Sunday, December 27, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - December 26, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Funk)
1.Nc5

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - December 12, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Funk)
1. c4

Thursday, December 17, 2015

2015 Earl Rosenbloom Memorial and Frank Milord Memorial have been rated by the CFC

See the CFC crosstables
2015 Earl Rosenbloom Memorial
2015 Frank Milord Memorial

Congratulations to the following who achieved new peak established ratings:

Gustav Baron 2197
Isaac Wiebe 2171
Will Bonness 1697
Charles Tetrault 1758


First provisional ratings for

Victor Gasnikiv 1566
Jose Luis Sanca 1643

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - November 28, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2
1.Nf6

Sunday, November 22, 2015

2016 Manitoba Closed Championship Qualifying Update

2016 Manitoba Closed Championship Qualifying -

Manitoba Closed 2016 format : 8 player knockout 

(Note: on February 23, 2014 the MCA board approved the adding up to two spots to the the Manitoba Championship at discretion of the Board; if the Board add the two spots, qualifiers 7 and 8  (ordered by CFC rating, along with the new 2 additions will play in a preliminary knockout round, producing two winners who then play with the top six qualifiers by CFC rating. On November 23, 2014, the Board approved continuation of this procedure for 2015 forward) 

Qualifiers -
Players must be Manitoba Permanent residents.
(Persons  who are not citizens or permanent residents, but who have been a resident of Manitoba for a twelve-month period immediately preceding the tournament, may be admitted to the Tournament provided they can clearly demonstrate to the MCA Board of Directors that they have a settled intention to continue to reside in Manitoba. The admittance to the Tournament of such exceptions shall be entirely at the discretion of the MCA Board of Directors.)
 

Qualifiers must play 10 standard rated games (somewhere in the world) during calendar 2015 in order to qualify. In order of preference - if the qualifying player does not want to participate or the qualifier is redundant, we continue down the list until there are 8 willing participants.

     1. Previous Year's Champion (KEVIN GENTES)
     2. Winner of the Reserve (not held)
     3. MB Junior Champion (if rated above 1900)  - 
     4. Top Manitoban in AY Memorial (KEVIN GENTES)
     5,6. Top 2 finishers in the Tournament of Champions (Nov-Dec) 
     7. Player with the best MTPPS (Modified Tournament Performance Point Score) 
     8. Player with the 2nd best MTPPS (Modified Tournament Performance Point Score) 
     9. 2nd Manitoban in the AY Memorial (Babb, Moncal, Baron tied for 2nd, Moncal has only played 4 games)
    10. Player with the 3rd best MTPPS 
    11. Player with the 4th best MTPPS  
    12. etc.from the MTPPS 

The above players will be contacted in early January 2016 to determine their willingness to participate in the knockout.  If any of the players decline, invitations will be provided to next players on the list below.  Then there will be a short period when wild-card bids (as described above) will be entertained.

MTPSS -  Modified Tournament Performance Point Score
MTPPS is calculated as follows:
A Loss = 0 points
A Draw = the rating of the opponent
A Win = the greater of [your opponent's rating + 200] or [your rating]

The top ten performance scores for each player are counted
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The current top MTPPS scores as of November 1. are as follows:
(Tournaments scored included all Manitoba CFC Standard rated tournaments, Canadian Closed,  Montreal Open.) If you believe a result has been missed or is incorrect, please contact me.


Name Total Count Min
Kevin Gentes 23950 10 2342
Isaac Wiebe 22907 10 2213
Gustav L Baron 22333 10 2140
Marcos Valentino 22135 10 2187
Anthony Boron 21706 10 2075
Rolando Bince 21463 10 2059
Leor Wasserman 21447 10 2076
Theo Wolchock 21131 10 1957
Jeff Clark 20964 10 2039
Derek Ma 20661 10 1947
Jim Green 20521 10 1908
Myron Kernetsky 20374 10 1926
Blair Rutter 20257 10 1955
James Atem 20252 10 1916
Brock Beach 20231 10 1807
Jeff Babb 19810 9 2015
Jamie Campbell 19678 10 1804
Phil Le Dorze 19290 10 1785
Ken Einarsson 19124 10 1773

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - November 14, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Funk)
1.Nd4

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - October 31, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to Mate in 2 (Funk)

Sunday, November 1, 2015

2015 Earl Rosenbloom Memorial and 2015 Frank Milord Memorial Tournaments start Tuesday, November 3

Two tournaments start Tuesday. November 3, running in parallel: The 2015 Earl Rosenbloom Memorial Tournament (the Rosenbloom), and the 2015 Frank Milord Memorial Tournament,    Both will run for 7 Tuesdays (Nov 3 to Dec 15. Details are below, but in brief, both tournaments will be CFC rated, but the Rosenbloom will also be FIDE rated.  The Earl Rosenbloom will be open to all; the Frank Milord Memorial Tournament is restricted to those rated Under 1800.
Earl_rosenbloom Earl Rosenbloom
Both tournaments are Swiss (pairing) style tournaments with a time control of G /110 minutes [Each player has 1 hours 50 minutes to complete their moves, the game will be be 3  hours, 40 minutes maximum] FIDE Rule Appendix G4 will also be in effect.
Registration for both tournaments - November 3 - approximately 6:30 pm to 6:50 pm.
Late Registration for tournament - November 10 or 17 - approximately 6:30 pm to 6:45 pm - you will receive a 1/2 point bye for each of the first two rounds missed.
All players must be CFC (Chess Federation of Canada) members (can be obtained during registration on-site) $20 for a one-tournament adult membership or $ 49
for 12 months- new adult members pay only $ 36 for a twelve-month CFC membership; Junior (under 20) members pay $ 10 for a one-tournament membership, $ 34 for a twelve-month CFC membership, new junior members pay only $ 24 for a twelve month CFC membership).
Top 2 Manitoba Finishers in the 2015 Earl Rosenbloom Memorial  qualify to the 2016 Manitoba Championship
Entry Fee:
$ 25
Great opportunity to Start, add to, or complete your FIDE Rating requirements.
For the Rosenbloom, Tentative Pairings to be Published prior to Rounds 2-6
Location: University of Winnipeg - Rm 4CM42
The Frank Milord Memorial Tournament is restricted to those rated Under 1800. CFC rated.
Entry Fee $ 20.  CFC Membership is required as indicated above.
(These are not   knockout tournaments, players will play all 7 rounds)(If you can not play on one or more weeks, please contact the TD BEFORE the round.) Maximum of 2 half-point byes allowed, must be requested before beginning of round 4.  Any number of zero-point byes allowed.
facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/178247284305/

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

The CFC has rated the 2015 Les Mundwiler Memorial tournament

See the crosstable here: http://chess.ca/crosstable?tournament_check_number=201510046

For the first time (that I can recall) that I have been noting peaks, no one achieved established a new peak rating.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - October 17, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Funk)

Sunday, October 4, 2015

2015 Les Mundwiler Memorial (October TNT) starts Tuesday, October 6

2015 Les Mundwiler Memorial (October TNT) - 
CFC  rated.

 $ 15 entry fee  -   Prizes will be based on entries. A

Location: University of Winnipeg - Rm 4CM42

 4 rounds - October 6,13,20, 27,  - (This is not a knockout tournament, players will play all 4 rounds) 
(Players may take up to 1  half-point and any number of zero-point byes.  Half-point byes for round  4 must be requested before Round 2.

