Chess News Wire -- December 2022
12/24/2022 Inside Bowman Hall at Sacred Heart University, Home of the 2023 Scholastic Championships A look inside Bowman Hall at Sacred Heart University, one of the newest buildings on the quickly growing SHU Fairfield campus and home of the upcoming 2023 Connecticut Scholastic Championships on January 7. CSCA would like to thank the University and SHU Chess organizers Bill Sweeney and Paul Rychlik for their enormous effort in securing this venue for Connecticut's scholastic players.
12/17/2022 Sebastian Imperati wins NK Winter Championship; Joe Bishop wins Unrated SHU Chess' Brent McCreesh (far right) managing the floor at the 2022 Norwalk Knights Winter Championship. Today at the Norwalk Library, thirty-seven players took part in the first Norwalk Knights Winter Championship. The event, organized by the CSCA with Norwalk Library and RedBandit Chess, successfully raised funds for the Norwalk Knights Chess Program, which renews January 12 for another eight-week installment. STD NM Ian Harris and Sacred Heart University Chess' Board Two, Brent McCreesh, volunteered to direct the event. The tournament, advertised as a "half-day" chess experience, exceeded expectations and completed its four-hour schedule in just over three. Knights' own Sebastian Imperati of Norwalk won the event with a perfect score in the Open Section. Joseph Bishop, also of Norwalk, won the Unrated Section with a perfect score. See final standings. See rating report.
12/11/2022 Connecticut Players Shine at US Chess Grade Championships NM Nathaniel Moor (left) in his Round 5 match with Arya Kumar of North Carolina at the National Grade Championships in National Harbor, MD. (photo courtesy of David Llada, US Chess) From December 9 to 11, in what may be a Connecticut first, Connecticut scholastic players participated in every section of the 2023 US Chess Grade Championships, held in National Harbor, Maryland and earned six individual placements, as follows:
12/9/2022 Connecticut Chess Journal A Review of GM Checa's Path to 2022 Glory by IM Jan van de Mortel
12/7/2022 CSCA Releases 2022-23 National Nomination Rules & Information The 2022-23 National Nominations Rules & Information, including nominations to the Denker, Barber, Rockefeller, Haring and Irwin Tournaments of Champions, are released. CSCA plans to make all nominations through the following qualifying tournaments: Scholastic Championships (Jan 7), Girls Championship (Jan 21) and Senior Championship (planned for Feb/Mar). Questions regarding the nomination process can be directed to the CSCA via email.
CSCA Modifies Scholastic Championships, Separates Individual and Team Competitions For the 2022-23 tournament cycle year, the CSCA will divide the annual Scholastic Championships into two events: The 2023 Scholastic Championships (individual competition), which will focus on individual performance and results, will take place on January 7 at Sacred Heart University and will include the selection of Connecticut 2023 grade-based national invitational nominees to the US Chess Denker, Barber and Rockefeller Tournaments of Champions. The 2023 Scholastic Team Championships (team competition), which are expected to take place March 4 at Manchester High School, will be a team-based competition, awarding Connecticut schools state team titles based on team performance. ...The decision to split the events results from a long-standing debate over the quality of the Scholastic Championships when organized as one hybrid tournament. The needs of the individual and team competitions do not coincide. Everything from preferred time controls to quality of play to pairing format are prioritized differently in these competitions, and the standard hybrid event as held throughout the history of the CSCA, due to concern over cost and independent organizer interest, does not satisfy either camp, the individual- or the team-focused. ...Thus, to maintain the purity, quality and goals of the two types of competition, the CSCA is separating the Championships for 2023 and granting each competition type its own tournament event. The divided format is approved for 2022-23, only, and the CSCA will review both events closely after their conclusion to determine future formats.
