2011 April TNT has been rated by the CFC

See the crosstable

Congratulations to the following who achieved new peak ratings:

Theo Wolchock  1640

Jim Green 1851

a number of players are still on provisional ratings including

Kevin Li  2239 

and 

Nilo Moncal 2056

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - April 23, 2011

from the Winnipeg Free Press

White to mate in 3 (Wurzburg)
1. Bh3

9th Annual Abe Yanofsky Memorial Tournament - August 5-7

2011 9th Annual Abe Yanofsky Memorial Chess Tournament

University of Winnipeg 

Convocation Hall

$ 2,500 total Prize Fund Guaranteed !


Full information at :  http://aymemorialchess.blogspot.com/

Soviet-born grandmaster Alex Yermolinsky, a two-time U.S. champion, has already confirmed his attendance. Indications are good that two other grandmasters will also be playing in the open tournament, including a player who used to rank in the top echelons of world chess.

Yanofsky, Canada’s first grandmaster and a prominent Winnipeg lawyer and city councilor, died in 2000. An annual memorial tournament has been held every year since U.S. grandmaster Arthur Bisguier won the first edition in 2003.

Over the years, many strong players have come to Winnipeg to play in the event, including former Canadian champion Kevin Spraggett, Icelandic grandmaster Helgi Olafsson, and Russian grandmaster Sergei Shipov.

Yermolinsky has been a mainstay of the American chess scene since immigrating there about 20 years ago. In addition to winning the national championship and playing on the U.S. Olympiad team, he has authored two critically-acclaimed chess books.

Normally the Yanofsky Memorial is held on or near the Labour Day weekend, but this year’s event will be earlier. It is set for August 5-7 at the University of Winnipeg. The tournament is open to all, and will be held in two sections.

First prize is set at $1,000, and there will be $2,500 in total prizes. Entry fee is $60 ($50 for Juniors), with a $10 discount for early entry. For more information, or to register, contact Blair Rutter at blairrutter@shaw.ca, or call 256-2353, or email chessmanitoba@gmail.com

Format: 5 round Swiss System, Two Sections
Open Section (CFC and FIDE rated)
Under  1800 Section (CFC rated)
Round Times: Friday 7:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m
Time Control: To be indicated
Entry Fee: $ 60
Juniors (under 19 years of age) - $ 50

Early Discount:  $ 10 discount if entered by June 30, 2011

CFC Membership also required (available on site)

Registration:  in advance -
cheques payable to:
Manitoba Chess Association
c/o Blair Rutter
76 Newcroft Rd.
Winnipeg, MB R2J 3M8

or see Tony Boron on Tuesday nights at the TNT tournaments.

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - April 9, 2011

from the Winnipeg Free Press

White to mate in 3 (Loyd)
1. Qc2...
1...Nc7 2.Ne7

Frank Rasler (1927-2011)

FRANK RASLER  

(published on April 05, 2011)

FRANK RASLER December 27, 1927 - March 28, 2011 With much sorrow Lynn, Frank and Kim announce the passing of their beloved father. Frank was predeceased by his wife Patricia June. Left to mourn are his children and their spouses: Sean, Heather and Al; grandchildren Brendan, Blake, Allan, Liam, Alivia. Frank enjoyed his energetic career as CBC Public Affairs Producer. When retired he and June volunteered with CESO and traveled the world teaching broadcasting in developing nations. Frank had a lifelong love of traveling, reading and world events, but he always maintained his greatest love was his wife and children. Up until his last days he enjoyed visits and calls from his children above all else. A Celebration of Frank's life will be held at Dakota House, 1145 Dakota, April 7 at 7:00 p.m.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-time chess player Frank Rasler passed away. His last CFC tournament was the August 2000 TNT , however I did see him at some of our casual events, such as Chess in the Park. I met him in the 1970s at the Cornish Library;  a more pleasant man you will never know. 

2011 April TNT starts Tuesday, April 5

Location: University of Winnipeg - Rm 4CM42
4CM42 <-click here for map
4 rounds - April  5, 12, 19, 26 - (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[$ 20 for a one-tournament membership or $ 49 for 12 months- new members pay only $ 36 for the year])

Registration for tournament -Tuesday, April 5  - 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)

Location: University of Winnipeg - Rm 4CM42
4CM42 <-click here for map

This is very near our old room of 5L24 and is in fact on the same floor.

Easiest way to get there is the same way to 5L24 - 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 Bookstore.
Our goal is to start the first round at 7:00 p.m. sharp.

Cecil's Saturday Puzzle - March 26, 2011

From the Winnipeg Free Press

White to mate in 3 (Loyd)

(or if you are real clever, Mate in 2)
1.Bb3

2011 Spring Active Tournament - Sunday April 3

2011 Spring Active Chess Tournament - Sunday, April 3, 2011

ROOM 5L24 - University of Winnipeg

One day Rapid !

 5 rounds of Game /  20 + 10 sec increment per move

Registration  9:45AM -10 am

 First Round 10 a.m

We should be finished around 4 p.m.

Tentative Round Times 

10 am

11 am

12:30 pm

1:30 pm

2:30 pm

Entry Fee: $ 15  - Prizes based on Entries

CFC Membership not required, however Manitoba Chess Association(MCA) membership is required.

If you are not a CFC member (which typically includes MCA membership), standalone MCA membership can be obtained for $13 (good for 12 months), or $ 5 (for one tournament)
First time tournament  players do not require MCA membership for this tournament.  

This tournament will be rated as a MCA active event.