chicago, IL Brownsville, TX Redmond, WA
www.capitalareachess.com 956-621-0377
773-317-8347 206-769-3757
www.kingregistration.com [email protected] www.wachess.com
Caveman Chess,
LLC Manasota Chess Sacred Heart
Park Ridge, IL University Chess
224-985-5244
Center
Sarasota, FL Club
www.cavemanchess.com Fairfield, CT
941-900-3296
www.manasotachess.org 203-365-4827
www.sacredheartclub-
sports.com/sports/Chess

US CHESS SILVER AFFILIATES

Boca Raton Chess Club (FL) Downriver Chess Club (LA) Rochester Chess Center (NY)
www.bocachess.com www.downriverchess.com www.chessset.com

CDA Collin County Chess Club (TX) Evangel Chess Club (AL) Sparta Chess Club (NJ)
www.coramdeoacademy.org/chess www.evangelchurch.me www.spartachessclub.org

ChessPalace (CA) Little House of Chess, Inc. (NY) TLA Chess (VA)
www.chesspalace.com littlehouseofchess.org [email protected]

Michigan Chess Association (MI)

www.michess.org

For all information on becoming a Gold or Silver Affiliate, please visit https://new.uschess.org/gold-and-silver-affiliates.

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 61

CLASSIFIEDS May 2024

CORRESPONDENCE CHESS Two ways to enter:

Check out these US Chess Rated Events!
s! • Visit
V us online at uschess.org
• Mail
M in the form below
ICCF
7-Player Championship Events Server
2024 Golden Knights (Postal) | 2024 Electronic Knights GGENERAL
EN INFORMATION
FORMAT: Players play 6 games as single round robin, groupings based on order entries received.
eived. • US CChess membership must remain current for the duration
Players start in Preliminary round and qualify for Semi-final and then Final rounds based on scores in of all events.
previous round. ENTRY FEE: $35 per entry. Players can enter up to a maximum of 10 times per event. • Postal events are open only to US Chess members who
PRIZES: Prize fund of $2300 based on 200 entries. $15 correspondence chess gift certificate to reside on the contiguous USA, Alaska, Hawaii or have an APO/
players knocked out in Preliminary round. FPO postal address.
• Email events are open to all US Chess members with an
7-Player Round Robins accessible email account.
Victor Palciauskas Tournament (ICCF Server) • ICCF Server events are open to all US Chess members with
FORMAT: Players play 6 games as single round robin, groupings based on ratings. ENTRY FEE: $5 per access to the ICCF internet based correspondence chess
entry. PRIZES: 1st place receives a signed certificate. server and an ICCF account (free to create) in good standing.
• For events with groupings based on ratings, the following
4-Player Quads rating classes will be used:
John W. Collins Memorial (Postal) | Walter Muir E-Quads (ICCF Server) o Class A: 1800 and o Class C: 1200-1699
FORMAT: Players play 6 games as double round robin, groupings based on ratings. ENTRY FEE: above o Class D: 1399 and
$10 per entry. PRIZES: 1st place receives $25 correspondence chess gift certificate and signed o Class B: 1500-1999 below
certificate. • If you do not have an existing correspondence rating, please
estimate your playing strength when submitting your entry.
2-Player Matches (Postal or Email)
• Correspondence chess gift certificate prizes can be used on
FORMAT: Players play either 2, 4, or 6 games against the same opponent. Selecting multiple options
correspondence chess entries only. They cannot be used for
may facilitate faster pairings. Pairings based on ratings or players may name their own opponent.
membership renewals or at US Chess Sales.
ENTRY FEE: $5 per entry. PRIZES: None.