12/3/2022 GM Nico Checa Wins 2022 Connecticut State Championship! Round 1 gets under way at Fayerweather event hall on the Wesleyan University campus. 2022 Connecticut Champion GM Nico Checa with Champion trophy and CSCA President Alexander Lumelsky. Eighty-five players participated in the 2022 Connecticut State Championship, held at Wesleyan University today. GM Nicolas Checa won the Championship section and his second consecutive Connecticut State Champion title. This was the first back-to-back State Championship win since NM Ian Harris won two in a row in 2015 and 2016, and only the second since GM Sergey Kudrin made it six in a row from 2004 to 2009. Ian Harris directed this year's event, and Sergey Kudrin finished second. Meanwhile, Omkar Maralappanavar won the U2000 section, and Nikhil Addleman and Ethan Shemo shared first in the U1400 section. Volunteer floor directors were NM Mikhail Koganov and NM Arslan Otchiyev. All top section games were broadcast via DGT and are available for review on our Live Games page. ...The prize list, US Chess Rating Report, game broadcast notations and the event's Photo Collection are now posted.
Chess News Wire -- November 2022
11/27/2022 Connecticut Chess Journal Connecticut Chess 2022 Year in Photographs by Robert Cyr
"A Place to Play" Initiative to Provide Community Access to University Clubs As part of CSCA's "A Place to Play" Initiative, CSCA is working with Connecticut university chess clubs to offer open club meeting to the Connecticut chess community. Although these meetings may be limited to collegiate calendars, they provide a quality club experience. Interested players should contact participating clubs to verify schedule and hours. At this time, UConn Chess Club meetings are open, and additional university clubs will be available soon. Club schedules will also be listed in The Chess Community Post, the CSCA quarterly publication to members. Please join the CSCA to be added to our mailing list.
11/26/2022 CSCA Announces 2022 Honors of the Connecticut Chess Community On November 26, 2022, the CSCA Awards Committee together with the CSCA Board finalized the 2022 Honors of the Connecticut Chess Community, to be awarded at the Connecticut State Championship on December 3. The annual awards, made part of the CSCA's annual flagship tournament, celebrate the contributions of players, organizers, coaches, volunteers, clubs and others in representing, serving and growing the chess community of our state. Congratulations to all recipients and all of Connecticut chess! The complete list of Honorees may be accessed on the State Championship Event Page.
11/23/2022 SHU-CCFC Second Pioneer Open Draws Another Strong Attendance Sixty players compete at Sacred Heart University's Second Pioneer Open, co-organized with Chess Club of Fairfield County. On November 12, Sacred Heart University hosted its second Pioneer Open tournament with sixty players, representing ten states. The tournament was organized in partnership with the Chess Club of Fairfield County and included a $1,000 prize fund. SHU freshman, Mark DeDona, enjoying "home field" advantage, won the Open section of the tournament for a second consecutive year with a perfect score of 4/4, taking home $300. Omkar Maralappanavar won the U1800 with 3.5/4, and Lucio Luini won the U1400 with 4/4. Rating report is available here.
11/6/2022 CSCA-NSCF 2022 Connecticut Grade Championships Set Event Participation Record The Middle School Champions (left to right): Seann Dubrovsky (6), Lily Wang (7) and Jeraldin Sundar (8) with Sunil Weeramantry seated rear to the left. (photo courtesy of Yi Wu) On November 5, 2022, a record 185 players competed at the Connecticut Grade Championships, organized at the Greenwich Country Day School by the National Scholastic Chess Foundation; Sunil Weeramantry, chief organizer. The Grade Championships are a relatively new event in the CSCA's annual tournament cycle, organized just four times since 2018 and now twice at GCDS. The previous high, set in 2019, was 145 players. After four rounds of competition, the 2022 Connecticut Grade Champions are:
Chess News Wire -- October 2022
Chess News Wire -- September 2022
9/12/2022 FM Bauer: No Evidence of Computer Assistance in Carlsen v. Niemann After reviewing Carlsen v. Niemann, Sinquefield 2022 in his online game analyses compilation, Connecticut's FM Rick Bauer reported that he found no evidence of computer assistance in Niemann's play. However, Bauer offered Niemann this advice: "Learn from the tragic life of Bobby Fischer, who accomplished everything in the chess world at the cost of everything that is most important in life. You also have a great talent but let it be your servant rather than your master."
