UPCOMING GREATER BAYSTATE EVENTS
Greater Baystate Spring Classic
Northampton Center for the Arts
33 Hawley Street
Northampton, Massachusetts 01060
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Send entry fee to: greater.baystate.chess@gmail.com

GREATER BAYSTATE CHESS CLUB
St. John's Lutheran Church
60 Broad St
Westfield, MA

Meets At 6:00 PM
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Dear Chess Family,

Seasons Greetings!

First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to our incredibly generous benefactors who made donations to the club this past week! Thanks to your support, the Greater Baystate Chess Club will continue through January 2025!

Join us for our

*2nd Annual Greater Baystate Chess Club Christmas Party! *

It promises to be a delightful evening filled with a wide array of delicious homemade food, prepared by the wonderful and talented, Chef Christina Leigh!

Here’s what you can expect:
- Brie, cranberry & pecan bites
- Assorted stuffed peppers
- Fruit & vanilla dip platter
- Vegetable & French onion dip platter
- Assorted crackers & pitas
- Homemade chocolate and butterscotch treats
- Cookies
- Pizza courtesy of Mr. Alfred Colonna Jr.
- Coffee
- Donut holes & more!

***ALL FREE OF CHARGE!***

If you'd like to contribute to our potluck, feel free to bring a dish! If not, just come with your family and enjoy the festivities.

We’ll have casual chess and other games for those who are interested.

Don’t miss out on this mouthwatering and festive celebration! Let’s come together for a night of fun and joy!

Looking forward to seeing you all there!
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*Huge Free parking lot in the rear of the church, well lit.
* DONATION based; no membership fees required.
* Donations Are Greatly Appreciated!
*US Chess Federation Affiliate
*Casual & professional players welcome at all levels, *ages 5 and up.
*Fun family atmosphere. We strive to make it,
*so Everyone feels welcome!
*Productive, educational activities for   
*children & adults alike.
*Chess equipment is provided, and you may *bring your own if you like.
*Many Chess Club Library Books
*Rated & Unrated tournaments
*Simultaneous Exhibitions
*Basic lessons
*Analysis of games
*Chess puzzles to solve
*Make new friends, see old friends!
*Coffee, cold drinks & snacks available
*You may bring your own food
*Great lighting
*Separate Restrooms
*Many large tables
*Please be considerate & kind to everyone.
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UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS

01/03/25 - 01/05/25 Boston Chess Congress TLA MAP
01/11/25 33rd Mid-Winter Classic TLA MAP
01/17/25 - 01/20/25 Liberty Bell Open TLA MAP
02/01/25 - 02/02/25 UMass Spring Classic - Open Section TLA MAP
02/01/25 - 02/02/25 UMass Spring Classic - U1800 & U1200 TLA MAP
02/02/25 UMass Spring Classic - Blitz TLA MAP
07/25/25 - 07/27/25 Bradley Open MAP
08/29/25 - 09/01/25 New York State Championship MAP

SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO GM MAGNUS CARLSEN AND HIS FAMILY!

Jul 142024

Sigrun Øen Carlsen (1963-2024)

The beautiful mother of the Mozart of Chess has left us to soon. She truly gave her life and love to him so he could become the greatest chess player in the world.

7/12/2024 – It was announced today that Magnus Carlsen’s mother, Sigrun Øen, died on Monday after a long illness surrounded by her family. Sigrun Øen was a chemist, but gave up her profession after the birth of her children, and accompanied her son Magnus Carlsen together with her husband and daughters to numerous chess tournaments. Sigrun Øen was 61 years old. 

We're deeply sorry, Magnus, for your loss.

 

https://en.chessbase.com/post/sigrun-en-1963-2024

The Passing Of A Dear Friend

Mar 92024

 

Greetings,

    I am very sad to announce that my dear friend and chess mentor, Mr. Richard Zyra has passed away. He was 82 years young. I first met Richard at the Westfield (Mass) Chess Club in 2005. Here was a man of honor, respect, and integrity. He was the one of three US Chess rated players that taught me the fundamentals and rules of the game. (The other two being his brother, Michael Zyra, and my high school history teacher, Mr. Richard Pucko.) Richard Zyra gifted me my very first two chess books that I ever owned, " Basic Chess Openings" & "More Basic Chess Openings" by Hungarian GM Gábor Kállai. 

     He was a stern enforcer of applying the USCF rules of chess to every game, whether it be casual or rated, yet always the gentleman. Especially the "touch-move" rule! In this way he trained me to treat the game seriously and with respect so that I was prepared for formal competitions. I'm glad that he did. That's a painful rule that costed me several games. Mr. Zyra ingrained in me how to sit on my hands, be patient and think BEFORE I move a piece, which I struggled with because I always moved too fast, ending in many losses. I always looked forward to seeing him each week at the club on Wednesday nights, and later on, Monday nights at the Springfield Chess Club, in anticipation of what lessons he had for me next. 

    He not only taught me about chess, but also life itself. He put up with my bad attitude many times and adjusted it accordingly. He helped forge me into the chess player and man that I am today. I've now been running the Westfield Chess Club (now Greater Baystate Chess Club) that I met him at for the past 14 years. I've built it upon what he stood for and meant to me; unity and friendship. I will miss his laugh, his smile, our awesome chess games, and our phone conversations. Sometimes, I'd be down, especially after my car accident. Richard would lift me up and encourage to never give up. Now he's my chess angel. I can feel him giving me strength every game. I know it sounds strange, but 2 days after he left us, I swept an online tournament with a performance rating of 2295. I've never done that in my life! 

     He was a very good man, Richard Zyra. He is loved by many and will be sorely missed. I know he's in Heaven now, and I hope to see him there. And so, I only say Goodbye for now, Mr. Zyra. Rest in peace, sir. 

Here is the link to his obituary. Thank you for reading. 

 

https://obits.masslive.com/us/obituaries/masslive/name/richard-zyra-obituary?id=54567554&_gl=1*189xkx8*_gcl_au*MTg4NTE0MzkyNC4xNzExNjM5NTQw

 

By: Gaetano 

Student of Chess