World Top 10 February, 2025
MEN:
WOMEN:
---GBC IS CANCELED FOR TOMORROW, February 17th, 2025, President's Day, DUE TO THE HIGH WIND WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT---
The lesson planned will be postponed. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please stay safe.
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02/22/25 - 02/23/25 | 99th Western Mass/ Connecticut Valley Championship | TLA | MAP |
03/22/25 | 15th Western Mass Open | MAP | |
04/12/25 | 3rd Senior Over Age 50 | ||
04/13/25 | Massachusetts G/60 Championship | MAP | |
04/26/25 - 04/27/25 | Massachusetts Senior Open | MAP | |
05/11/25 | 13th WMCA Memorial | MAP | |
06/06/25 - 06/08/25 | Eastern Class Championships | TLA | MAP |
06/21/25 | 1st Plus Score Cash Prize Open | ||
06/27/25 - 06/29/25 | World Open: Under 1200 & Under 1000 Sections | MAP | |
07/02/25 - 07/06/25 | World Open: Open Through Under 1400 Sections | MAP | |
07/05/25 | 4th Iron Knights Amateur | MAP | |
07/25/25 - 07/27/25 | Bradley Open | MAP | |
08/09/25 - 08/10/25 | 13th Western New England Open | MAP | |
08/24/25 | 60th Annual Summer Open | MAP | |
08/29/25 - 09/01/25 | New York State Championship | MAP | |
09/13/25 | 17th WMCA Free | MAP | |
10/10/25 - 10/12/25 | Hartford Open | MAP | |
11/15/25 | 7th Pumpkin Pusher | ||
12/13/25 | 5th WMCA Quick Chess |
WOMEN:
STAY TUNED...
STAY TUNED...
SOLUTION TO LAST PUZZLE: 1.Re3 f3 2. Re4#
IT'S THE YEAR FOR 18 YEAR- OLD CHAMPIONS IN WORLD CHESS!
Congratulations young Grandmaster Volodar Murzin of Belarus! He defeated Magnus Carlsen and took the title!
At 18 years old, GM Gukesh becomes the 18th WORLD Chess Champion, bringing the title back to India!
7-year old Devansh Vellanki, of Hopkinton Massachusetts is the 2024 National Elementary School Champion for kindergarten and first grade.
https://uschesschamps.com/2024-us-championships/press-release-winners
https://www.chess.com/news/view/judit-polgar-abolish-women-titles
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