Sparkling Moves

Here is a position from Round 3 of the 2007 BCC Championship with Black to move.

NM Wang-IM Vigorito

After 25.Bb2-c3

Highlight the space between the brackets for the continuation.

[Dave finished off Frank with 25...Re3!! The game concluded 26.d3 (if 26.dxe3 then 26...Rd1 wins) Rexd3 27.Ba5 (27.Bxd3 Rxd3 and Black still can't be stopped from playing Rd1) Rd1 28.Rxd1 cxd1=Q 0-1]

By the way, the final crosstable for the Championship is now available in the news section of the BCC website.

Scenes from the Somerville episode of Red Hot Pawn

A few moments from Monday's fire incident at the club:

• When the woman (who turned out to be Carey's fiancée, Christine) burst into the club and yelled "Fire!", several people looked up from their games and had the same reaction -- "Shhhhh!", they exclaimed.
  
  
• My first thought was that this had something to do with the experimental theatre group that meets across the hall. You know, as a warm up exercise, they told someone to run across the hall, yell "Fire!" and see how the audience would react.
  
  
• Whether it was bravery, curiosity, or lack of common sense, the first handful of people who left the club headed directly for the Grey2K office. After the door was opened and smoke began rushing out, they quickly hurried back down the hallway.
  
  
• Timing is everything... It couldn't have been ten seconds between Walter's draw offer and the first shout of "Fire!" from Christine. What choice did Carey have but to accept?
  
  
• Before getting up from the board, I stopped my clock. I was on move at the time, after all. Later, I discovered that my opponent had been even more diligent, recording the clock times on his scoresheet. He was up a pawn at the time, after all.
  
  
• While we were waiting outside near the back of the building, a woman walking two dogs came by to see what was happening. Alex Cherniack told her about the fire and how our chess games had been interrupted in midstream. "That's all right," she said, "You're probably losing anyway." "Not yet," Alex replied. It turns out, the lady was right.

In a more serious vein, Carey sent a note of appreciation to the club (which I hope he doesn't mind my reposting here):

Friends:

I want you to know how grateful I am for your support last night. Many players ran down to our office with me to try to help when the small fire occurred.

Also, several Championship and Hauptturnier players were gracious to Christine and Zoe while we were all standing outside waiting for the firemen to do their work.

We're fortunate (especially Zoe) that it wasn't more serious.

Yours,

Carey

Zoe

IM David Vigorito is the BCC Champion for 2007

The BCC champion for 2007 is IM David Vigorito. David earned 8 of 9 points and $300 and a year's free entry to BCC events.

NM Charles Riordan finished in 2nd place (6 of 9; $200) and FM Paul MacIntyre was 3rd ( 5.5 of 9; $100).

Congratulations to all the winners and all who played in this challenging tournament. David demonstrated what is meant by a professional chess player in a strong field.


The Hauptturnier has two rounds remaining. Carey has 8 and David, Eddie, and Ken have 6.5.

Just as Walter offered Carey a draw, Carey's fiance rushed in to say there was a fire in the greyhound office. Carey took the draw and ran off to investigate.

Somerville firemen and trucks arrived shortly and asked us to leave the building.

The TD couldn't find anything about fires in the rule book, and a police officer insisted we leave, so we all milled about watching the firemen, except for Greg and Libardo who finished their game in a coffehouse.

Two games were adjourned. After about a half hour, they determined that it was an electrical fire in a light fixture and cleared us to resume play.

BCC Championship update

David Vigorito (6.5 of 7) continued on his ineluctable march to the Championship - he needs only a draw in the remaining two rounds to clinch. Paul MacIntyre (5.5 of 7) and Charles Riordan (4.5 of 7) will try to stop the juggernaut as they play the last two rounds with the IM.

In the Hauptturnier, Carey "the haupt-vigorito" Theil is now 7 of 7, having just defeated his chief rival, David "the blog meister" Glickman (5 of 7). Eddie "the cicada" Chisam is trying to repeat his ten year cycle (5 of 7) and Ken Newman (5 of 7) is hanging back waiting to make his move if Carey falters.

