Monday, July 02, 2018

Reubens-Landey U2200 Championship


Tony Cortizas, Jr. (The photo in this banner is actually from the early days of the Boylston.)



DateMondays, July 9, 16, 23, 30 and August 6
Event Format5SS
Time Control40/90 SD/20 d10
Sections1800-2199
Entry Fee$20, BCF membership required
PrizesWinner(s) receives free entry to Club Championship
Registration6:30pm - 7:00pm
Round Times7:15pm
DescriptionTournament open to all players rated between 1800 and 2199 on either the June or July rating supplements.
This tournament is part of the BCF Championship Series. Winner receives free entry to the Club Championship, held in the fall of 2018.
Entry ListCurrent Pre-Registration List

_______________________


Reubens Landey

Boylston U2200 Championship

The 2018 Reubens Landey begins Monday, July 9.  It is the second component of the club championship cycle.  The winner becomes the BCC U2200 champion and moves into the club championship to compete against club masters.  

This is a very special tournament - it is traditionally a very competitive, prestigious, yet friendly tournament. Only club members can enter, but if you aren't a member, this is the perfect excuse to join or renew.

If you are traveling for the holiday, you may request a 1/2 point, 1st round bye.                                        


Below is some context for this tournament: two biographical articles by Bernardo Iglesias and a listing of past winners.

 _______________________


EMIL M. REUBENS 
by Bernardo Iglesias
"....Chess appeals to our emotions and brings us joys and sorrows."



Emil Reubens was born in a beautiful land very far away, in Yelisavetpol (Kirovabad) Russia, in 1886, on September 23 and, died in Massachusetts in Norwood Hospital in 1973, on August 29 after a brief illness. Emil Reubens was 86 years old when he died, an extraordinary man who believed that mankind could become rehabilitated through Chess. Chess is more than life and can change a person to benefit Society.
He was a chess master emeritus and one of the founding member of the United States Chess Federation, a member of the Boylston Chess Club, the Brockton Chess Club and his dear Sharon Chess Club. 

Reubens received his formal education at the University of Prague. In 1906 he immigrated to the United States and worked for a time in steel mills in Detroit. Eventually he moved to Boston and graduated from Boston University in 1922 with a degree in business administration. Much later, in June of 1973 he received his Master's degree in business administration, he was the oldest person in the university's history to obtain such a degree at 86.
He lived in Sharon, Mass. for many years. Emil Reubens was a U.S.C.F. life director and authored a wonderful book on chess play, entitled Chess - Trick and Treat in 1965. This book is a treasure, a precious jewel for any novice player. At the end of the book he recommends that every young player should “Join a chess club. Meet chess players of differing skill and style. Subscribe to a periodical that will keep you abreast of the important events in Chess world." 

In 1964, he helped to bring the U.S. Open to Boston. He was an honorary Chairman of the Committee, along with a lot of the great chess organizers of the time: Robert Goodspeed (Brockton C.C), Harold Dondis (Johnson C.C.), Eleanor Goodspeed, Eleanor Terry, Frank Ferdinand (Harvard C.C.), James Burgess (Boylston C.C. ),Harry Goober (Clarendon C.C.), Beverly Jarnigan and Joseph Hurvitz (Boylston C.C.). That year, the U.S.C.F. was celebrating the silver anniversary of its foundation, in which Emil Reubens had been a strong force in promoting chess in this country. 

Emil had a long time interest in prison reform and was instrumental in assisting many prisoners get back into society. In his book, mentioned above, he thought that “When I was drafted into becoming a "leader" in youth clubs, I employed chess and chocolate bars to lead the youth into the paths of righteousness. There are no available data to estimate the effect of chess on juvenile delinquency, nor are there statistics to gauge the collateral effects of chocolate bars freely rewarded for chess merits." 

