Mark your calendar if you are interested in seeing “Chess in Concert” next Wednesday, June 17, on PBS’s Great Performances. Vocalist Josh Groban headlines the cast, from a concert production last year at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Archive for June 11th, 2009
“Chess in Concert” June 17 on PBS
Thursday, June 11th, 2009#511 Summer Tourney Starts Tonight
Thursday, June 11th, 2009The Kenilworth Summer Tourney begins its 13-week run tonight.
Here are the rules :
- Entry Fee is $5.00 for KCC members; $6.00 for non-members.
- The tournament will run from June 11th through September 3rd.
- The time control is G/60.
- You may play anyone in the tournament. The first time you play an opponent, the lower rated player has white, in subsequent games against the same opponent you alternate colors.
- You may not play the same opponent more than four times in the tournament.
- You get one point for a win, one half point for a draw, and zero for a loss.
- You may play as many or as few games as you like, but no more than two in one night. The more you play the more points you can win.
- All games are to be played at the Kenilworth Chess Club during normal operating hours.
- The winner is the person who has the most points at the end of the tournament.
- The prizes are 60% for first place, 30% for second, and 10% for third.
Among those expected to play in the event are : NM Mark Kernighan (who won in 2005), Greg Tomkovich (the 2006 victor), Ian Mangion (last year’s undefeated runner-up) & yours truly (the defending champ).
As usual, Greg will direct.
Important Note – The calendar on the the club site is wrong. For future reference, use the link on my sidebar.
Online Blitz
Thursday, June 11th, 2009I have posted two of my best “Killer Games” from recent online play. They are really fun miniatures with the Tango and the Left Hook Grand Prix (respectively), which I have discussed here before.
Not finding time to visit the club or even do a lot of chess analysis, I have been able to find a few minutes here or there for online blitz play. I used to play mostly unrated games at ICC, but lately I have been trying out a bunch of different sites (where I feel less invested in my rating status) and am working up toward a review of the ones I have used and a survey of others. My current favorites are Buho21 (where I probably play the most and have broken through my 2200 ceiling on several occasions) and ChessCube (which has a very nice interface, if not the strongest competition). One side benefit of playing at Buho21 is that I am learning a lot of new Spanish curse words…. I welcome suggestions for sites I should try — especially if I can try them for free.
Online Blitz
Thursday, June 11th, 2009I have posted two of my best “Killer Games” from recent online play. They are really fun miniatures with the Tango and the Left Hook Grand Prix (respectively), which I have discussed here before.
Not finding time to visit the club or even do a lot of chess analysis, I have been able to find a few minutes here or there for online blitz play. I used to play mostly unrated games at ICC, but lately I have been trying out a bunch of different sites (where I feel less invested in my rating status) and am working up toward a review of the ones I have used and a survey of others. My current favorites are Buho21 (where I probably play the most and have broken through my 2200 ceiling on several occasions) and ChessCube (which has a very nice interface, if not the strongest competition). One side benefit of playing at Buho21 is that I am learning a lot of new Spanish curse words…. I welcome suggestions for sites I should try — especially if I can try them for free.
Your judgement, please
Thursday, June 11th, 2009The ChessBase CD “The
greatest tournaments in the history of chess” has a remarkably detailed
review of the most beautiful game in the 1883 London tournament. In the diagram
position the d5-square has been cleared; but White now has to deal with threats
on the c-file. Which evaluations is correct: A) Black has the initiative firmly
in his hands since he is threatening …Rc2; B) It’s obvious how White can get
the advantage – what are long diagonals for? C) The bishop on b2 will
play a decisive part in the attack – but first White needs some more open
lines. The solution is here,
but first ponder over it with a larger version of the diagram
Feedback and facts on FIDE’s ‘zero tolerance’ rule
Thursday, June 11th, 2009Last week the Chinese Championship was decided, amongst other things, by a winner getting a full point when his last-round opponent did not appear at his board in time for the start. A lot of readers have commented, some eloquently, some stridently, some tongue-in-cheek, on FIDE’s “zero tolerance” rule. We, on the other hand, were hard put to find the exact wording. Who can help clear this up?