9/10/2022 GM Alex Fishbein at Hamden Chess Club GM Alex Fishbein begins the simul at Play More Chess Academy/Hamden Chess Club. On September 10, 2022, twenty-eight players and thirty-two participants attended CSCA's and Hamden Chess Club's joint Lecture & Simul event, featuring GM Alex Fishbein, winner of the first Denker National Invitational and two-time winner of the Irwin Tournament of Senior Champions. An excellent public speaker, Fishbein presented his lecture, entitled "Creativity in Chess Calculation", including three game reviews and a glimpse into the Grand Master mind. Fishbein's advice to the audience was: Be creative when selecting your target position and allow yourself to dream. CSCA would like to thank Rod Groff, Play More Chess Academy and Hamden Chess Club for hosting and co-organizing this event for the chess community, which also raised funds for CSCA activities.
9/5/2022 NECA Approves CSCA Clearinghouse and Website Proposals; Elects CSCA's Gert Hilhorst as Clearinghouse Coordinator On September 5, 2022 at the New England Chess Association's (NECA) Annual Meeting in Medford, Massachusetts, CSCA proposed the construction of a new New England Clearinghouse. The NECA Board approved the proposal unanimously and elected CSCA Web Admin and Treasurer Gert Hilhorst as its new Clearinghouse Coordinator, a position previously held by the late Ken Ballou. The Clearinghouse has been inactive since Mr. Ballou's passing in spring 2021. NECA also approved the CSCA's supplemental proposal for the construction of NECA's first website. The proposals were assembled and presented by Gert Hilhorst and CSCA President Alexander Lumelsky. "The CSCA," comments Lumelsky, "is proud to assist our regional organization in revitalizing its historic events calendar for organizers and players. The Clearinghouse is a crucial service for New England chess and US Chess. We hope that this project and the new NECA website will bring all New England chess communities closer together."
9/1/2022 Connecticut Chess Journal NM Arslan Otchiyev: Chess Master, MMA Fighter, Wanderer by Alexander Lumelsky
Summer Chess News Wire -- August
8/23/2022 Connecticut Chess Journal Game Reviews from Bridgeport Open MVL Simul by FM Rick Bauer
8/12/2022 Connecticut Chess Journal A Recap of the 2022 Candidates Tournament by NM Ian Harris FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich makes ceremonial first move for U.S. GM Fabiano Caruana at 2022 Candidates Tournament in Madrid. (photo courtesy of FIDE/Stev Bonhage) NM Ian Harris reviews the 2022 Candidates Tournament with event background and games analyses. Games include Nepomniachtchi v. Firouzja, Nakamura v. Nepomniachtchi, Caruana v. Nepomniachtchi and Liren v. Nakamura, the final round match that decided the all-important runner-up. Complete article here.
Summer Chess News Wire -- July
Summer Chess News Wire -- June
6/6/2022 CSCA Renews Musicant-Yazgoor Memorial with Help from RedBandit Chess, Norwalk Library Chris Potts, organizer of the Norwalk Library Chess Club 1992-2019, addresses players and parents at the 26th MYMT awards ceremony. On June 4, the CSCA, in partnership with RedBandit Chess and Norwalk Library, reignited the annual Musicant-Yazgoor Memorial Tournament at the Norwalk Public Library. For 25 years, Christopher Potts, former Norwalk Library Chess Club instructor 1992-2019, organized the event until his retirement from instruction following the 2019 memorial event. In this year's twenty-sixth installment, 38 players took part, including the 2022 Connecticut Rockefeller Nominee, Kushagra Bhargava. Former library club student and Yazgoor Champion, STD NM Ian Harris of RedBandit Chess volunteered to direct the competition, which was completed in just three hours. The tournament offered free entry to Norwalk players and raised funds for CSCA chess programs. The results were as follows: OPEN 1. Kushagra Bhargava (Musicant Cup Winner) 2. Aditya Mital (Yazgoor Cup Winner) 3. Vedanta Bhargava Top 6-8: Ethan Shemo Top 3-5: Anthony Low Top K-2: Cody Wu RESERVE 1. Ishan Chugh 2. Timothy Wang 3. Chandramauli Rathi
5/23/2022 FM Yoon-Young Kim Wins NBCC Annual Planet Earth Championship 2022 NBCC Champion Jason Lalor, FM Yoon-Young Kim, NM Suhas Kodali, TD Norman Burtness, Bob Campbell and Gaetano Bompastore (seated) at 2022 NBCC Planet Earth Championship. On May 21, NBCC held its annual Planet Earth Championship at the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection in New Britain. Held since 2011 and last held in 2018, due to the pandemic, the tournament drew 37 players in three sections. Voluneer organizers included NBCC President NM Suhas Kodali, TD Norman Burtness, George Himes, Roger Bessette, Estee Axelrad, NM David Herscovici, NBCC Vice President Lisa Smith and NBCC and CSCA Historian Bob Cyr. Intended to be played outdoors, the event was forced indoors due to excessive heat. FM Yoon-Young Kim, presently attending Yale University, was crowned "Planet Earth Chess Champion". Bill Campbell won the U1600 section, and Jeraldin Sundar won the scholastic section. See rating report here.
