FYI... a few quick snaps I took of Jacob's & Larry's December clinics:
https://goo.gl/photos/
See you at the Herb Healy!
Tony Cortizas Jr.
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| Jacob Rasin, Dec 2016, photo: Tony Cortizas Jr. |
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| Larry Christiansen, Dec 2016, photo: Tony Cortizas Jr. |
The Chess Blog of the Boylston Chess Club... The Boylston Chess Club (BCC) is a part of the Boylston Chess Foundation (BCF).
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Cortizas photos of Jacob's and Larry's clinics
FYI... a few quick snaps I took of Jacob's & Larry's December clinics:
https://goo.gl/photos/
See you at the Herb Healy!
Tony Cortizas Jr.
Monday, December 26, 2016
Herb Healy
| Date | Sunday, January 1, 2017 |
| Event Format | 4SS |
| Time Control | G/40 d5 |
| Sections | Rated & Unrated |
| Entry Fee | $25, $20 for BCF members, $5 more at door |
| Prizes | Based on entries |
| Registration | 11:00am-11:40am |
| Round Times | 11:45am, 1:40pm, 3:30pm, 5:10pm |
| Description | Free food and drinks all day for tournament players |
| Entry List | Current Pre-Registration List |
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Herb Healy Open House 2017
- Our annual kickoff tournament
- Free food served to all players all day
- Two sections: rated and non-rated
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 2017 chess year.
Registration isn't until 10:45,
so you can sleep in from your celebrating the night before.
............................................................................
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.
View Steve Stepak's photos of the 2016 Herb Healy Open House here:
............................................................................
View Steve Stepak's photos of the 2016 Herb Healy Open House here:
boylston chess club herb healy - Google Search
and read his report in the BCF blog.
and read his report in the BCF blog.
............................................................................
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 2015-2017) 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.
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Irving Yaffe, in Memoriam.
Irv catered the Herb Healy for years!
|
Passing the baton to
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| 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.
............................................................................
Start 2017 out right.
Come play chess with friends.
............................................................................
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
............................................................................
Friday, December 23, 2016
2016 Tournament Attendance
By nearly any measure imaginable, 2016 was the most successful year for tournament attendance for the Boylston Chess Club. We had more players, stronger players, and more completed games than any year in our history.
In the last year, 354 different players played in at least one tournament. These 354 individuals comprised 36 Masters, 41 Experts, 72 Class A players, and 65 Class B players. In terms of rating, players at the club had a net gain of 6466 points. 43 different players gained at least 100 points through the year, and 24 players had incredible tournaments where they gained more than 100 points in a single tournament!
In the last year, 354 different players played in at least one tournament. These 354 individuals comprised 36 Masters, 41 Experts, 72 Class A players, and 65 Class B players. In terms of rating, players at the club had a net gain of 6466 points. 43 different players gained at least 100 points through the year, and 24 players had incredible tournaments where they gained more than 100 points in a single tournament!
Saturday Tournaments
As a group, the weekly Saturday tournaments are the single largest offering from the club. In 2016, a total of 1399 players competed in 51 Saturday tournaments, a 20.5% increase from the 1161 players in 2015. We averaged 27.43 players on each Saturday, and these tournaments featured 191 Experts and 124 Masters. The 315 total players rated at least 2000 represent the largest such number in the club's venerable history.
Thursday Night Swiss and Monthly Quads
It's also interesting to examine the attendance at the TNS and the Quads. Since these events happen nearly monthly, they're a great barometer for the club's overall health. The Quads had their highest attendance since the club started hosting quad events on a regular basis in 1995. An average of 24.09 players per event (265 total players in 2016) was a 23.3% increase from 19.55 average players in 2015. While the club has had single years approaching the 24.09 average attendance (for example, 22 average players in 2012), 2016 was the first year with a consistently high attendance throughout the entire year.
The Thursday Night Swiss was also consistently strong. 22.27 average players per month continues the trend started in 2015 of stronger TNS events with more players. In 2015, we averaged 23.75 players per month, a clear increase from 21 players in each of 2012, 2013, and 2014. While it is possible that 2016 represents a regression to the mean, it seems more likely that players are settling in to the higher under section rating limit. The average median rating of the TNS in the last year was 1802. This continues the trend of the TNS getting markedly stronger over the last 5 years. For more details and more specific numbers, see our blog post from April.
