BCC HERB HEALY NEW YEAR'S DAY BASH: TOTAL SUCCESS: 54 PLAY // 39 IN RATED // 15 IN NON RATED // NM CHRIS WILLIAMS / NM ALEX CHERNICK TOPS //

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016 
CAMBRIDGE, MA

Tournament Director Bernardo Iglesias gives opening 

instructions to players before start of Round 1.  54 players

participated in this marvelous event to kick off the BCC

2016 Tournament Schedule.  Bravo, BCC!

AND THE WINNER

RATED SECTION

NM Chris Williams Tops tournament hall with perfect 4 - 0 score!

CHAMPION'S CORNER

BCC President Andrew Hoy white vs NM Chris Williams.

FM Charles Riordan (right) 2-3rd with 3.5 points.

Brandon Wu, black on the move vs NM Mika Brattain, Round 1.

Mika won this game and was 2-3rd with 3.5 points.

Brandon was 4-7th with 3/4 points.

MODERN TECHNOLOGY

Ernest Shreiber, white vs Bryant Vernon.

Bryant introduces computerized board/clock which

automatically records each move. This is a first for 

the BCC.  Thank you, Bryant!

Long-time BCC veteran WIM Dr. Vesna Dimitrijevic,

deep in thought in Round 1, scored 2.5 points

overall, in the Rated Section.

FIRST RATED TOURNAMENT

Professor Natesh Pillai, Department of Statistics,

Harvard University, on the move with black,

in the Rated Section, scored 2.5 points to

establish a provisional (first) rating of 1810!

Bravo, Natesh!

NON-RATED SECTION

NM Alex Cherniack (left) plays white vs Paul Mishkin, Round 1.

Alex won the game and the section with 3.5/4 points.

FM Bill Kelleher, former BCC Champion,

and former FIDE Vice President, scored 3

points to share 2-3rd in the Non-rated section.

 CHESS FUN

3-time USA Champion, GM Larry Christiansen gives his

student, NM Carissa Yip a fun chess work-out during the 

festivities of the BCC New Year's Day tournament.

FUN ON NEW YEAR'S DAY

KIDS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

Skittles Chess at the BCC

PHOTOS: STEVE STEPAK

STEVE STEPAK, BCC,  JANUARY 1 2016

PHOTO: TONY CORTIZAS

CHESS POINTERS FROM THE BOSS

                                              PHOTO: SERGIO

Steve Stepak listens;

Garry Kasparov talks.

After these words of wisdom, I just know 

I have to get better at chess.

January Quads

January Quads

Date	Saturday, January 2, 2016
Event Format	3RR
Time Control	G/65 d10
Sections	Players will be arranged into quads by rating
Entry Fee	$35, $20 for BCF members
Prizes	$$50 First place in each quad
Registration	9:15am - 9:45am
Round Times	10:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:30pm

• 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.

............................................................................

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.

............................................................................

Start 2016 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

 ............................................................................

Attend a Boylston Chess Clinic

Boylston Chess Foundation

Attend a Boylston Chess Clinic 

December recess: 28, 29, 30, 31

9:00 am - 12:30 pm each day

Taught by SM Jacob Rasin, these clinics are great for students of all levels.

This program invites young chess players who already have a complete understanding of the rules of chess to come and develop their abilities. With a combination of lecture, question/answer and guided cooperative learning, the instructor will cover essential elements of the game:

Tactics    Strategy    Openings    Middlegames    Endgames    Problems    

Students will develop their memory, visualization ability, attention span, critical thinking skills, as well as their sense of fairness and good sportsmanship – all while having fun!


 About the instructor: A master of the game and a Boylston Chess Club member for over 25 years, Jacob Rasin has been a professional chess teacher for over 35 years in the Soviet Union and the United States. 1978-1989, Jacob served as head coach at the Pioneers Palace of the Leningrad Province; 1982-1985, he had the additional assignment of training Soviet grandmasters and international masters. Since 1990, he has taught privately and at schools in the Boston area. His students have won dozens of scholastic state championships and medals, and more than ten national championships in various brackets. Jacob has directed the School Break Program since 1994.

Click for more details on December's Clinic

$15 Open is Saturday

$15 Open

Saturday, December 19, 2015

 

Event Format

4SS

Time Control

G/60 d10

Sections

Open; U1800

Entry Fee

$15 in advance. $30 at door, $20 at door for BCF members

Prizes

$225 based on 25 paid entries

Registration

9:15am - 9:45am

Round Times

10:00am, 1:00pm, 3:30pm, and 6:00pm

Chess equipment discounts at Leavitt & Pierce

 Leavitt and Peirce is a 124 year-old tobacco shop located in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA, just across the street from the historic "old Harvard Yard." We have been a gathering place for generations of Harvard men and women, offering unique and traditional gifts, games, and toiletries. This is in addition to our fine selection of pipes, tobacco, cigars, and accoutrements.

   
Dr Jonathan Lee reports that his friends at the venerable Harvard Square shop Leavitt and Peirce  is offering a 20% discount  on chess equipment to Boylston Chess Club members. (The have become an official suppler to the BCC.)

When asking for the discount, be sure to have your current BCC membership card.  If you don't have one, contact a TD or officer at the club.

RIP

Good bye Harold.

Rest in peace.

Read more about Harold Dondis

 

 

A Must Read:

George Mirijanian's interview with Harold in Chess Horizons:

"A True Lover of Chess" for an excellent portrait of Harold's life-long contributions to chess.

George and Harold at his chess center.  Photo:  Tony Cortizas, Jr.

Steve Stepak's post on Harold's passing after more than 40 year's of friendship.

