No. 253, February 17, 2004
In this issue: Wanted: ACF Secretary and OIympiad Appeal co-ordinator | Grand Prix 2003 results and prizes | NECG squad webpage | Aus Masters Qualifier | Tournament guide project | Mt Buller Advisory Panel | Letters - Capablanca's demise | World news and games | Tournaments | Grand Prix 2004
Chess Today: Check it out at http://www.chesstoday.net/sample_issues.html Daily Chess News - Annotated Games - Chess Lessons and Hints. Interviews, reviews and more. Trial - http://www.chesstoday.net
Australian Chess magazine: Keep up with the latest news and views. Subscribe at http://www.chessaustralia.com.au/index.cfm?p=detail&o=ACSUB1 or telephone Brian Jones on 02-9838-1529
Coaching with IM John-Paul Wallace: Current Australian Open Champion and experienced coach, IM John-Paul Wallace is available for email and live coaching over the Internet. He will also provide a special service with daily preparation for your individual games during tournaments. If you are interested send John-Paul an email and state chess coaching in the subject line.
The 38th Ballarat Begonia Tournament Ballarat, Victoria. Labour Day weekend 6-8 March 2004. Class 3 Grand Prix and FIDE-rated - Full details and entry form at http://www.auschess.org.au/ballarat/bccindex.htm
The Italo-Australian Club 42nd Doeberl Cup: Canberra - Easter weekend 9-12 April - Class 3 Grand Prix - Full details and entry form at http://www.netspeed.com.au/ianandjan/IansPage/
ACF Secretary needed: Expressions of interest are welcome. The role principally involves preparing timely agendas and minutes for quarterly meetings. The Secretary also needs to organise quarterly telephone conferences.
Other duties are of a minor nature but as part of the ACF Executive the Secretary would be privy to confidential discussion on Australian Chess matters.
Most of the work involved is performed via email, so some compensation for internet access and photocopying when necessary will be made available.
Please apply to George Howard - ACF President on 0414841575 for a confidential chat or by email to georgeshoward@hotmail.com
Wanted: Olympiad Appeal Co-ordinator: The ACF is calling for interested persons wishing to fulfill the role of Olympiad Appeal Co-ordinator. The tasks involved can be flexible but the occupant must fulfil or arrange to have fulfilled the ACF Olympiad By-Laws, specifically para 2.
This is obviously a very important task this year and available resources will be allocated to assist the occupant of this position to carry out this important function. The ACF Treasurer will obviously assist in the usual manner with accounting tasks if required.
The success of the Olympiad Squads depend not only on their abilities but our (Australian Chess Community) ability to financially support the players, captains etc.
Persons interested should not hesitate to send applications to George Howard, ACF President at georgeshoward@hotmail.com or call me on 0414841575 for a confidential discussion.
