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I. Tournament
Recaps
SCI Individual Championships - January
23
Nearly 300 scholastic players qualified across five regional events for
this year's individual state championships. From the Terre Haute
regional, local section winners included Thaddeus Cole (3.0/3.0 score,
8th/Under), Kevin Huang (3.0/3.0, 6th/Under) Yuxuan "Richard"
Xun (5.0/5.0, 3rd/Under), and Andrew Pilat (2.5/3.0, 8th/Under
JV). Andrew and his brother Ryan, who upset top-rated Daniel
Larsen in round 1 of the 6th/Under Championship section, are
co-featured at the bottom of the newsletter for similar tactical blows
they used to qualify for the state finals. Other area qualifiers
included Rena Cohen (2.0/3.0, 6th/Under), Daniel Larsen (2.0/3.0,
6th/Under), Ryan Pilat (2.0/3.0, 6th/Under), Gabriel Cohen (4.0/5.0,
3rd/Under), Cameron Beesley (4.0/5.0, 3rd/Under), Aiden Bunnell
(4.0/5.0, 6th/Under JV), and Ian Nuckles (3.5/5.0, 6th/Under JV).
From the Indianapolis regional, section winners included Daniel
Rickert (2.5/3.0, 12th/Under) and Bingrui "Tutu" Wang
(3.0/3.0, 8th/Under). Other qualifiers with local ties included
Matt Kubisch (2.0/3.0, 12th/Under), Hashim Raza (1.0/3.0, 12th/Under),
and Neha Kodali (3.0/5.0, 6th/Under). The only remaining
qualifier from the area was Joe Luther, who finished with 3.5/5.0
points in the 3rd/Under section at the Mt. Vernon regional.
In sharp contract to this year's grade championships, none of the
pre-tournament favorites emerged unscathed from the championship
sections at the SCI individual state finals. In the 12th/Under
section, top-rated expert Jonathan Zhou lost to Ricky Lou (rated 400+
less) in round 2 and ceded a draw in the next round to 1311-rated
Philip Eykamp. Going into the final round, four players had a
shot at the $2000 scholarship and qualification spot for the Denker
Tournament of High School Champions. Sam Witwer won his game
against Carson Pocock, and avoided tiebreaks when Matt Kubisch drew his
game with Ricky Lou, thereby clinching the tournament. Likewise,
in the 8th/Under section, top-rated Teddy Tsai (1826) lost in the third
(vs. 1392) and fourth (vs. 1108) rounds, making room for Kevin Wang and
Nikhil Datar to tie atop the standings with perfect 4-0 scores.
Kevin was awarded the $1000 scholarship and qualification spot to the
Barber Tournament of Junior High Champions. In the younger
sections, draws by top-rated Max Egan and John Bentrup in the 6th/Under
and 3rd/Under sections, respectively, were not enough to unseat them
from their perches. Top-10 finishers from the area were Matt
Kubisch (3rd place, 12th/Under), Thaddeus Cole (10th place, 8th/Under),
Daniel Larsen (3rd place, 6th/Under), Joe Luther (9th place,
3rd/Under), and Aiden Bunnell (6th place, 6th/Under JV).
Congratulations to all of the participants, and thanks to the
organizers for running the tournament like a well-oiled machine.
Parents and students alike were happy not only that Wi-Fi was made
available throughout the facility, but that pairings were posted online
and in a timely fashion. Full results in tiebreak order can be viewed
at http://scichess.org/2016-individual-championships-final-results/
while post tournament ratings can be found on the event's official
crosstable at http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201601232522
II. Tournament Calendar
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - ISCA'S ROAD TO
THE U.S. OPEN
The last time that the U.S. Open was hosted in Indianapolis (2009), the
Indiana State Chess Association awarded free entries to the top
finishers in state-run events in the preceding months. With the
U.S. Open triumphantly returning to Indianapolis this year, amidst
Indiana's state bicentennial celebration, ISCA has decided to reprise
this contest. As such, they will be awarding four free entries
(~$150 value each!) to the upcoming U.S. Open to the top Master/Expert,
Class A, Class B, and Class C/Under players based on the number of
points won at three events: the Southern Indiana Open, the Memorial
Open, and the Class Championships (double points). The more
tournaments you play, the more opportunities you have to win or draw
games and secure the top spot in the standings. For full details,
visit http://www.indianachess.org
Southern Indiana Open - February 13
Back for the second consecutive year, the Southern Indiana will be held
at the Holiday Inn on N. Kinser Pike in Bloomington. Last year's
event overcame a severe snowstorm to attract more than two-dozen
players, so an even greater turnout is anticipated this time
around. Though the tournament will maintain its structure of 4
rounds of G/60 d10 chess, the U1200 section has been merged into the
Open section this year. There will be cash prizes for the overall
top 2 finishers, as well as to the top 2 finishers in each rating
class. Also, as mentioned above, points scored in this tournament
will count towards ISCA's "Road to the Open" standings, which
can earn you a free spot to the U.S. Open this summer in Indianapolis.
