Chess Club Open This Monday - 111809

The weather did not cooperate with Kid's Night last week. But that is ok. It won't be Kid's Night, but it will still be a Chess Night - and all are invited to play!

So hopefully everyone will stop by this Monday night at 6pm. See you there.

Now for an interesting game I found. White makes one little mis-calcuation and his world crumbles. Ah, such is chess!

1. e4            e5
2. Nf3          d6
3. d4            f5
4. Bc4          exd4
5. Ng5          Nh6
6. O-O          Nc6
7. Nxh7?      ........
Not the best. 7. exf5, Qf6  8. Qh5+, g6  9. Re1+ is more in the spirit of the opening.

7. ……         Ng4
8. Nxf8         Kxf8
9. h3             Nge5
10. Bd5         fxe4
11. Bxe4       d5
12. Bg5         Qd6
13. Bd3         Bxh3
14. gxh3        Rxh3

Position after Black's 14th move. White to move.

It is at this point that White starts to drift. But moving the only pawn near his King to f4 is the play. It protects the bishop, gives space to his rook, give cover for the queen when she moves and takes control of a key square (e5). But de-nuding your King really looks right at first blush.

15. Kg2 ?!        …….
Now Black has 15. …...Nf3 and the King is in trouble!

15. …....            Ng4?!
16. Kxh3??       ……..
Again 16. f4 is needed. White is expecting 16. ……Nce5, 17. Be2, Qg6  18. Bxg4 with a BIG advantage for White (+6). But instead, he actually walked into a mate in 12. Now Black did not see this mate necessarily, but he doesn't have to. He only needs to see that he can now chase the king, and a mate will show up eventually.

16. ……          Qh2+
17. Kxg4         Ne5+
18. Kf5            Re8
19. Bd8           Qh6
20. Rg1           Rxd8
21. Rxg7         Rd6
Here White resigned in the face of :

22. Rg8+          Ke7
23. Rg7+          Qxg7
24. Kf4             Qh6+
25. Kg3            Qg5+
26. Kh2            Rh6+
27. Qh5            Rxh5  mate

Kids Night 11/11/2019 Cancelled Due to Snow!

LCCC closed tonight! See you next week!

Stay warm and safe at home and play chess tonight!
We are cancelling Kid's Night due to poor weather and poor driving conditions!
See you next week!

Mike Nikitin
President, LCCC

Kids Night This Monday! 110819

Paul Morphy - The pride and sorrow of chess masters.

We are having nice crowds at the chess club and we hope to see a return of our younger members for this month's addition of Kid's Night.
Games, lessons or even the ever present Ladder Tournament will be available for the young players. Also a free chess magazine to take home. So come on out to the Club this Monday Night.

Now for an international tournament postal game played in the early 1990's - Tener vs McLellan. Black demonstrates how the best way to answer an attack on the wing is to counter attack in the center!

1. d4          Nf6
2. c4          g6
3. Nc3       Bg7
4. e4          d6
5. f3           O-O
6. Be3        Nc6
7. Nge2      Rb8
8. a3           a6
9. b4           Bd7
10. Qd2      Re8
11. g4?!       .…...

Position after White played 11. g4?! White's King may have too much space!

All book until Black's last move. And White wants to use is board space advantage right away. But Black finds the correct response.

11. ……        b5
12. cxb5        axb5
13. Ng3 ?
White needed 13. Bg2 in order to keep his strong center, develop his last piece and be able to castle to either wing. Now Black pushes back in the center! (-.6) of an advantage for Black now.

13. …..          e5
14. Nxb5        exd4
15. Nxd4        Nxd4
16. Bxd4        Bxg4!
17. Be2 ?!       …….
Black regains the pawn with a slightly larger advantage as the bishop is immune. After 17. fxg4, Nxe4 18. Nxe4, Rxe4 and Black regains his piece with a big plus! The same move 17. Bg2 is still better for White here. Black is now up (-.8).

17. ……         Bh3
18. Kf2 ?      
White's major problem is that his King has no safe haven. Castling king side is now prohibited and castling queen side is castling into air. Staying in the center has a rook and queen X-raying him. Hard to see but 18. Rd1 was the best move. Now Black's advantage is up to (-1.7 pawns).

18. …..           h5
19. Bc4           h4
20. Nf5!?        gxf5
21. Rag1        Ng4+!
McLellan, playing Black, is a teacher of poetry, no accounting. By immediately returning the piece, the Black pieces are left in control of the board, and any hope of counter play by White is a pipe dream. Black is up (-2.1).

22. fxg4         fxg4
23. Bd5          Bxd4+
24. Qxd4        c5!
25. Qc3          Kh7
26. Ra1           …….
White tries hard to keep the Black rooks inactive but McLellan finds a way. 26. Ke2 was better here, as Black is now up (-3.3).

