New Record for Attendance at LCCC on League Night!

VP of the MCA Jeff Aldrich (L) warms up John Rykamp before league play.

Thirty chess players and a few other family members stopped by LCCC last night for league action! It was great to have so many people at LCCC.

One of the visitors was the Vice President of the Michigan Chess Association – Jeff Aldrich.

Jeff played some chess with members before, during and after the league action. Thanks Jeff.

Mr. Aldrich also dropped off flyers for a chess tournament this weekend! The 2014 Genesee County Open. It will be held at the Eastside Senior Center, 3065 N. Genesee Road, Flint, MI. Go in the south entrance off Genesee Rd, just south of the Richfield Road Community Center.

It will be a 4 round tournament with two sections: Open and Under 1200.



League Action in progress

Michigan Chess Association and US Chess Federation membership is required.
Entry Fee is $20 for the Open and $15 for the Under 1200 if paid by 2/12/14. Add $5 after. Payable by Paypal only for early registration.

Contact Jeff at jeffchess@charter.net or 810-955-7272 for Paypal invoice.

On site registration is 8:30 to 9:30 and the rounds are 10am, 1 pm, 3:30pm and 6pm.

Time limit is G/60 with 5 second delay.

Cash prizes based on number of entries to 1^st, 2^nd, Under 1800, 1600 and 1400.
Trophies to Under 1200 to 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, Under 1000, 800, 600, 400 and unrated.

Some of us from LCCC are planning on playing in this tournament. If you are interested, please make a comment on the blog or email the chess club and we will assist you with questions or registration.

While the league goes these two ladies finish a practice chess exersize.

On to the League Action:

A few “upsets” were scored. To call them upsets is a little misleading as players are assigned to “boards” that match players strengths fairly closely. But Tim P, Dave L, Tim R and Don J all beat their higher rated opponent. Good job guys.

As usual, only one match was completed as two players postponed their games. But the Sonics defeated the Thunder 3 – 1. This moves the Sonics into 3^rd place for now.

The league leading Rabid Squirrels had a rough evening and trail the 49’ers 2 – 1. The Squirrels will need an upset win to draw the match.

These results of the two postponed games could tighten the race considerably.  The Tigers lead their match against the Flames 2 – 1. A win or a draw by the Tigers in the last game gives them a win, and moves them into 2^nd place alone.

And a win by the Tigers closes the gap between the two teams regardless. And now the fun part!!

Peaking ahead in the schedule, the Rabid Squirrels meet the Tigers in the last regular season round! Then, there is a position night round after that! They could theoretically play in back to back weeks for the League title. Very exciting!

So if the Tigers can stay in 2^nd place next week after their match with the 49’ers, we have a very exciting finish to the season brewing!

In other news; next week is our Blitz Tournament! A blitz tournament is where the games are only 10 minutes long max! Each player gets 5 minutes to play the game. Run out of time first and you lose! It’s fun and very exciting to play or watch.

It’s going to be 6 rounds of action and a lot of fun! If you have not been to the club in a while, stop by and play – it’s free. If you have never been, here is a great low pressure way to get involved. After all, its just speed chess!

See you Thursday at Teekos or next Monday on the 17^th for the Blitz Tournament at the Hartland Senior Center.

Thursday 020614 Had Twelve Players and Exciting Chess

That is a new record for LCCC at Teekos with twelve players!
There were plenty of friendly games - of both ladder tournament and non-ladder action.

Some of the players were practicing up for the LCCC League matches that are this Monday. Come on by the Hartland Senior Center to watch the action....and / or play some chess yourself!

Luke S is one of the improving members of LCCC.

In this game, he plays the London System as White against the man who taught it to him and plays it himself - your humble scribe - Mike N.
The impressive style of Luke S is that once he gets an attack rolling, he never lets off the gas. It's the mark of a good chess player.
A fine effort here by Luke S.

1.  d4    d5

2. Bf4   Nf6

3. e3    g6

4. Bd3    Bg7

5. Nf3    O-O

6. Nbd2    b6

7. c3     Bb7

8. h4     Nbd7

9. Ng5    Re8?!

According to Fritz, White is now winning by a half pawn. Better was 9. ….h6 challenging the knight.

10.  h5    e5!