Rogers wins 2003 Grand Prix: Results and prizes for last year's competition have been released. For full details, see the spreadsheets on the ACF site: http://www.auschess.org.au/2003 GP details.xls and http://www.auschess.org.au/GPPrizes03.xls
Name State Rating Points Prize Place Open Rogers Ian NSW 2581 100.00 $875.00 1st Solomon Stephen Qld 2344 96.00 $525.00 2nd Castor David NSW 1788 55.50 3rd (see U2000) Xie George NSW 2200 53.50 $350.00 4th Johansen Darryl Vic 2408 46.00 $200.00 5th Stead Kerry NSW 1981 41.50 6th (see U2000) Rej Tomek NSW 2067 36.57 7th (see Junior) Lane Gary NSW 2400 36.50 $150.00 7th Total: $2,100.00 Under 2000 Castor David NSW 1788 67.00 $525.00 1st Edwards Jacob Qld 1851 52.00 $350.00 2nd Zvedeniouk Ilya NSW 1875 38.96 $200.00 3rd Stead Kerry NSW 1981 35.67 $150.00 4th Total: $1,225.00 Under 1600 Keuning Anthony NSW 1517 54.83 $525.00 1st Hvistendahl Robert NSW 1505 41.88 $350.00 2nd Losh Gary NSW 1395 41.33 $200.00 3rd Song Angela NSW 1394 37.75 $150.00 4th Total: $1,225.00 Junior Rej Tomek NSW 2067 80.00 $350.00 1st Xie George NSW 2200 75.50 2nd (see Open) Barnard Casey Qld 1669 66.90 $200.00 2nd Wongwichit Phachara Qld 1782 48.40 $150.00 3rd Total: $700.00 Women Szuveges Narelle 80.2 $200.00 1st Unrated Boardman Jeffery NSW 32.00 $100.00 1st equal Kirshnei Pedro NSW 32.00 $100.00 1st equal State Bonham Kevin Tas 1880 29.10 $100.00 13th Open Cowley Bob SA 2088 27.75 $50.00 14th Open equal Zaric Srbo SA 2201 27.75 $50.00 14th Open equal Boyd Tristan WA 2127 12.00 $100.00 40th Open Total: $300.00 Combined total: $ 5,950.00
The NECG Australian Junior Chess Squad webpage has finally been finished. It's at http://nswjcl.org.au/NECG/NECG.htm It has all the information about the squad, as well as the rating reports for the 53 applicants, as well as the supporting statements that were included.
All information has now been sent to the selection panel, who now have the unenviable task of trying to sort out who should be in the squad. The panel consists of: Kerry Stead (NSW), George Howard (SA), Jenni Oliver (ACT), Ian Rogers (NSW), Gary Lane (NSW), Brett Tindall (NSW), Geoff Saw (Vic), Manuel Weeks (NSW), Joe Tanti (SA). The primary consideration when choosing the panel was that they have a good knowledge of the players involved and know something of their play, temperament, etc.
Further additions to the squad already announced should be done within a week or so, and I expect the entire squad to be finalised by the end of February, so that all members have plenty of time to organise arrangements for the first squad session immediately after the Doeberl Cup in Canberra.
- Kerry Stead
Preliminary Qualifier for Australian Masters: This tournament is a twelve player round robin played on 3 days of the week, starting on Sunday 14th March and running every Sunday (2.00pm), Tuesday and Thursday (both 7.00pm) until Thursday the 1st of April. Time control: 90 minutes + 30 seconds a move. Entry fee $120. Prizes 1st $500, 2nd $250, 3rd $150. The winner goes through into the Qualifier for the Australian Masters. The tournament will be FIDE-rated. All players should gain a FIDE Rating. Where: Melbourne Chess Club, 66 Leicester St Fitzroy 3065. Ph 9416 3149. Contact Greig Gatto for further details. The Qualifier is in May 2004 and Australian Masters in August 2004 - all held at the Melbourne Chess Club.
- David Beaumont
Wisdom and experience: don't keep it to yourself!
Alex Saint, organiser of this year's much-praised Australian Championship, has set up a webpage to collect advice from experienced people on how to organise tournaments and other events. It's at http://www.unichess.org/reports.htm
He comments: "Nothing has so far been formally produced that can be provided to future organisers of national events which can direct them on the right path" - and the new website aims to correct this.
What's envisaged is a guide for future organisers covering what is required venue-wise, bulletins, website, financial, sponsorship etc, in conjuction with a set of minimum requirements for each event that has been set by the ACF.
"This would also give everyone an easy avenue to state problems or advantages of previously run tournaments and to ensure each event reaches a certain level," Alex says.
Mt Buller Advisory Panel: The Organising Committee for the 2005 Australian Open/Junior/Schools Finals (in Mt Buller) are seeking interested individuals to participate in the running of the event as members of our Advisory Panel. This panel ensures that these important National Events, planned for January 2005, have a truly representative nature. We are striving to make these the best events possible and would welcome your input and support. As a member of the Advisory Panel you would receive copies of minutes of all meetings and be invited to participate in email discussions. I have established a single email address mtbuller@chessworld.com.au which will automatically contact every member of the Advisory Panel and Organising Committee, making it quite a simple exercise to be involved. Please make applications to join this panel to cordover@chessworld.com.au at any time.