How would you proceed?

Here is a position from the 5th round of the BCC Championship with White to move.

FM MacIntyre-NM Times

After 21...Bf5

After wrestling with the position for awhile, highlight the space between the brackets for the game continuation.

[Paul played 22.Rc7! and the game proceeded 22...Bxc2 23.Rgxg7+ Kh8 24.Bc3 Rae8 25.Rh7+ 1-0]

Vigorito by a length

2007 BCC Championship after Week 6

Only three rounds to go and David Vigorito maintains his one point lead over Paul MacIntyre. The two are scheduled to meet in Round 8. Charles Riordan has moved up the leaderboard the last few weeks and now finds himself in sole possession of third place. He faces MacIntyre next week.

5.5/6 - IM Vigorito (2432)
4.5/6 - FM MacIntyre (2276)
4.0/6 - NM Riordan (2331)
3.5/6 - NM Williams (2302)
3.0/6 - FM Chase (2338)
2.5/6 - NM Cherniack (2296)
2.5/6 - NM Wang (2249)
2.5/6 - Kaden (2071)
1.5/6 - NM Times (2241)
0.5/6 - NM Rueda (2261)

2007 Hauptturnier after Week 6

Several Round 6 games were postponed due to the Kasparov event. As a result, only 4 players have completed a full schedule to date. Of those, David Glickman continues to lead Eddie Chisam and Ken Newman by half a point. Carey Theil is still lurking with an undefeated record and two games to play. Next Monday's matchups include Glickman-Theil and Chisam-Newman.

5.0/6 - Glickman (2027)
4.5/6 - Chisam (2063)
4.5/6 - Newman (1909)
2.0/6 - Lee (1724)
----------
2.5/5 - Frazier (1600)
2.0/5 - Haunstrup (1898)
2.0/5 - Portugues (1823)
1.0/5 - Oresick (1472)
0.0/5 - Gorczyca (1380)
----------
4.0/4 - Theil (2031)
1.5/4 - Driscoll (1800)
----------
1.0/3 - Slive (2000)

Championship Makes The Turn

2007 BCC Championship after Week 5

With just four rounds to go, only FM Paul MacIntyre remains within a point of the leader, IM David Vigorito. Greg Kaden's remarkable unbeaten streak finally came to an end against NM Frank Wang.

4.5/5 - IM Vigorito (2432)
3.5/5 - FM MacIntyre (2276)
3.0/5 - FM Chase (2338)
3.0/5 - NM Riordan (2331)
2.5/5 - NM Williams (2302)
2.5/5 - Kaden (2071)
2.0/5 - NM Cherniack (2296)
2.0/5 - NM Wang (2249)
1.5/5 - NM Times (2241)
0.5/5 - NM Rueda (2261)

Games from the first four rounds of the Championship are now available for replay.

2007 Hauptturnier after Week 5

Less than half the field has completed their full schedule to date, making it somewhat difficult to determine the actual standings. Of those who have played five games, David Glickman leads Eddie Chisam and Ken Newman by a half point. However, Carey Theil has a perfect score with two games in hand.

4.0/5 - Glickman (2027)
3.5/5 - Chisam (2063)
3.5/5 - Newman (1909)
2.0/5 - Haunstrup (1898)
2.0/5 - Lee (1724)
----------
1.5/4 - Frazier (1600)
1.0/4 - Portugues (1823)
0.0/4 - Gorczyca (1380)
----------
3.0/3 - Theil (2031)
1.5/3 - Driscoll (1800)
1.0/3 - Oresick (1472)
----------
1.0/2 - Slive (2000)

Kaden-mania overtakes the club

2007 BCC Championship after Week 4

IM Vigorito continues to lead the Championship by a full point, however, all the talk is about his 4th round opponent, Reubens-Landey qualifier Greg Kaden. Still the lowest rated player in the field, Greg remains undefeated and tied for 2nd place after holding Vigorito to a draw -- something none of the Masters have been able to do so far. While I haven't reviewed the game myself, I'm told that Greg uncorked a nice exchange sacrifice which turned his bishop into a monster.