11. hg    fg

Exchanging 11. dxe5 was better for White here. The game is now even.

12. de    Nxe5

13. Ndf3   Nh5?

After 13.  ....  Nh5?

Not the correct plan. 13. …..Nxd3 is needed to take some of the pressure off the white squares in Black King’s home as his white squared Bishop is way over on the queen-side.

14. Nxe5?   ……

In a complex position, both players begin to make errors. Correct is 14. Bxe5  Bxe5, 15. Qc2  Qd6, 16. Nxh7  Kg7, 17. O-O-O  Rh8, 18. Nxe5  Qxe5, 19. Bxg6  Nf6 and White is up two pawns.

14.  ……   Bxe5??

This is the losing move. 14. …..   Nxf4, 15. exf4   Rxe5, 16. fxe5  Qxg5, 17. Qf3  Bxe5 and Black is still in the game.

15. Rxh5!  

If. 15. ….gxh5, then 16. Qxh5 and the defense around the Black King has evaporated.

15. …..    Bxf4

16.  Qg4    Bxg5

Black is down almost three pawns positionally according to Fritz and suggests 16. ….Bxe3, 17. fxe3  Qe7, 18. O-O-O   Bc8, 19. Qd4  Qxe3, 20. Qxe3  Rxe3.

17.  Rxg5   Bc8

18. Qh4   Qd6?
Now the h-pawn for Black will get no defensive help. 18. ..... Kg7 was needed so the rook can get to h8.
 

19. O-O-O    Re7

20.  Rxd5!  

A nice tactical shot!

20.  ……   Qxd5

21.  Bc4    Qxc4

22. Qxc4    Be6

23. Qh4    Rae8

24. Rd8   

The tactics just keep coming.

24.  ……    Kg7

25. Rxe8    Rxe8

26.  Qd4+   Kf7

27.  Qf4+    Kg8

28.  Qxc7     Bxa2

29.  Qxa7    Bd4

30.  Qd7    Bf7

31.   Qd6    Resigns

Twenty Five Chess Players on a Cold Week 20314

What better way to spend a winter evening than in our warm, clean and well-lit location for some chess with friends.

We had is all too. We had some league make-up games, some Ladder tournament games, some skittles games (friendly chess), some Fischer Random 960 chess and some speed chess!

We had all ages from 7 to …..well, it is a Senior Center….and I will let it go at that. It was a fun evening, and if you like chess at all, your Monday nights should be reserved for LCCC.

With round 7 completed, it is time to see how the league standings were affected. The Flames tried gallantly, but could only manage a drawn match with the league leading Rabid Squirrels. But they did move into 2^nd place alone as the Tigers (3^rd) lost to the Sonics. In other action, the 49’ers beat the Thunder.

The league returns next week – Feb. 10 – as the Sonics play the Thunder, the Tigers play the Flames and the Rabid Squirrels take on the 49’ers. But remember, there are still other players milling about looking for challengers. So whether you want to watch some league action or get in the game yourself, stop by.

The ladder action saw some players climb up the rungs. Luke S. made a big move. He is now in challenging distance of the Ladder Leader – Vince V.

Dave S also moved up a few rungs. The Ladder Tournament is a great way to play different people in the club and eventually find opponents near your strength for very exciting games. And that is what the Ladder is all about.

In other schedule news, the Senior Center finally confirmed that they will be open on February 17. So with Feb. 24 and March 3, that gives us three straight Mondays with no league action. So, our Tournament Director Ken T. is planning to hold a Blitz Tournament somewhere in there. Stay tuned for details!

And our chess master from Australia sends this along. I will post Jason’s solution in a few days in the comment section. Until then, enjoy!

Jason says, “I ran into one guy that was very strong, maybe 2200 FIDE. I lost a number of close games before I got him "dialed in" ;-)

This is a position from one of the blitz games we played.

Black's attack looks menacing, but White has a shot. Find it!

Beginner’s Game Corner Analysis: Board Three League Game -012414

Americo M wins this one with Black after falling behind early. There are several lessons in this game. The first one is NEVER GIVE UP!
The first thing I remind myself when I make an error in a chess game is that I am not playing Bobby Fischer or Deep Blue - the Super Chess Computer.
Remember, you are playing a human being who is quite capable of making the same mistake – or a worse one – that you just made. So unless it is truly hopeless, fight on. Americo does just that!