Online entry and payment by credit card is available at new.uschess.org/correspondence-chess

Name________________________________________USCHESSID#_________________________Est.Rating__________Phone________________________

Address_____________________________________City____________________State____ZIP___________E-mail___________________________________
Golden Knights EF: $35 Palciauskas ICCF EF: $5 Muir ICCF Quad EF: $10 2-player matches, EF: $5 per entry, see above for options
Electronic Knights EF: $35 Collins Quad EF: $10 Postal Match: 2 | 4 | 6  Email Match: 2 | 4 | 6
Check here if you do not wish to have an opponent who is incarcerated (note that this may slow down your assignment).

Make checks payable to US CHESS and mail to: US Chess Correspondence Chess, PO Box 775308, St. Louis, MO 63177

288 Dunlop Blvd.; Building 400; Huntsville, AL 35824.

Classifieds
Chess Life accepts classified advertising in these cate-
gories: Activities, For Rent, For Sale, Games, Instruction,
*Website: www.houseofstaunton.com; phone: (256)
858-8070; email: [email protected] ADVERTISE
Miscellaneous, Services, Tournaments, Wanted. Only Instruction WITH US CHESS
e-mailed copy is accepted. Rates for affiliates (per word, ONLINE CHESS LESSONS
per insertion, minimum of $15 per issue): $1.00. All ad-
vertising in Chess Life is subject to the requirements as
For the best in chess lessons: ChessExercise.com
To work on your chess technique: ChessThinker.com
Want to
published at new.uschess.org/about/advertise. To submit
your ad or for additional questions e-mail mmatthews@ Wanted
know more?
uschess.org. * CHESS-PLAYER SCHOLARS * For more information and rates, see
in top 10% of high school class with USCF > 2000 and new.uschess.org/about/advertise/
For Sale SAT (math + reading + writing) > 1400 for possible
WORLD’S FINEST CHESS SETS college scholarships to UMBC. Prof. Alan Sherman,
*The House of Staunton produces unquestionably Dept. of Computer Science and Electrical Engineer-
the finest Staunton Chess sets. *Pay-Pal and all Major ing, Univ. of Maryland, Baltimore County, 21250.
Credit Cards accepted. The House of Staunton, Inc.; [email protected].

