Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The Tale of Mr. Faldo


Mr. Faldo was an engineer from a city in the Midwest.
And as an engineer he always tried to be at his best.
But he also was a chess player, who played at a local club.
He’d practice at home with magazines and study books at a library hub.

His friends and contemporaries praised his game that poured out from his mind.
They said that he should use his gift instead of analyzing production lines.

But chess was his life, it was not his livelihood.
And it made him feel so happy and it made him feel so good.
And he played from his heart and he played from his soul.
He did not know how well he played; it just made him whole.

His friends kept working on him to try chess out full time.
Big tournament wins and rave reviews, a great career to climb.
Finally they got to him, he would try and make a splash.
A sponsor’s agent in New York agreed to back him with some cash.
And there were plane tickets, meal vouchers, money spent to enter tournaments.
It still took most of Faldo’s savings but he gladly used it all.

But chess was his life, it was not his livelihood,
and it made him feel so happy and it made him feel so good.
And he played from his heart and he sang from his soul.
He did not know how well he played; it just made him whole.

The tournaments came, he took his seat, his face set in a smile.
And in the filled hall the wood pushers stood, watching on the aisle.
But the tournaments were a blur to him, spatters of good maneuvers.
He did not know how well he played, he only remembered the blunders.
But his opponents and the USCF were concise. It only took about 20 games.
And no one could accuse them of being over kind.

“Mr. Faldo of Michigan made his top level tournament debut for six months.
He came well prepared, but unfortunately his game was not up to contemporary professional standards.
His skills lack the range of completeness and strength necessary to make it
consistently in this thing.
Full time consideration of another endeavor might be in order.”

He came home to Brighton and was questioned by his friends.
Then he smiled and just said nothing and he never played again.

Excepting very late at night, in his house, inside, dark and closed.
He studied quietly by himself as he sorted through old GM games.
You see, chess is his life, it was not his livelihood,
And it made him feel so happy and it made him feel so good.
And he played from his heart and he played from his soul.
And he did not care how well he played;
It just made him whole!

[Shamelessly borrowed from Harry Chapin’s “Mr. Tanner.”]

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Four LCCC Members Play in the Canton Quads

Americo, Luigi, Luca and Marcello Milani played in the Canton Quads today.
It was their first time in a rated tournament and I get the feeling it will not be their last! This reporter was told that they had a great time and cannot wait for the next one on February 24.
Since these are all brothers and all members of LCCC, the Tournament Director did put them each is different quads. That was great. However, he put the younger brothers – Luca and Marcello in the higher rated quads!

It was a tough break for Luca, who had to face some pretty tough competition. But it will help him in the long run. You always learn a lot more from playing better players. 

Marcello, paired in the next too high section, still managed to win his 2nd round game. Congratulations on your 1st tournament win!

Americo lost the first round and then won the next two! Way to come back!

And Luigi, well he won his quad going 3 – 0! Nice job Luigi!

In the Monday article, their new ratings will be posted.
The Milani family represented LCCC proudly today! See you all Monday!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Chess Night (0313) at LCCC Was League Night

Nineteen players made it to the club on a very cold night. League play was held and the results will be posted soon.

No ladder games were played as most of the players were in the league! But the Ladder tournament will be back in force next week.

Some games from the Michigan Class Championship were shown and reviewed – and picked apart! But that is ok. That is what a club does – helps each other get better.

More of the games will be published here and on the website soon.

It looks like we will have some LCCC players at the Canton Quads (30 minutes each player) this Sunday at the Canton Library. Tournament registeration starts at noon and the tournament game times are 1:00, 2:15 and 3:30, and it is over at 5pm.
Confirmation today that Americo M, Luigi M, Luca M and Marcello M are going to play in their first tournament!

Stop on by and join in!

Sunday, January 20, 2013

A Slightly Dissapointing End to a Great Time and Tournament

A little disappointing Sunday for Don J and Mike N, who had shots at titles.
Also an apology to Paul M, who was omitted on the Saturday post.
His record was 0-2-1 to bring the LCCC Team score to 10-10-5.

Round 4:
Ken T got a draw for his Class B game. (1-2-1)
Mike N. drew his Class C game. (2-0-2)
Vince V lost his Class C game. (1-1-2)
John R lost his Class D game on time. (0-3-1)
Don J drew his Class E game. (2-1-1)
Ken L won his Class E game. (1-3)
Paul M won his Class E game (1-2-1)
Team record: 12-12-8

Round 5: Only Mike N has a shot at 1st or 2nd. It was not to be.
Ken T got a draw for his Class B game. (1-2-2)
Mike N. lost his Class C game. (2-1-2)
Vince V won his Class C game. (2-1-2)
John R won his Class D game on a bye. (1-3-1)
Don J drew his Class E game. (2-1-2)
Ken L won his Class E game. (2-3)
Paul M lost his Class E game (1-3-1)
And remember Tom H was (4-1-0) in the Novice tourney (2nd place!).

Final LCCC record: 15-15-10

This was the best run and the best venue I have played in. Nice rooms, internet and restaurant at the hotel. Great food close in walking distance also. The word is this tournament will be at the same location and date next year.

I would plan on being here as a member of the LCCC Team. We will win all the classes NEXT YEAR!

A Fun Day of Chess at the Michigan Class Championship - Finals Sunday

The tournament started an hour late, like tournaments usually do.
In the first round action:
Ken T lost his Class B game.
Vince V won his Class C game.
Mike N. drew his Class C game.
John R drew his Class D game.
Don J beat Ken L in their Class E game.
In the mean time, Tom H. was 2 – 0 in the Novice section!