1. d4 d5
2. c4 dxc4
3. g3 Nf6
4. Bg2 g6
5. Qa4+ Bd7

The usual move for White here is E4 with the bishop regaining his pawn at c4. But the g3 move should have tipped off Americo that White’s white squared bishop was heading to Bg2. That is not “book”, so Americo needed to adjust his game to White’s new plan.

6. Qxc4 Bg7?

Americo follows his book opening a little too tightly and fails to notice this little tactic White has. Opening memorization is important, but cannot replace your responsibility to see what your opponents threats are when they vary their play. 6. ….. c6 was required.

7. Bxb7 Nc6
8. Bxg8?! ……..

White was locked in to winning the rook for a bishop, but Bxc6 wins a knight free and clear.

8.……….. Qxa8
9. Nf3 O-O

Can’t blame Americo for thinking safety, but he is still playing his opening blindly. The move ….e5 uses the pin on the knight on f3 by Black's Queen on a8 because White's rook is unprotected on h1. See it now?

10. Bf4 Ne4 ?!        Be6 or Rb1 is better for Black.
11. e3 Qb7
12. b3 Bh3?!   

Americo misses Bg4! And White is actually losing according to Fritz.
For instance, after 12. ....Bh4!, 13. Nbd2  Nxd2  14. Nxd2   Nxd4 (rook is under attack!) 15. e4 Be2! (White can't castle, Queen can't get to f1 to protect the rook, and the Queen is now also under attack!) 16. Qxc7   Qa6! 17. Rc1   Bf3  18. Qc4   Qxc4  19. Rxc4  Bxh1.
Even with the game move, Fritz considers White to only be up a pawn at this point.

13. Rg1 a5
14. a3?  Be6

Position after Black's 14. ......Be6

Americo instinctively does the correct thing and uses his active “extra” bishop before White can use his more powerful rook. So, right now – positionally - White is playing a bishop down, which is why he is having a hard time coordinating his pieces. In addition, he wasted the last two moves not playing Nbd2 to start using his power advantage.
But this is why sacrifices work. If you can spring your attack before your opponent can mobilize his stronger forces, you win. Americo didn’t intentionally sacrifice, but with his extra piece activity and space, it’s like he did.

15. d5?  Bxa1
16. dxc Bxc4           It is an intense positon!
17. cxb e5?

Americo fought back to a near even position and then slips up. The simple Ba6 holds.

18. Nxe5 Ba6?       Too late. … Bxe5 is required.
19. Nd7 Bxb7
20. Nxf8 Kxf8
21. Bxc7 Nc3
22. Nd2?!   a4   

Exchanging pieces is better for White here. When ahead in material, trade pieces to limit your opponent’s chances at counter play.

23. f4   Bd5
24. bxa  Nxa4
25. e4 Bd4
26. Rg2 Bc6
27. Ke2 Nc3+?

This move allows 28. Kd3, Nb4 29. Ba5, Ba7 30. Bb4+ and now with tempos, the king and bishop protect the passed pawn and make space for the sleeping rook to join the game.

28. Kf3?  f5!      White walked into a game leveling pin.
29. a4??   ……

This loses. Be5 or Re2 was needed.

29.  …..    fxe
30. Nxe4 Bxe4
31. Kg4 Bxg2
32. a5 Nd5
33. Be5 Ne3+
34. Kg5 Bc5
35. Kh6? Kg8
36. a6 Be7
37. a7 Nf5++

A pretty finish.

On a Very Cold Evening – LCCC Chess League (R7) was Hot!

Rabid Squirrels vs The Flames

Round 7 of the LCCC Chess League went off with only a few postponements. Only one was weather related. The rest were “life” related. It happens.

We also welcomed new club member Paul J to LCCC. He got some casual games in while League play was happening. There are always some non-league playing members milling about. Stop by – even on league nights for some chess action of your own.

One team match went to completion as the Rabid Squirrels drew with the Flames. Picking up a point in the standings will keep the Squirrels safely in 1^st place for another week.

The Flames, with their point this week, are in second right now and are guaranteed to be no worse than alone in 3^rd after everything is completed for round 7.

Top two boards of the Flames vs Squirrels.