You'll notice a slight change to how the standings are displayed. Going forward, those players who have fallen behind in their schedule will be listed after those who have completed the requisite number of rounds to date.

3.5/4 - IM Vigorito (2432)
2.5/4 - FM MacIntyre (2276)
2.5/4 - Kaden (2071)
2.0/4 - NM Riordan (2331)
2.0/4 - NM Cherniack (2296)
1.5/4 - NM Times (2241)
0.5/4 - NM Rueda (2261)
----------
2.0/3 - FM Chase (2338)
1.5/3 - NM Williams (2302)
----------
0.0/2 - NM Wang (2249)

2007 Hauptturnier after Week 4

David Glickman and Ken Newman share the lead by half a point over Eddie Chisam, though several players, who have only played two games to date, could make their presence known among this group as they make-up postponements.

3.5/4 - Glickman (2027)
3.5/4 - Newman (1909)
3.0/4 - Chisam (2063)
2.0/4 - Lee (1724)
1.5/4 - Frazier (1600)
1.0/4 - Portugues (1823)
0.0/4 - Gorczyca (1380)
----------
1.0/3 - Oresick (1472)
0.5/3 - Haunstrup (1898)
----------
2.0/2 - Theil (2031)
1.0/2 - Slive (2000)
1.0/2 - Driscoll (1800)

Vigorito leads, Kaden still undefeated

2007 BCC Championship after Week 3

3.0/3 - IM Vigorito (2432)
2.0/3 - Kaden (2071)
1.0/2 - FM Chase (2338)
1.5/3 - NM Riordan (2331)
1.5/3 - NM Williams (2302)
1.5/3 - NM Cherniack (2296)
1.5/3 - FM MacIntyre (2276)
1.5/3 - NM Times (2241)
0.5/3 - NM Rueda (2261)
0.0/2 - NM Wang (2249)

2007 Hauptturnier after Week 3

2.0/2 - Theil (2031)
2.5/3 - Glickman (2027)
2.5/3 - Newman (1909)
2.0/3 - Chisam (2063)
2.0/3 - Lee (1724)
1.0/2 - Slive (2000)
1.0/2 - Driscoll (1800)
1.0/2 - Oresick (1472)
1.0/3 - Portugues (1823)
0.5/3 - Haunstrup (1898)
0.5/3 - Frazier (1600)
0.0/3 - Gorczyca (1380)

A couple of Round 2 Championship games

What the heck, they're fairly easy to post like this. By the way, games from Round 1 are playable in a more traditional web-based format at the BCC Games page.

Kaden-MacIntyre

Cherniack-Times

Qualifier Kaden no pushover in Championship

2007 BCC Championship after Week 2

In past years, it may have been the case that Masters in the BCC Championship looked upon their games with Reubens-Landey qualifiers as breathers from the week after week intensity of Master vs. Master competition. However, if two weeks make a trend, then this is unlikely to be the case in 2007. Greg Kaden, the winner of this year's qualifier and the lowest rated player in the Championship, remains undefeated after scoring a week 2 victory over FM Paul MacIntyre. Do we have a Cinderella story brewing?

Here are the standings after week 2 (note that a few Round 2 games were postponed and will be made up later):

1.0/1 - IM Vigorito (2432)
1.0/1 - NM Riordan (2331)
1.5/2 - NM Cherniack (2296)
1.5/2 - Kaden (2071)
0.5/1 - NM Williams (2302)
0.5/1 - NM Rueda (2261)
0.5/2 - FM MacIntyre (2276)
0.5/2 - NM Times (2241)
0.0/1 - FM Chase (2338)
0.0/1 - NM Wang (2249)

2007 Hauptturnier after Week 2

Carey Theil has joined the junior circuit, making it a 12-player field. For those who like fighting (or perhaps more accurately, decisive) chess, we can report that so far there have been no drawn games in the Hauptturnier.