5/17/2022 Hans Niemann Wins Back-to-Back International Tournaments Connecticut's GM Hans Niemann continued his international playing tour in Havana, Cuba, winning the 55th Capablanca Memorial Tournament, held April 19-28, two points ahead of the field. He then flew to Sweden for the 27th Tepe Sigeman Tournament, held May 3-9 in Malmo, and again finished first, one point ahead of GM Michael Adams. Hans is now just 26 rating points from 2700. See US Chess release and select games here.
5/6/2022 CSCA Revives Annual Musicant/Yazgoor Memorial with Help from RedBandit Chess and Norwalk Library As contemplated in the February 22 edition of the Connecticut Chess Journal, and after months of planning and preparation, the CSCA is reviving the annual Musicant/Yazgoor Memorial Tournament, starting with its 26th installment on June 4 at the Norwalk Public Library, co-sponsored by the library and RedBandit Chess. Senior TD NM Ian Harris and local player Daniel Cooper volunteered to direct the event. (See event flyer for complete details.) The Memorial tournament was last held in June 2019 by Christopher Potts and the Norwalk Knights Chess Club. Mr. Potts retired from organizing chess shortly after the 2019 event.
4/30/2022 GM Kudrin wins Senior Championship; Laurel Aronian wins Girls Title; Dharani Ravi is Women's Champion; NM Tanenbaum wins Inaugural Collegiate, Yale takes Collegiate Team Title
Round 1 of the inaugural Collegiate Championships at Wesleyan.
Round 2 of the Senior and Women & Girls Championships at Exley Science Center, Woodhead Lounge.
On April 30, Wesleyan University and Chess Club hosted the CSCA's inaugural Collegiate Championship, Senior Championship and Women & Girls Championships. All three events were organized together on the same day and at the same venue. CSCA would like to thank Wesleyan University Chess Club volunteers for making this combined event possible, as well as TD Doug Fiske for volunteering and assisting STD Ian Harris throughout the competition. CSCA would also like to thank Rob Roy for donating his prize to the CSCA's programs fund. Results from all three events can be found here:
CSCA Board Fills Vacancies, Appoints US Chess Delegates On April 30, the CSCA Board met at the combined Championships at Wesleyan. The Board filled various vacancies and appointed outstanding Officers and US Chess Delegates. New Board members Parag Joshi, Manchester High School Chess Club Coach and Advisor, Kee Low, father of eight time Connecticut Haring Nominee Beatrice Low, Bill Sweeney, Sacred Heart University Chess Program Organizer and Advisor, Gabe Borges, CSCA volunteer and event floor director, and Saurabh Kumar, scholastic chess parent, filled vacant Board seats. NM Mikhail Koganov, player, coach and chess parent, was voted Vice President. Wesleyan Chess Club's former President, Vibhuv Reddy, was elected Secretary. Ramaswamy Dharmarajan, father of 2022 High School Champion, Nakul Ramaswamy, was appointed to the vacant US Chess Delegate position. Alexander Lumelsky was renewed as US Chess Delegate. The Board deferred remaining open seats to executive appointment.
