Mate in 5.

 There is also a mate in 4 if black doesn’t defend as resolutely. Correct calculation should show you both. 

Youth dominate Tornado #141 event

The youth dominated Saturday’s event. Bohan Wang took 1st in the Open section with 3.5 out of 4. Bohan who is already one of the top 13 year olds in the country picked up 60 rating points and is very close to 2000. Royce Zhang finished tied for second with 3.0 out of 4 and passed 1800 for the first time. Royce was in the top 50 in the country for his age group at the time of the April Supplement will likely see that position skyrocket having picked up nearly 150 points since then. 

Rohan took the top spot in the under section finishing with 3.5 out of 4.0. 

Early Spring Six Week Swiss results

BCC has been holding regular rated online events since the pandemic. Nick TDs the events which are UCSF rated. Each event runs six weeks with one game each Tuesday night. They provide shorter time controls and no need to travel for those that want that midweek chess fix but can’t travel. Michael Carey won this edition. The next one starts next Tuesday for those that are interested. 

Saturday puzzle

Black is up a pawn but white has an attack brewing and black’s king is far from safe. What tactic does black have which results in a clearly won position? White has a checkmate threat which helps clarify your candidate moves.

GM Zhou takes another Big Money Blitz

 GM Zhou took first place in the 34 player field with a +10 =2 -0 performance. Charles Slade finished second which is a very strong performance given the filed had 2 GMs and an IM. Charles who is now a blitz specialist saw his blitz rating go back over 2100. The blitz event in two weeks will feature food for the players so sign up early. A proper headcount is important. 

Boylston Chess: Big Money Blitz

 

 

Big Money Blitz

 

 Register Online Now

 

Date

Friday, April 12, 2024

 

Event Format

6SS

 

Time Control

G/5 d0

 

Sections

Open and U1900

 

Entry Fee

$25 for members, $35 for non-members

 

Prizes

 

$$800 Guaranteed

 

Round Times

7:45pm first round, rest ASAP

 

Description

Big Money Blitz!!

Same format as our normal Friday Night Blitz (six double rounds), but this event has a guaranteed prize fund:

Open Section: $320-$160-$80
Top Under 2300: $60
Top Under 2100: $40

U1900 Section: $80-$40
Top U1600: $20

This is a US Chess Federation rated event. USCF membership is required for all players. Please visit the US Chess Membership site to join or renew.

Register Online Now

Entry List

 ______________________

 

Need to withdraw or take a bye? 

Email td@boylstonchess.org at least 30 minutes before the round.

For parking and transportation info, 

please visit Parking and Public Transit.

If the metal gate to the building is closed, 

please press the doorbell marked #1

 

 

Boylston Chess: Mid-Spring Six-Week Swiss Online

 

 

Mid-Spring Six-Week Swiss Online

 

 Register Online Now

 

Date

beginning Tuesday, April 16, 2024

 

Event Format

6SS, 1 lichess game per Tuesday night set up by individual challenge

 

Time Control

Open: G/60 + 10 sec, U1900: G/45 + 5 sec

 

Sections

Open & U1900 (Unrated); accelerated pairings may be used

 

Entry Fee

$40, $25 for BCF members

 

Prizes

Open: $120-$80 based on 10 players; U1900: Trophy to 1st Place

 

Registration

Deadline May 7, 2024 @ 6 PM

 

Round Times

6:30pm

 

Description

Contact info: TD Nick Sterling. E-mail: td@boylstonchess.org. Text/cell: 781-733-0849.

If I do not have your e-mail and cell phone # already, please send those to me in case we have to contact each other.

If I do not have your lichess Username, please send that to me or include it in the comments in your Registration.

For Round 1, Pairings will be posted on Tuesday just after 6 PM on the Boylston CC website. The cutoff time for registration in time to play a Round is Tuesday at 6 PM. Any players who register subsequent to 6 PM will be skipped until the following week's Round. Each Round begins at 6:30 PM except for games whose start times were agreed in advance to be changed.

Players must join Zoom and Share their Screens or show their play areas in their camera views. The link will be sent to players by e-mail. Players with scores of at least +2, or in contention for a prize, may, at the TD's discretion, be required to provide at least two separate camera views on Zoom.

Players must be current Members of USCF for the OPEN SECTION ONLY, not the U1900. However, if the Sections need to be combined due to insufficient registration, then players who joined the U1900 Section will need USCF Memberships to play in the Open.

Forfeit of a Round for any reason may result in forfeit of any prize $$$ that would otherwise have been won, at the TD's discretion.

Rating with USCF will be delayed by 72 hours after the completion of the tournament to give lichess time to ensure Fair Play was observed in all games.

 

 

Event Dates

Tuesday, April 16 

Tuesday, April 23 

Tuesday, April 30 

Tuesday, May 7 

Tuesday, May 14 

Tuesday, May 21

Register Online Now

Entry List

 ________________________

Need to withdraw or take a bye? 

Email td@boylstonchess.org at least 30 minutes before the round.