The Thursday Night Swiss was also consistently strong. 22.27 average players per month continues the trend started in 2015 of stronger TNS events with more players. In 2015, we averaged 23.75 players per month, a clear increase from 21 players in each of 2012, 2013, and 2014. While it is possible that 2016 represents a regression to the mean, it seems more likely that players are settling in to the higher under section rating limit. The average median rating of the TNS in the last year was 1802. This continues the trend of the TNS getting markedly stronger over the last 5 years. For more details and more specific numbers, see our blog post from April.
| Year | Avg. # Players | Avg. Median |
| 2016 | 22.27 | 1802 |
| 2015 | 23.58 | 1809 |
| 2014 | 20.92 | 1784 |
| 2013 | 21.00 | 1765 |
| 2012 | 21.08 | 1744 |
Scholastic and Nightly Tournaments
The last two major types of tournaments are scholastic tournaments and one-night action tournaments. In 2016, we hosted 7 one-night tournaments. The club has not hosted rated one-night tournaments with any sort of regularity since 2013, so it is hard to see a direct increase in attendance. However, in 7 tournaments, we had 66 players compete. This 9.43 average tournament size is 26.9% increase from the 7.43 average player number from 2013. Interestingly enough, 39.4% of all of the players in these one-night tournaments were rated over 2200. As a group, these one-night action tournaments are the strongest tournaments offered at the club. If you would like to challenge yourself in the coming year, consider attending one of our Friday Night Action tournaments!
The scholastic program took a bit of a hiatus in 2015, but it was back with a vengeance in 2016. 73 players competed in 7 scholastic tournaments, mostly held on Sunday mornings. An average of 10.43 players (and the fact that scholastic trophies are cheaper than cash prizes) made these tournaments one of the most profitable endeavors for the club, and these tournaments allow the club to continue to provide high quality instruction in clinic settings for students of all ages and playing strengths.
The scholastic program took a bit of a hiatus in 2015, but it was back with a vengeance in 2016. 73 players competed in 7 scholastic tournaments, mostly held on Sunday mornings. An average of 10.43 players (and the fact that scholastic trophies are cheaper than cash prizes) made these tournaments one of the most profitable endeavors for the club, and these tournaments allow the club to continue to provide high quality instruction in clinic settings for students of all ages and playing strengths.
Summary
2016 was clearly an incredibly successful year for the club, and as it draws to a close, we hope that you join us once again in 2017. Hopefully the coming year continues the trend of stronger tournaments with higher and higher attendance. If you don't already have plans for New Year's Day, come play and eat at our annual Herb Healy Tournament. The Herb Healy is a great chance to catch up with old friends and shake off the chess rust that builds up over Christmas - not to mention all of the food that will be served! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your families, and thank you for making 2016 such a wonderful year!
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Attacking Chess with Larry C.
| View this email in your browser |
 This is the one you've been waiting for! Get ready for attacking chess! In this fabulous new series, we’ve amassed a fantastic compilation of game analysis into a super course on attacking chess. The course is presented to you by a legend of US Chess, GM Larry Christiansen. Check out these free attacking videos:
Watch a video a day! We’ve laid out a simple but effective study plan for you, divided into twelve months, with one video for each day of the month for the entire year, plus bonus content!  Larry is a three-times US Chess Champion, has played in several chess Olympiads representing the United States team, and is a highly respected chess trainer. Over the years, he has searched far and wide for the best games that embody his own renowned attacking style of play. In doing so, he’s amassed a collection of over 400 videos and 180 hours of footage of the world’s best attacking games. We’ve laid out a simple but effective study plan for you: this mega course is divided into twelve months, with one video for each day of the month, each one labeled in appropriate order, so you know which video to watch each day. Thus, over the course of a year, you’ll have Larry cover instructional attacking games one day at a time, showing you the fine art of attack, letting you assimilate each day how a Grandmaster thinks, calculates and carries out a successful attack. Over time this will provide you invaluable insights and turn you into a stronger, more confident player. And while many people are amazed at the unbelievable amount of material in this collection, we truly think Larry’s talent to showcase why and how an attack succeeds, is what makes this pack so unique. In each video, you’ll enjoy GM Christiansen’s analysis of the world’s best players at their attacking peak, players like world champion Magnus Carlsen, USA’s Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana, as well as Vishy Anand, Vladimir Kramnik, Wesley So, and many more… |
||||||
Don't delay! This offer ends December 25th, 2016 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Best Wishes,
Internet Chess Club
Internet Chess Club
Monday, December 19, 2016
BCC YEAR END OPEN: ELITE 12 PLAY QUALITY CHESS IN PEACE AND QUIET // NM ANDREW HOY 1ST
BCC YEAR END OPEN
OPEN SECTION
NM Andrew Hoy vs Kevin Liu, Round 2.