4/24/2022 Manchester High Hosts 2022 Connecticut Speed Championships; NM Zachary Tanenbaum Crowned Connecticut's 2022 Speed Champion Manchester High hosts CSCA's 2022 Speed Championships. On April 23 at Manchester High School, CSCA held its first Connecticut Speed Championships, a combined format event of Quick, Blitz and Bullet chess. The event drew 40 players, mostly from Connecticut. Zachary Tanenbaum won the 2022 Quick and Blitz Championships, and finished second (top Connecticut player) in the Bullet event, claiming all three titles and the grand title of Connecticut Speed Chess Champion. Vermont's Ian Dudley finished first in the Bullet Championship. NM Zachary Tanenbaum, shown here at 2019 Nationals, is Connecticut's 2022 Speed Champion. (photo courtesy of US Chess) Prize winners were as follows:
4/22/2022 54 Connecticut Players Compete at Foxwoods 2022; Jithya Sajeevan Wins U1100 Section Jithya Sajeevan and Sebastian Lopez with their prize checks and coach, Jithu Sajeevan, at Foxwoods. on The 2022 Foxwoods Open was held April 13-17. 54 Connecticut players participated in a total group of 438 competitors. Top Connecticut results were as follows: GM Robert Hungaski finished 11th of 67 in the Open Section. Connecticut College Chess Club's President, Jordan Groff, finished 22nd of 90 in the U2200. Connecticut's 2022 High School Champion, Nakul Ramaswamy, finished fifth of 71 in the U2000. Sahil Vora finished 28th of 55 in the U1800. Karim Naba finished fifth in the U1600. Sebastian Lopez finished second in the U1400. Jithya Sajeevan won the U1100 section for Connecticut's best finish. Additionally, Jithya and Sebastian won the mixed doubles title with 11.5 points, a point and a half ahead of the next team. In the Blitz, Connecticut NMs Zachary Tanenbaum and Nathaniel Moor finished fourth and fifth, respectively. See complete results.
4/21/2022 CCFC Owner, Melvin Patrick, Passed Away CCFC Founder and Owner, Melvin Patrick CSCA is informed by multiple sources that Melvin Patrick, owner and founder of the Chess Club of Fairfield County, passed away last night at a local hospital in Fairfield County. Mr. Patrick's sudden passing leaves a great legacy and influence on the Connecticut chess community via CCFC, Connecticut's most prominent and successful chess club, and many other chess projects. The CSCA sends its deepest condolences to Mr. Patrick's family and friends. Obituary at Baker Funeral Services.
Connecticut Chess Journal: "In Their Own Words" IM-elect Max Lu Breaks Down IM Nikolai Andrianov's London System Max poses for the camera ahead of a simultaneous exhibition at CCFC. Connecticut's IM-elect Maximillian Lu shares his Round 1 match from the New York Spring Invitational last weekend against IM Nikolai Andrianov. Ahead of this match, Andrianov did not lose with white since the 2007 Foxwoods Open. Follow link to annotated game. Max scored his 3rd IM norm at this event.
4/20/2022 Simsbury Library Chess and Go Club Celebrates Another Great Year! Simsbury club players with volunteer coaches Gert Hilhorst (center sitting), Lisa Smith (right standing) and Mike Scudder (left kneeling) SLCGC Cake Challenge: chess: Green starts and mates in two moves go: Black to move and win the white stones The Simsbury Library Chess and Go Club celebrated its final meeting of this season this Tuesday. The club is organized at the Simsbury Library by its volunteer chief organizer, Gert Hilhorst. The club is at least 25 years old and since 2007 meets every other Tuesday from late fall to mid-spring. In addition to Gert, this year's returning volunteer coaches were Lisa Smith for chess and Mike Scudder for go.
4/3/2022 2022 State K-12 Championships Draw 230 Players in Fairfield Allez! Tie break! Punyavrat Upadhyay (left) and Nakul Ramaswamy (right) square off for the High School title. The annual CSCA K-12 Championships were held today at the Ludlowe Middle School in Fairfield, Connecticut. The Championships drew 230 players, the largest attendance for this tournament in 13 years. The event was organized by the CSCA and the National Scholastic Chess Foundation and hosted by the Ludlowe Chess Club and their many volunteers. Senior TD NM Ian Harris directed the event. Full story, results and photos to follow. CSCA's DGT Broadcast from the top boards was also a smash hit with exciting games and a G/10 tie break between Simsbury High School's Nakul Ramaswamy and Farmington High School's Punyavrat Upadhyay. Results:
3/30/2022 CSCA Presents! ... The Chess Community Yearbook ... VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!! The CSCA is inviting chess clubs and organizations to participate in the annual Chess Community Yearbook. The Yearbook will present a photo record of Connecticut chess activity. It will be published online on the CSCA website, as entries are received with updates and changes when available or requested through the end of the year. ... To participate in the Yearbook, please email us, re: “YB”, attaching proposed photographs of your group, including a group photo, together with a photograph roster, naming the people depicted in the photo in order, i.e.: left to right or in rows, as well as adding a roster list of all members for the record, whether or not depicted. ... Together with this project announcement, the CSCA is looking for volunteers to assist in Yearbook development. Please email us, if you are interested.