26. …..           Re5
27. Rhe1         Qf6+
28. Kg1           g3!
29. hxg3          Rg8
30. Rf1           Bxf1
31. Rxf1         Qh6
32. Rxf7+       Kh8
33. Rf3 ??       …….
The final blunder in a bad position. As ugly of a move as it is, 33. g4 was needed.

33. ……          hxg3
34. Qb2            g2
White Resigns

Monday Nights are Full of Chess - Averaging 14 Players 102119

Fall Time is Chess Time!

Fall is chess season! Chess Nights at LCCC have been averaging 14 players for the last five weeks! Our junior members (the kids!) are averaging 4 players a week. So if you have a young chess player, be sure to bring him or her to the Club on Monday Nights.

And don't forget about our special Kid's Night on the second Monday of every month. The next one is November 11th, but of course any Monday night - any player or wanna learner is welcome any night!

Now here is a French Defense miniature. 

The game is called a miniature because it wraps up in less than 25 moves.

White to make move #18

In this position, Igor3000, the chess computer Grandmaster, gives Black a (-.4) of a pawn lead. Now don't get excited. White starts the game with a (+.3) advantage every time. In other words, it is not enough for a forced win. With the correct series of moves, White is still fine.

Black has the lead in development and space. But White can fight back with a little consolidation with 18. Be3 to block Black's dark squared bishop from X-raying White's king. 

Black's mate threat of 18. ….Qh3 is repelled easily with 19. Bf1 and the game is dead EVEN.

But White is oblivious to the threats and trades off his best piece for one of Black's worst ones. There is an old chess adage "to take is a mistake." It applies here.

18. Nxc6          bxc6

19. Be5??         …….

White is completely oblivious to how strong Black's bishop pair is. 19. Nd2 had to be played to avoid defeat.

19. ......             Qh3

20. Bf1             Bxf2+!

21. Kxf2           Ng4+

22. Ke2            Qxh2+

23. Bg2            Qxg2++

Chess Move Checklist, and Kids Night a Success!

And no, your humble scribe did not draw this.

Another successful Kid's Night at the Club. Fourteen players, that included four 'less aged' people that the night is designed for.
Chess games, lessons and free chess magazines were available.
Remember, anyone is welcome any Monday to the Club, but we set aside the 2nd Monday of each month as Kid's Night. The Club makes sure that the younger chess players have an opponent or chess lessons - or both if they prefer.
Stop on by.

Now for a chess lesson for all: Chess Move Checklist

What was the reason for my opponent's last move?
What is the best way to counter my opponent's threat while still continuing my plans?
Am I playing with a plan (even if it is just to develop all my pieces) or do I have no plan at all?

Was my opponent's move a mistake? Can I take advantage of the squares he left uncovered?

If I make the move I want to make, what is my opponent's best response?
Now that I think I have a good move, is there a better one?
Is my brain and hand that move the pieces functioning together? In other words, if I change my mind on a move, can I make sure my hand doesn't go off on it's own and move the piece before I went thru my checklist again?

How am I feeling and thinking? Am I confident or cocky? Do I still care or am I demoralized or don't care?

Am I fighting as hard as I should be? Do I need to walk away from the board and re-focus?

LCCC Ready for Chess Season 2019-2020

Fischer vs Spassky in a tournament years before their Championship match. 

Chess is a year round activity, but winter seems to be chess 'season'. Especially in Michigan and other northern climate places.
LCCC is open to take care of your chess playing or chess learning needs. Our club averages a ten player attendance, practically guaranteeing you an opponent for a friendly over the board game.
Our continuous running 'Ladder' tournament give every game some meaning as you can move up or defend your position on the ladder with every game you play.
We are at the Hartland Senior Center every Monday night from 6pm to 8:30pm.
Looking forward to seeing you there.

Now let's take a look at a game played on line by a LCCC player, Don M. These 'one attacks on one side and the other attacks on the other' games are fun to look at because it is a 'race to victory' or a 'who will flinch first?' scenario.
Don is playing White.
Kings Indian - Samisch Variation (very popular these days)
1. d4          Nf6
2. c4          g6
3. Nc3       Bg7
4. e4          d6
5. f3           O-O
6. Be3        Nbd7
7. Qd2       c5
8. Nge2      b6
9. O-O-O     Ba6
The start of the double edged game.

10. b3          Qc8
11. Kb1        Ne8?
A backwards move is rarely good as it is too slow to work with this many pieces on the board. The computer Grandmaster Igor3000 suggests 11. ….cxd4 or even 11. ...h5 to maintain an even game. White is positionally up 2.5 pawns at this point, but does not capitalize ….yet.

12. g4          Nc7
13. h4          b5

Position after Black played 13. ……    b5

14. Bh6?      bxc4

The game is even here. White's best try was 14. cxb5 to keep the lead after ….Nxb5 15. Nxb5, Bxb5 and 16. Nc3.