Andrew scored an undefeated 3.5/4 for clear 1st place.
Kevin was even on the day with 2/4 and a +26 Rating to 1528.
10 yr old John Archibald vs Professor Dr. Natesh Pillai,
Statistics Professor, Harvard University, Round 2: draw!
Natesh and John both scored 2.5 points to share
2-4th place with Robert Sullivan.
BCC VETERANS CLASH IN EPIC BATTLE
Bob Sullivan vs Edward Foye, Round 2.
Bob hung tough to take the full point and a share of
2-4th with John Archibald and Dr. Pillai.
LOCKED IN CENTER
Boris Raitzin vs Alan Lu, Round 2.
FATHERLY CHESS
Mr Archibald, John's father challenges Mr. Liu,
Kevin's father to a friendly and quiet game.
(background) Kevin Liu, son, watches his
father's opening play, during Round 2.
Parents playing chess: always encouraged!
ENGLISH OPENING
Bob Oresick defends with black vs Steve Stepak, Round 2.
BERNARDO IGLESIAS, TD
PHOTOS: STEVE STEPAK
Back Bay Open
Photos of the Back Bay Open
by Tony Cortizas, Jr.
Hi all,
Photo gallery from this weekend’s Back Bay Open.
Enjoy.
Tony Cortizas, Jr.
The Boylston Year End Open on Saturday was sparsely attended; many Boylston regulars played at Alex Relyea's Back Bay Open at the Hilton.
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| GMs Eugene Perelshteyn, Alexander Ivanov, Alex Relyea. Back Bay Open 2016. |
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| GM Eugene Perelshteyn. Back Bay Open 2016. |
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| GM Alexander Ivanov. Back Bay Open 2016. |
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| GMs Eugene Perelshteyn, Alexander Ivanov. Back Bay Open 2016. |
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| David Vigorito. Back Bay Open 2016. |
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| Hal Terrie. Back Bay Open 2016. |
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| Nithin Kavi. Back Bay Open 2016. |
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| Timothy Sage. Back Bay Open 2016. |
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| Natasha Christiansen. Back Bay Open 2016. |
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| Natasha Christiansen. Back Bay Open 2016. |
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| Alan Song. Back Bay Open 2016. |
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| Suraj Ramanathan. Back Bay Open 2016. |
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| Tom Sifter. Back Bay Open 2016. |
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| Zubin Baliga, Stephen Brudno. Back Bay Open 2016. |
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| Farzad Abdi. Back Bay Open 2016. |
Monday, December 12, 2016
BCC $15 OPEN: DECEMBER // IM DENYS SHMELOV TAKES OPEN SECTION TO A NEW LEVEL // JERRY LI 2ND // BOB ORESICK / JASON XIONG / JOAQUIN CARLSON / 1-3RD U1800 //
BCC $15 OPEN
OPEN SECTION
Expert Alan Song vs IM Denys Shmelov, Round 2.
Did Alan have a draw in the game?
Denys scored a perfect 4-0 to take clear 1st place!
Draw or no draw. Alan played well against a formidable
opponent right down to the last minute.
Jerry Li vs Suraj Ramanathan, Round 3: 0-1!
Jerry scored 3 points to take clear 2nd place.
U1800 SECTION
Bob Oresick vs Jason Xiong Round 2: draw!
Bob and Jason shared 1-3rd place with Joaquin Carlson.
Joaquin Carlson, black vs David Martin R 2: draw!
Joaquin scored 3 points to share 1-3 place with
Robert Oresick and Jason Xiang! Bravo, Joaquin!
SCENES AROUND THE HALL
OPEN SECTION
Joaquin scored 3 points to share 1-3 place with
Robert Oresick and Jason Xiang! Bravo, Joaquin!
SCENES AROUND THE HALL
Derek scored 2 wins and with a half point bye
totaled 2.5 points for a + 28 to 1898 rating!
NEW FACES ON THE SCENE
FACES OF CONSTERNATION
Joaquin Carlson) plays scholastics tournaments [seen here training
for his next event].
BCC UPGRADES TO DIGITAL AGE
Electronic posting of parings in Skittles Room
NM ANDREW HOY TD
PHOTOS:STEVE STEPAK
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