Steve Stepak observes Harold play Nithin Kavi.  Photo: J. Wu

ChessMaine: 

In Memorial:     Harold Dondis

Chess Friends:

In Memorial: Harold Dondis

http://chessmaine.net/chessmaine/2015/12/in-memorial-harold-dondis-1922.html

from

Dan DeLuca chessmaine@gmail.com

Harold Dondis, attorney

Harold was a very accomplished attorney:

 

Rich May

Biography

In memory of Harold B. Dondis (1922-2015), former Managing Director and former counsel to the firm concentrated on corporate and public utility law, as well as estate planning taxation with a specialty in legal analysis of federal and Massachusetts law. Mr. Dondis provided counsel to electric, gas, cable and various commercial companies, with a particular focus on natural gas companies. Mr. Dondis argued several cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Honors

Named a 2015 Top Rated Lawyer in Business and Commercial by Martindale-Hubbell.

Awarded the highest ranking by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (AV – Legal Ability Rating: Very High to Preeminent).

Recipient of the U.S. Chess Federation 2001 Cramer Award for the “Best Chess Column.”

Community Involvement

Trustee and former CEO of the U.S. Chess Trust, a national charity focused on chess education.

Editor of the “Chess Notes” bi-weekly column in the Boston Globe.

Professional Affiliations

Massachusetts Bar Association

Harold Dondis, Boston Globe Obituary

Boston Globe

Harold B. Dondis of Belmont, MA, passed away December 10, 2015.

Beloved husband of Claire Louise Dondis. Son of the late Joseph and Ida (Povich)
Dondis and brother of the late Meredith Dondis of Rockland, ME.
Brother-in-law of Esther Dondis of Rockland, ME, and the uncle of Jo
Dondis of Camden, ME and Lynn Dondis of Washington, DC.

Born in Rockland, Maine, he was educated in Rockland Public Schools. Mr. Dondis graduated from Bowdoin College and Harvard Law School.

He practiced law and became a senior partner at Rich, May in Boston for his entire legal career. He was also general counsel for the Algonquin Gas Transmission Company for many years.

Mr. Dondis had a great interest in the game of chess and founded the U.S. Chess Trust. This Trust became the charitable  arm of the U.S. Chess Federation. He wrote the chess column for the Boston Globe for 50 years.

Relatives & Friends are respectfully invited to attend Visiting Hours in celebration of Harold's Life in the Brasco & Sons Memorial Chapels, 325 Trapelo Rd, BELMONT, on Wednesday, Dec. 16th from 3 - 7 p.m.

Donations may be made in his memory
to the Rockland Public Library, Rockland, ME 04841,
or the Boylston Chess Club, Suite B101, Norris St, No. Cambridge, MA 02140

Harold Dondis 1922-2015

Harold Dondis was born on October 1, 1922 in Rockland, Maine.  He was a lawyer, graduating from Harvard Law School in 1945.  

Harold Dondis has been at the heart of the chess world, for decades. Dondis had a great interest in the game of chess and founded the U.S. Chess Trust. This Trust became the charitable arm of the U.S. Chess Federation. He wrote the chess column for the Boston Globe for over 50 years, first appearing in 1964.   He is considered the Dean of New England Chess Journalists.

He was a leader in Massachusetts and New England chess.
He is a former president of the Massachusetts State Chess Association (MSCA).  In 1967, he co-founded the U.S. chess Trust with Ed Edmondson.

And he was a constant player at the Boylston Chess club since at least the 60's.  Harold was a great benefactor to the Boylston year in and year out.  He helped make the move to our new Cambridge location possible.
When the board wanted to recognize his support by dedicating a room in his name, he deferred, requested that it be called the Harry Lyman room instead.

BCF president Carey Theil and Harold Donis at the naming ceremony this summer.                               Photo: Tony Cortizas, Jr.

 

He will always be remembered in the same breath as other New England chess giants and friends as Harry Lyman and John Curdo.

Directors of the MSCA in 1957:    seated far right, H. Dondis;   standing, second from left, H. Lyman                  Photo: LV Kramer    Chess Horizons November December 1989

Fischer v Dondis, final positon, 1964

At the club on Saturday, on Harold's usual board, they set up the final position when Fischer resigned to Harold in a simul on March 2, 1964. 

Photo:  R. Oresick

 Play through the 19 move gem, or should I say, bit of chess caviar, as his friend John Curdo might say.

Dondis and Curdo   Photo: Anthony Cortizas, Jr.

Harold Dondis photo memorial by Tony Cortizas

Tony Cortizas, New England chess photographer, said what so many people expressed at learning the news.  Surprise and shock at our deep loss.  His photos are so evocative.

"All, Seems wrong to be surprised - but  somehow it is shocking to realize Harold Dondis won't be at the club anymore.

A small photo memorial.

RIP, Harold.

Regards,

Tony Cortizas, Jr."

Chris Chase on Harold

Others learned of his passing from Chris Chase, his longtime friend and co-author. 

    

 From Chris Chase, Harold's friend and co-columnist
 Boston Globe Chess Notes

Dear Friends, 

This past Thursday I lost my good friend and colleague, Harold Dondis. He was 93. He died of heart attack  while playing in the Boylston Chess Club's Thursday Night Swiss. It seems fitting that he died playing the game he loved and supported for so many years. I know that he was greatly appreciative of all the support  you have given to the Boston Globe Chess Notes column over the years. A column that he authored or co-authored for at least 50 years. I would add that he never, never missed a deadline. This level of professionalism was an earmark of Harold's life.

Thank you all for your very kind thoughts and words!

Chris Chase

#RememberingHarold

Photo: Steve Stepak