CSCA President Alexander Lumelsky Appointed to US Chess States & Affiliates Committee In February, the US Chess Executive Board appointed Alexander Lumelsky to its States & Affiliates Committee. The Committee serves advisory, regulatory and quasi-ethics functions and was created in 2018 as the "States Committee" in response to state chapter applications in multiple states, including Connecticut. At the 2019 US Chess Annual Meeting, the States Committee was merged with the Affiliates Committee to form one advisory group in its present name, to address all affiliate issues. In addition to affiliate disputes, the Committee is presently working on a Bylaws amendment, concerning US Chess affiliates rights and duties, including expanding the functions of State Chapters. ... Alexander is also a member of the US Chess Bylaws Committee and served on the 2018-20 US Chess Governance Task Force. All three appointments were bestowed as part of his voluntary advocacy efforts for the Connecticut chess community at the national organization.
3/23/2022 US Chess Votes to Sell Tennessee Headquarters as Part of St. Louis Move At the Special Delegates Meeting this evening, the US Chess Board of Delegates voted to authorize the sale of its Crossville, Tennessee premises, which served as the organization's headquarters for the past 15 years. Alexander Lumelsky, as Connecticut Delegate to US Chess, represented Connecticut at the meeting, and wrote and presented the final adopted resolution before the Executive Board and Board of Delegates. Watch the online meeting here. ... Ahead of the meeting, unofficial sources revealed to CSCA that the premises will be sold soon with multiple offers having been made, and that the final sale price is expected to meet the 985K property appraisal. Proceeds from the sale will be added to the Life Member Asset Trust, which is typically applied to US Chess general operations. Meanwhile, US Chess plans to lease its new headquarters in St. Louis and, according to Executive Board members' representations, is unlikely to purchase again in the future.
Connecticut Chess Journal: "In Their Own Words" 2022 USATE Board Prize Winner Dietrich Moor on his Round 3 Match Dietrich Moor at the analysis board. Dietrich Moor reviews his Round 3 match from the 2022 US Amatuer Team East. The game features the Pirc Defense and leads to a King’s march for the win. Follow link to annotated game. This game was also submitted for publication in Atlantic Chess News.
3/9/2022 CSCA Teams Up With NSCF and Ludlowe M.S. Chess Club to Organize 2022 K-12 Scholastic Championships The Connecticut State Chess Association is partnering with the National Scholastic Chess Foundation and the Ludlowe Middle School Chess Club to hold the first Connecticut State Scholastic Championships since March 2020. Ludlowe Middle School (Fairfield) is hosting the event, and NSCF is organizing the tournament together with Ludlowe Chess Club volunteers and CSCA officers. CSCA is grateful to Sunil Weeramantry of NSCF and Matthew Tuccillo of Ludlowe Chess Club for their support and determination in helping CSCA overcome COVID disruptions in 2022. Additionally, the Championships will serve as the 2022 National Nominations qualifying events for nominees to the 2022 US Chess Denker, Barber and Rockefeller Tournaments of Champions, to be held this summer in California. For more information see event flyer, online registration and CSCA's Event Page for the latest news and updates on this CSCA scholastic tournament.
Connecticut Chess Journal: "In Their Own Words" Jasmine Su: A Tactical Display at the 2021 Empire State Open Jasmine between rounds at the 59th Baltimore Open (Lithicum, MD January 2022). The 2021 Connecticut Rockefeller representative and CSCA Female Player of the Year, Jasmine Su lets her moves nearly speak for themselves in this beautiful tactical assault in Round 3 at the 7th Annual Empire State Open on December 27, 2021. A slow Sicilian start leads to a must see finish against a slightly higher rated opponent. Follow link to annotated game.
