Thinking Machine IV

My friend sent me this link to what I can only describe as Interactive Art:

http://www.turbulence.org/spotlight/thinking/gallery.html

The chess engine is very, very weak, but the visualization of its thinking process is splendid.

Paper faces on parade

The NYPD closed down an illegal poker den masquerading as the Ace Point Backgammon and Chess Studio.

[Cultural bonus points for identifying the connection between the title and the post (without using Google, of course)]

Halloween Chess

Link

Pillsbury at the Boylston

Starting in the 1850s the Boston Young Men's Christian Union maintained a small room for chess; John F. Barry, Harry Nelson Pillsbury, C.F. Burille, Franklin K. Young and Walcott frequented it in the 1890s.

The club was formally organized on August 27, 1919 at the YMCU at 48 Boylston Street in Boston. There were 22 charter members, and Augustus Seaver was elected as the first club President.

In its history, many leading chess figures have been Club President, including Master Emeritus Harry Lyman.

In 1989, facing sharply increased rent and deteriorating facilities, the Boylston Chess Club moved to the 8th floor of the YWCA at 140 Clarendon St.

January 16, 1945 the club was chartered as affiliate #51 of the United States Chess Federation, itself founded in 1939.

Since 1991 the Boylston has organized more than 815 rated chess tournaments. The club was incorporated as a Massachusetts non-profit corporation in 1995.

In December 2003 the YWCA's building renovation plans forced the Club to move to a new home in Davis Square, Somerville (140 Elm Street) -- all the easier for the spirit of Harry Nelson Pillsbury to frequent this incarnation of the club once again --- (re-incorporated in the body of chess teacher Joe Perl?)

In 2005 the BCC became reorganized as the Boylston Chess Foundation.

BU Open

The Boston University Chess Club
presents
the 11th annual

Boston University Open Chess Tournament

4-SS, G/60

3 Sections
Open
U1900
U1600

Registration:
9:00 - 9:45 am

Rounds:
10:00, 12:30, 2:45, 5:00

Entry Fee:
$15…for BU students (BUID)

$15… if check received
by Fri. Nov. 4

$20… by web or email
by Thurs., Nov. 3
email-registrants must
check in with the TD
by 9:45 to be paired

$25… for all others at site


No Computers, No Smoking
Wheelchair accessible
Parking in
adjacent lot $6/day



Prizes
based on Entry Fees

Open section
1st & 2nd
Top under 2200

U1900 section
1st & 2nd

U1600 section
1st & 2nd
Top under 1200

Trophies
for 3-player teams:
Top college
Top high school
Top elementary / middle school


Bring sets and clocks!

(Because prize checks will be mailed by Boston University, winner must provide home address & social security number to receive a check.)



Saturday, Nov. 5

Boston University
George Sherman Union
Backcourt
775 Commonwealth Ave. Boston


Mail entries to BU Open Entries, c/o Robert Oresick
Boston University
871 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215
Please include:

• check payable to BU Chess Club


• your name ………………………………………………………………………


• section desired: ( Open ( Under 1900 ( Under 1600


• USCF ID ………………………………………………………………………


• your school, if any: ………………………………………………………………………


• your email address: ………………………………………………………………………

for more info contact: http://buchess.org/ or oresick@bu.edu or 617-794-1200

11th annual BU Open

The Boston University Open is the BU Chess Club's premier event. The idea of having an inexpensive convenient rated event was suggested by the club President Allan Ong to promote playing serious tournament chess among college players, though all chess players are welcomed. Since the first BU Open in 1995, players ranging from beginners in their first rated tournament (e.g. the club advisor Robert Oresick) to strong players from around the East Coast (and in the Frenklach years, from California) have tried their hand at winning the top prize (including former US Chess Champions GM Joel Benjamin, GM Alexander Ivanov and former US Women's Champion WIM Esther Epstein (who works at Boston University).

After 10 years, the BU Open is still inexpensive, convenient, and competitive. The BU Open is an all-day with four rounds of non-stop chess action. From the first round at 10AM to the end of the last game at around 7-PM each player gets a full day of exciting chess action. There is no elimination. In the Swiss tournament system each person plays all four games – pairings at each round are based on results, so as one wins one plays against others also having a good day. One of the delights of a rated chess event is that competition is fierce, especially during the latter rounds. No quarter is given or offered between those in contention of the top prize. Not only does the winner receive cash (usually around $300 based on entries) for his efforts, but s/he is immortalized (!?) by having his/her name inscribed on the perpetual plaque. (This tournament has received media coverage in the Boston Globe and in Chess Horizons, published by the Massachusetts Chess Association.)