- Organising Committee
David Cordover - Chairman
Chris Depasquale - Treasurer
Gary Wastell - Minutes Secretary
Gary Bekker
Geoff Saw
Robert Jamieson
In The newsletter No. 252, February 10, 2004, Peter Frost had a question regarding about Capablanca, So Capa died in Manhattan Chess Club not in Marshall Chess Club. I was pretty much sure about that but I asked that question of Mr. Lev Khariton, who is a great Chess Historian and also writes for our website http://www.pakchess.com (Pakistan Chess Player) and here is his reply.
"I have been too busy lately, so I am sorry that I could not answer your question on Capablanca. Well, that's true. Capa died in Manhattan Club (now, unfortunately, non-existing!) in 1942 (he survived Lasker, who was 20 years older than him, only by one year). I don't know exactly whether he was playing cards or chess. But one thing is clear: Capa was absolutely disregarding his blood pressure. For years he was suffering of hypertension, even when he was playing his match with Alekhine in 1927. Chess veterans in Moscow, who saw Capa during the Moscow tournaments in 1935 and 1936, told me that Capablanca, although he was quite young (he was at that time under 50) looked totally changed compared to his visit in Moscow in 1925 when he played in the famous tournament. So, he died in Manhattan instantly - of a stroke."
Also this link has an article about Capablanca: http://www.starfireproject.com/chess/capablanca.html which says "He died while analyzing a chess game in the Manhattan Chess Club. That is probably the way he wanted to go. General Batista, President of Cuba, took personal charge of the funeral arrangements."
I'm sure this will answer Peter Frost and so many others.
- Abdul Karim
Executive Editor
Pakistan Chess Player
karim@pakchess.com
Capablanca's demise
Chess literature is riddled with contradictions; my recollection is that Capablanca had a stroke while watching a game.
Beyond doubt, the person you need to refer to is Edward Winter. He lives in Switzerland as I recall and seems to spend his life combing through chess literature sorting out anomalies such as this. He has a column ('Chess Notes') on http://www.chesscafe.com which discusses such things in great detail; the deaths of both Alekhine and Capablanca have been featured recently. The column also features photos of the masters, forgotten matches, freaky positions, mistakes in the databases etc. etc.
There is an email address given in the column to direct your query to. Be warned however; once you start reading this column it is very difficult to tear yourself away!
- Roland Brockman
Sebag, Marie (2404) -- Xu, Yuanyuan (2407)
France Chine Espoirs (1) 2004.02.07 1-0
B10
1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5!? cxd5 4.Ne5!?
- A very unusual and interesting idea. The knight is harder to shift than it seems: for example, 4...f6?? would be met by 5.Qh5+! or 5.Bb5+ and 6.Qh5+. On e5 the knight exerts pressure on both sides of the board, and aids in a white attack down the a4-e8 diagonal ... as we shall see.
- After 5...Nxe5 6.dxe5 the development of the Ng8 is hindered
- Threatening d5
- Again threatening d5. Note that ...a6 is ineffective because of the pin down the a-file
- Now threatening Na4!
