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

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

GBCC WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, JANUARY 20th 2025 IN OBSERVANCE OF
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY.
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The first class on the Magical Tactics Of Mikhail Tal was very interactive, and enlightening for many. I covered a game between
The Magician from Riga (Mikhail Tal) and the Iron Tiger (Tigran Petrosian) in 1974. Both were former World Chess Champions. Petrosian, known for his ability to form nearly impenetrable fortresses, played that day against the man who specialized in demolishing them, Tal. Amazingly in just 23 moves, Tal forced resignation after bombarding his opponent's Kings defensive structure after sacrificing 2 pieces for 2 pawns!
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Thank you to all who attended! We had a couple more new families come which was very nice.
Next week, we'll be closed for the holiday. From all of us here at Greater Baystate Chess, have a great one, and Lord willing, see you in 2 weeks!



UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS

01/26/25 LGA Free Winter Chess Tournament (Grades K-8) 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
02/22/25 - 02/23/25 99th Western Mass/ Connecticut Valley Championship 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
05/11/25 13th WMCA Memorial MAP
06/06/25 - 06/08/25 Eastern Class Championships TLA MAP
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
10/10/25 - 10/12/25 Hartford Open MAP
11/15/25 7th Pumpkin Pusher
12/13/25 5th WMCA Quick Chess

WHITE TO MOVE, MATE IN 2.

 SOLUTION TO LAST PUZZLE:

1. R×g7+ Resigns. (If K×g7,  then 2. B×f8+ K×f8 3. d8(Q)+ Qe8 4. Q×f6+ Qf7

5. Q×h6+ Ke8 6. Qhh8+ Qg8 7. Q×g8+ Kd7 8. Qfd8#)


LGA Free Winter Chess Tournament

Jan 72025

Calling all chess moms, dads, boys & girls! 

Come one and all and support this fun event hosted by one of the finest Chess players, tournament directors, and kindest of people in Western Massachusetts, Sophie Argetsinger! It's a very nice, free chess tournament for kids grades K-8 with prizes, and a great way to make new friends!

Follow this link to register now! 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjRWs7P5sUUBJXN6Cu7yVjZz9d-Lir-WUXamIJQZNDknU31g/viewform

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

 

 

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