Wednesday, January 21, 2015

BCC: GRAND PRIX // 12 MONTH SERIES // 2014 // WINNERS: NITHIN KAVI / JASON TANG / M R NEALE / STEVE STEPAK / TOM SHNEER / BOSHEN LI / DANIEL ZHOU // 145 PARTICIPANTS // KIDS EXCEL

Boylston Chess Club
GRAND PRIX 2014 
FINAL STANDING
[JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC]

YOUNG TALENT EMERGES
Nithin Kavi 1st U2400: 23 points!
Bravo, Nithin!
Jason Tang 1st U2200: 16.5 points. Bravo, Jason!
Mark Robert Neale, 1st U2000: 13 points.
Black is Beautiful
Steve Stepak, 1st U1800: 22.5 points.
COMPETITIVE EDGE
STRATEGIC PERSPECTIVE
Keep your eye on this young man!
Tom Shneer, 1st U1600: 17.5 points.
Tom's 2015 rating is 1594. He's a
natural who combines intellect with
a positive attitude and a smile!
Bravo, Tom!
KIDS JUST WAN'NA HAVE FUN!
Boshen Li, 1st U1400: 14 points.
Daniel Zhou, 1st U1200: 7.5 points.
BERNARDO IGLESIAS, TD
PHOTOS: STEVE STEPAK
Congratulations to the winners of the BCC 2014 GP
and to all those who participated in this event
which spanned the 12 month period from January to 
December, 2014.
THIS SATURDAY
January 24th 2015
BCC 1st Grand Prix Event for 2015
BCC CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

BCC: $5 OPEN REPORT // 15 PLAYERS BRAVE ICE COLD // LAWYER TIMES / HAROLD DONDIS SHINE //

ICE-CHESS
PREMIER SECTION
FORMER BCC CHAMPION
NM Lawyer Times went undefeated to
claim clear 1st place with a 3.5 point total.
That was good for a +2 to 2320 rating.
Bravo, Lawyer!
JUNIOR EXCELS
Michael Yu scored 2.5 point to notch
clear 2nd place and a +36 to 1778 rating.
Bravo, Michael!!
U1950 SECTION
TIMELESS ENERGY
92 yr old Harold Dondis, Esq. lawyer and chess journalist, who 
beat World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer in 1964 in 
Fitchburg MA, covered the match between Fischer and 
Spassky in Reykjavik in 1972 (serving as lawyer/negotiator 
for Fischer)  MA, scored a perfect 3-0 to claim 
clear 1st place for a +72 to 1721 rating. Bravo, Harold! 
BACK IN ACTION
David Zhu Chen scored 2 points to take clear 2nd
place in the U1950 section. Happy New Year, David!
PHOTOS: STEVE STEPAK
REPORTING FROM 
SUNNY CAMBRIDGE MA
See you this Saturday
for the BCC January Grand Prix


Friday, January 16, 2015

BCC: DIRECTIONS FROM DAVIS T AND PARKING LOT DAY STREET SOMERVILLE WALK TO 40 NORRIS STREET, CAMBRIDGE MA // 8-10 MINUTES //

It turns out that there is a real easy way to walk from the Davis T Station out to Elm Street, 
walking towards Porter Square, to Day Street
At corner of Elm Street and Day, take a right!
Yes, this is Day Street. To get to the BCC just walk all the 
way down Day Street which runs into Massachusetts Avenue,
Cambridge (imagine that!) [10 minutes walking leisurely]
Recognize this: Yes! This is the parking lot off Day Street.
So those driving: after parking your car, just cross the street,
and walk by this bowling alley, all the way down Day Street
all the way . . . to Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge!
Yes! This is the end of Day Street: corner of Day and Mass Ave.
Cross Mass Ave here and take a right, walking back 3 blocks to
Norris Street . . .
So, now cross the street and see:
 Yes, this is the Greek Church. Now walk up (right) the street
3 blocks and find "Norris Street" on the sign post!
[NOTE: On your return trip from 40 Norris Street, back to the
parking lot on Day Street, Somerville, or to the Davis T,
just walk on Norris Street to Mass Ave, cross the street
and then turn "right" walking "back" towards Harvard Square to this
landmark, the 7/11. Interesting color issue: the sign of "Day
Street" in Cambridge is green; the sign for "Day Street" in
Somerville, is blue!  This means, that somewhere on Day 
Street, there exists the city line, separating Somerville from 
Cambridge!! Here's your landmark where you turn left
and walk down to Elm Street, to the parking lot and to the
MBTA Davis Square T station! Don't get lost, now!]
Day Street, Cambridge. On your return trip, go left, from
Massachusetts Avenue all the way down towards Elm Street,
Somerville, to the parking lot and to the Davis T Station!
ALSO: MBTA Bus 77 goes from the Norris Street
bus stop, to Harvard Square. You can take Bus 77 from an
under-grown start point in the Harvard T Station. This is
especially good to note, when the temperature is below freezing!
MBTA Bus 77 bus stop to Harvard Square from the BCC.
YES! THIS IS NORRIS STREET WALKING
FROM THE GREEK CHURCH!
Yes! This is what the corner of Mass Ave and Norris Street
looks like. From here, take a left and walk down Norris St. to
the red brick building here on your left. There in the distance
is the black railing of the side entrance to the BCC Skittles Room.
Yes! This is a close-up of the door to the BCC Skittles room.
Please knock on the door for someone to open it!
So there you have it: directions for walking 
from the Davis T for those who take the T 
and from the parking lot on Day Street,
Somerville, down Day Street all the way to 
Mass Ave Cambridge, for those who 
come by car.  Just one caution:
During this winter, icy side-walk 
conditions prevail: PLEASE WALK
CAREFULLY, ESPECIALLY
AFTER THE SUN SETS!
SEE YOU SOON!