Reubens combined a lifelong interest in better prisons, rehabilitation and parole systems with chess activities. He organized many teams of players who visited several penal institutions to play against teams of inmates, or just to play simultaneous exhibitions against the inmates. On one occasion, he took Steve FrymerJohn Curdo, and R. Gleason to Norfolk Prison, delighting one inmate in particular so much that he became an active player and organizer in Norfolk area.
Emil Reubens loved the youth, kids of all ages, -- they are our future joys and sorrows in life. The second Brockton Open, on September 25 & 26, 1971 in Brockton, Mass.William Lombardy, former World Junior Champion, had agreed to participate in the selection and awarding of a special Lombardy - Reubens “best played game” trophy to some player under the age of 21 (Harry Lyman was present in this ceremony). The winner of the award trophy was won by the young John Peters. The third Brockton Open, on September 23 & 24,1972, the Lombardy-Reubens award trophy was won byJohn Stopa. For the Boylston C.C. member’s information, at this event Alex Slive and Andrew Anisimov, two new youngsters showed up in the chess arena. After this event, it seems that such award stopped being awarded by the Brockton Chess Club, since he became sick and died shortly.
The "MASS STATE JUNIOR CHESS CHALLENGE TROPHY PRESENTED BY EMIL M. REUBENS " is a silver trophy cup at the Boylston Chess Club to preserve his memory for future generations. In 1988, William Lukowiak, treasurer of the Boylston Chess Club and long time an officer on the board of MACA, introduced a motion to the Executive Board of MACA that the winner’s name of the Junior Scholastic Champion from Massachusetts be inscribed in this trophy and that MACA will help to pay for traveling expenses to the National Championship whenever it was to be held. The MACA board turned down this motion, and denied youngsters of this State such an honor. 

After his death, the Mass State Chess Association, organized a one time "the Emil Reubens Memorial" at the Massachusetts Open at the new Brockton High School in 1974. The winner of this event was John Peters.
Emil founded the Steinberg-Reubens Educational Foundation. The Boylston Chess Club Board of Directors decided that in 1986 to pay tribute to Emil Reubens and Ben Landey by naming a qualifier cycle of the B.C.C. championship qualifier in their honor, for players rated 1800 to 2199. The winners of the Reubens/Landy move on to play against the club’s masters for the club championship.

_______________________


BENJAMIN LANDEY 

by Bernardo Iglesias

Benjamin Landey was born in 1912 and died on January 20, 1981 in Quincy. From his high school days he worked for the Sharon Bolt and Screw Company founded by Emil Reubens, reaching the position of board chairman, which he held at his death. According to Harry LymanBenjamin married Reubens’ daughter. 

For many years, he was the ceremonial chess leader of New England: Landey was President of the MSCA, the Boylston Chess Club, the Boston Metropolitan Chess League, the New England Chess Association, and the USCF Regional Vice-President.
He was a truly regional chess entrepreneur, a notable chess organizer, a man of remarkable poise and intelligence, a master of parliamentary procedure and a skillful politician, that is, a leader among leaders in the region. He worked for long hours at his job and then spend evenings and weekends on numerous chess projects and clubs. 

While Ben Landey was a tournament director for M.S.C.A., he brought to Boston the U.S. Open in 1970 and the U.S. Junior Open in 1965 and 1969, held at Northeastern University. Ben Landey's most active years were from 1965 to 1970; after this year his health impeded more time in his passion for the royal game of chess. Despite his failing health, he was an extremely successful teacher of chess for beginners, though he himself was rated only about 1500 during most of his over the board career; he also, worked with the Massachusetts Association for Retarded Citizens and several local groups.
Along with Emil Reubens, Landey was a major sponsor of prison chess programs, and the two of them sought the parole of a number of inmates who were avid chess players. In addition to being a regular tournament player, Ben Landey was very active in postal chess with the Nights of the Square Table (NOST). 

Landey was the first person to compete with a computer in chess at a U.S. Chess Federation rated tournament. He lost. 

Landey’s most glorious moment in the spotlight as an organizer was winning the bid for the 1970 US Open for Boston. It was Ben Landey’s rhetoric that easily won the bid at the 1969 U.S.C.F. meeting in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was unfortunate that the then M.S.C.A. was not ready to host such a major event. The host site, Boston's Parker House, was a less than welcoming host, and a great number of participants complained about the space designated for the playing room, that the light was not good enough for many, etc. Also, Ben Landey got sick a few months before the event along with his co-organizer Lewis Icenogle. It was not Landey's shining hour. ` 

Ben was treasurer of the Greater Boston Committee of the U.S. Peace Council, past President of the South Shore Assn. for Retarded Citizens. He was the President of the Boylston Chess Club at the time of his death. 

After his death in 1981, M.A.C.A. organized a memorial tournament at the Mass. Open in April; the winner of this tournament was the young James Rizzitano in North Darmouth. 

The Boylston Chess Club has honored Ben Landey since 1986, when the Board of Directors dedicated a qualifier tournament to those members of the club rated 1800 to 2199 plus the winners of the Weaver Adam's; the winner to participate in the fall championship. His memory will endure for ever at the Boylston Chess Club along with that of Emil Reubens.