62 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 May 2024 SOLUTIONS

Solutions
PAGE 13 CHESS TO ENJOY Chess Life and
PROBLEM 1. 31. ... Ra8! threatens 32. ... Rxg1+! 33. Kxg1
Rh8 and 34. ... Rh1 mate. PROBLEM 2. 33. ... Bxg3+!
wins following 34. Bxg3 Rxf1 or 34. Kg1 Bxh3. After 34.
Chess Life Kids
Kxg3 he has a choice of wins: 34. ... Rf3+, 34. ... Bxh3 Included with your US
or 34. ... Qe5+, i.e, 35. Kxg4 Qg5 mate, or 35. Kg2 Bf3+.
PROBLEM 3. 46. ... Rxg3! so that 47. Qxg3 Bf4 or 47.
Chess membership!
Kxg3 Bf4+ 48. Kg4 Qc7 (with the idea ... Qc7-g7+) wins
the queen. White resigned after 47. Qxb6 Bf4 48. Rf2 All US Chess members have
Rg2+ 49. Kh1 Rg8+. But the mating 49. ... Rh2+ is faster.
PROBLEM 4. 21. f4! wins the queen after 21. ... Qh6 (or
free access to digital editions
21. ... Qh4 22. Bxg7! Kxg7 23. Rh5) 22. Bxg7! Qxg7 23. Rg5. of US Chess’ award-winning
The game went 21. ... Qe7 22. Bxh7+? Kxh7 23. Qh5+ magazines, Chess Life and
Kg8 24. Bxg7 f5! 25. Be5 Nc4?? 26. Qg6+ and Black re-
signed. But 25. ... Qh7! defends. Correct was 22. Bxg7!
Chess Life Kids.
Kxg7 23. Rg5+ Kh8 24. Bxh7! and wins. PROBLEM 5.
Printed copies of Chess Life
28. ... Qxf4 29. Nxf4 Rxd4 and White resigned. If 30. Qf5
Rxf4 31. Qxf4 e2 and Black promotes. PROBLEM 6. 32. or Chess Life Kids can be
Rxd4! Qxd4 33. Bxg5! Qa7 34. Nxd5+ Kd7 35. Qb5+ and added on to any membership
mates. Or 33. ... Qxd1+ 34. Qxd1 hxg5 35. Qd4! followed
for a nominal fee, currently
by Qd4-a7+ or Qd4-c5+.
$12/year (12 issues) for
PAGE 21 MAKE YOUR MOVE Chess Life and $6/year (6
TACTIC 1. After 11. ... e4! White resigned, as the queen
cannot keep guarding the c3-knight while successfully
issues) for Chess Life Kids.
getting out of the fork from the e4-pawn. (Saine – Lu
Miaoyi, Reykjavik Open 2024) TACTIC 2. 19. ... Qxf2+!
and White resigned on account of 19. ... Qxf2+! 20. Qxf2 Nf5 24. Qc1 Nxg3+ 25. Kh2 e4, threatening ... Ng3-f1+ in two moves: 1. Qh6 gxh6 2. Nxh6 mate. PROBLEM
h2+ 21. Kxh2 Rxf2 and Black has a winning position. followed by ... Qd6-h2+ and ... Nf1-g3 mate. 23. ... Qxe5 4: White scores in two: 1. Rxg7+ Kxg7 2. Qg5 mate.
(Beisteiner – Sachdev, Reykjavik Open 2024) TACTIC 24. Rbe1 Here 24. fxg3 Nf5 immediately decides. 24. ... PROBLEM 5: Black is mated in two: 1. Qxb7+ Qxb7 2.
3. 18. Bxc6! The onslaught begins. 18. ... Bxc6 19. Rc1 Qg5 25. Qxg5 Rxg5 26. Rxe6 Re5 27. Re1 Rxe1+ 28. Rxb7 mate. PROBLEM 6: White mates in two: 1. Nh6+
Nab8 No choice but to defend the bishop. 20. Qa3+! Rxe1 Nf5 29. c3 Re7 and White resigned. (Karamsetty gxh6 2. Qxh8 mate.
Suddenly White is hitting Black’s king on the diagonal. – Thorhallsson, Reykjavik Open 2024) TACTIC 7. 20. ...
20. ... Kf6 Or 20. ... Ke8 21. Ne4 Qa6 22. Qxa6 Nxa6 23. d4! 21. Bxb7 Qxb7 22. Nxd4 Ng5! This was the point
Rxc6 and White is winning. 21. Rxc6 Qxc6 Or 21. ... behind the pawn sacrifice: White is hopelessly weak on
CHESS LIFE USPS # 102-840 (ISSN 0197-260X). Volume 79
Nxc6 22. Ne4+ Kf5 23. Qf3 mate. 22. Nxc6 Nxc6 23. the light squares and is lost. 23. h4 Or 23. e4 Nfxe4 24.
No. 05. PRINTED IN THE USA. Chess Life, formerly Chess
Qf3+ and Black resigned. (Kistrup – Saine, Reykjavik Qd5 Nh3+ 25. Kg2 Nhxf2 and Black is winning. 23. ... Life & Review, is published monthly by the United States
Open 2024) TACTIC 4. 21. Nxf7! Nxf7 Or 21. ... Qxb3 Nh3+ 24. Kf1 Qh1+ 25. Ke2 Qg2 26. Rf1 Nh5 There is Chess Federation, PO Box 775308, St. Louis, MO 63177-5308.
22. Nxd6+ Rxd6 23. axb3 Rdd8 24. Be3 and White has no good defense against ... Nh5xg3+. 27. Ke1 Nxg3 28. Chess Life & Review and Chess Life remain the property of
