Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - March 7, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press

White to mate in 2 (Funk)
1.Kc6

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

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

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.

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - February 7, 2015

from the Winnipeg Free Press

White to mate in 2 (Funk)

This one should easy.
1. Rh8

2015 February TNT Tournament starts Tuesday, February 3, 2015

2015 February TNT Tournament  $ 15 entry fee  -   Prizes will be based on entries.
Location: University of Winnipeg - Rm 4CM42

4 rounds - February 3 10, 17, 24  - (This is not a knockout tournament, players will play all 4 rounds)
Please note that we intend to start the first round at 7:00 p.m. sharp.

Tuesday Night Tournaments are held every month of the year, (except for November and December when things are organized a little differently).
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 3 hours and 40 minutes maximum]

The TNTs are typically 4 round events (one game for 4 consecutive Tuesdays in the month).

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;
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, February 3 - 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.

2015 Kent Oliver Memorial Tournament - Sunday, January 25, 2015 and MCA Annual Meeting

2015 Kent Oliver Memorial Tournament - Sunday, January 25, 2015 and MCA Annual Meeting

University of Winnipeg Room 3L-08


One day Rapid event  !
5 rounds of Game /  20 minutes  + 10 seconds free (Bronstein)
Registration starts at 9:30AM - First Round 10 a.m


We should be finished around 5 p.m.
Lunch and Annual General Meeting from approx 12 to 1:30
between rounds 2 and 3. Pizza Lunch provided.
Entry Fee: $ 15
CFC Membership not required, however Manitoba Chess Association(MCA) membership is required.
If you are not a CFC member (which typically includes MCA membership),  MCA membership can be obtained for $ 5 (for one tournament)
First time players do not require MCA membership for this tournament.
The prize fund is enhanced through a generous donation from Mrs. Truus Oliver.
This tournament will be rated as a MCA active event.

2015 Manitoba Closed Qualifying Update

2015 Manitoba Closed Championship Qualifying -

Manitoba Closed 2015 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) 

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 2014 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 LI)
     2. Winner of the Reserve (non held)
     3. MB Junior Champion (if rated above 1900) not held - Kevin Li is defending champion
     4. Top Manitoban in AY Memorial (KEVIN GENTES)
     5,6. Top 2 finishers in the Tournament of Champions (Nov-Dec) (Kevin Gentes, Sam Lipnowski)
     7. Player with the best MTPPS (Modified Tournament Performance Point Score) Kevin Gentes
     8. Player with the 2nd best MTPPS (Modified Tournament Performance Point Score)  Kevin Li
     9. 2nd Manitoban in the AY Memorial (SAM LIPNOWSKI (on tiebreak)
    10. Player with the 3rd best MTPPS  (Sam Lipnowski)
    11. Player with the 4th best MTPPS  (JONATHAN ZACZEK)
    12. etc.from the MTPPS  (JEFF BABB, GUSTAV BARON, LEOR WASSERMAN, ANTHONY BORON) (Felix Andraschko is  non-resident per the definition above)


The above players will be contacted 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.

Update as of Jan 31:  All top 8 qualifiers have accepted their invitation Gentes, Li, Zaczek, Lipnowski, Babb, Baron, Wasserman, Boron have accepted.
Next step to determine if there will be any wild-card bids. Deadline will be Feb 7 for those.

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 21. are as follows:
(Tournaments scored included all Manitoba CFC Standard rated tournaments, Canadian Open,  USCF Tournaments, Polish FIDE tournaments ) If you believe a result has been missed or is incorrect, please contact me.

1 Kevin Gentes 24103 2 Kevin Li 23149 3 Samuel Lipnowski 22663 4 Jonathon Zaczek 22571 5 Jeff Babb 22477 6 Gustav Baron 22412 7 Leor Wasserman 22287 Felix Andraschko 22071 8 Anthony Boron 21896 9 Jeff Clark 21717 10 Theo Wolchock 21661 11 Myron Kernetsky 21590 12 James Atem 21512 13 Gustavo Melamedoff 21306 14 Blair Rutter 21182 15 Rolando Bince 21002 16 Waldemar Schulz 20768 17 Jim Green 20145 18 Isaac Wiebe 20101 19 Mick Liebzeit 20031

2015 January TNT has been rated by the CFC

Please see the crosstable here:

http://chess.ca/crosstable?tournament_check_number=201501024

Congratulations to the following who achieved new peak established ratings:

Isaac Wiebe  1993 (+180) !
Brock Beach 1744
Jason Evans 1546