The first BU Open was held on November 18, 1995 and was won by Prof. Timothy Sage of Northeastern University, outscoring FM Bill Paschall who was a BU student and BUCC member at the time.

Then, in 1996, the four-way tie included Daniel Bartley, Andrey Shlyakhter, Ray Sayers, and Mike Henroid of Boston College.

In 1997 Harvard student NM Jacob Chudnovsky won.

The 1998 tournament honors were shared by FM Bill Kelleher and National Master (NM) Klaus Pohl. FM Kelleher's win was a milestone in itself as it marked him as the first BU (graduate) student to win the tournament.

The 1999 BU Open was to date, the largest in the tournament's history. A record 93 players attended, including former US Champion GM Alexander Ivanov, current US Champion GM Joel Benjamin,and former US Women's Champion WIM Esther Epstein, and FM Bill Kelleher (a BU alum) who scored 4 points and won a clear first place and $350, helped by the drawn result when the two GMs faced one-another. Ivanov and Benjamin shared 2nd place, and they each received $90.

In year 2000, the new millennium marked the return of IM "Buccaneer Bill" Paschall to the BU Open, as he cruised to a perfect 4-0 to finish clear first.

Three persons shared the top spot in 2001, New York's FM Ronald Young tied with local masters FM William Kelleher and NM Alex Cherniak. FM Ron Young was also the first player outside of MA to win the tournament.

In 2002 FM Ronald Young of New York and expert Niman Kenkre shared top honors.

In 2003 GM Alexander Ivanov took the first place prize of $300, after some very exciting games, including a tense, time-pressured match with IM Bill Paschall

In 2004 GM Ivanov won four games rather easily for a repeat. [Crosstables are available at the http://www.buchess.org/]

We cordially invite you to consider playing this year.

Can Christians blog about chess?

Some of you may recall Dennis Monokroussos' posts on whether Christians can play chess. Whatever the resolution of this theological debate, many do. Here is a new chess blog written by some of them -- Faith Hope Love Chess Clan.

Touchy subjects

Apparently the touch-move rule also applies when playing poker. Meanwhile around Bend, Oregon they seem more willing to "bend" the rules.

Space Advantage

Link

Caissa's Poker Chips

VARoadstter posted this link to pictures of his complete set of chess-themed poker chips.

Good luck, but not enough of it

Last night in US Chess League Week 9 action, the Boston Blitz defeated the Philadelphia Masterminds 3-1 in a match which easily could have gone the other way. On several boards Caissa chose to look favorably on the Blitz. In the end, however, her kindness was not unlimited as Baltimore upset Eastern Division Champions New York thereby eliminating Boston's post- season hopes.

The match started normally enough with GM Christiansen defeating FM Rogers rather straightforwardly. He won a pawn and then traded down to a winning King and Pawn endgame. Meanwhile on Board 3, NM Riordan was taking his Rook on an interesting tour of the center of the board. At one point it found itself on e5 "protected" by its own pawn on d4. Surely it was suffering from a case of Knight-envy.

The game continued; some pieces were traded off. Then in an ostensibly equal position (it's possible one side or the other had some advantage, but no one was clearly winning), NM Wilson had a mouseslip leaving his Bishop to be taken on b3 rather than reaching his intended c2. Riordan snapped the piece off and while the game continued on for awhile, the outcome was never in doubt.

"No takeback", you ask, like the Friedel incident in Week 3? Apparently not. On the ICC, Commissioner Shahade noted that Philadelphia as a team had decided that they would neither offer nor ask for mouseslip takebacks regardless of the circumstances. According to Greg, in an earlier match the Masterminds refused to offer a takeback in a case which was obviously unintentional. This time they paid the price for a similar mistake. If nothing else, you have to give them credit for being consistent.

At the same time, this incident highlights an issue that the league will need to address before next season. It doesn't seem appropriate that individual teams can establish their own (different) rules related to mouseslips. There ought to be a uniform policy set down by the league. Whether it's no takebacks at any time or takebacks allowed under certain verifiable conditions, I'm not sure. But it ought to be a league rule, not a team/individual decision.

The Blitz won the match on Board 4 when FM Baczynskyj completely imploded in what had to be a clearly winning position against Ilya Krasik. Within just a few moves, Baczynskyj went from up an exchange with an attack on Krasik's open King to resignation. Caissa's presence next to Black was unmistakable, though Krasik's 41...Qf3+! was a nice shot that many of us might have missed.