_______________________




Reubens-Landey


(U2200 Champion)

Weaver Adams


(U1800 Champion)   

..........
........................................................
............................................................
year


2018

Bernardo Iglesias
2017
John Graf
John Graf, Joaquin Carlson
2016
Soren Pedersen, Ed Astrachan

Johnathan Lee, Vlad Gaciu, Bernardo Iglesias
2015
Soren Pedersen

Tom Medrek

2014
Ted Cross

Timothy O'Malley

2013
Timothy Sage

Joel Bryan Wald, Brandon Wu

2012
Simon Warfiel, Carey Theil

Brian Perez-Daple

2011
Simon Warfield

Ken Ho, Mike Griffn, Khikmet Sadykov

2010
Jeffrey Hall, Sean Ingham, David Glickman

Alexander Paphitis

2009
NM Greg Kaden
Frank Frazier
2008
Simon Warfield
Johnathan Lee, Adam Yedidia
2007
Gregory Kaden
Alexander Paphitis
2006
Brian Salomon
Alexander Paphitis, Jonathan Lee, Lior Rozhansky
2005
Kenneth Newman, Carey Theil
Robert Oresick, Joshua Blanchfield
2004
Simon Warfield
Mike Griffin
2003
Edward Astrachan
Robert Oresick 
2002
Simon Warfield
William MacLellan
2001
Edward Astrachan, Kimani Stancil
Mike Griffin
2000
Simon Warfield
Stephen E. Smith
1999
Daniel J. Woods
Bryan Clark
1998
Paul Mishkin
Bryan Clark, Charles G. Alex
1997
Robert Armes
Walter A. Driscoll III
1996
Larry Schmitt
Hector Perez, Jared Becker
1995
Miguel Angel Santana
Miguel A. Santana
1994
Alex Slive
Andrew L. Yerre
1993
Timur Feinstein
Charles G. Alex
1992
Daniel J. Woods

1991
Larry Schmitt

1990
Alex Slive

1989
Thomas Durnan

1988
Thomas Durnan

1987
Harold Dean Lawton

1986
Charlie Mays 1st



























































































































July Quads

banner:  Tony Cortias, Jr.





DateSaturday, July 7, 2018
Event Format3SS
Time ControlG/65 d10
SectionsPlayers will be arranged into quads by rating
Entry Fee$35, $20 for BCF members, $5 more if not registering online in advance
Prizes$$80 First place in top quad, $$50 First place in each of the other quads
Registration9:15am - 9:45am; ABSOLUTELY NO ONSITE REGISTRATION AFTER 9:45AM
Round Times10:00am, 1:15pm, and 4:00pm
Description** No byes or withdrawals are allowed. All rounds must be played. **
Entry ListCurrent Pre-Registration List







July Thursday Night Swiss


banner:  Tony Cortizas, Jr.



DateThursdays, July 5, 12, 19, and 26
Event Format4SS
Time ControlG/105 d10
SectionsOpen & U1900
Entry Fee$35, $20 for BCF members, $5 more if not registering online in advance
Prizes$300 based on 25 entries: 1st $125, 2nd $75; U1900 1st $60, 2nd $40
Registration6:15pm - 6:45pm
Round Times7:00pm
DescriptionBye and withdrawal requests must be received by 6:45pm.
Sections with fewer than 10 players may be merged.
Entry ListCurrent Pre-Registration List







Tuesday, June 26, 2018

How to Win a State Championship with FM Nate Solon


banner:  Tony Cortizas, Jr.



 
with FM Nate Solon 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DateFriday, July 13, 2018
Entry Fee$25 in advance online, $30 at the door
Registration6:30pm - 6:55pm
Round Times7:00pm - 9:00pm
DescriptionFIDE Master Nate Solon will show key games from his run to shared first in the 2018 Massachusetts Open. Analysis will focus on the “mental game” of chess - practical and psychological considerations for tournament play - drawing on his experience as a professional poker player. This is a neglected area of chess that can benefit players of all levels.
Solon was one of the best players for his age group in the United States as a junior, but took a ten-year break from tournament chess, during which he played poker professionally. Since returning to competitive chess in 2017 he has won the Massachusetts Game 60 Championship and tied for first in the Massachusetts Open.
Entry ListCurrent Pre-Registration List






Monday, June 25, 2018

OUTDOOR CHESS RECRUITS PLAYERS FOR BCC EVENTS: @ THE WATERFRONT/FANEUIL HALL/SOUTH MARKET AND @ THE PIT, HARVARD SQUARE, CAMBRIDGE // SUMMER 2018 PLUS RESULTS OF 5 MINUTE BLITZ EVENT 27 JUNE 2018