Time Control: G/110  + FIDE Appendix Rule G.4

Please note that we intend to start the first round at 7:00 p.m. sharp. There is one game per week.

All of the TNTs are Swiss (pairing) style tournaments with a time control of G /110 minutes [Each player has 1 hour 50 minutes  to complete their moves, the game will be be approx. 3 hours and 40 minutes maximum]. We will also be using FIDE Rule Appendix G.4 for situations with players having under 2 minutes remaining.
.

Start time is 7:00 pm and the TD will confirm costs

$ 15 entry fee and CFC membership required.

All players must be CFC members (can be obtained during registration on-site)

[$ 20 for a one-tournament adult membership or $ 49 for 12 months- new adult members pay only $ 36 for a twelve-month CFC membership, or $ 16 for a one-tournament membership]

Junior (under 20)  members pay $ 10 for a one-tournament membership, $ 34 for a twelve-month CFC membership, new junior members pay only  $ 24 for a twelve month CFC membership, or $ 8 for a one-tournament membership]

Registration for tournament -Tuesday, Oct 6  - approximately 6:35 pm to 6:50 pm

Registration will be cut off at 6:50 pm. (If you think you may be late, please send an email to chessmanitoba 'at' gmail.com) before 5 pm (you can try later, but the wireless access at the U may be problematic) . Players can join in Round 2, they will receive a half-point bye for Round 1. 

Location: University of Winnipeg - Rm 4CM42

Easiest way to get there is to take the elevator at the north end (Ellice) to the 5th Floor(if that Elevator is operating) Otherwise, there is an elevator just to the west of the old Bookstore location.  Our goal is to start the first round at 7:00 p.m. sharp.

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - October 3, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Funk)
1. Kxf6


Wednesday, September 30, 2015

2015 Arsen Aban Memorial rated by CFC and FIDE

The 2015 Arsen Aban Memorial Tournament has been rated by the CFC and FIDE.

See the crosstable here

Congratulations to the following who achieved new peak established ratings:

Saul Magnusson 2100 (+133 !)
Jeff Clark 2081 (+42)
Rayan Roy 1589 (+48)

The tournament also produced a number of FIDE rated players:

Saul Magnusson 2037
Colin Prince 1928
Theo Wolchock 1703

to join the following who already has established FIDE ratings:

James Atem 1844  +28
Isaac Wiebe 2057 +17
Theo Wolchock 1721 +18
Anthony Boron      1931    -3
Myron Kernetsky  1961 -8
Phil Le Dorze  1660 +16
Rolando Bince 1986 -16
Waldemar Schulz 1981 -8
Gustav Baron  1925  -32


Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - September 19, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Funk)

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle September 5, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Markovtsy)
1. Qb5

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Arsen Veselinovich Aban 1944-2015

As we mentioned at the TNT last week, former MCA president Arsen Aban has passed away.
Full Winnipeg Free Press Passages entry here:
 
Arsen Aban 

ARSEN ABAN

ARSEN ABAN April 7, 1944 - August 29, 2015.
A celebration of Arsen's life will be held at the Norwood Hotel, 112 Marion St. on Tuesday, September 8 at 6:00 p.m. 

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - August 22, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Funk)

Monday, August 31, 2015

2015 AY and Winnipeg Opens have been rated by FIDE.

Easy come, easy go; I gained 10 points in the Winnipeg Open, and lost 10 in the AY.

Winnipeg Open changes:

  Baron, Gustav L 35
  Wasserman, Leor  44
  Boron, Anthony 10
  Schulz, Waldemar -8
  Babb, Jeff  -11
  Atem, James  4
  Bince, Rolando -45
  Green, Jim 8

AY changes:


  Gentes, Kevin 14
  Kaptsan, Aron 5
  Bince, Rolando 14
  Atem, James -4
  Moncal, Nilo -22
  Baron, Gustav L 6
  Boron, Anthony -10
  Babb, Jeff -6


A few other players may have received their first FIDE ratings - it used to be that 9 games were needed against FIDE rating opponents, plus some performance minimums, but now it appears that only 5 or 6 games are required.  I will be posting the FIDE ratings later.

Sunday, August 23, 2015

2016 Manitoba Closed Championship Qualifying

2016 Manitoba Closed Championship Qualifying -

Manitoba Closed 2016 format : 8 player knockout 

(Note: on February 23, 2014 the MCA board approved the adding up to two spots to the the Manitoba Championship at discretion of the Board; if the Board add the two spots, qualifiers 7 and 8  (ordered by CFC rating, along with the new 2 additions will play in a preliminary knockout round, producing two winners who then play with the top six qualifiers by CFC rating. On November 23, 2014, the Board approved continuation of this procedure for 2015 forward) 

Qualifiers -
Players must be Manitoba Permanent residents.
(Persons  who are not citizens or permanent residents, but who have been a resident of Manitoba for a twelve-month period immediately preceding the tournament, may be admitted to the Tournament provided they can clearly demonstrate to the MCA Board of Directors that they have a settled intention to continue to reside in Manitoba. The admittance to the Tournament of such exceptions shall be entirely at the discretion of the MCA Board of Directors.)
 

Qualifiers must play 10 standard rated games (somewhere in the world) during calendar 2015 in order to qualify. In order of preference - if the qualifying player did not want to participate or the qualifier is redundant, we continued down the list until there were 8 willing participants.

     1. Previous Year's Champion (KEVIN GENTES)
     2. Winner of the Reserve (non held)
     3. MB Junior Champion (if rated above 1900)  - 
     4. Top Manitoban in AY Memorial (KEVIN GENTES)
     5,6. Top 2 finishers in the Tournament of Champions (Nov-Dec) 
     7. Player with the best MTPPS (Modified Tournament Performance Point Score) 
     8. Player with the 2nd best MTPPS (Modified Tournament Performance Point Score) 
     9. 2nd Manitoban in the AY Memorial
    10. Player with the 3rd best MTPPS 
    11. Player with the 4th best MTPPS  
    12. etc.from the MTPPS 

The above players will be contacted in early January 2016 to determine their willingness to participate in the knockout.  If any of the players decline, invitations will be provided to next players on the list below.  Then there will be a short period when wild-card bids (as described above) will be entertained.