Thursday, January 15, 2015

BCC INTRODUCES NEW TOURNAMENT FORMAT: POLAR VORTEX // JANUARY 17 AND 24 //

BOYLSTON CHESS CLUB
PRESENTS
POLAR VORTEX
WHY POLAR VORTEX?
CLASSICAL CHESS FORMAT
Long Time Control: Time to think! To Plan!
2 hours sudden death + 5 second delay!!
INCENTIVE
GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND
HIGHLY COMPETIVE FIELD
This is a Premier Field:
$50 appearance fee to first three GMs/IMs to register
Limited to players with USCF ratings 1800 and above.
INTENSE CHESS: 4SS ROUNDS
2 ROUNDS PER DAY!
OVER 2 CONSECUTIVE SATURDAYS
CHESS EQUIPMENT PROVIDED
SCORESHEETS AND PENS PROVIDED
SHARPEN YOUR MIND
BRING YOUR 
ENDGAME TECHNIQUE
SEE YOU THIS SATURDAY!

Friday, January 09, 2015

BCC HOSTS NEW YEAR'S DAY BASH: HERB HEALY MEMORIAL // MAGNIFICENT HALLS // 44 PLAY //

BOYLSTON CHESS CLUB
40 NORRIS STREET
CAMBRIDGE, MA USA
Portrait of NM Harry Lyman, BCC Mentor Extraordinaire, 
shines his light over the field of players at the Herb Healy
Memorial Tournament. [Note: Harold Dondis, (center left)
in fur hat is a primary benefactor, along with Mark Fins,
both of whom made our relocation from Elm Street, Somerville, to
this magnificent venue possible. Bravo! Harold and Mark!]
RATED SECTION: 28 PLAYERS!
And the winner is
NM Mika Brattain, Massachusetts State Chess Champion,
Boylston Blitz Chess Champion 2013, BCC Co-Champion 2014;
now Champion of the Herb Healy 2015 with a 4 - 0 performance
and a +3 to 2473 rating. Bravo, Mika!
UNDEFEATED
NM Chris Williams scored 3 wins and a draw to
come in clear 2nd in the rated section with 3.5 points.
3rd  - 6th Place
FM Chris Chase: 3 wins / 1 loss.
NM Lawyer Times: 3 wins / 1 loss.
NM Benedict Smail: 3 wins / 1 loss.
9 yr old Maximillian Lu: 3 wins / 1 loss.
Rating + 22 to 1959! Bravo, Max!
Max is from Connecticut. He was visiting
his grandmother in Belmont for New Year's. 
I am sure she is very proud of her prodigious 
grandson! Max is the 6th highest rated 9 yr old 
in the USA! He will turn 10, soon, this year!
EXCEPTIONAL CONCENTRATION
Joe Perl, Esq. engineers a win against FM Chris
Chase, for a +31 to 2087 rating. Joe scored
2.5 points for the day, sharing 7-9th place with
FM Charles Riordan and Brandon Wu.
10 YR OLD BCC WUNDERKIND
Brandon (I did it my way) Wu, was impressive in 
his consistent play, scoring 2 wins, a draw and a
loss for 2.5 points and a piece of 7-9th place. He 
drew 2nd place NM Chris Williams and he beat 
4-6th place NM Lawyer Times, all for a +40 to 
2023. Now, Brandon, who will turn 12 this year, 
has stepped into the elite category of chess expert. 
Bravo, Brandon!
Notable
Loring Lauretti scored 2 points out of 2 to share
10-16th place, good for a +8 to 1901. Bravo, Loring!
ON BOARD
Ed Foye, newly appointed member to the
BCC Board of Directors, plays Round 2.
Ed was 1 for 2 with a + 30 rating!
NON-RATED SECTION
NM Frank Wang plays Ed Astrachan; IM Jonathan Yedidia
plays black vs NM Andrew Wang, making his New Year
Pilgrimage back to the Boston Area to visit the family, from 
University of Chicago, where he is a student. Father/son
Frank and Andrew shared 1-2nd place with 3.5 points.
ATTENTION TO DETAILS
NM Max Enkin took clear 3rd place in the
non-rated section. Max is a student at Boston
University School of Dentistry! Bravo, Max!
SCENES AROUND THE NEW VENUE
[This tournament room is now called the Harry Lyman Room]
FULL HOUSE!
THANK YOU DAVID!
David Glickman plays white vs IM Jonathan Yedidia in 
Round 2. David is noted for having constructed the BCC
Web Log, in November of 2004, on which this photo essay of the 
Herb Healy Memorial Tournament and Open House is being posted. 
Thank you David for your contribution to the Club!