Here are the current standings (a couple of Round 1 games still need to be made up):

2.0/2 - Chisam (2063)
2.0/2 - Glickman (2027)
2.0/2 - Newman (1909)
2.0/2 - Lee (1724)
1.0/1 - Theil (2031)
1.0/1 - Driscoll (1800)
0.0/1 - Slive (2000)
0.0/1 - Oresick (1472)
0.0/2 - Haunstrup (1898)
0.0/2 - Portugues (1823)
0.0/2 - Frazier (1600)
0.0/2 - Gorczyca (1380)

Championship Standings - Week 1

2007 BCC Championship after Round 1

1.0 - IM Vigorito (2432)
1.0 - NM Riordan (2331)
0.5 - NM Williams (2302)
0.5 - NM Cherniack (2296)
0.5 - FM MacIntyre (2276)
0.5 - NM Rueda (2261)
0.5 - NM Times (2241)
0.5 - Kaden (2071)
0.0 - FM Chase (2338)
0.0 - NM Wang (2249)

2007 Hauptturnier after Week 1

1.0/1 - Chisam (2063)
1.0/1 - Glickman (2027)
1.0/1 - Newman (1909)
1.0/1 - Lee (1724)
0.0/0 - Slive (2000)
0.0/0 - Driscoll (1800)
0.0/0 - Oresick (1472)
0.0/1 - Haunstrup (1898)
0.0/1 - Portugues (1823)
0.0/1 - Frazier (1600)
0.0/1 - Gorczyca (1380)

BCC Championship Round 1 Games

It is not my intent to post the Championship games this year since they will eventually be available on the BCC Website. However, I thought readers might be interested in this new, sophisticated game score viewing technology. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge.

Vigorito-Chase
Riordan-Wang

Rueda-Cherniack

Times-KadenWilliams-MacIntyre

BCC Championship field strongest in years

Thanks to a big turnout of club masters, the 2007 Boylston Chess Club Championship tournament sports an average rating of 2280. The field includes one International Master; only the Reubens-Landey qualifier lacks initials in front of his name.

IM David Vigorito - 2432
FM Chris Chase - 2338
NM Charles Riordan - 2331
NM Christopher Williams - 2302*
NM Alex Cherniack - 2296
FM Paul MacIntyre - 2276
NM Libardo Rueda - 2261
NM Frank Wang - 2249
NM Lawyer Times - 2241
Gregory Kaden - 2071

The group includes the 2006 Co-Champions Chase and Riordan, along with former Champions Cherniack and MacIntyre. Games in the 10-Round Robin event began last night and will continue into early November.

The 11-player Hauptturnier field is also a touch stronger than the last few years, though not even close to as much as the Championship and nowhere near what it was 10-15 years ago.

Edward Chisam - 2063
David Glickman - 2027
Alex Slive - 2000
Ken Newman - 1909
Joshua Haunstrup** - 1898
Ruben Portugues - 1823
Walter Driscoll - 1800
Jonathan Lee - 1724
Frank Frazier - 1600
Robert Oresick - 1472
Ted Gorczyca - 1380

Chisam's participation this year is notable -- he seems to show up about once per decade, win the whole thing and then disappear again -- a bit like a Cicada. Welcome back, Eddie.

* compare this to his USCL rating of 2175
** author of the Chess Praxis blog

2nd stage of Championship begins July 9th

Congratulations to the 2007 BCC Weaver Adams U1800 Champion Alexander Paphitis. The final crosstable is now available. As the winner of the event, Alex has qualified to play in the Reubens/Landey U2200 Championship.

Speaking of which ... the Reubens/Landey begins on Monday, July 9th and is open to all BCF members with ratings between 1800-2199. Top scorers have the opportunity to secure a place in this fall's BCC Championship.

Monday, July 9, 16, 23, 30 August 6: Reubens/Landey BCC Qualifier U2200 Championship, 5SS; 40/90, G/20; Open to BCC members rated 2199-1800; EF: $25; Winner receives free entry into the BCC Championship beginning on 9/10. Registration: 6:15 to 6:50; Rounds: 7:00.