15. Bxg7        Kxg7
16. h5             Rh8
17. hxg6?       hxg6
18. Bg2?        ……

It is hard to find the right play here. White wants to keep some control of the file he opened, but his opponent defended well and it was time to cut bait and trade with 18. Rxh8, Qxh8 19. dxc5, Nxc5 and 20. bxc4.
But it all works out for Don as Black also fails to find 18. ….Qb7 to give him a two pawn positional advantage. Instead he gives Don a three pawn advantage with....

18. …..          cxb3??
19. Rxh8        bxa2+
20. Ka1          Qxh8
21. Rh1          Qd8??
Don doesn't miss this easy checkmate!
22. Qh6+        Kf6
23. g5+           Ke6
24. Nf4++
Double edged games! First one to slip and get caught slipping - loses.

LCCC Closed for Labor Day 2019 - Re-opens September 9, 2019

FM Seth Homa wearing LCCC bling!

The Club is rolling along but have to take a break on Labor Day. We will be back on Monday September 9, 2019 at 6pm. AND that will be Kid's Night also, so bring the kids to give them a break from the shock of starting school again.

If you love chess and have some free time, the Michigan Open will be going on in Lansing at the Marriot Hotel. Stop by and watch the chess tournament, just to see what it is like. If you want to play, you have the option of the Friday thru Monday or Saturday thru Monday schedule.

2019 Michigan Open: Open & Reserve

SITE Radisson Hotel Lansing, 111 N. Grand Avenue (near the State Capitol in Downtown Lansing)
Same Hotel as Michigan Class
DIRECTIONS:

From East: I-496 to Grand Ave (Exit 7A), Right on Grand Ave. 
From West: I-496 to Pine/Walnut Streets (Exit 6), Left on Grand Ave.

ROOM RATE$99 + tax by August 16, 2019, after if space available.
Valet Parking: $10/night for hotel guests
(517) 482-0188
www.radisson.com/lansingmi - Promotion Code: MCAOT9

Format
7 round -Swiss System:  Open (1800+ or with Play Up Fee), Reserve (under 1800)
4-day and 3-day schedules available for Open & Reserve sections
Open Section FIDE Rated (4-day Time Control Games Only)

Up to 2 Half-Points Byes in all rounds but the final round
Time Control
Open/Reserve 4-day: 40moves /120 minutes ;delay 5 seconds, Sudden Death /30minutes;delay 5sec.
Open/Reserve 3-day: Rounds 1&2, G/75 minutes;d5 then merge
Rounds4-day: Rd 1: 8/30 7:00pm, Rd 2: 8/31 10:00am
3-day: Rd 2: 8/31 9:30am, Rd 2: 8/31 12:30pm
Combined: Rd 3: 
8/31 7:00pm, Rd 4: 9/1 10:00am, Rd 5: 9/1 6:00pm, Rd 6: 9/2 9:30am, Rd 7: 9/2 3:00pm

Entry Fee
Advanced Entries must be received and paid by Tues, Aug 27.
Open: $55 for 4-day, $56 for 3-day, $70 after 8/27.
Reserve: $45 for 4-day, $46 for 3-day, $60 after 8/27. 
Open Section Play Up Fee: Players U1800 in Open section, add $15

U18: $5 discount. Online pays lowest advanced rate. Re-entry allowed for online advance price.
Free Entry to GM/IM/FM/2200+ when registering by 8/27, $55 EF deducted from prize.
Payment in advance by check made payable to MCA or by Credit Card/PayPal via PayPal. Be sure to specify schedule, and select correct entry fee!

Registration
Online: https://www.onlineregistration.cc/
Jeff Aldrich, P.O. Box 40, Flint, MI 48501, 810-955-7271, jeffchess64@gmail.com
On-Site: Fri 6:00-6:29pm, Sat 8:30-8:59am
Prizes

$3150 GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND: Trophies for all Place-Winners

OPEN: 1st $500, 2nd $300, 3rd $250. (20 Grand Prix Points); U2200: $200; U2100: $200; U2000:$200; U1900: $200.

RESERVE: 1st $300, 2nd $225, 3rd $150; U1600: $125; U1500: $125; U1400: $125; U1300: $125; U1200: $125

Contact

​Jeff Aldrich
P.O. Box 40, Flint, MI 48501
810-955-7271
jeffchess64@gmail.com  

Now a great attacking game:

The game is even at this point, but White is going to now take advantage of Black's slightly cramped position.

14. Kb1           Rd8
15. Rhg1         Nxh5 ?!
Black missed 15. …..Nd5 16. Be5, a5 and the game stays even. White is positionally up almost a pawn now.

16. Bxh6          Nf6
17. Rh1?!          ……..
White missed 17. Be3, b5 18. Rh1, c4 and White is up 1.5 pawns.

17. …..              cxd4
18. Bxg7           Kxg7??
The final error. 18. ….dxc3 19. bxc3, Qxc3 was needed.

19. Qd2             Ng8
20. Rh7+           Kf8
21. Ne5            Black resigns