In the last game to finish, IM Friedel lost to IM Costigan. Josh went pawn grabbing on b2 with his Queen and almost got it trapped when Costigan sacrificed a piece. However, Josh found a counter-sacrifice to save her Majesty. In the next tactical skirmish, Black played a capture which superficially looked like it would win two pieces for a Rook. But White had some further tactics which resulted in a position with Costigan having the exchange for two passed pawns. It certainly didn't seem that Josh should lose the ensuing endgame (in fact, he might have had winning chances with the passers), but he did. Costigan's technique at the end wasn't as sharp as possible (some commenters had a little fun when Fritz pointed out that Richard missed a mate in 23), but it was sufficient.

A good win for the Blitz, but unfortunately the team's celebratory mood was somewhat diminished when they learned of Baltimore's win. While there was disappointment over losing their chance to make the playoffs, there was also recognition that they had not played well enough all season to expect another outcome. As Ilya Krasik said (paraphrasing) "A team that only wins two matches doesn't deserve to make the playoffs."

Next week the Blitz will be playing for pride and for giving Baltimore a taste of what they are in for next season.

The Chess Monster of Tompkins Square

Daniel Wallace of The Villager spends some time with Lewis Taylor, a.k.a. the Chess Monster, and learns about true happiness.

"....As corny as it sounds, if someone were to offer me all the money in the world, but said I had to give up chess, I wouldn't do it. I'd say, nope, no thanks. You know, I feel sorry for people. I knew guys in New Rochelle who had everything society had to offer, a house, a car, a family. But they just — weren't — happy."

He shook his head. "Chess has opened up a whole new world to me. I have found my happiness."

And looking at him, a big jovial man smiling in the autumn sunlight, I had to agree. Chess is certainly happy.

The votes are in

The Annual Meeting of the Boylston Chess Foundation took place on Tuesday, October 25, the primary business being the election of the Officers and Board of Directors for the coming year. As I've mentioned in the past, BCF elections have little resemblance to the National, State and Local government elections we have in the United States. Here are the results:

The Officers:
Paul MacIntyre, President
Bernardo Iglesias, Vice President
Robert Oresick, Treasurer
Ed Foye, Clerk

Board of Directors:
Rachel Dillon, Jon Lee, Michael Nagle, Charles Riordan, Alex Cherniack, Mike Griffin, Natasha Christiansen, David Glickman

There is no change among the officers from this year, but a couple of new faces on the Board.

In memoriam

The topics for blogs are as varied as life itself. This one was created to remember the life of Sharon Michele McAvoy Nichols. Among many accomplishments, it turns out that...

She was a ranked chess player in the early 1970s, reaching Master status.

Rest in peace, Michele.

1967 all over again?

If the oddsmakers have it right, the Boston Blitz's improbable run towards a US Chess League playoff berth will continue tonight. They favor both the Blitz over the Philadelphia Masterminds and the New York Knights over Baltimore. In Boston's individual matchups, GM Christiansen is a prohibitive favorite on Board 1 and IM Friedel is also favored on Board 2. Board 3 is essentially a toss-up; only on Board 4 are the Blitz considered an underdog.

Dream, the impossible dream...

Luddites

The Japanese Shogi Federation is struggling with the use of computers in their game.

An official FIDE championship must be next

Drinking chess has always had a following in places like college dorm rooms, but never before have I seen an official tournament. Check out the flyer for the Monash University Chess Association's event.

Live on FOX

Apparently they are televising chess to a national audience.

Opening Study

An often debated topic among the Knights is when one should start focusing on their opening repertoire and how much time they should devote to it. A key question to consider is how much of a relationship is there between your rating and the state of your opening repertoire. Consider Ted Wong's experience:

For the past five years (2000 to 2005), my chess ranking has stopped rising. It just keep decreasing, I simply play too badly. Sometimes I play irregular chess openings and got punished. Recently I tried e4 c5 Ke2! and f3 e5 Kf2! in two tournament games.

Another Proud Chess Dad

From the October 16th Sunday New York Times:

Dr. Jennie Louise Johnson, a daughter of Ellen and Michael Johnson of York, Pa., was married last evening to Tom Edward Byrne, the son of Robert Byrne of Scarborough, N.Y., and the late Florence Byrne....

The bridegroom, 34, is an associate with French & Rafter, a law firm in New York.... His father, who won the United States chess championship in 1972, is the chess columnist for The New York Times.