Registration is $40 in advance, or $55 onsite, and can be completed
online at http://www.indianachess.org. Early
entries include yours truly and reigning Indiana State Champion Andy
Porter, so don't forget to sign up for what figures to be a
high-quality event. For more information, see the full TLA at http://www.uschess.org/tlas/upcoming.php?STATE=IN#2016-02
or contact chief tournament director Craig Hines at mrsci2740@hotmail.com.
President's Day Tournament - Monday,
February 15
For families looking for something to do this President's Day, Aaron
Dean is hosting a 4/SS, G/30 rated tournament in Zionsvill with
trophies awarded to the top finishers in the 1st/Under, 3rd/Under,
6th/Under, 8th/Under, and 12th/Under sections. Entry fees are
only $18 if sent by February 8, or $22 if sent thereafter. More
information can be found on the event's flyer at http://www.scichess.org/2016/Feb15Zionsville.pdf
or by emailing adean@learningthroughgames.com
US Amateur Team (USAT) North -
February 19-21
Regardless of whether your school has a chess club, or whether you even
go to school, you don't have to miss out on the fun of team tournaments
this month. Held at the Hyatt Regency in Schaumburg, Illinois,
the U.S. Amateur Team North is a 5-round Swiss tournament with 4-player
teams (one optional alternate) in which the average rating of the
players must be under 2200, so you never have to worry about facing an
all-GM lineup. The time control is a leisurely Game/90 +30s
increment from move 1. Entry fees are $160 per team if received USPS or
online by 6pm on February 5th, $180 if received USPS or online by 6pm
on February 15th, or $200 online until 6pm on February 19th and onsite.
If you can't organize your own team, but still want to join the fun,
individuals wishing to play can send $50 and request to be put on team
by USPS and online by 6pm on February 5th, $50 thereafter.
The best part of these U.S. Amateur Team events are the prizes. Awards
are not only given to the top two teams, top teams with average rating
Under 1900, Under 1600 and Under 1300, but for off-the-board things
like: Awards for Best Team Name, Best Costume or Theme. Additional
prizes will be awarded to the best team composed of juniors (high
school and younger), Best Coach and Students team, top Senior team, top
College team, top High School team, and to the top score on each board.
To find more information, or to register, visit http://www.chessweekend.com/2013/2016-us-amateur-team-north/
SCI Team Regionals - February 27 or
March 5
The SCI Individual Championships have just concluded, but the largest
scholastic event of the season has yet to come. The SCI Team
Championship cycle begins February 13, when the first regional
qualifier is held in Mt. Vernon. Other regional qualifiers will
be held across the state on February 27 in Goshen, Terre Haute, and
Hammond; the Indianapolis qualifier will take place on March 5.
Held across four sections (3rd/Under, 6th/Under, 8th/Under, and
12th/Under), players from the same school will create teams of four
players (minimum 3 players; teams may have up to 5 players counting an
optional alternate) and play against each other. There is no
limit to the number of teams per school, and the regional events are
not rated, so signing up your entire club is a great way to raise their
collective experience level. While the 12th/Under section does
not have to qualify at regionals, and all 3rd/Under teams will qualify
regardless of how many games they win at regionals, only the
top-performing 6th/Under and 8th/Under teams will be invited to the
state finals held in Hammond on March 19. Mailed entries are
already due, but online registration is still available. To see
the full list of rules and registration information, please visit http://scichess.org/2016-sci-team-championships/
National Junior High (K-9)
Championship - April 15-17
The National Junior High Championships are coming to Indianapolis this
spring! And no, you don't have to be in junior high to enter.