3/8/2022 CSCA Releases 2022 National Nominations Rules The 2022 Rules & Information for nominations of Connecticut players to the US Chess Tournaments of Champions, which will be held in California this summer, are announced. The upcoming Scholastic Championships on April 3 will serve as the qualification event for nominees for the Denker (grades 9-12), Barber (grades 6-8) and Rockefeller (grades K-5) Tournaments. Meanwhile, the CSCA continues to attempt arrangements for qualification competitions in the Irwin (Senior) and Haring (Girls) categories, and a final selection method for those tournaments will be available by March 15.
Connecticut Chess Journal: "In Their Own Words" FM Kapil Chandran on his Round 5 Shoot Out at the US Amateur Team North Kapil, pictured on the right, with his teammates from the University of Chicago at 2022 US Amateur Team North. Connecticut Master Kapil Chandran details an exciting victory over NM Nicholas Ladan of Illinois in Round 5 at the 2022 US Amateur Team North, which was held in Schaumburg, Illinois, February 18-20. The game starts off as a positional battle focused on piece placement and central control. Before long, chaos breaks loose, and both players are gunning for checkmate! Follow link to annotated game. Kapil's University of Chicago team finished third with a score of 4.0/5.
3/7/2022 US Chess Planning Move to St. Louis Although not many details are available thus far, US Chess is planning a move to St. Louis, Missouri in the near future. Mound City's central location was, reportedly, a primary lure. However, the proximity to the St. Louis Chess Club, the Chess Hall of Fame, several top collegiate chess programs and a home in a city rich with chess history and culture are likely additional benefits. The organization's current headquarters are located in Crossville, Tennessee. The Board of Delegates is scheduled to meet March 23, to vote on a resolution to sell the building.
3/6/2022 Connecticut Chess Journal: "In Their Own Words" NM Nathaniel Moor on his Round 1 Win at 2021 State Championship NM Nathaniel Moor at the analysis board. The 2021 Connecticut Denker representative Nathaniel Moor shares some notes on his upset win over IM Jan van de Mortel at the 2021 Connecticut State Championship. The game featured the Classical London System and an array of pivotal moments for both players, ending in an isolated pawn advantage for Nate, which helped him secure the win. Follow link to annotated game.
3/2/2022 Justin Lalor Wins NBCC Club Championship; Lisa Smith Wins Reserve On March 1, 2022, the final round of the 2022 New Britain Chess Club's Club Championship was held. A new member, Justin Lalor, who is an expert-rated player, became the first non-master to win the club title since 2005. In the reserve, NBCC VP Lisa Smith finished undefeated to win the section. The event was directed by Mark Bourque, assisted by NBCC President Suhas Kodali. The NBCC Club Championship, held annually since the 1930s, is a seven week competition held from January to March on club meeting days, using G/75 and G/60 time controls.
3/1/2022 Connecticut Chess Journal An Interview with the Red Bandit, NM Ian Harris Edited by Alexander Lumelsky Three-Time Connecticut Champion and RedBandit Chess Founder, NM Ian Harris. CSCA sits down with Ian Harris for a Q&A on his journey in chess. The Norwalk native is a former Denker nominee, two-time President’s Cup winner and three-time State Champion. As the founder of RedBandit Chess and co-founder of Sixty Four Squares, Ian shares some highlights of his experience and a unique perspective on chess coaching and education. Continue to article.
2/22/2022 Connecticut Chess Journal An Organizer’s Autobiography: the Story of the Norwalk Library Chess Club 1992-2019 By Christopher Potts Christopher Potts at the Norwalk Library Chess Club, awarding the 2009 Yazgoor-Musicant Trophy to Aman Karunakaran. Chris Potts details the history of the Norwalk Library Chess Club and the origins, tragedies and triumphs of a volunteer commitment that lasted 27 years. In that time, the club served hundreds of players in the highly diverse Norwalk area and became a staple of the Connecticut chess community. Among the club's notables are NM Ian Harris, GM Robert Hungaski, NM Zachary Tanenbaum, NM Dennis Li and 2021 Connecticut Female Player of the Year, Jasmine Su. Continue to article.