MTPSS -  Modified Tournament Performance Point Score
MTPPS is calculated as follows:
A Loss = 0 points
A Draw = the rating of the opponent
A Win = the greater of [your opponent's rating + 200] or [your rating]

The top ten performance scores for each player are counted
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Chess at the Museum !


The Manitoba Chess Association in co-operation with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is hosting a “learn to play” chess event at the Museum from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on each of the following four Sundays:  August 23 & 30, September 6 & 13.  Representatives from the Manitoba Chess Association will be on hand to teach people how to play chess or to help improve their game.  Our giant chess set is set up at the Museum during the Magna Carta exhibit, from now until September 18, so bring the family and join in the fun!  Regular admission prices do apply.

Also, on Sunday, August 30 from 1:00 to 4:00 the Manitoba Chess Association will be holding a rapid chess tournament at the Museum that is open to all.  Five round Swiss.  Time control of 10 minutes per player per game with 2 second increment per move.  Please register on-site that day from 12:30 to 12:45.  $500 prize fund.  Entry fee of $10.  You do not have to pay an admission fee to the Museum in order to play in the tournament.

At these Museum events, the Manitoba Chess Association representatives will be in chess costumes provided courtesy of the Immaculate Conception Church of Cooks Creek, which hosts a Medieval Festival every two years.  The Manitoba Chess Association will be participating in the next Festival to be held in July 2016.

2015 Abe Yanofsky Memorial has been rated by the CFC

See the crosstables here:
2015 AY Open

2015 U1800

Congratulations to the following who achieved new peak established ratings:

Saul Magnusson 1977
Collin Anderson 1974

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - August 8, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Funk)
1.Ne5

Thursday, August 6, 2015

2015 Abe Yanofsky Blitz Championship - Tuesday, August 11

2015 Abe Yanofsky Blitz Championship
Tuesday, August 11
University of Winnipeg, Portage Avenue Room 4CM42
Registration 6:35 - 6:55

Time Control - 3 minutes + 2 second increment.
(same time control as used in the World Blitz Championship)

Format likely to be 2 Sectioned Round Robins, or 2 Sectioned (Open, approx U1800) Swisses depending on number of entries.

Current estimate is that there will be approximately 9-10 double rounds (2 game matches) ie. 18-20 games per player.

Entry fee - $ 10,  $ 5 for 2015 Abe Yanofsky Memorial entrants.

Prizes - Entries to 2015 Abe Yanofsky Memorial (transferable)

Thursday, July 30, 2015

2015 Winnipeg Open has been rated by the CFC

2015 Winnipeg Open has been rated by the CFC.

See the crosstable here: http://chess.ca/crosstable?tournament_check_number=201507059

Congratulations to the following who achieved new peak established ratings:

Issac Wiebe 2121 (+84 !)
Marcos Valentino 2210
Jamie Campbell 1985 (+205 !!)
Phil Le Dorze 1850
Jim Hemphill 1762
Mark Jenkins 1455
Brock Beach 1874

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - July 25, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to move and mate in 2 (Funk)
1.Kc6

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Joe Dreman - biographical notes

This will be a work in process -

From '100 Years of Chess in Canada' by D.A. Yanofsky, 1967
Israel Joseph Dreman
Born in Winnipeg in 1910. "Joe " Dreman learned to play chess while a youngster and received his chess training at the Winnipeg Jewish Chess Club. Though he has won the Manitoba Championship three times and the Club championship several times, he has strangely enough, never competed for the National title. Though very successful in business and preoccupied with business affairs he has never let his interest flag in the game, and even today ranks among the best in Winnipeg, if not in Canada.

From the obituary in the Winnipeg Free Press, August 4, 2000:

ISRAEL DREMAN

ISRAEL JOSEPH DREMAN On Monday night, July 31, 2000 at the St. Boniface Hospital, Joe Dreman passed away in the quiet and noble manner in which he lived his life. Recently having celebrated his 90th birthday, surrounded by loving family and cherished friends, he embraced his final days with few regrets and the comfort of a life that he regarded as full and resplendent with rich and wonderful memories. Joe is survived by his beloved Rae, his wife of 65 years and his three children, of whom he was so proud; sons, David (Holly) and Solly (Orly), and his daughter Sherrill (Dane Hershberg) as well as his grandchildren, Tyler, Erin, Evan, Dalit, Galia, Orna, Ditto and Meredith; also two great-grandsons, Yonaton and Yuval. He was predeceased by his brothers, Samuel, Harry, Victor, Simon and Abe and sisters, Edith and Rose. Joe's chosen field, futures trading in commodities, was never a chore but always an adventure he pursued with passion. His career in the grain trade spanned sixty years starting as a runner on the trading floor in 1928 to eventually, in the 1940s becoming a partner in The Northwest Commission and then the sole owner. The company was renamed Dreman & Co. in 1958. He was honoured by the Exchange in 1993, for his long term contributions. He was President of the Brokers Association for much of the 1960s and 1970s, in addition to having served on various Exchange committees. He was proud to be the first Jewish member of the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange and he was also a member of the Investment Dealers Association. His career was rewarded with considerable financial success but the true measure of Joe Dreman, the businessman, was the high esteem in which he was held, by his colleagues in the investment and general business community. This was evidenced by his being the recipient of the Hebrew University-Manitoba Excellence Award for Excellence in Business in 1998. His judgement was respected, his word never questioned and his friendship greatly valued. He was known as a man of honour and he personified integrity. Joe enjoyed great success as a chess player having been a repeated winner of the Manitoba Chess Championship. He was a great supporter of the development of young players and of the game, in general. Many owe their success to his nurturing and encouragement. Joe was a past president of the Glendale Golf & Country Club, and a long serving board member of the YMHA and the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. He was a devoted philanthropist who supported worthwhile charities in a selfless manner. His attachment to Israel was steadfast and he gave generously of his time and energies, visiting over 50 times and lending his financial support to the development of a state, dear to his heart. On a more personal level, Joe never refused a request for his help and it was always given in a respectful manner with great sensitivity to the preservation of the dignity of others. His family was continually surprised by the incidents that people would relate of how Joe was instrumental in their lives, for deeds for which he never took credit. Mostly Joe will be remembered as a family man. Nothing was more important to him than the closeness of family. He applauded and revelled in their successes and suffered all their misfortunes, as his own. He was a constant source of support, counsel and occasional advice. His love was unconditional. He cherished his wife, loved and respected his sons and absolutely adored his daughter. His son-in-law and daughters-in-law, to him were his own children and were treated as such. His grandchildren were his never ending joy and he considered them the great dividends of his good fortune. Joes friends were numerous, loyal and devoted. Joes life was rich and full and for that he was truly grateful. He leaves this world a better place for his presence. He will be missed but his memory will live on in the hearts of the many people whose lives he touched and in those of a loving family, who survive him. Joes funeral was conducted at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on Wednesday, August 2. Active pallbearers were Tyler Hershberg, Evan Hershberg, Earl Rosenbloom, David Cohen, Nelson Zagalsky, Charles Wiener and Marilyn Resnick. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Rabbi Louis Berkal, Harold Buchwald C.M. Q.C. L.L.D., Brownie Freedman, Dr. Richard Hershberg, George T. Richardson O.M., Honorable James A. Richardson, and Sally Schulman. The family wishes to thank Dr. Neil Lerner and the nursing staff of 5B, St. Boniface Hospital, for their compassionate care. A fund has been established to honour the life of Joe Dreman at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba (477-7525).
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on August 04, 2000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Winnipeg Tribune archival material:
Joe Dreman first won the Manitoba Championship in 1935.
Dreman_1935_Ch_May_11_1935