USCF. Annual subscription (without membership): $112.
won a pawn, the better pawn structure, and a decisive fxg3 Rxe3+ 29. Nde2 d5 30. Qxd5 and White resigned Periodical postage paid at St. Louis, MO 63177-5308 and
advantage. Also 21. ... c4 22. Nxd6+ wins easily. 22. without waiting for Black’s response. (Markuszewski – Xu additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address
Qxe6+ Rd7 23. Qb6 Or 23. c4 Bc6 24. b3, and White Xiangyu, Reykjavik Open 2024) TACTIC 8. 21. ... Qg6! changes to Chess Life (USCF), PO Box 775308, St. Louis, MO
63177-5308. Entire contents ©2024 by the United States
wins. 23. ... Rhd8 24. b3 Qa3 25. Bf5 and Black re- 22. hxg4 Rxg2+! Boom! Black’s attack crashes through
Chess Federation. All rights reserved. No part of this pub-
signed in Harish – Garifullina, Reykjavik Open 2024. with brutality. 23. Kxg2 Nxg4 24. Qe2 Or 24. Kf1 Rf8+. lication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
TACTIC 5. 22. e6! After this move, Black’s position im- 24. ... Rf8 25. Rf1 Nf2+ 26. Kh2 Qh6+ and, facing mate, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise without the prior
mediately starts crumbling. 22. ... Rxe6 Or 22. ... Qc7 White resigned. (Brackmann – Dauner, Reykjavik Open
written permission of USCF. Note: Unsolicited materials are
23. Qf5 Nh8 24. Rab1 and White completely dominates 2024) TACTIC 9. 35. ... Re2!! Only like this does Black submitted at the sender’s risk and Chess Life accepts no re-
the board. 23. Rxe6 Qxe6 24. Qxb7 Qc8 25. Rb1 Nf4 manage to get his counterplay to hit in timely fashion. sponsibility for them. Materials will not be returned unless
It was better to play 25. ... Rb8 26. Qxc8+ Rxc8 27. Rb7 In the game, Black missed his chance and lost after 35. accompanied by appropriate postage and packaging. Address
all submissions to Chess Life, PO Box 775308, St. Louis, MO
Bb8 28. g3 and White has a clear advantage thanks to ... Qa7?? 36. Bxf8 Nxf8 37. Ng4 Qe7 38. Nf6+ Kh8 39.
63177-5308. The opinions expressed are strictly those of the
Black’s passive pieces. 26. Ne5! In the game, White Rxd3 Qb4 40. Kg2 Ra2 41. Rd8 Rxf2+ 42. Kh3 and Black contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the
won after 26. Kf1 f6 27. Bd6 Ne6 28. Qxc8+ Rxc8 29. resigned in Sanal – Jin Yueheng, Reykjavik Open 2024. United States Chess Federation. Send all address changes
to: U.S. Chess, Membership Services, PO Box 775308, St.
Rb7 Ra8 30. Re7 Nd8 31. Re8+ Kf7 32. Rf8+ Ke6 33. 36. Qxd7 Rxe3 37. Qd8 Rxg3+ 38. Kf1 Is it over? 38.
Louis, MO 63177-5308. Include your USCF I.D. number and
Bc7 Ke7 34. Rg8 Rc8 35. Bxa5 Bb8 36. Nh4 Bc7 37. ... Rg1+ Nope! 39. Kxg1 Qg4+ with a perpetual check. a recent mailing label if possible. This information may be
Rxg7+ Nf7 38. Nf5+ Ke6 39. Bxc7 and Black resigned e-mailed to [email protected]. Please give us eight
in Cieslak – Mammadzada (Reykjavik Open, 2024). 26. PAGE 47 ABCS OF CHESS weeks advance notice. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO.
41473530 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES
... Ne2+ 27. Kh1 Qxb7 28. Rxb7 Nxc3 29. Nxc6 and PROBLEM 1: It’s mate in two for White: 1. Qxg5+ fxg5 TO EXPRESS MESSENGER INTERNATIONAL P.O. BOX 25058
White wins easily. TACTIC 6. 22. ... Rxg3! 23. Nxe5 After 2. Rh8 mate. PROBLEM 2: White mates in two with 1. LONDON BRC, ONTARIO, CANADA N6C 6A8
23. fxg3, White’s positions completely falls apart: 23. ... Qxc6+ Qxc6 2. Bxc6 mate. PROBLEM 3: White mates

