• Our annual kickoff tournament
• Free food served to all players all day
• Two sections: rated and non-rated

 Herb Healy Open House 2016

Date

Friday, January 1, 2016

Event Format

4SS

Time Control

G/40 d5

Sections

Rated & Non-Rated

Entry Fee

$25, $20 for BCF members, $5 more at door

Prizes

Based on entries

Registration

10:45am - 11:40am

Round Times

11:45am, 1:40pm, 3:30pm, 5:10pm

Please come to the annual BCC open house, 

see some old friends, 

make some new ones, 

play some chess (rated or unrated), 

and enjoy a free lunch. 

It's a great way to start the 2016 chess year.

 Registration isn't until 10:45,

so you can sleep in from your celebrating the night before.

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Since 1974 Boston area chess players have started the new year with a tournament and open house at the Boylston Chess Club. In 1980 the open house was dedicated to Herb Healy, described below by Bernardo Iglesias.

 
Each  year there are many (40 - 50) players and many visitors. 

Former US Champion GM Larry Christiansen often plays, along with IM David Vigorito, former BCC and Massachusetts Champion, and FM Paul MacIntyre, former BCC President and BCC Champion (2004, 2003, 2001, 2000).

Other former BCC Champions playing at the Open House have included FM Bill Kelleher (1987, 1984, 1983, 1981, 1980, 1979), FM Chris Chase (2014, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 1998, 1994, 1990), NM Alex Cherniack (1995, 1989), and FM Jacob Rasin (just visiting; 1997,1995,1993,1992,1991, 1990), NM Charles Riodan (2013, 2011, 2006, 2005) and NM Mika Brattain (2015, 2014.)

Andrew Hoy (BCF president 2015-2016) and Carey Theil (BCF president 2013-2015) will likely be there.

Bernardo Iglesias is usually the able TD, often assisted by Walter Driscoll. 

Mike Griffin caters the affair as Irving Yaffee did before him.

Irving Yaffe, in Memoriam.

Irv catered the Herb Healy for years!

Passing the baton to

BCC Veteran chess player and member, Board of Directors and Treasurer,

Mike Griffin, high-lights one of his prime dogs at the deli table which he volunteered to organize and operate. Thank you Mike for your contribution!

Tony Cortizas and Steve Stepak, two pre-eminent photographers, have documented the event, as they have so often done in the Boston chess world. Robert Oresick also snapped some shots.

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Start 2016 out right.  

Come play chess with friends.

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Bernardo did a sketch of  the origination of the Herb Healy Open House:

Herbert E. Healy was born on July 13, 1885 and died on Wednesday, January 9, 1974 in Boston.[Thanks to George Mirijanian for providing July 13 as his exact day of birth.]

He was 88 years old and one of the original Charter members of the Boylston Chess Club at its official organization in 1919.    He was Secretary Emeritus at his death.

“The Club was saddened by the death of Herbert Healy, Charter Member and Secretary Emeritus, on Wednesday night, January 9, 1974. This occurred only days after the Herbert Healy Appreciation Tournament (the 30-30 New Year’s Event) and Testimony was held in his honor. Wednesday had a 10”-12” snowfall, but Mr. Healy showed up at the Union and peeked into the Chess Quarters. [ He went to his home in the South End on Brookline Ave.] He died in his sleep. (Only Dave Hudnut, in the Providence Rhode Island area, remains as a Charter Club Member.)”

In 1980 the New Year's 30/30 was permanently dedicated to him as Herbert E. Healy Open House.  Herbert E. Healy along with Harry Lyman, Irvin Yaffee, Myer Edelstein and others customarily provided food to the participants of this event.

This information was taken from minutes of the club from January 27, 1974 and talking with Mr.Harry Lyman and William Lukowiak in past years. There are more testimonies about Mr. Healy that I am omitting.

Bemardo Iglesias

 December 2007

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