- An ingenious defence, but insufficient
- ( 19...Kf8 20.Qxd7 )
- I'm not sure about 19...Kd8 but ( 19...Kd8 20.Nb5 Qxf2 21.Nxd4 Rxd4 22.Qg4! looks like one way to win )
- and Black resigns because of 20...Kxe7 21.Nd5+ leaving white a rook ahead
Upcoming tournaments
City of Sydney Championships 2004 29 Feb to 28 March Venue: Ryde-Eastwood Leagues Club 117 Ryedale Rd, West Ryde Registration Closes 23rd Feb, late applications accepted until 10:30am 29th Feb (Sundays) 9 rounds - 2 rounds a day Starting Times: Morning Rd 11.00am Afternoon Rd 4.00pm Presentation then City of Sydney Lightning 4.00pm, 28th March FIDE time control 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move from the start Entry Fees: Adult $80, Under 18 $50, Under 14 $30. $10 Late fee for Registration after 22nd Feb Open: 1st $600 2nd $400 3rd $200 U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400, Junior: 1st $250 2nd $150 3rd $100 FIDE rated All NSW resident players must be members of (or join) the NSWCA or the NSWJCL Contact Ralph Seberry [0403 991 730], NSWCA website: Cheques payable to NSWCA Inc. [or email to Ralph Seberry] NSW Chess Association G.P.O Box 2418 Sydney 2001
Drouin Open Chess Championship ACF Grand Prix Category 1 Tournament Saturday/Sunday, 21st & 22nd February Old Council Chambers Young St, Drouin View Map 7 Round Swiss 60 minutes + 10 seconds per move Entry fees: free Entry for GM’s & IM’s $40 Full $35 Concession $20 Juniors (under 18) Payment accepted by cash, cheque or credit card. Phone 9576-8177 to enter over the phone. Late entry after 14th Feb will incur $10 late-fee. Enter online Prizes: $500/$300/$200 plus Ratings Prizes and Junior Prizes depending on entries Confirmed entry IM Leonid Sandler **Chess Kids will be taking a group of kids, cost $154 all inclusive (entry fees, transport, food, accommodation, coaching (with IM Sandler and Cordover) and game preparation). Email for bookings.
Toukley under 2000 21-22 Feb NSW Toukley RSL Club Holmes Avenue, Toukley 2263 DOP: Brian and Lee Jones First prize $300 plus many other prizes 60 minutes followed by 10 seconds/move Adult Fee $50 Concession Fee $35 Junior Fee $35 Please make cheques payable to White Knight Chess Club Mail cheque and entry form to: Brian Jones, PO Box 370, Riverstone, NSW 2765 02 9838 1529
Laurieton Chess Club Chessplayers are invited to the 4th annual Laurieton 'One Day Chess' Tournament Sunday 29 February 2004 10:30 am. Start - 7 Rds., 25 min. per Player Venue: Laurieton United Servicemen's Club Games Rated - Cash Prizes subject to entries The decision of Tournament Directors is final. Primary & High School Students most welcome. Entry Fees; $ 12 Seniors - $ 5 under 18 years. This is a Non-Smoking Tournament. Free Refreshments. Club Bistro open for $ 4 Lunch. Contact: Endel 6559 9060
38th Ballarat Begonia tournament (6-8th March 2004). We are hoping to even emulate last years effort when we had a record of 120 entrants. Invitations are extended for the 38th Ballarat Begonia Open to be conducted by the Ballarat Chess Club Inc. The tournament will be FIDE rated. It will be held at the regular venue, which offers excellent playing conditions and is located in the heart of the city close to all facilities. Date: The Victorian Labour Day long weekend, Saturday 6th to Monday 8th March 2004. Venue: Amenities Centre, Old Gaol Building, School of Mines, Lydiard St South, Ballarat. Schedule: The tournament will be a 7 round Swiss starting at 1.30 pm Saturday with the final round on Monday at 2.00 pm. The rate of play will be 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move increment from move 1. Entries: $60.00 adult, $50.00 concession for pensioners and unemployed $30 for juniors under 14 years of age. Prizes: Outright prizes: 1st $1,000 2nd $500 3rd $300 4th $200 Three Rating Groups: 1st $250 2nd $100 All prizes are guaranteed by the club. General: The organising committee has pre-booked a limited quantity of budget accommodation, which will be allocated on first application basis, so if you are interested please contact us early.