USCHESS.ORG MAY 2024 63

 MICHAEL MILLER
LIFE BENEFACTOR MEMBER, The greatest lesson of
CHESS CLUB CONVENER, chess is that it’s not
CLASS B PLAYER about what we play,
but instead, about
whom and where we
play...

I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE HAD

some truly wonderful times play-y
ing chess. My first rated tourna-
ment was the New York State Ju-
D

nior Championship in 1970, while I was in

high school. The winner of that event was a
12-year-old future GM, Jon Tisdall!
In 1972 I joined the U.S. Marine Corps.
This was my best career move. Military
orders put me near Memphis, where I met
John Hurt, and Washington D.C., where I
got to know Homer Jones. In both places I
found warm, welcoming chess communities.
While assigned to HMX-1, the Presiden-
tial Helicopter Squadron, I received orders
to play in the 1974 and 1975 U.S. Armed Chuck Unruh (L) and
Forces Chess Championships as a member Michael Miller (R)
in 2023
of the Sea Services Team. Our team captain
was Charles Lawton (USN), a strong master
who years later participated in the 2009 U.S.
Championship! ipating in simuls with GMs Arthur Bisguier
One favorite memory comes from the and Svetozar Gligoric, and facing GMs Joel
1974 Armed Forces Championship, where Benjamin and Robert Byrne in successive
George Koltanowski was a honored guest. New York State Quick Championships.
He played skittles with many of us. My best chess move came in a game
Of course, it was tough going in these against Syracuse master Peretz Miller in
events — I was a B player competing with ex- 1993. In the game, Peretz gambited two
perts and masters, and the Air Force teams pawns with Black and intensified his attack
won both years. Current US Chess board on my king. He may have overlooked that
member and national master Charles Unruh I could castle into safety. With this move,
(USAF) won the individual title in 1975, with simultaneously strengthening my offense
one of his victories coming at my expense. and defense, I took over the game.
Some 47 years later I played Chuck again in 26. ... Re6
the 2023 Armed Forces Championship Vet- Black offers both rooks, hoping to wriggle
erans Section. This time we drew our game, IT’S A KING MOVE out of the situation. Which one to take?
and Chuck took clear first in the tournament, Michael Miller (1793)
while I finished second on tiebreaks. Peretz Miller (2212) 27. Qxg5!, Black resigned.
Chuck is from Oklahoma, and I’m from 2nd Sunday Mini-Swiss (2), 06.13.1993 The right capture. The win is much easier
upstate New York. We took very different this way than if I had taken the rook on e6.
career paths after our enlistment, but we (see diagram top of next column)
PHOTO: COURTESY SUBJECT

both actively promote US Chess through The greatest lesson of chess is that it’s not
education and local events. I host three 21. 0-0! f6 22. e5! Rxe5 23. gxf6 g5 about what we play, but instead, about whom
library chess clubs in the Syracuse area, Now comes MY BEST MOVE, opening a space and where we play, and about the friends we
and I have formed a US Chess affiliate with for a possible queen advance. make over the course of a lifetime. I may
the goal of growing over-the-board chess in not be a Jimmy Stewart, but in summary,
central New York. 24. f7!! Rh6 25. hxg5 Rxg5 26. Qe3! I’ll borrow that famous phrase: it has been
Other favorite memories include partic- Attacking both rooks and the king! a wonderful “chess” life.