For parking and transportation info, 

please visit Parking and Public Transit.

If the metal gate to the building is closed, 

please press the doorbell marked #1

 

 

 

Loose pieces fall off.

 The black bishop is loose but you will need to use an unrelated tactical motif generate the tempo needed to grab it  

April Quad results

Akshay Padmanabhan won the top quad with three wins including a winner takes all third round game against Michael Carey. 

Carter Zsittnik took first place in the second quad with three wins. Carter took care of business picking up 23 rating points in the process. 

In the small Swiss Marcus Farzenah-Far and Chris Senhouse split first with two wins and a draw each. 

Boylston Chess: Sounds of Compassion Charity Tournament

 

Sounds of Compassion Charity Tournament

Register Online Now

 

 

Date

Saturday, April 6, 2024

 

Event Format

TBD (based on turnout)

 

Time Control

G/15 + 5

 

Sections

Casual & Competitive

 

Entry Fee

$20 suggested donation

 

Prizes

None, all proceeds will support Children's Hospital

 

Registration

Onsite registration is 6:45pm-7:00pm

 

Round Times

Rounds start at 7:00pm

 

Description

Please join our tournament to support underprivileged kids who are in need of hearing aids.
Sign up link

Donations to the Caroline Bass Fund are appreciated

Register Online Now

Entry List

 ____________________

Need to withdraw or take a bye? 

Email td@boylstonchess.org at least 30 minutes before the round.

For parking and transportation info, 

please visit Parking and Public Transit.

If the metal gate to the building is closed, 

please press the doorbell marked #1

 

 

 

 

Boylston Chess: April Quads

 

 

April Quads

Register Online Now

 

 

Date

Saturday, April 6, 2024

 

Event Format

3RR

 

Time Control

G/65 d10

 

Sections

Groups of 4 by rating

 

Entry Fee

$20, $35 for non-BCF members, $5 more after 2/29

 

Prizes

$80 First place in top quad, $50 First place in each of the other quads or small Swiss

 

Registration

Online open till 9:30am; onsite 9:20-9:45am

 

Round Times

10:00am, 1:15pm, 3:45pm

 

Description

** No byes or withdrawals are allowed. All rounds must be played. **

If the number of players is not divisible by 4 then the bottom section will be a small Swiss with 5-7 players.

A current USCF membership is required. Please visit the US Chess Membership site to join or renew.

Register Online Now

Entry List

 _____________________

 

Need to withdraw or take a bye? 

Email td@boylstonchess.org at least 30 minutes before the round.

For parking and transportation info, 

please visit Parking and Public Transit.

If the metal gate to the building is closed, 

please press the doorbell marked #1

 

 

Boylston Chess: Friday Night Blitz

 

 

Friday Night Blitz

Register Online Now

 

 

 

Date

Friday, April 5, 2024

 

Event Format

6SS

 

Time Control

G/5 d0

 

Entry Fee

$10, $15 for non-BCF members

 

Prizes

Based on entries

 

Round Times

7:45pm first round, rest ASAP

 

Description

It's Friday Night!

We'll play six double rounds (one game with each color) with a G/5 time control, no delay and no increment. Doors open at 7:30pm, first round starts at 7:45pm.

Afterwards, what happens happens...

This is a US Chess Federation rated event. USCF membership is required for all players. Please visit the US Chess Membership site to join or renew.

Register Online Now

Entry List

 __________________

Need to withdraw or take a bye? 

Email td@boylstonchess.org at least 30 minutes before the round.

For parking and transportation info, 

please visit Parking and Public Transit.

If the metal gate to the building is closed, 

please press the doorbell marked #1

 

 

 

 

Boylston Chess: April Thursday Night Swiss

 

 

April Thursday Night Swiss

 

Register Online Now

 

 

Date

Thursdays, April 4, 11, 18, and 25

 

Event Format

4SS

 

Time Control

40/90 SD/20 d5

 

Sections

Open & U1610

 

Entry Fee

$20, $35 for non-BCF members

 

Prizes

300 based on 25 paid entries: Open $125, $75; U1610 $60, $40

 

Registration

Onsite registration is 6:45pm-7:00pm

 

Round Times

7:15pm

 

Description

Need to withdraw or take a bye: please send email to td@boylstonchess.org at least 30 minutes before the round.

In accordance with BCF policy, unrated players may play in any section. Players rated within **200** points of the lower section maximum may play up one section. Sections with less than 6 players may be merged.

This is a US Chess Federation rated event. USCF membership is required for all players. Please visit US Chess Membership to join or renew.

 

Event Dates

Thursday, April 4 Thursday, April 11 Thursday, April 18 Thursday, April 25

Register Online Now

Entry List

 _____________________

 

Need to withdraw or take a bye? 

Email td@boylstonchess.org at least 30 minutes before the round.

For parking and transportation info, 

please visit Parking and Public Transit.