Round 2:
Ken T lost his Class B game. (0-2)
Vince V drew his Class C game. (1-0-1)
Mike N. won his Class C game. (1-0-1)
John R drew his Class D game on time. (0-0-2)
Don J lost his Class E game. (1-1)
Ken L lost his Class E game. (0-2)
In the mean time, Tom H. was 3 – 1 in the Novice section!

Round 3:
Ken T got a bye win for his Class B game. (1-2)
Mike N. won his Class C game. (2-0-1)
Vince V drew his Class C game. (1-0-2)
John R lost his Class D game on time. (0-1-2)
Don J lost his Class E game. (2-1)
Ken L lost his Class E game. (0-3)
In the mean time, Tom H. was 4 – 1 and finished 2nd in the Novice section!
Congratulations to Tom H on his fine finish.

Mike N and Don J still have hopes of winning like Tom H. Lets see how it goes tomorrow. LCCC is 10-8-5 in the State Class Tournament right now.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Michigan Class Championship Starts Saturday!

If you can stop by the Radisson Hotel in Lansing this weekend, the first big Michigan chess tournament of the season will be happening.

LCCC will have several players in the field, including the defending Class C Champion Ken Tack.

LCCC has a very good shot of winning several of the classes. If all our players actually played, LCCC could win every class – from expert to unrated. And that is a fact!

But the competition will be tough either way. Come on by and see some competitive chess every single round. In every game players will be playing someone with a similar rating. That makes for some very tough games every round!

See you there hopefully.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Casual (0213) Night Before the League Night at LCCC

The players trickled in and we did get to fifteen players on the night prior to our big league night.
But once they arrived, the pieces started flying and a lot of chess was played and reviewed.

The Ladder Tournament action continued to be exciting.
Tim P jumped up quite a few spots and actually is in range of the top rung! Congratulations to Tim.

Zach R moved up with a win also and Don J held on to his rung with a victory.

With the Michigan Class Championships this weekend, and our LCCC League night next week, many players were trying to sharpen their games before all these future battles.

Terry G was over there helping the youngsters with some advice, while Scott M went over some openings with yours truly! Then we all reviewed an interesting game played by Ken T, just to help with our tactics strategies. It was well worth it!

Stay tuned for first hand reporting of the day by day action by the LCCC team at the Class Championships in Lansing. It looks like Team LCCC will have five or six players, but it could be more!

See this tournament listing posted a few articles back and come on out – if not to play – to root the LCCC warriors on!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

A Great Opening 2013 Night (0113) for LCCC

Seventeen players ignored the College National Championship game – at least for the first half, like me.

We welcomed a new player tonight to LCCC – Joe L. Glad you are here! That takes us up to 47 active members – and we are not done.

Lots of casual games were played, while the Ladder Tournament actually heated up!

Five games were played, several new challenges made and two new players joined the Ladder! Thanks for the support and the Ladder is a great way to meet everyone at the club.

In the Ladder action;
Ken L won two games and moved up considerably.
Ken T won also, but that was actually last week that I didn’t know about.
Mike N and Dale K fought off challenges also.

Terry G set the next league night at January 21, so be sure to mark that on your calendar.

Also there are two local tournaments to consider getting into. One is the Michigan Class Championship (see the latest post).

The other is the Canton Quads at the Canton Library on Sunday, January 27. It is a Game in 30 minutes tournament. It starts registration at 11am and is done by 5pm. This is a great tournament for kids – and adults - just starting out in tournament chess.

Think about making one of these events. LCCC will be at both to support you!

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Consider Playing in the Michigan Class Championships

Here are the details. Of course USCF and MCA membership is required for this tournament.

 Michigan Master / Expert & Class Championships
Lansing, MI
1/19/2013 8:00 AM - 1/20/2013 10pm
Hotel: Radisson Hotel Lansing, 111 N. Grand Avenue
(near the State Capitol in Downtown Lansing
(517) 482-0188

$98 + tax by January 11, 2013, after if space available.
www.radisson .com/Lansingmi -
Promotional Code: CHES13

Radisson Hotel
111 North Grand Avenue
Lansing, MI  48933

I-496 to Grand River (Exit 7A), Right on Grand Ave.

7 sections - Master/Expert, A, B, C, D, E - Novice (U1000/Unrated - 1-day Sat only)
Time Control - Class Sections: Sat G/120; Sun G/150
Novice Section (Sat only): G/30

Rounds: Class Sections: 5 - SS; Sat 10am, 2:30pm, 7pm; Sun 10am, 3:30pm
Novice Section (Sat only): 10am, 11:30, 1:30pm, 3pm, 4:30pm

Entry Fee:  $40, Under 18 - $35, Novice $25
Registration: Saturday, 8-9am

Prizes: M/E $280-$180
Expert: $210, U2100: $110
Class A,B,C,D,E: $175 - $115
U1900/U1700/U1500/U1300/U1100: $95
Novice: Trophies to Top 5 Overall, Top U800, Top U700, Top U600, 1st Unrated
First Place in each section (or top Michigan finisher) gets a State Championship title.Trophies for all place winners listed above.

Entries/Info:  Jeff Aldrich (TD), 7453 Whippoorwill Ln., Davidson, MI   48423
jeffchess @ charter.net       (810)-955-7271