64 MAY 2024 USCHESS.ORG

 The United States’ Largest
Chess Specialty Retailer
888.51.CHESS (512.4377) www.USCFSales.com

The World’s
Greatest
CHESS SET®
Play chess anywhere, anytime with The World’s Greatest Chess Set®.
This modern, tournament-style chess set includes a full-color thin mousepad board,
tournament-approved chess pieces, and a matching quiver bag to complete the
perfect chess combination!
The 20” x 20” full-color thin mousepad board rolls and folds up for easy travel never
creasing like a vinyl board.
Our large, easy-to-handle Staunton pieces feature
felted, single, triple, or quadruple weighted bases COMBOWGCS
(depending on your selection) that won’t blow over
in the wind or when tapped on by a child. Starting at
The World’s Greatest Chess Set® is truly suitable for
beginners and advanced players. $19.95
Free Ground Shipping On All Orders Over $100.00
Excludes Clearance, Shopworn and Items Otherwise Marked
 World’s biggest open tournament!
52nd Annual

WORLD OPEN
9 rounds,Philadelphia Sheraton Downtown
Top 6 sections: July 3-7, 4-7 or 5-7
Under 1200, Under 1000 sections: June 28-30
GM & IM norms possible, mixed doubles prizes, GM lectures!
A HISTORIC SITE SPECIAL FEATURES!
The World Open returns to the 1) Schedule options. 5-day is most 4) Provisional (under 26 games) and
Sheraton Downtown, near many historic popular; 4-day & 3-day save time. All unrated prize limits.
landmarks including Independence Hall, merge, play for same prizes. Open is 5- 5) Under 2200 & U2000 sections, as
Franklin Institute, Philadelphia Museum of day only, U1200 & U1000 3-day only. well as Open, are also FIDE rated.
Art, the Liberty Bell, and restaurants, 2) Play for norms & big money in 6) International 6/27-7/1, Philadelphia
theaters, museums, shopping.
Special room rates: $148-$148-$168- Open: $5000-2500-1500 to each of FIDE Open 6/28-30, Under 13 6/26-/27, Amateur
2300-2449, 2200-2299, and U2200/Unr. 7/1-2, Junior 7/1-2, Senior Amateur 7/1-2,
$188. Reservations link & parking info at 3) Prize limit $1000 if post-event OTB Womens Championship 7/1-2, other side
chessevents,us. or online rating 71/23-7/1/24 (6/26/23- events.
U1200 & U1000 play separate dates 6/26/24 in U1200 & U1000) was more 7) Free lectures by GM Sam Palatnik,
due to space limits. than 40 points over section maximum. maybe others.

$225,000 GUARANTEED PRIZES!

OPEN SECTION: $20000-10000-5000-2500-1300-1000-800-700- UNDER 1600: $10000-5000-2500-1300-900-700-600-500-400-
600-500, clear win or top 2 playoff $500 bonus, top FIDE 2300-2449 400, top U1500 (no unrated) $2000-1000. Unrated prize limit $600.
$5000-2500-1500, top FIDE 2200-2299 $5000-2500-1500, top FIDE UNDER 1400: $7000-4000-2000-1200-900-700-600-500-400-400,
Under 2200/unrated $5000-2500-1500. . top U1300 (no unrated) $1600-800. Unrated prize limit $500.
UNDER 2200: $12000-6000-3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400- UNDER 1200: $4000-2000-1000-800-600-500-400-300-300-300.
400, top U2100 (no unrated) $2000-1000. Unrated prize limit $1500. Unrated prize limit $400.
UNDER 2000: $12000-6000-3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400- UNDER 1000: $2000-1000-700-500-400-300-300-200-200-200,
400, top U1900 (no unrated) $2000-1000. Unrated prize limit $1000. Unrated prize limit $200.
UNDER 1800: $12000-6000-3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400- MIXED DOUBLES: Top 6 sections $2400-1200-700-500-300.
400, top U1700 (no untated) $2000-1000. Unrated prize limit $800. Lower 2 sections $500-300-200. Male/female teams averaging U2200.