CHESS @ SOUTH MARKET / FANEUIL HALL / 
BOSTON WATERFRONT
SERENE CHESS SCENE AT HISTORIC 
SOUTH MARKET BOSTON
INITIATE YOUR BRAIN INTO CHESS:
PRESS HERE:
KIDS PLAY CHESS AT SOUTH MARKET, BOSTON
Steve Stepak teaches chess at South Market to
High Schooler from Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
 
COUPLES CHESS AND FAMILY CHESS
RECRUIT PLAYERS FOR ALL BCC EVENTS:
Steve Stepak (right) plays student from China.
George Camponigro recruits for BCC

Steve Stepak (right) recruits for the BCC 
CHESS INSTRUCTION
BY CORY TOLBERT 

TEACHES CHESS TO ALL THOSE INTERESTED

South Market 
5 Minute Blitz event
June 27, 2018 / 7:30 PM
crosstable 
sponsored by:
Cory Tolbert, TD and player, moves, vs Danila 
who clinched the event with a draw in this game,
for a 9.5/10 score. Bravo, Danila!
Mark (lime green) vs George C (grey). Mark won this set of play in 
double round swiss event for clear 2nd place with a score of 8.
(second table): Michelle and Anna ready to play.
(background right): Danila awaits pairing from TD Cory (purple)
 Blitz chess for fun in South Market, Faneuil Hall, Boston
 "THE PIT" EXTREME CHESS FUN
 IN HARVARD SQUARE, CAMBRIDGE
Chess "Doc" plays black vs Nathan Smolensky,
Massachusetts Chess Association President,
and former president of the BCC, in a 3:00 minute for
Doc vs 1:00 minute for Nathan "blitz" game . . . 
Challenger (left) plays Chess Master from
Leningrad, USSR, Andrei From in the Pit,
Harvard Square, Cambridge MA
CHESS: THE ULTIMATE SPECTATOR SPORT 
 YOUNG AND OLD, COME TO THE PIT, HARVARD SQUARE
TO PLAY AND WATCH CHESS 
THE FUN IS JUST
BEGINNING
COME ON OVER AND
PLAY CHESS FOR FUN AND
HAVE A MEMORABLE TIME
CHESS AT SOUTH MARKET
STEVE STEPAK BLACK VS JEFF WEINSTEIN
 WATERFRONT BOSTON
PHOTO CHESS EXCURSION: STEVE STEPAK

Future Masters Scholastic Tournament at Boylston




banner:  Tony Cortizas, Jr.



at Boylston  
DateSunday, July 8, 2018
Event Format4SS
Time ControlG/30 d5
SectionsU1400 & U700 - Age 15 & Under for both sections
Entry Fee$25 in advance, $30 at the door
PrizesTrophies for 1st and 2nd, medals for 3rd in each section. Top 11 yr old and Top 8 yr old and under also get a trophy.
Registration10:00am - 10:20am
Round Times10:30am, 11:50am, 1:00pm, 2:10pm or ASAP
DescriptionBoth sections are USCF rated and USCF membership is required. Two half point byes are allowed, byes for the last round must be requested before the start of round 2.
See the futurechessmasters website for more information.
Entry ListCurrent Pre-Registration List

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Milestones Sunday

banner:  Tony Cortizas, Jr.



 
 
 
 
DateSunday, July 1, 2018
Event Format3SS
Time ControlG80 d10
Entry Fee$35, $20 for BCF members, $5 more at door
PrizesTBA
Registration9:30am-9:45am
Round Times10:00am, 1:45pm, 5:00pm
DescriptionOpen to all players born in 1997 or earlier.
Accelerated pairings may be used. Free parking on Sundays!
Entry ListCurrent Pre-Registration List






Legends of Chess: Leonid Shamkovich


banner:  Tony Cortizas, Jr.


 
Leonid Shamkovich  
 
 
 
 
DateSaturday, June 30, 2018
Event Format4SS
Time ControlG/60 d5
SectionsOpen, U2000, & U1600
Entry Fee$35, $20 for BCF members, $5 more if not registering online in advance
Prizes$$360 GUARANTEED: Open 1st $150, 2nd $90 U2000 1st $70, U1600 1st $50
Registration9:15am - 9:45am
Round Times10:00am, 1:00pm, 3:30pm, 6:00pm
DescriptionSections with fewer than 10 players may be combined.
Entry ListCurrent Pre-Registration List





Sunday, June 17, 2018

Grand Prix #1

banner:  Tony Cortizas, Jr.