He repeated in 1936.
Dreman_Pic_1936_Ch_Mar_28_1936
Dreman_1936_Ch_Mar_28_1936
Dreman_Game_1936_Ch_Mar_28_1936
He also won the Jewish Club Championship in 1937
chesschamp

Saturday, July 18, 2015

FM Kevin Gentes at the Canadian Open - Round 7 - 9

In Round 7 Kevin lost to FM Michael Barron

In Round 8 Kevin drew Guannan Terry Song

In Round 9 Kevin drew FM Robert Hamilton

Crosstable here: http://www.canadianchesszonal.com/xtab.html

[Event "2015 Canadian Closed"]
[Site "Guelph, Ontario"]
[Date "2015.07.14"]
[Round "7.9"]
[White "Barron, Michael"]
[Black "Gentes, Kevin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C91"]
[WhiteElo "2306"]
[BlackElo "2353"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.10"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. d4 Bg4 10. d5 Na5 11. Bc2 c6 12. h3 Bc8 13. dxc6 Qc7 14. Nbd2 Qxc6 15.
Nf1 Nc4 16. a4 Be6 17. Qe2 Rfe8 18. Bd3 Nd7 19. b3 Ncb6 20. axb5 axb5 21. Bb2
Bxb3 22. Bxb5 Qc7 23. Ne3 Be6 24. c4 Reb8 25. Nd5 Bxd5 26. cxd5 Nc5 27. Bc6
Rxa1 28. Rxa1 Nbd7 29. Bc3 Nf6 30. Nd2 g6 31. g3 Kg7 32. Kg2 Nb3 33. Ra4 Nd7
34. Nxb3 Rxb3 35. Qc4 Nc5 36. Ra8 Rxc3 37. Qxc3 Nxe4 38. Qe3 Nc5 39. Qa3 Qb6
40. Qa7 Qb2 41. Qxe7 Ne4 42. Qa7 Qe2 43. Qe3 Qc4 44. Ra4 1-0

[White "Gentes, Kevin"]
[Black "Song, Guannan Terry"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2353"]
[BlackElo "2202"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.10"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. g3 b6 3. Bg2 Bb7 4. O-O Nf6 5. c4 e6 6. b3 Be7 7. Bb2 O-O 8. e3 d6
9. Nc3 Ne4 10. Qc2 Nxc3 11. Bxc3 Qc7 12. Qb2 e5 13. d4 exd4 14. exd4 Bf6 15.
Rad1 Nc6 16. d5 Bxc3 17. Qxc3 Ne7 18. Rfe1 Bc8 19. Qe3 Ng6 20. Nd2 Bg4 21. f3
Bf5 22. h3 Bd7 23. f4 a6 24. Qc3 b5 25. h4 Bg4 26. Bf3 Bxf3 27. Nxf3 Ne7 28. h5
h6 29. g4 Qd7 30. Kf2 bxc4 31. bxc4 f6 32. Re6 Nc6 33. Rde1 Nd4 34. Nxd4 cxd4
35. Qxd4 Rac8 36. Kg3 Qa4 37. Re7 Qxc4 38. Qa7 Qd3+ 39. R1e3 Qh7 40. Qxa6 Qb1
41. Qa7 Qg1+ 42. Kh3 Qh1+ 43. Kg3 Qg1+ 44. Kh4 Kh8 45. Rxg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "2015 Canadian Closed"]
[Site "Guelph, Ontario"]
[Date "2015.07.16"]
[Round "9.12"]
[White "Hamilton, Robert"]
[Black "Gentes, Kevin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D59"]
[WhiteElo "2279"]
[BlackElo "2353"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.10"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 b6 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. Nxd5 exd5 11. Rc1 Be6 12. Qa4 c5 13. dxc5 bxc5 14. Be2
Rc8 15. O-O a5 16. Ne5 Qd6 17. Nd3 Nd7 18. Nf4 Nf6 19. Rfd1 Qb6 20. Qc2 Rab8
21. b3 Qc6 22. a4 Qb7 23. Rb1 Qb6 24. h3 Rd8 25. Rbc1 Rbc8 26. Bb5 Ne4 27. Bd3
Nf6 28. Be2 Rc7 29. Bf3 c4 30. e4 Rdc8 31. bxc4 Rxc4 32. Qd2 Rxc1 33. Rxc1
Rxc1+ 34. Qxc1 dxe4 35. Nxe6 Qxe6 36. Be2 Qe5 37. Bc4 Nd5 38. Kf1 Nc3 39. Qd2
Qf6 40. Bb3 g6 41. Kg1 Kg7 1/2-1/2

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

FM Kevin Gentes at the Canadian Closed - Rounds 4-6

In round 4, Kevin defeated Michael Buscar; in round 5 he drew with rising star and former World Youth Champion Jason Cao; in round 6 he lost to IM Noritsyn.

[Event "2015 Canadian Closed"]
[Site "Guelph, Ontario"]
[Date "2015.07.12"]
[Round "4.9"]
[White "Gentes, Kevin"]
[Black "Buscar, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A53"]
[WhiteElo "2353"]
[BlackElo "2245"]
[Annotator "Bond,Hal"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.10"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