The 49’ers have a 2 -1 lead on the Thunder with one match to be played.

The Tigers and Sonics are tied 1 - 1 with two rounds to be made up.

All postponed games have to be made up by next week – Feb 6 - as League Round 8 is scheduled for Monday Feb. 10.

Other club news, we will be holding a Blitz Tournament shortly. Our TD – Ken T – announced it for Feb 17. However, that is President’s Day and we may have to move it to Feb. 24 if the Senior Center is closed on the 17^th. We will finalize those dates soon.

Paul J and Zack S play some casual chess during league play.

The Ladder Tournament is constantly running so be sure to sign up for that. And if you are already on the Ladder, get those challenges posted!

Other planned activities include a Summer League! Tentative start for that is May 12^th. The format has yet to be decided, but we want to make it a lighter league with more emphasis on fun.

One idea is a two game match format:

Each player plays two games against the same opponent (15 or 30 minute game) alternating colors. You have to have a positive score to win the match (2 – 0 or 1.5 – 0.5).

One random round will be a 4 or 6 round Blitz match – rotating colors. You have to have a positive score to win the match there also.

Another random round will be a Chess 960 night.

The random rounds be drawn the same night the teams are determined – but not until after the teams are determined.

Also under consideration is a Club Swiss Tournament on a summer weekend. We may possibly move it outdoors to give some exposure to the club. Maybe held on the lawn of the Senior Center or in a mall parking lot near the street for visibility.

Please feed suggestions to any club officer; Mike N, Ken L, Ken T, Vince V, or Don J.

The fun continues at LCCC with open chess at Teekos Coffee on Thursday Jan. 30, and open chess back at the Hartland Senior Center next Monday Feb 3.

LCCC Plays at Teekos Coffee Shop

Chess.....ladies like it too!

On a Monday? Yep. MLK Day had the schools closed so we were without our usual home. But as usual, Teekos Coffee in Howell stepped up in a big way! They squeezed us in, even though another group already reserved our usual room.

Thank you Teekos!

Six of us were in attendance. We went over some games and played some ourselves. Two spectators got our club business cards and we hope to see them again.

Remember League night is next Monday. And we will still be at Teekos Thursday.

This coming Monday should be an absolutely great night of chess. First of all, due to the holiday layoff, everyone should be itching to get back at it.

Second, all the matches are super close ratings wise. We never had matchups this close all across the teams and boards. It’s going to be great!

Come on by and watch the action, or play some casual games with the non-league members.

See you this Thursday at Teekos or Monday back at the Hartland Senior Center.

LCCC Has a Strong Showing at the Michigan Class Championships



John Ryskamp led LCCC in victories at the Class Championships.

Four LCCC’ers ventured to Lansing, MI for this tournament. It is an annual event that will be held at the same place and the same location next year, so pencil it in as a tournament to attend.

It has everything you want as a player or a spectator. Nice hotel with discounted rooms, many restaurants close by and a well run tournament every year. Rounds start almost on time or on time.

And being a “CLASS” championship, you are bracketed into groups of players close to your own strength. This means every game is a close and exciting one. If you are a chess player, how can you miss out on this opportunity?

Paul Mills as always, was Mr. Steady

They have these sections:
Master/Expert
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class D
Class E
Novice
Unrated

No matter your playing strength, there is a section for you!

LCCC has it’s usual tournament success and plus score as a team. It was actually kind of neat that each one of us were in a different class of the tournament.

As noted in the last posting, Zack Romeos (1st tournament of his career) won the Unrated Section with 3 wins – 2 losses score!

John Ryskamp didn’t get a trophy in his class, but he did have the best score posting for LCCC with a 3 wins – 1 loss – 1 draw finish.

Paul Mills broke even with a 2 wins – 2 losses – 1 draw record.

Mike Nikitin (51st tournament of his career) also had an even score with 1 win – 1 loss and 3 draws! He calls it “Grandmaster results (lots of draws) without Grandmaster play.”

There are more tournaments scheduled and they are listed on the side of this blog. Chess tournaments are fun and most are inexpensive. Get in the game!

A reminder; LCCC is closed Monday Jan. 20 but League Night is Monday Jan. 27.

LCCC is still meeting at Teekos Coffee Shop in Howell on Thursday at 6pm.

Stop by and get your chess on!