 
 
 
 
DateSaturday, June 23, 2018
Event Format4SS
Time ControlG/60 d5
SectionsOpen & U1800
Entry Fee$35, $20 for BCF members, $5 more if not registering online in advance
PrizesPrizes to top scorers over 3 tournaments: $400-$200, U1800 $200
Registration9:15am - 9:45am
Round Times10:00am, 1:00pm, 3:30pm, 6:00pm
DescriptionHalf point byes do not count for Grand Prix points.
Top Grand Prix scorer will be invited to play in the Club Championship starting in September.
Grand Prix Standings
Entry ListCurrent Pre-Registration List








Sunday, June 10, 2018

Chess Clinic with Jacob Rasin

banner:  Tony Cortizas, Jr.






with   Jacob Rasin 

 

Tuesday June 26 - Friday June 29

9:00am to 12:30pm each day
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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!
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Who can join? School-age children, K-12, who are interested in improving at chess and maturing from motivated beginners to skilled intermediate players.

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How much does it cost? Club membership is required for participation (Junior: $120/yr; $67/6 months; Family: $180/yr; $100/6 months). Participation fee: $160; $120 per child, if two or more per family. For first-time Club members, the fee is reduced to $125. Please make checks payable to the Boylston Chess Foundation and please pay on site.

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Registration: Located in the renovated former Ellis School building, there is plenty of room at our pristine site. Reservation is not required. Just show up to unit B103, at 40 Norris Street the morning of the first day, before or around 9:00 a.m.! Use the right-side door of the building.

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.
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.

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For more information, call Jacob Rasin at home after 9pm (617) 783-6307; cell (857) 225-1297 or email boylstonchess@gmail.com





June Scholastic

banner:  Tony Cortizas, Jr.






Sunday, June 17, 2018
.


Format:
4SS

Time control:

G/30 d5

Sections:

14 & Under, 8 & Under, and Non-USCF
.
Entry fee:.

$25, $20 for BCF members, $5 more at door
.
Prizes:.

Trophies for 1st/2nd each age group and non-USCF section, medal for 3rd

Registration:

10:00am - 10:20 am

Rounds:

10:30am, 11:50am, 1:00pm, 2:00pm
 .
Sections info:

14 & Under and 8 & Under sections are USCF rated, and USCF membership is required. The Non-USCF section is open to all players who are no more than 14 years old (both rated and unrated players), and will not be rated by the USCF; thus, USCF membership is not required for the Non-USCF section
.

Current Pre-Registration List




Father's Day Open

banner:  Tony Cortizas, Jr




USCF GRAND PRIX 
 
 
 
DateSaturday, June 16, 2018
Event Format4SS
Time ControlG/60 d5
SectionsOpen & U1900
Entry Fee$35, $20 for BCF members, $5 more if not registering online in advance
Prizes$$400 GUARANTEED: Open 1st $150, 2nd $100, 3rd $50 U1900 1st $100
Registration9:15am - 9:45am
Round Times10:00am, 1:00pm, 3:30pm, 6:00pm
DescriptionUS CHESS GRAND PRIX EVENT!
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6
Entry ListCurrent Pre-Registration List





Photos from IM Marc Esserman's Morra Gambit lecture





Photos from 
IM Marc Esserman's 
Morra Gambit lecture

by Tony Cortizas, Jr.




Hi all,

Some pics from Marc’s excellent Morra Gambit lecture at the BCC on June 8, 2018.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I added some other pics of Marc from the past.
 
 

Special thanks to Chef Charles Slade for a great dinner!
 
 
View the entire gallery at




Friday, June 08, 2018

Milestones Sunday

banner:  Tony Cortizas, Jr.




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.
 .
 .
DateSunday, June 10, 2018
Event Format3SS
Time ControlG/80 d10
SectionsTBA
Entry Fee$35, $20 for BCF members, $5 more if not registering online in advance
PrizesTBA
Registration9:30am - 9:45am
Round Times10:00am, 1:45pm, 5:00pm
DescriptionOpen to all players born in 1997 or earlier.
Accelerated pairings may be used. Free parking on Sundays!
Entry ListCurrent Pre-Registration List






Summer Game /80

banner:  Tony Cortizas, Jr.




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DateSaturday, June 9, 2018
Event Format3SS
Time ControlG/80 d10
SectionsOpen, U2000, & U1600
Entry Fee$35, $20 for BCF members, $5 more if not registering online in advance
Prizes$$240 guaranteed: Open $100 - $50, U2000 $50, U1600 $40
Registration9:15am - 9:45am
Round Times10:00am, 1:45pm, 5:00pm
Entry ListCurrent Pre-Registration List