 1. Nf3  d6 2. d4 Bg4 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 Nd7 5. e4 e5 6. Be2 Qc7 7. O-O Ngf6
8. Be3 Be7 9. d5 O-O 10. h3 Bh5 11. g4 Bg6 12. Nd2
Nc5 13. f3 Nfd7 14. b4 Na6 15. a3 Qd8 16. dxc6 bxc6 17. c5 Nab8 18. cxd6 Bxd6
19. Nc4 Bc7 20. Na4 Qe7 21. Qc2 Rc8 22. Kg2 Nf8 23. Nc5 Nbd7 24. Rfd1 Nb6 25.
Qc3 Nxc4 26. Bxc4 Bb6 27. Rd2 a5 28. Rad1 axb4 29. axb4 Rd8 30. Rxd8 Rxd8 31.
Rxd8 Bxd8 32. Nd3 Bc7 33. Bb3 Bd6 34. Ba4 Ne6 35. Bxc6 Nf4+ 36. Nxf4 exf4 37.
Bc5 h5 38. Bd5 Qc7 39. Qc4 Be5 40. b5 Qa5 41. Qb4 Qa1 42. b6 Kh7 43. b7 Bb8 44.
Qa3 Qb1 45. Qa8 Qb2+ 46. Bf2 Qe5 47. Qa5 f6 48. Qd8 Be8 49. Qc8 Kg6 50. Be6 Bb5
51. Qg8 f5 52. Qf7+ 1-0


[Event "2015 Canadian Closed"]
[Site "Guelph, Ontario"]
[Date "2015.07.12"]
[Round "5.5"]
[White "Cao, Jason"]
[Black "Gentes, Kevin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2439"]
[BlackElo "2353"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.10"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Re1 Qd6 11. Nbd2 Nf4 12. Ne4 Qg6 13. Bxf4 exf4 14. Kh1 Be6
15. d4 Rad8 16. Bxe6 Qxe6 17. a4 b4 18. Qd3 a5 19. Rad1 Qd5 20. c4 Qf5 21. b3
Bf6 22. d5 Nb8 23. d6 Bc3 24. Nh4 Qg4 25. Nxc3 Rxd6 26. Nd5 Qxh4 27. Qd4 Nc6
28. Qxf4 Qxf4 29. Nxf4 Nd4 30. Rd3 c5 31. Re5 Rc8 32. Ne2 f6 33. Re7 Re6 34.
Rxe6 Nxe6 35. g4 Rd8 36. Rxd8+ Nxd8 37. Kg2 Kf7 38. Kf3 Ke6 39. Ke4 Kd6 40. f4
g6 41. h4 Nf7 42. Ng3 Nh6 43. g5 f5+ 44. Kf3 Ng8 45. h5 Ne7 46. h6 Ke6 47. Ne2
Nc6 48. Ke3 Kf7 49. Kd3 Ke6 50. Ke3 1/2-1/2

[Event "2015 Canadian Closed"]
[Site "Guelph, Ontario"]
[Date "2015.07.13"]
[Round "6.4"]
[White "Gentes, Kevin"]
[Black "Noritsyn, Nikolay"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A41"]
[WhiteElo "2353"]
[BlackElo "2586"]
[PlyCount "148"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.10"]

1. Nf3 d6 2. d4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 c5 5. O-O cxd4 6. Nxd4 Qb6 7. Nb3 Nc6 8.
Nc3 Bxc3 9. bxc3 Bd7 10. c4 Qb4 11. Bb2 Nf6 12. c5 dxc5 13. Bxf6 exf6 14. Qd6
O-O-O 15. Qxf6 Qc4 16. Rfd1 Be6 17. Bxc6 bxc6 18. Qe5 Bd5 19. Na5 Qb4 20. Rxd5
cxd5 21. Nc6 Qb6 22. Nxd8 Rxd8 23. Rd1 Qe6 24. Qc3 Qc6 25. e3 h5 26. Qg7 Qe6
27. Qc3 Qb6 28. Qg7 Rd7 29. Qf8+ Kc7 30. c4 d4 31. exd4 cxd4 32. c5 Qb5 33. c6
Kxc6 34. Qc8+ Kd5 35. Qa8+ Ke6 36. Re1+ Kf6 37. Qh8+ Kf5 38. Qh6 Kf6 39. Qh8+
Kf5 40. Qh6 Qb8 41. Re8 Rd8 42. Re1 Kf6 43. Qd2 Kg7 44. Qd3 Qb2 45. Re2 Qc1+
46. Kg2 Qc6+ 47. Kg1 Rd7 48. h4 Kh7 49. Rc2 Qd5 50. Rd2 Re7 51. Rd1 a5 52. Kh2
Rd7 53. Rd2 Kg7 54. Kg1 Kg8 55. Kh2 Kh7 56. Kg1 Rc7 57. Rd1 Rc4 58. Kh2 Qc5 59.
Kg2 a4 60. a3 Kg7 61. Kh2 Kg8 62. Kg2 Kh7 63. Kh2 Qc6 64. Kg1 Kg8 65. Kh2 Kg7
66. Kg1 Qb5 67. Kg2 Qb7+ 68. Kg1 Qb3 69. Kf1 Qxd3+ 70. Rxd3 Kf6 71. Rf3+ Ke6
72. Ke2 f5 73. Rd3 Kd5 74. Kd2 Rc8 {Flag} 0-1

FM Kevin Gentes at the Canadian Closed - Rounds 1-3

Kevin won round 1, lost to IM Panjwani on round 2, and drew Kevin wan in Round 3.

[Event "2015 Canadian Closed"]
[Site "Guelph, Ontario"]
[Date "2015.07.10"]
[Round "1.9"]
[White "Manley, Jason"]
[Black "Gentes, Kevin"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C51"]
[WhiteElo "2164"]
[BlackElo "2353"]
[PlyCount "142"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.10"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Bd6 6. d4 Nf6 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1
h6 9. Bd5 Re8 10. Nbd2 exd4 11. Bxc6 dxc3 12. Nc4 bxc6 13. e5 c2 14. Qd2 Ba6
15. Nxd6 cxd6 16. exf6 Rxe1+ 17. Nxe1 Qxf6 18. Nxc2 Re8 19. Ba3 Re2 20. Qd4
Rxc2 21. Qxf6 gxf6 22. Bxd6 Bd3 23. f3 c5 24. Rb1 c4 25. Rb8+ Kg7 26. a3 Bf5
27. Rc8 Be6 28. Kf1 Rd2 29. Bb4 Rd3 30. Ke2 d5 31. Rc7 d4 32. Rxa7 Re3+ 33. Kf2
c3 34. Rc7 Rd3 35. g4 Bd5 36. Rc5 Bxf3 37. h3 Be4 38. Rc4 Rd2+ 39. Kg3 Bd5 40.
Rc5 Rd3+ 41. Kf2 Bb3 42. Ke2 Rd2+ 43. Kf3 Rd1 44. Ke2 Rd2+ 45. Kf3 Bc2 46. Rc4
Bg6 47. a4 Rd1 48. Ke2 Ra1 49. Rxd4 c2 50. Bd2 c1=Q 51. Bxc1 Rxc1 52. h4 h5 53.
Kd2 Rc5 54. gxh5 Bxh5 55. Ke3 Bg6 56. Kd2 Bf5 57. Ke3 Be6 58. Kd3 f5 59. Rf4
Kf6 60. Rb4 Ke5 61. h5 Bd5 62. Rh4 Be4+ 63. Kd2 Rc2+ 64. Kd1 Rc8 65. h6 f4 66.
a5 Kf5 67. h7 Rh8 68. a6 Kg5 69. Rh2 Rxh7 70. Rxh7 Bxh7 71. Ke2 Be4 0-1