Contacts. Telephone: Patrick Cook 0353316658 or Bas van Riel 03 53316439 Postal: Box1242, Ballarat Mail Centre Vic 3354
E-mail: bvanriel@ncable.net.au
Web site: http://www.auschess.org.au/ballarat/bccindex.htm
Chess Kids coaches (one of our sponsors) will be providing supervision and coaching at the Ballarat Begonia Weekender (Mar 6-8). Fly in from another state and they will meet you at the airport to get you there! Please contact David Cordover on 0411 877 833 or cordover@chessworld.com.au if you would like more details or to receive application forms.
Dubbo RSL Open (NSW) Class 1 Grand Prix Event Incorporating the NSW Country Championship (NSWCA country members eligible for Country title) Dubbo RSL Club Corner Brisbane and Wingewarra Streets, Dubbo 13-14 March 2004 Saturday 10:30am 1:30pm 4:00pm Sunday 9:30am 12:00pm 2:30pm Registration: 10:00am - 10:30am $350 first prize guaranteed Also U1700, U1400, unrated, junior prize depending on entries Entry fees: Adults $40, Concession $30, Juniors $20 (a $5 dollar discount if paid by 1/3/2004) Cheques payable to Dubbo RSL Chess Club 60 minutes + 10 sec per player. Contacts: Alexander Aich 02 6884 4561 or Trevor Bemrose 02 6882 2725. (come an extra day and visit our famous Zoo)
The Italo-Australian Club 42nd Doeberl Cup A Class 3 ACF Grand Prix Event 9-12 April 2004. Location: The Italo-Australian Club, 78 Franklin Street, Forrest, Canberra, ACT. Total Prizes: $10,000. Premier Division (FIDE-rated; Rated over 1600 only): First $2200 Full details
University Open: 10th & 11th of July 4th Floor Union Building, Adelaide University $4000 Prizes, $1000 first A Category Three Grand Prix event Entry Fees: $40 Adult, $30 concession GM Ian Rogers is a confirmed entrant Details
World Youth Under-16 Chess Olympiad Calicut (Kozhikode), Kerala, India July 1-9 10 Round Swiss. 4-player teams 90 minutes/30 seconds increment Free board and lodging to a team of 4 players and the official, for nine days from 1st July to 9th July. For further details, please contact: P.T. Ummer Koya, Organising Secretary and Secretary General, AICF and Vice President FIDE, Chessindia Complex, Meenchanda, Post Nallalam, Calicut – 673 027, INDIA Phone : (91) 495 – 2420327, 2420727 Fax : (91) 495 – 2422033, 2421005 Email Website
Grand Prix tournaments:
Drouin Open Chess Championship
ACF Grand Prix Category 1 Tournament
Saturday/Sunday, 21st & 22nd February
Old Council Chambers
Young St, Drouin
View Map
Dubbo RSL Open (NSW)
Class 1 Grand Prix Event
Incorporating the NSW Country Championship
(NSWCA country members eligible for Country title)
Dubbo RSL Club
Corner Brisbane and Wingewarra Streets, Dubbo
13-14 March 2004
The Italo-Australian Club 42nd Doeberl Cup
A Class 3 ACF Grand Prix Event
9-12 April 2004
Location: The Italo-Australian Club,
78 Franklin Street, Forrest, Canberra, ACT.
Total Prizes: $10,000
Premier Division (FIDE-rated;
Rated over 1600 only): First $2200
Full details
Gold Coast Open
Cat 3
Robina Town Centre
26/27 June
Graeme Gardiner 07 5522 7221 ggardiner@gardinerchess.com
Gold Coast Classic
Cat 3
Somerset College
18/19 September
Graeme Gardiner 07 5522 7221 ggardiner@gardinerchess.com
How to get the newsletter: Simply fill in the form on the ACF homepage at http://www.auschess.org.au (you will then receive an email with a link to click on. Just click on the link to confirm your subscription)
Best wishes till next time
- Paul Broekhuyse
broekhuysep@bigpond.com
19 Gill Avenue, Avoca Beach, NSW 2251
02 4382 4525
0408 824525