It's Championship Season Again

The previous Boylston Chess Club Championship finished up last November, and already it's time to start again. The BCC Championship cycle comprises four separate events starting in June of each year.

First up is the Weaver Adams Under 1800 Championship. This four round swiss is open to all BCF members with ratings under 1800.

The top finisher in the Weaver Adams qualifies for the Reubens/Landey Under 2200 Championship -- a five round swiss beginning in July. Other than the qualifier, members must be rated between 1800-2199 to participate.

A nice run in the Reubens/Landey might qualify you to play in the BCC Championship. This round robin tournament, starting in September, is open to all BCF members who have achieved Master's ratings. Concurrent with the Championship is the Hauptturnier, a round robin for the top players who do not qualify for the senior circuit.

Everything kicks off on Monday with the first round of the Weaver Adams, so if you're rated under 1800, it's time to get on board. If you are not currently a member of the BCF, don't fret. You can join at the site.

Monday, June 4, 11, 18, 25: Weaver Adams U1800 BCC Championship 4SS; 30/90 G/20; Open to BCF members rated under 1800; Entry fee: $20: Winner receives free entry into the Reubens/Landey U2200 BCC Championship beginning on 7/1. Registration: 6:00 to 6:45 pm; Rounds: 7:00 pm.

Weaver Adams

BCC Champ Rd. 9: Cherniack-Chase 0-1

Chris ground down Alex in an ending to tie for first in the Championship.

Cherniack,A (2264) - Chase,C (2292) [B06]
BCC Championship (9), 11.6.2006

1.d4 g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.c3 c6 4.Bd3 d5 5.Nd2 Nh6 6.Ngf3 f6 7.Qe2 Nf7 8.0-0 0-0 9.c4 dxe4 10.Nxe4 Bg4 11.Nc5 e5 12.h3 Bxf3 13.Qxf3 Qe7 14.Qe2 Re8 15.Re1 Nd7 16.Nb3 a5 17.Bd2 Qd8 18.Bc3 a4 19.Nd2 f5 20.dxe5 Bxe5 21.Bxe5 Rxe5 22.Qd1 Nc5 23.Rxe5 Nxe5 24.Bf1 Qd4 25.Qc2 Rd8 26.Nf3 Nxf3+ 27.gxf3 a3 28.Rb1 Qd2 29.Qxd2 Rxd2 30.b4 Rb2 31.Re1 Rxb4 32.Re3 Ra4 33.h4 Kf7 34.Kh2 Ne6 35.Rb3 Ra7 36.Kg3 Kf6 37.Rd3 Ke7 38.Rd1 c5 39.Rb1 Kd6 40.f4 Nd4 41.Rd1 Ra4 42.Rc1 Rb4 43.Rc3 Rb1 44.Kg2 Ne6 45.Rxa3 Nxf4+ 46.Kg1 h6 47.Re3 g5 48.hxg5 hxg5 49.f3 Rb2 50.a3 b6 51.Kh1 Rb1 52.Kg1 Ng6 53.Kf2 Ne5 54.Rc3 f4 55.Be2 Rb2 56.Kf1 Nc6 57.Bd1 Nd4 58.Ke1 Ke6 59.Rd3 Ra2 60.a4 Rb2 61.Rc3 Kf5 62.Kf1 Kg6 63.Ke1 Kh5 64.Rc1 Rb4 65.Rc3 Kh4 66.Kf2 Rb2+ 67.Ke1 Kg3 68.Rd3 Rf2 69.Rc3 Nxf3+ 70.Bxf3 Rxf3 71.Rc2 Rb3 0-1

BCC Champ Rd. 9: Martirosov-Times 0-1

The battle for third place produced a very entertaining encounter with interesting material imbalances. While observing the game, I thought White's two Rooks were better than Black's Queen before Vadim lost his remaining pawns. However, Fritz does not agree. In any case, Lawyer did a nice job of showing that he could continue to make progress against his opponents attempts to engineer a perpetual check.