[Event "2015 Canadian Closed"]
[Site "Guelph, Ontario"]
[Date "2015.07.11"]
[Round "2.9"]
[White "Gentes, Kevin"]
[Black "Panjwani, Raja"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2353"]
[BlackElo "2542"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.10"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bf4 Nc6 11. Rd1 Nb4 12. Qc1 Nbd5 13. Nc3 Rc8 14. Nxd5 Bxd5
15. Be3 Ng4 16. Ne1 Bxg2 17. Nxg2 Qd5 18. h3 Nxe3 19. Qxe3 Rfd8 20. Nf4 Qd6 21.
Rac1 c5 22. dxc5 Qxd1+ 23. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 24. Kg2 Bxc5 25. Qe4 Rd7 26. a4 Bf8 27.
axb5 axb5 28. Qe5 b4 29. Nd3 g6 30. b3 Rc3 31. Qb8 Rdxd3 32. exd3 Rxd3 33. g4
Rc3 34. g5 Rd3 35. h4 Rd5 36. f4 Kg7 37. Qb7 Bd6 38. Qb6 Bc5 39. Qb8 Rd2+ 40.
Kf1 Bf8 41. Kg1 Kg8 42. Qb5 Rb2 43. Qe5 Rb1+ 44. Kg2 Rxb3 45. Kh2 Rc3 46. Kg2
Rd3 47. Qe4 Rd5 48. Qc4 h5 49. Kh3 Ra5 50. Kg2 Ra3 51. Qc2 Rc3 52. Qd2 Rc4 53.
Kf3 b3 0-1

[Event "2015 Canadian Closed"]
[Site "Guelph, Ontario"]
[Date "2015.07.11"]
[Round "3.9"]
[White "Wan, Kevin"]
[Black "Gentes, Kevin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C69"]
[WhiteElo "2302"]
[BlackElo "2353"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.10"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O f6 6. d4 Bg4 7. c3 Bd6 8. h3
Bh5 9. Be3 Ne7 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Qc2 Qd7 12. Rad1 Kh8 13. Qd3 Qe6 14. b3 Rad8
15. Kh1 c5 16. dxe5 fxe5 17. Bg5 h6 18. Bh4 g5 19. Bg3 Ng6 20. Qd5 Qxd5 21.
exd5 e4 22. Nxe4 Rxf3 23. Nxd6 cxd6 24. gxf3 Bxf3+ 25. Kg1 Bxd1 26. Rxd1 Ne7
27. c4 Nf5 28. Re1 Kg7 29. Re6 Kf7 30. Kg2 h5 31. f3 b5 32. Be1 Re8 33. Rxe8
Kxe8 34. Bd2 bxc4 35. bxc4 Nh4+ 36. Kf2 Ng6 37. Bxg5 Ne5 38. Ke3 Nxc4+ 39. Ke4
Nb6 40. Bd2 Kf7 41. Bf4 Ke7 42. Bg5+ Kf7 43. f4 Nd7 44. Kd3 Nb6 45. Ke4 1/2-1/2

FM Kevin Gentes at the 2015 Canadian Closed

2015 Manitoba Closed Champion Kevin Gentes has travelled to the Canadian Closed in Guelph to vie for the Canadian Championship.

Kevin is the 13th ranked player by CFC rating  - it's a tough crowd that includes 2 GMs, 6 IMs, and 11 FMs.
#Name/Rtng/IDProv
1GM Bator SambuevQC

2642
2IM Razvan PreotuON

2636
3GM Eric HansenAB

2630
4IM Nikolay NoritsynON

2586
5IM Tomas KrnanON

2557
6IM Raja PanjwaniON

2542
7IM Leonid GerzhoyON

2538
8FM Jason CaoBC

2439
9IM Richard WangAB

2426
10FM Andrew PeredunON

2406
11FM Victor PlotkinON

2400
12FM Alex YamAB

2384
13FM Kevin GentesMB

2353

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - July 11, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Funk)
1. Qd5

Friday, July 3, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - June 27, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Funk)
1.Kf6

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - June 13, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Funk)
1.Qg3

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - May 30, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in two (Funk)

Thursday, May 28, 2015

2015 Winnipeg Open (Joe Dreman Memorial) starts Tuesday, June 2

2015 Winnipeg Open - Joe Dreman Memorial  ( a special Tuesday Night Tournament)

CFC and FIDE rated.

 $ 20 entry fee  -   Prizes will be based on entries. Approximately $ 200 will be added to the prize fund through the Joe Dreman legacy

Location: University of Winnipeg - Rm 4CM42

9 rounds - June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28 - (This is not a knockout tournament, players will play all 9 rounds)
(Players may take up to 3  half-point and any number of zero-point byes.  Half-point byes for rounds 8 and 9 must be requested before Round 5.

Please note that we intend to start the first round at 7:00 p.m. sharp. There is one game per week.

Time control of G /110 minutes [Each player has 1 hour 50 minutes  to complete their moves, the game will be be 3 hours and 40 minutes maximum]
.
Start time is 7:00 pm and the TD will confirm costs

$ 20 entry fee and CFC membership required.

All players must be CFC members (can be obtained during registration on-site)

[$ 20 for a one-tournament adult membership or $ 49 for 12 months- new adult members pay only $ 36 for a twelve-month CFC membership;

Junior (under 20)  members pay $ 10 for a one-tournament membership, $ 34 for a twelve-month CFC membership, new junior members pay only  $ 24 for a twelve month CFC membership]

Registration for tournament -Tuesday, June 2  - approximately 6:35 pm to 6:50 pm

Registration will be cut off at 6:50 pm. (If you think you may be late, please send an email to chessmanitoba 'at' gmail.com) before 5 pm (you can try later, but the wireless access at the U may be problematic) .

Current Prize Fund (as of July 1, 2015)

1st $ 140
2nd $ 80
3rd $ 45
4th $ 25

U2000
1st $ 60
2nd $ 35

U1800
1st $ 50
2nd $ 35

U1600.unrated
1st $ 50
2nd $ 30
3rd $ 20




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The trailer for 'Pawn Sacrifice', Fischer biopic to start screening September 18





Not sure about Tobey Maguire as Fischer, but Liev Schreiber looks great as Spassky.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

The CFC has rated the May Sunday Quads and the 2015 May TNT

Please see the crosstables here:

2015 May Sunday Quads A

2015 May Sunday Quads B

2015 May TNT


Congratulations to the following who have achieved new peak ratings:

Isaac Wiebe  2037 (I thought Isaac would have got a bushel of bonus points, but I see now in the regulations, more than 3 games must be played.)