[standing, arms folded: Mr. Enkin, Max's dad]
THANK YOU ANDREW AND COMPANY!
MIT graduate Andrew Hoi (right) plays black vs IM
Jonathan Yedidia in Round 3 of the non-rated section.
Andrew orchestrated and engineered the re-finishing of all
the wooden tables which were brought to the Cambridge
venue! Thank you, Andrew, and your team, for this contribution 
to the beautification of the Club, in a time
of great need, upgrading and transition of the BCC.
(background): NM Andrew Wang vs Dan Schmidt
HOT DOG !!
Yummy!
BCC Veteran chess player and
member, Board of Directors,
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!
TWO MASTERLY SATISFIED CUSTOMERS
IM Jonathan Yedidia and NM Lawyer Times
chat and munch during eat-time between rounds.
(nice jacket, Lawyer!)
OUT OF RETIREMENT
Dan Sullivan plays IBM Executive Antonio Scali in
Round 3 of the Herb Healy, non-rated Section.
Antonio renewed his USCF and BCC memberships
and will be playing regularly, again, for the 2015 season.
CONCENTRATION
Considering the position: Alex Yu, black vs Ed Astrachan;
(center): Antonio Scali, Round 2, non-rated section.
CHESS HISTORY REVISITED
[view of the skittles area]
Mike Griffin entertains BCC neighbor, John Urban, 96, who 
not only studied psychology at Harvard with B. F. Skinner,
but also met and chatted with Frank Marshall at his club
by the same name, in 1942! Welcome, John. Hope you will
visit the Club, again, soon. 
(background): Mateos Sakahian calling home.
TOURNAMENT ADMINISTRATION
Chess photographer Tony Cortizas photographs 
BCC Senior TD Bernardo Iglesias in his new location
in the skittles room of 40 Norris Street. 
(right): Terrence Fricker.
SKITTLES ROOM: LONG VIEW
(nice windows!)
Conversation and Chess: (Left to right): Bernardo Iglesias, TD,
Terrence Fricker chatting with Tony Cortizas, Bob Sullivan,
Mike Griffin, Bill MacLellan, discuss deli, Hui Huang,  
Jianglin Wei parents of chess kids, compare notes.
Tony DiNosse plays black vs Steve Frymer in skittles.
POSTMORTEM
Walter Driscoll goes over his game with Max Lu after
Round 3 loss to the young lad.
NON-RATED SECTION: ANOTHER VIEW
Packed!
NM Max Enkin, black vs Harvard Square Chess Scene
Regular, Charles Slade, Round 1. (background): Paul Mishkin,
black vs Andrew Hoi; Frank Wang vs Jonathan Lee; Ed Astrachan,
Antonio Scali vs Dan Schmidt; (standing, right): Bob Sullivan,
(background, stage left): Raymond Xu vs Loring Lauretti; Nathan
Smolensky vs Nicholas Belous; William Thalheimer vs 
Dan Sullivan (standing, left) . . .   
NM Andrew Wang listening . . 
University of Chicago
[Truth be told, according to the tie-break
system utilized by the BCC, Andrew would
have actually won the non-rated section,
by 2099 to 2066.5 tie-break points, had this system 
been used to determine the winner. For those who
are keeping track, Andrew and his dad Frank
had taken half-point byes in the last round.]
Final Standings in the Herb Healy 
non-rated section are as follows:
NM Andrew Wang/NM Frank Wang 3.5;
Max Enkin 3; Robert Huntington/Alex Yu/Andrew 
Hoy 2.5; IM Jonathan Yedidia/Charles Slade/Ed Chiu 2;
Ed Astrachan/Ross Eldridge 1.5; David Glickman/
Paul Mishkin/Dan Schmidt/Antonio Scali 1;
Jonathan Lee 0. [16 players]
[Note: Had this section been rated, the following
significant + rating changes would have been made //
NM Andrew Wang: 2351 to 2362
NM Frank Wang: 2179 to 2209
Robert Huntington: 1916 to 1966
Alex Yu: 1820 to 1891
Charles Slade: 1886 to 1893
Ed Chiu: 1303 to 1342]
 
PHOTOS AND STATISTICS: STEVE STEPAK
Steve Stepak                          Photo: Tony Cortizas
FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE:
BCC CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2015