Martirosov,V (2270) - Times,L (2139) [B02]
BCC Championship (9), 11.6.2006

1.Nc3 Nf6 2.e4 d5 3.e5 Ne4 4.Bd3 Nxc3 5.dxc3 c5 6.f4 Nc6 7.Be3 e6 8.Nf3 Be7 9.h4 h6 10.Qd2 Bd7 11.Qf2 Qa5 12.Qg3 0-0-0 13.Qxg7 Rdg8 14.Qxf7 Rxg2 15.Kf1 Rg3 16.Kf2 Rxf3+ 17.Kxf3 Nxe5+ 18.fxe5 Rf8 19.Qxf8+ Bxf8 20.Rhg1 d4 21.b4 Qd8 22.Bf2 Be7 23.cxd4 Bxh4 24.Bxh4 Qxh4 25.b5 Qxd4 26.Rae1 Kc7 27.Rg4 Qc3 28.Kf2 Kb6 29.a4 Be8 30.Rh4 Qd2+ 31.Re2 Qg5 32.Ree4 h5 33.Rh3 Bg6 34.Rg3 Qd2+ 35.Re2 Qf4+ 36.Rf3 Qh4+ 37.Kf1 Be8 38.Rf6 Ka5 39.Rf8 Qe7 40.Rf6 Bd7 41.Re4 a6 42.Rh4 axb5 43.axb5 Bxb5 44.Bxb5 Kxb5 45.Rxh5 Kc4 46.Rf4+ Kb5 47.c4+ Kb4 48.Kf2 Qd7 49.Rfh4 b5 50.cxb5+ Kxb5 51.Rh8 Qd2+ 52.Kf3 Qc3+ 53.Kf2 Qxe5 54.R8h5 Qb2+ 55.Ke3 Qc3+ 56.Ke2 Kc6 57.Rh8 Qg3 58.Rc8+ Kb5 59.Rch8 c4 60.Rh3 Qe5+ 61.Kd2 Kb4 62.Kc2 Qe2+ 63.Kc1 Qe5 64.Kc2 Qc7 65.R3h7 Qd6 66.Rb7+ Kc5 67.Rh5+ e5 68.Rbh7 Qd3+ 69.Kc1 Qa3+ 70.Kc2 Qa2+ 71.Kc1 c3 72.Rh2 Qa4 73.R7h4 e4 74.Rh8 Kd4 [...and Black won in a time scramble] 0-1

BCC Champ Rd. 9: MacIntyre-Riordan 0-1

Paul's sacrifices didn't work out and as a result Charles captured his piece of the Championship.

MacIntyre,P (2334) - Riordan,C (2330) [B87]
BCC Championship (9), 11.6.2006

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Be3 b5 8.Bb3 Bb7 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.f4 b4 11.Na4 Be7 12.f5 e5 13.Ne6 fxe6 14.fxe6 Nf8 15.Nc5 Bc6 16.Rxf6 Bxf6 17.Ba4 Qc7 18.Qd5 Rc8 19.Nxa6 Qb7 20.Nxb4 Qxb4 21.Bxc6+ Ke7 22.a3 Qxb2 23.Rd1 Qxa3 24.Rd3 Qb4 25.c3 Qb8 26.c4 Nxe6 27.c5 Rxc6 28.Qxc6 Qb1+ 29.Kf2 Qxd3 30.Qb7+ Ke8 0-1

BCC Champ Rd. 9: Krasik-Williams 1/2

Another NM draw...

Krasik,I (2202) - Williams,C (2186) [D17]
BCC Championship (9), 11.6.2006

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.f3 Bb4 8.e4 Bxe4 9.fxe4 Nxe4 10.Bd2 Qxd4 11.Nxe4 Qxe4+ 12.Qe2 Bxd2+ 13.Kxd2 Qd5+ 14.Kc2 Na6 15.Nxc4 0-0 ½-½