Brock Beach 1811

Marcos Valentino 2194

Theo Wolchock 1957

Derek Ma 1924

Collin Anderson 1940

Jason Evans 1670


Monday, May 18, 2015

2015 May 24 Sunday Quads Tournament



CFC Rated Sunday Quads Tournament
Sunday, May 24, 2015   11:00 am
Room: 5L24, University of Winnipeg

A QUAD (short for quadrangular) is simply a group of four players arranged by rating. Each player in a particular QUAD plays one game against each of the other three players. The winner is the player with the best score.

The first thing The Tournament Director will do is to sort the players in order of their CFC ratings.
Then the players are broken into groups of four.  The lowest grouping may have more than 4 players - this section will be run as a Swiss.

In each Quad Group - the pairings will be something like this:
 
White* Black*
Round 1
1 vs 4
2 vs 3
Round 2
3 vs 1
4 vs 2

Round 3
1 vs 2
4 vs 3

*Colours in the third round are determined by coin toss/computer

Each 4-player section is a separate event for pairing purposes. (There will be no prizes for this event)
Time Control:  Game / 50 + 10 second increment

Entry Fee: $ 4  (to cover CFC rating fees)
Approximate Round times - (Rounds will commence immediately at the end of the previous round)
Round 1: 11:00 am
Round 2: 1:00 pm
Round 3: 3:00 pm

All players in the tournament must also be Chess Federation of Canada members.
CFC Membership information:
(membership can be purchased at the tournament site)
Former/returning members:
$ 20 for a one-tournament membership or $ 49 for 12 months,
Juniors – one tournament membership $ 10, $34 for 12 months.
New members pay only $ 16 for a one-tournament membership or $ 36 for 12
months, Juniors - one tournament membership $ 10, $24 for 12 months.

Canadian Chess Challenge 2015 Laval University, Quebec - Final Results

Various statistical views here:  http://www.chess-math.org/ccc/national/results/2015/English/index.xml


Looks like Manitoba finished in 5th - 6th with NB, - behind the usual top place finishers, ON, QU, BC, AB


Individual medal winners for Manitoba:

Martin Riquelme got Bronze in Grade 2

Theo Wolchock got GOLD in Grade 7

 Congratulations to all !

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Canadian Chess Challenge 2015 Laval University, Quebec

Currently being played in Quebec.

Various statistical views here:  http://www.chess-math.org/ccc/national/results/2015/English/index.xml

Looks like they played 6 rounds on Sunday.  Manitoba had 4 match points, but their 2 of their 3 remaining matches games are against heavyweights, Ontario and Quebec.

High scorers so far are Theo Wolchock with  6 wins, Martin Riquelme has an undefeated 5 points, and Brock Beach has 4.5.

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - May 16, 2015

From the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Funk)

Friday, May 15, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - May 2, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Funk)
1.Nh4

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

2015 April TNT has been rated by the CFC

The CFC has rated the tournament - please see the crosstable here.

Congratulations to the following who achieved new established peak ratings:

Marcos Valentino 2129
Collin Anderson 1932
Jason Evans 1645
Derek Ma 1892
Ante Mandusic 1250

Monday, April 27, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - April 18, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Funk)
1. Qb7

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Robert (Bob) Walker - 1948 - 2015

Father of the chess playing Walker family has passed away.  They were active locally in the late nineties.
I did not know he was an accomplished runner - still Manitoba record holder for the marathon, an incredible 2:19:06.

 Passages Entry

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Manitoban---299618961.html

http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Bob-Walker/305506625

http://chess.ca/players?check_rating_number=105911&key=150426


Also see this from the June 17, 2016 edition of the Winnipeg Sun:

http://winnipegsun.com/2016/06/16/manitoba-marathon-changes-direction-keeps-inspiring/wcm/94f14926-44a7-4db4-9340-eabf01334d38



Saturday, April 11, 2015

Rocker Chess Club - Blitz tournament - Saturday, April 18

Rocker Chess Club will host  a four round Swiss-system tournament  with all pairings as double match-ups where you’ll be able to play as both white and black making for a total of 8 games.
From the organizers:
Doors open at noon, registration ends at 12:30.
Cost: $15
Time control: 5 minutes + 2 seconds

Guaranteed cash prize fund provided by Chandra Iyer of $100 + 50% of all entries fees. Prize structure to be announced soon, but expect a greater emphasis on overall prizes vs, our first tournament.
1st place overall will include a cash prize and $100 Mariaggi’s theme suite hotel and spa. Tie breaks around 4pm will be held if required for this indivisible prize.

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - April 4, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Funk)
1. Bg4

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Local high school strudents are headed off to the nationals

from the Local Community Winnipeg Newspapers, April 1, 2015
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/Young-chess-masters-win-provincial-titles-298191861.html


2015 March TNT has ben rated by the CFC

Please see the crosstable here:
http://chess.ca/crosstable?tournament_check_number=201504020

Congratulations to the following who achieved new peak established ratings:

Derek Ma - 1882
Joshua Huston-Earle 1613
Brock Beach 1799
Jason Evans 1616

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Rocker Chess Club

Theo Wolchock of the Rocker Chess Club wants to remind folks about the opportunity to play some casual chess.
http://rockerchess.ca
Https://www.facebook.com/groups/rockerchess/
More info:
When-Saturdays 12-4
Where-91 Albert street 3rd floor
Who- Mark Jenkins, Jamie Campbell, Theo Wolchock

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - March 21, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in two (Funk)
1. Nh7

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - March 7, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Funk)
1.Kc6

Thursday, February 26, 2015

2015 February TNT has been rated by the CFC

See the crosstable here:

http://chess.ca/crosstable?tournament_check_number=201502058

Congratulations to the following who achieved new peak established ratings:

Brock Beach 1772
Derek Ma 1839 ( this may change)
Jason Evans 1592

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Cecil's Saturday Problem - February 21, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press
White to mate in 2 (Funk)
Cecil indicates 1.Ke7 in his column of March 7. Checking this I realized that I had made an error in creating the diagram. The g1-rook should be on f1 in the original composition.
With the rook on g1, I have accidentally composed a different mate-in-two problem, with the solution being 1.Bxe4

Friday, February 20, 2015

Winnipeg Chess History - February 20, 1954 Reshevsky Simul

Thanks to John Donaldson for posting this in Mechanics' Institute Chess Club Newsletter #374
http://www.chessclub.org/news.php?n=374