Hosted at the Indianapolis Marriott East, there are 6 Sections,
each with 7 rounds: K-9 Championship, K-9 U1250, K-9 Unrated, K-8
Championship, K-8 U1000 and K-8 U750. Thus, regardless of age and
skill level, there is a section for you. Though pairings are done
individually, team prizes will also be awarded for the top four
(minimum two) finishers from each school per section. The K-9
Championship first place individual and team, including ties, will be
the National Junior High School Champion. Entry fees are only
$50/participant if postmarked or submitted online by 3/21, $70
postmarked or online by 4/4, $85 online by 4/13, $90 on
site. Perhaps one of the biggest draws of these national
events are the side events, like the bughouse championship ($25/team)
on Thursday at 11 am and the blitz championship ($15) on Thursday at 5
pm. For more information, contact Susan Kantor at skantor@uschess.org
or visit www.uschess.org/tournaments/2016/jhs/.
III. USCF-Rated Online Chess
For the past few months, the USCF has been running rated blitz and
quick tournaments on the chess.com servers. And best of all, it's
free for USCF members to play. Every Monday night at 6pm,
verified members can play in a 5-round, G/10 Swiss system tournament
for real rating points. If that's too early for you, there's also
a 7-round G/5 tournament at 11pm. The blitz continues on Wednesdays,
where players can sign up for a 7-round 3/2 tournament beginning at
8pm. For those preferring slightly longer time controls, you can
catch the 15/10 tournament on Friday nights at 8pm. To be
eligible to play, just fill out the verification form located here.
IV. Chess Clubs
Chess Club at IU – Wednesdays at
7:00pm
On hiatus for the winter break, the IU Chess Club will resume its
meetings after the new year on Wednesdays from 7:00pm-9:00pm by the
Burger King in the Indiana Memorial Union. Players of all
strengths and ages, regardless of university affiliation, are welcome
to attend. Questions can be forwarded through the group's Facebook page, or by contacting
president Evan Spiegel at evdspieg@umail.iu.edu.
BISCC Library Chapter – alternating
Sundays at 1:30pm
The next meeting of the Bloomington Indiana Scholastic Chess Club’s
library chapter will be Sunday, February 14 from 1:30pm-3:30pm in
Meeting Rooms 1B & 1C of the Monroe County Public Library. Several
of the area's top scholastic players are regular attendees, but each
session includes a lesson for beginners as well as a weekly activity.
Your first meeting is free to attend, so stop by to see if it would be
a good fit for you and your child. For more details about the
club, contact me or visit BISCC's website at http://www.biscc.org.
Crestmont Castles Chess Club –
Sundays at 3:00pm
Sponsored by Bloomington Parks & Recreation, this group meets from
3:00pm-4:30pm at the Crestmont Community Center (1002 Summit
Street). It is free to attend and welcome to all ages and playing
strengths. Players both young and old have been frequenting the
club, so stop by on your next lazy Sunday and discover what the hype is
all about. For more information, download the flyer, or feel free to contact Michael
May at (812) 606-7152, michael@interiormythos.com.
Bloomington Chess Club – Tuesdays at
7:00pm
The Bloomington Chess Club meets every Tuesday from 7:00pm-10:00pm at
Buffa Louie's. Come play in a relaxed environment while enjoying
great food. Games are frequently played at rapid time controls
(G/20 or G/15), blitz (G/5), as well as un-timed, so there's a little
bit of something for everybody.
V. Featured Game
In lieu of a featured game, this edition includes two tactics
played by brothers Drew and Ryan Pilat at the SCI Regional tournament
in Terre Haute. See if you can spot the theme common to both, and
predict the winning moves. Answers are included at the very end
of the email.
Drew Pilat vs. Jonathan Avery Finn
White has a material advantage, but the weakness of both kings means
that the result is still very much undetermined. Can you find
what white played here to clinch a spot in the state finals?
Daniel Larsen - Ryan Pilat
In this position, black has sacrificed a pawn in exchange for the
initiative and bishop pair. How does he turn those into a more tangible
advantage?
If you would like one of your games featured in the next newsletter,
please send your notation and/or annotations to gerry_roberts@ymail.com. The best
game I receive will be selected for publication.
VI. Save the Dates
APRIL 22-24, 2016: All-Girls National Championships (Chicago, IL)
MAY 6-8, 2016: National Elementary (K-6) Championship (Nashville, TN)
AUGUST 2016: 117th US Open Chess Championship (Indianapolis, IN)
Regards,
Gerry Roberts
ANSWERS:
The theme is "mutually hanging queens." In the first
puzzle, white grabs an extra rook by playing Qxf8+, followed by
capturing black's queen. In the second puzzle, black converts his
advantage by playing ...Qxc3+, followed by ...Bxc7, winning a minor
piece in the process.
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