2/21/2022 Connecticut Teams Compete at U.S. Amateur Team East Wintry Knights at 2022 USATE: (right to left) Ian Harris, Mikhail Koganov, Oliver Chernin, Hanon Russell. USATE is a regional tournament, annually organized by Steven Doyle and the New Jersey State Chess Federation. Over 250 teams and 1000 players participated this year. Connecticut's Moderna Chess Openings: Omicron Variation (Zach Tanenbaum, Nathaniel Moor, Bryan Weicz, Jack Klein) took the Connecticut State Prize with a score of 4.5/6. Other Connecticut teams included Connecticut College, Sacred Heart University, NBCC's Chess Nuts Roasting on an Open File (James Nitz, Mario Guevara-Rodriguez, Jithu Sajeevan, Norman Burtness), and Wintry Knights (Ian Harris, Mikhail Koganov, Oliver Chernin, Hanon Russell). See complete results and event info.
2/4/2022 Connecticut Chess Journal: "In Their Own Words" NM Zach Tanenbaum on his Round 3 Match at 2021 State Championship Zach provides incite into his Round 3 game with GM Sergey Kudrin at the 2021 State Championship. The recent meeting between these two of the top fifteen Connecticut players featured the Sicilian Defense, Dragon Variation and a Bishop and Knight v. Rook endgame. Follow link to annotated game.
New Chess Club and Program at The Sherman School The Sherman School chess club and program participants with Mr. Trinchillo, program organizer. The Sherman School has launched an after school chess club and program. The program is organized by teachers, Steven Trinchillo and Shannon Lathrop, and sponsored by the Sherman Parents Teacher Organization. The program gained immediate popularity with 29 student members and received a Student Success Grant for equipment and other program needs. The club plans to participate in state and regional tournament play soon. The town of Sherman is the northernmost and least populated town in Fairfield County, and the school is a pre-K to 8th grade public school. (Reported by Steven Trinchillo, The Sherman School.)
2/3/2022 Free Online Chess Program for Bridgeport Youth Starting in January, DIG, a children’s activities company, is providing Bridgeport youth ages 10 and under free online chess classes 5 days per week. The program is sponsored by DIG owner Dan Starbuck Pelletier’s nonprofit organization, Starbuck Foundation, a nonprofit for Bridgeport youth programs. The program averages 15 students per class.
2/1/2022 February CSCA Events Cancelled; Events Planning Continues for Spring Due to the resurgence of COVID-19 and the response from scholastic and collegiate institutions affecting potential venues, CSCA tournaments planned for February 2022 are cancelled. CSCA will continue efforts to schedule/reschedule events for March and April. Thus, all early spring events remain tentative, and additional information will be available, as soon as venues are finalized. This includes the annual Scholastic Championships, which are now contemplated for an April date. Meanwhile, if National Nominations cannot be awarded via tournament play, a registration for rating-based selection will be established by March 15 for any and all categories not covered by then scheduled events.
1/25/2022 GNYSCC Cancelled due to COVID Spike The Kasparov Foundation cancelled the 2022 Greater New York Scholastic Chess Championships, planned for February 5 and 6, due to the resurgence of COVID-19 in New York City. The fifty plus year annual event is traditionally held at the Brooklyn Marriott and draws at least 1,500 scholastic players. Last year, it was held online.
1/10/2022 Yale Finishes Just Short of Final Four at Pan Am Intercollegiate Yale players (left to right) Yoon-Young Kim, Maxim Yaskolko and Dexter Webster at Pan Am Intercollegiate. Yale University was one of three schools to compete at the 2022 collegiate tournament for selection to the Final Four of chess. The Yale players were GM Nicolas Checa, FM Yoon-Young Kim, Dexter Webster and Maxim Yaskolko. Through five rounds the team finished 4-1-0 and a chance to qualify for the Final Four, if a victory over one of the traditional collegiate juggernauts of Texas Tech-A could be secured in the final Round 6. The only loss to that point was 3:1 to Final Four regulars and former President Cup winners University of Texas at Dallas-A in the third round. However, the Round 6 ended with Texas Tech 2.5 Yale 1.5. Yale needed a full point to beat the odds and secure an unlikely Final Four bid. However, with that result, Yale officially finished 9th. Texas Tech, along with last year's runner up, St. Louis, and former repeat champions UTD and Webster moved on to the President's Cup/Final Four event. All four collegiate finalists are well- established competition chess programs, which offer scholarships and engage in recruiting for top chess talent, nationally and internationally. Other Connecticut schools participating in the event were Connecticut College and Sacred Heart University. Complete team results.
