Open Chess on Monday 082514 - and the Michigan Open This Weekend

Find the best move for White. It is not necessarily a killer blow.

We had 10 players on the Monday before the Michigan Open this weekend.

Speed chess and casual games were played, along with some tune up games. Many LCCCers will be playing in the mitten state’s “big one.”

 

And here is a tough puzzle for you. Find the best move. Positional play is important also.

The Michigan Open is a 4-day, 3-day or 2-day tournament – YOUR CHOICE of schedule.

It runs Friday thru Monday, August 29 thru September 1. You can play every day, or skip the Friday night round and play Saturday thru Monday. Or condense your 7 round tournament schedule into two days.

It is being held at the Detroit Dearborn Doubletree Hotel, 5801 Southfield Expressway, Detroit, MI 48228. 313-336-3340. The hotel is offering a special rate for guests playing in the tournament, and free breakfast is included.

Registration is at 5:30pm to 6:29pm Friday, or 9:30am to 10:29am Saturday, or 8am to 8:29am Sunday.

The cost to enter the tournament is $56 – OR LESS. It depends on whether you enter the Open $56, Reserve $47 or Booster $37 or less. The sooner the enter the cheaper.

Now the United States Chess Federation and Michigan Chess Association annual dues are also required if you are not already a member.

There is a healthy cash prize fund and trophies for the and Reserve sections and trophies for the Booster section.

There is also a Club competition for trophies. The top four scores for each club will be tallied to find the 2 top clubs in the state.

When you register for the tournament, make sure to tell them you are a member of the Livingston County Chess Club! See you there!

Open Chess on 081814 Monday Night

We had fourteen players on an Open Chess night at LCCC.

One 960 tournament game was left to be played and Luke S won it beating a higher rated player. Nice job Luke!

But the co-champions of the 2014 Fischer Random 960 tournament was Aaron Jagt and Gene McClure. Congratulations to both of you!

 
LCCC will have open chess the rest of the year on Monday night. Our big fall Team Chess League will start September 15 or September 22. The actual date will be determined soon.

Folks, you want to be in this league! The games are every other week or every third week. It is in a Team format with everyone playing players similar to their own strength. A perfect chance to have fun or practice your game – or both!

Black to move and win.

Plus you have teammates to meet and learn from. We had 24 players in the league last year and hope to increase the number of teams this year.

And – for USCF members – the games will be rated!

Stop by LCCC on Monday or write us to get more details.

Here is another puzzle for your review. It's a tough one!

Black to move and win!

Round 4 of the 2014 LCCC 960 Tournament Completed

White to move and WIN!

I cannot say it is completely finished - yet.

It has not been decided if the two undefeated players with 3.5 points each - Aaron J and Gene M - will be paired in a FINAL, or will share the title. That will be determined soon.

Either way - great job guys!!

But I can say that a great time was had by all twenty-two players that made it to LCCC on a rainy night.

 

We had 7 tournament games go on, and that left eight other members to play casual games.

The bottom line is – you can always find a friendly game at LCCC on Monday nights!

We will have open chess the next couple of Mondays in a row. Stop on by. Remember, our Team League will begin in September sometime. Be sure to join that event. It is months of comradely and chess!

In the mean time, here is a puzzle to review. Take your time. Answer will be posted in a few days.

Beginners Corner - 080514 - and Another Good Night at LCCC

We finished up the 3^rd round of the 960 Tournament tonight. Gene M. won his game.
The last round starts next week! The final round posting and 3^rd round standing will be published soon.

We also had a 1^st place Ladder Game with Vince V defeating Mike N to keep the top spot!

Nice job Vince! That game will be making an appearance here soon.

But until then, here is an entertaining game our Summer League. It has a host of lessons for beginners in it. But the biggest lesson is in the title – don’t ever quit! Ever!

Sam T gets behind early but gets a chance to turn the tables when given the opportunity. In chess – all you need sometimes is ONE chance to go on the attack.

Sam does that in this game. Enjoy the wild ride!

1. e4    e5

2. d3   Nf6

3. Nf3   Bc5?

This gives a pawn away as White can simply play Nxe5. Never play your openings automatically. Opponents make mistakes. If they don’t – you can’t win. But they will and it is up to you to look for them.

4. Be3?!   ……
This allows doubled pawns, which is usually not a good thing. But these are center pawns and if White has a plan in mind with the strong pawn center and the half open f-file, maybe it won’t be a bad thing.

4. ……     Bxe3
5.  fxe3   O-O
6.  Nxe5?  ……
This move is too late now. This gives Black almost a half pawn lead (-.4) after 6. ….Qe7, 7. Nf3, Qb4+ 8. Nbd2, Re8 9. Qc1, d5 10. exd5, Rxe3+. The move played leave White with only a small lead, even with a pawn to the good.

6.  ……    Re8

7.  Nf3      d5

8.  e5      Ng4

9.  d4?    Bf5?

White’s 9^th move loses a pawn to Nxe3. Black misses it – the first time.

10. g3??    ……..

 

Now it is worse for White. 10. Qd2! Gives White a (1.4) lead in the game and not the losing game (-4.5) he ends up with. Watch this.

10. …..    Nxe3

11. Qd2   Nxc2+

12. Kf2    Nxa1

13. Bd3    Be4

14. Qe3?  ........

After 14. Qe3.......  Black to move.

White’s last move allows the even trade now. White is in dire straits down so much material. All Black has to do now is develop his pieces and trade down to an easy win

(-7.4).

 

14. ......    Ne2!

15. Qd2    Bxd3

16. Qxd3   Nb4

17. Qf5     Nxa2?

 

Greedy. White’s queen heads for the Black king and Black’s only fully developed piece moves away from the action. Black needed 17. ….  g6, attacking the queen immediately and it moves Black’s lead to (-9.3)! Instead, Black is now positionally losing big but still winning due to the material advantage(-4.3). But Black has given up the equivalent of a knight or a bishop - positionally - by taking a pawn!

18. Ng5!   …….

 

A knight and queen near your King is always a dangerous situation!
White continues with the attack and the counter play he has been allowed. Since he can’t win any material back right now, attacking IS his best option. Maybe his opponent won’t defend properly. When losing, attacking rather than defending sometimes is the best play. Defense by attacking!

18. …..    f6??? 

 

Sometimes winning a won game is the hardest thing to do. Black blunders into a forced mate in three! Sam takes care of business - stealing a win from a lost game a few moves ago.

19. Qxh7+   Kf8

20. Qh8+    Ke7

21. Qxg7++  

Never - ever - quit!