Reserve hotel room early! Special chess If any post-event regular OTB or onilne
rate $148-148-168-188, link at chessevents.us rating posted 7/1/23-7/1/24 (U1200 & U1000 PAST WINNERS
or 215-448-2000, may sell out by early June. 6/26/23-6/26/24) or current regular online
1973 Walter Browne 1974 Bent Larsen 1975 Pal
July official USCF ratings used for U2200 rating is more than 40 points over section
maximum, prize limit $1000. Benko 1976 Anatoly Lein 1977 John Fedorowicz
to U1400, July FIDE for Open, June USCF for
If under 26 regular OTB total games 1978 Peter Biyiasas 1979 Haukur Angantysson 1980
U1200 & U1000. Unofficial ratings usually
rated by July 2024 official list (June official for Larry Christiansen 1981 Igor Ivanov 1982 Nick
used if otherwise unrated. Cannot play below
USCF Online Regular Rating - 100 points. U1200, U1000), prize limit $500 U1000. deFirmian 1983 Kevin Spraggett 1984 Joel Benjamin
F oreign player ratings: see $1000 U1200, $2000 U1400, $3000 U1600- 1985 Maxim Dlugy 1986 Nick de Firmian 1987 Boris
www.foreignratings.com. U2000. Gulko 1988 Maxim Dlugy 1989 Mikhail Gurevich
Unclaimed prizes usually paid by PayPal Entries posted at chessaction.com: click 1990 Igor Glek 1991 Gata Kamsky 1992 Gregory
(may take around 3 weeks). For income tax “entry list” after entry. Refunds, $15 service Kaidanov 1993 Alex Yermolinsky 1994 Artashes
reporting and withholding info, see charge. Special USCF dues: see chessevents.us. Minasian 1995 Alex Yermolinsky 1996 Alex
Bring set, board, clock- none supplied.
chessaction.org. Yermolinsky 1997 Alex Shabalov 1998 Alex Goldin
Ttitled player entries: see chessevents.us 1999 Gregory Serper 2000 Joel Benjamin 2001 Alex
Entry fees: $318 at chessaction.com by 5-day schedule: 7/3 7 pm, 7/4-5 11 am &
6 pm, 7/6-7 10 am & 5 pm. Goldin 2002 Kamil Miton 2003 Jaan Ehlvest 2004
5/15, $328 by 6/29 (U1200 & U1000 6/25), Varuzhan Akobian 2005 Kamal Miton 2006 Gata
$350 online or at site until 90 min. before rd 1 4-day schedule: 7/4 11 am, 2:30 pm & 6
pm, merges with 5-day 7/4 6 pm. Kamsky 2007 Varuzhan Akobian 2008 Evgeny Najer
(U1200 & U1000, 60 min. before).
3-day schedule: 7/5 11, 1:30, 3:30, 6 & 2009 Evgeny Najer 2010 Viktor Laznicka 2011 Gata
Open Section: All $500 more if not rated
2200/over by USCF or 2000/avove FIDE. 8:30, merges with others 7/6 10 am.. Kamsky 2012 Ivan Sokolov 2013 Varuzhan Akobian
U1200 Section entry fees: All $100 less. U1200, U1000 schedule: 6/28 1, 4 & 7, 2014 Ilya Smirin 2015 Aleks Lenderman 2016 Gabor
U1000 Section entry fees: All $200 less. 6/29 11, 2 & 5, 6/30 10, 1 & 4. Papp 2017 Tigran Petrosian 2018 Illia Nyzhnik 2019
Seniors 65/up: entry fee $100 less in Half point byes OK all, limit 3 (limit 2 in Liem Quang Le 2020 P Iniyan 2021 Hans Niemann
U1400 & above. last 4 rounds). Must commit before round 4. 2022 Mikhail Antipov 2023 Fidel Corrales Jimenez