2) Chess Charivari
One great untapped resource for those wishing to research chess events from the past are chess columns in local newspapers. Today you will not find many in North America but 100 years ago there were a great number (easily over 60)  appearing throughout the continent and even 50 years ago there were quite a few. More and more newspapers are posting their archives online and have search capabilities that spare the hunt in the dark pouring over blurry microfilm that was the only way to get things done in the past. Also very useful in the quest is Ken Whyld's massive Chess Columns: A List, a 587 page book that makes a very good stab at trying to record as much information about as many columns as possible. As Whyld wrote in his introduction in a work of this kind there were bound to be many errors and omissions.
One column you will not find listed in Chess Columns: A List ran in the Winnipeg Tribune from October 31, 1953 to June 19, 1954. The 33 columns that  appeared focused primarily on international news, but national and local events were also covered. A typical column featured a chess problem, news and one or two annotated games - often in great depth. Books reviews and the occasional photo rounded things out.  Chess Charivari, as Dr. Nathan Divinsky called his column, was meaty and well written but that didn't stop it from being dropped in the summer of 1954. The Winnipeg Tribune gave the case as low readership - in a poll commissioned by the paper out of 120 readers there were only three regular and six occasional readers of Chess Charivari! Divinsky received a total of $160 for his work on his column that deserved a better fate.
The following excerpt gives a small taste of the good stuff to be found in Chess Charivari. Much of the information to be found in it is unavailable elsewhere.
Chess Charivari
by Dr. Nathan Divinsky
Feb 20, 1954
Reshevsky Simultaneous
This event proved to be a highlight in Winnipeg chess. The most enjoyable chess evening fans have had for many years. Dr. W. W. Wright, president of the Manitoba Chess Association introduced the grandmaster.For the first 15 minutes Reshevsky answered questions from the floor, explaining that he would very much like to get Botvinnik ALONE in a match for the world's championship! Then the play began.
Thirty three Winnipeg stalwarts opposed the grandmaster. Having participated ourselves, we can assure our readers that his opening play was faultless, that his speed was phenomenal, and after an hour, a half dozen players had already suffered defeat. The middle game was played at a more reasonable rate. It is here that the grandmaster is at a disadvantage - he does not have sufficient tie to consider all the combinations, whereas the individual player has a bit more time and peace. Several players obtained an advantage, some in position and a few in material. However as more and more fell away, and the ranks were thinned to ten, Reshevsky seemed to be coming around at breakneck speed - and one MUST move when he comes!The difficult part was over, and after only 3 hours of play, 31 had gone down to defeat. Only your editor and Mr. Abe Kussim obtained draws. We expect to hear more of Mr. Kussim in Winnipeg chess.
Though Winnipeg's result compares with Calgary (33 losses and 1 draw) and Vancouver (33 loses and 4 draws), we feel that a much stronger group of players could have participated,.  With players like Mogle, Blinder, A. Dreman, B. Deitchman, H. Frank and M. Desser in the line-up we are convinced that several wins would have been scored. To say nothing of I. J. Dreman and H. Yanofsky. Not only would they themselves have had good chances, but they would have helped slow up Reshevsky and given all the others more time to think. We sincerely hope that the next generation of A players will take a more sincere interest and give all chess enthusiasts pleasure and enjoyment. We were happy to see many young and talented players in the line-up.
There were a great number of spectators (close to 100) and they all seemed to be having a wonderful time.
Besides your editor and Mr. Kussim, the following players participated:
E. Budnitsky, C. F. Ashmore, A. Boxer, P. H. Buhr, T. F. Carter, S. F. Cooper, S. Choslovsky, A. D. Divinsky, J. Enns, B. Fortier, J. Filkow, N. Garfinkle, L. Guberman, P. Hildebrandt, K. Knapheus, N. Klassen, P. Katz, W. Krawitz, G. Love, W. R. Mitchell, H. R. MacKean, J. L. Matynia, R. Newbury, J. J. Promislow, S. Pedlar, B. Richman, J. Steigerwald, P. Sidney, J. Shebaylo, A. Vincent, Dr. W. W. Wright.
Reshevsky - Divinsky
Winnipeg (simul) 1954
[Divinsky]
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6
I was all set to play the 1...e5, the Budapest Defense, hoping that the complications of the pawn sacrifice would give me some sort of a chance, but D.A. Yanofsky convinced me that playing solidly was the only hope.
3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0–0 6.Be2 Nbd7 7.0–0 e5 8.Re1 c6 9.Bf1 Ne8 10.Bg5 f6 11.Be3 Nb6 12.Qd2 Be6 13.b3 f5 14.Ng5 Bd7 15.exf5?
Up to this point the game has followed a reasonable pattern. The text is an oversight, which I must admit I was very happy to see.
15...exd4! 16.fxg6
Now if 16.Bxd4 Bxd4 17.Qxd4 Qxg5 and Black is a piece up.
16...dxc3?
There was no hurry to take the piece. Simply 16...hxg6 and White's game is hopeless. Now White gets compensation for the piece.
17.gxh7+ Kh8 18.Qe2 Nf6 19.h3 Qe8 20.Qd3 Qe5 21.f4 Qa5 22.Bd4 Bf5 23.Qxc3 Qxc3 24.Bxc3 Nxh7 25.Bxg7+ Kxg7 26.Re7+ Kg8 27.Rd1 Nxg5 28.fxg5 Rab8 29.g4!
Not 29.Rxd6 because of  29...Nc8 winning the exchange.
29...Bc2 30.Rd2 Bb1 31.Re1 Bh7 32.Rxd6 Rbd8 33.Rh6 Bc2 34.c5 Nd5 35.Bc4 Kg7 36.Re2 Bb1 37.Kh2 Rde8 38.Rxe8 Rxe8 39.Bxd5 cxd5 40.Rd6 Re7
At this point things were moving very quickly and I didn't want to gamble on 40...Be4 41.Rd7+ Kg6 42.Rxb7 Rd8 43.c6 d4 44.Rd7!
 41.Rxd5 Bxa2 42.Rd3 a5 43.Kg3 Rc7 44.h4 Kg8
If 44...Rxc5 45.Rd7+; but 44...Kf8 would have saved some time.
45.Kf4 Kf8 46.h5 Rxc5 47.Rd8+ Ke7 48.Rb8 Rc7?
Much stronger is 48...Rb5 
49.h6 Bb1
These pawns seem to be growing in size!
50.Rg8 Rc6 51.h7 Bxh7 52.Rg7+ Kf8 53.Rxh7 Rb6 54.Rh3 Kg7 55.Kf5
Here I refused an offer of a draw.
55...Rb5+ 56.Kf4 Rb4+ 57.Kf5 b5 58.Rc3 a4 59.Rc7+ Kg8 60.Kg6 Kf8 61.bxa4 bxa4 Draw
If there are any winning chances, White has them now. An exciting struggle.
A Sam Loyd problem, Geller-Flohr and Petrosian-Smyslov from the 19th USSR Championship (the first without notes and the second heavily annotated) and a review of R. N. Coles The Chess-Player's Weekend Book completed this column.