World Top 10 November, 2024
MEN:
WOMEN:
The "Winter is coming Quick" Unrated tournament
went well! We had 10 players. Congratulations to Jonathan Ingellis for obtaining clear 1st place with 3/3, no losses! Bob Campbell and Juan Aguierre split 2nd & 3rd place with 2.5/3 each.
Thank you to all who participated!
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This coming week, we'll have an introductory class on a powerful chess opening for those interested: The Colle - Zukertort System!
The Colle-Zukertort is a chess opening system for white that's good for players of any level. It's named after British-German Chess Master, Johannes Zukertort, who played in the first World Chess Championship. The Colle-Zukertort is characterized by developing the dark-squared bishop on b2. White has three men hitting the e5 square, preparing for a massive Kingside attack.
The Colle System is very light in opening theory, strategy is simple, the development easy to remember, and the kingside attack is pretty straightforward.
A few key features of the Colle-Zukertort are:
*Strong pawn skeleton
*Pressure on the central squares
*Balanced, strategic setup & Flexibility
This chess opening ensures you can adopt a relaxed approach to the start of the game because the pieces develop naturally, and you won't be concerned about getting caught in an opening trap.
* Classes are free, optional and run about 30 minutes.
*All other casual club games & activities available usual.
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*Huge Free parking lot in the rear of the church, well lit.
* DONATION based; no membership fees required.
* We only ask for donations to help cover $100 weekly rent and expenses. 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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12/15/24 | Harry Nelson Pillsbury Memorial | TLA | MAP |
01/03/25 - 01/05/25 | Boston Chess Congress | 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 |
WOMEN:
Solution To Last Puzzle: 1. Qh6 Kb4 2. Qe1 Ka5 3. Qa3#
https://uschesschamps.com/2024-us-championships/press-release-winners
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://www.chess.com/news/view/judit-polgar-abolish-women-titles
https://www.chess.com/news/view/2024-niemann-rises-to-world-no-16
7-year old Devansh Vellanki, of Hopkinton Massachusetts is the 2024 National Elementary School Champion for kindergarten and first grade.
17-year-old Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju of India, became the youngest man in history to win the prestigious Candidates tournament and earn the right to challenge for the World Champion, GM Ding Liren's crown later this year!
CLEAR 1ST!
WOMEN'S: CONGRATULATIONS GRANDMASTER TANG ZHONGYI!
CLEAR 1ST!
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.
By: Gaetano
Student of Chess