If the metal gate to the building is closed, 

please press the doorbell marked #1

 

 

 

Boylston Chess: April Tuesday Night Swiss

 

April Tuesday Night Swiss

Register Online Now

 

 

 

 

 

Date

Tuesdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30

 

Event Format

5SS

 

Time Control

G/90 + 5

 

Sections

Open & U1900

 

Entry Fee

$20, $35 for non-BCF members; $5 more if registering onsite. Free for GM's and IM's, and also for club members who are rated at least 2200

 

Prizes

$300 based on 25 paid entries: Open $125, $75; U1900 $60, $40

 

Registration

Onsite registration is 6:45pm-7:00pm

 

Round Times

7:15pm

 

Description

Event starts on April 2 and ends on April 30.

In accordance with BCF policy, unrated players may play in any section. Players rated within 200 points of the lower section maximum may play up one section.

Sections with fewer than six players may be merged.

March and April supplements and "live rating" may be used to play up a section.

**The winner(s) of a section from this month's tournament may play up one section regardless of their rating for the May Tuesday Night Swiss.**

A current USCF membership is required. Please visit the US Chess Membership site to join or renew.

.

Event Dates

Tuesday, April 2 Tuesday, April 9 Tuesday, April 16 Tuesday, April 23 Tuesday, April 30

Register Online Now

Entry List

 

 ___________________

Need to withdraw or take a bye? 

Email td@boylstonchess.org at least 30 minutes before the round.

For parking and transportation info, 

please visit Parking and Public Transit.

If the metal gate to the building is closed, 

please press the doorbell marked #1

 

 

 

Discovery tactic?

 The black queen is loose but so is the white queen.  Can white make the discovery work?

Kelsey Liu wins $15 Open

Kelsey took 1st in the $15 Open winning all 4 of her games. Happy Easter to all of those that celebrate it. 

Tactic from Thursday Night Swiss

Here is a tactic from one of the Thursday Night Swiss games. Remember black doesnt have to give you the mate in 2. Please feel free to share tactics, games, etc for me to use in the blog. 

Thursday Night Swiss

We had already known that Andrew Hoy finished the double winning the Open section both the Tuesday and Thursday events. Despite the lighter crowd due to the Foxwoods CCA event and a down our we still had exciting chess as both board 1 and 2 went into King and Pawn endgames. At the end of the day Alex Slive took second in the Open while Justin and Holden Cassity split the prizes in the Under section earning the option of playing up in April. 

Tuesday Night Swiss results

Andrew took first with 3.5 out of 4. Zachary Pan had a very strong tournament finishing second in the Open section with +2 -0 =2. Zachary picked up 43 point as he continues to drive to 2000. Justin won the under section and has the option to play in the Open next month. Will he take the challenge?  If he takes up the challenge how will he perform. 

Quick note April has 5 Tuesdays so join us and get 5 rounds for the price of 4. 

Mikayel knocks off GM in Round 1 of Foxwoods event

In Round 1 of CCA’s Foxwoods event Mikayel knocked of 2500 rated Giorgi Margvelashvili with the black pieces in a symmetrical English. Mikayel played nearly flawless with Lichess not giving him a single inaccuracy. Good luck to all the BCC members playing at the event. You can follow along at https://chessevents.com/event/foxwoods. The top boards are being streamed on Lichess as well. 

Boylston Chess: $15 Open

 

$15 Open

 

 

Register Online Now

 

 

 

Date

Saturday, March 30, 2024

 

Event Format

4SS

 

Time Control

G/60 d5

 

Sections

Open & U1800

 

Entry Fee

$15

 

Prizes

$225 based on 25 paid entries: Open: $110-$55, U1800: $60

 

Registration

9:00am - 9:15am

 

Round Times

9:30am, 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm

 

Description

Sections with few players may be merged.

In accordance with BCF policy, unrated players may play in any section. Players rated within 200 points of the lower section maximum may play up one section.

A current USCF membership is required. Please visit the US Chess Membership site to join or renew.

Register Online Now

Entry List

 ___________________

Need to withdraw or take a bye? 

Email td@boylstonchess.org at least 30 minutes before the round.

For parking and transportation info, 

please visit Parking and Public Transit.

If the metal gate to the building is closed, 

please press the doorbell marked #1

 

 

 

 

Another tactic

White is down a bunch of material, which means a crushing tactic is in the offing. Seeing the potential mate was the key to me solving this puzzle.  Luckily it’s a fairly common mating pattern.  

Mikayel takes the Black Diamond event

Mikayel won the Black Diamond event with a 3.5/4.0 score. His only blemish was a draw with Arthur Zhou. Amy Nyguen picked up 55 points and crossed 1400 for the first time on the back on a 2.0/4.0 which included a win over a 1989 rated opponent. Congrats to Amy!

Jay Y wins the Spring Equinox

Spring was not in the air on a cold rainy Saturday but 15 players showed up to battle it out at BCC.  Jay Yalamanchili took sole first with 4 out of 4.  Adam Hamel picked up nearly 130 points thanks to a 3.0/4.0 score on his way to a tie for second