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50 players have confirmed their participation in the 2008 Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls at Texas Tech University. Here is the list of players so far. The tournament will take place on July 27 - August 1 at the beautiful Frazier Alumni Pavilion on campus.

The event is sponsored by the Susan Polgar Foundation, SPICE, Texas Tech University, US Chess Trust, ICC, Family of Ursula Foster, etc.

Source: Susan Polgar Blog

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One of the things chess is missing: good nicknames.

Boxing has used nicknames forever and it makes for great theater and stories read so much better with nicknames. All positive aggressive macho (for the guys) nicknames. A lot of color would be added to the game if we reported using them.

For instance the current players in the Reuben’s Landey:

Ben “Bull Dozer” Goldberg

Simon “Nuculur” Warfield

Cary “Ticking Still Ticking Timebomb” Theil

Alex “the Almighty” Slive

Philip “Go” Nutzman

Jason “Un” Rihel

“Wiley” Kyle Clayton

Lior “The Taimer” Rozhansky

Kenny “The Killer” Newman

Zaroug “So Long” Jaleel

Ed “AX man” Astrachan

Jon “Dr Jon” Lee

Adam “the Assassin” Yedidia

Directed by: Robert “Winning Chances” Oresick and backed up by Bernado “the Blessed” Iglesias

As a perk of a kind, we should probably have a BCF nicknaming committee that bestows nicknames following a player’s 5th tournament at the BCF as a member. And we won’t use the Animal House lottery system either.

Please Comment. Be nice.

“Psycho” Mike Griffin 07/15/2008

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TD Bernardo Iglesias changed the format of the Summer Open to only one day. It was a popular move, more than doubling previous turnouts at the two-day version.

IM David Vigorito swept the field of 28. Daniel Shapiro played in his first tournament in 9 years.

Dan Leach was in the bunch tied for second, having surpised NM Chris Williams with an upset.

# Name Rtng Post Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Rd 4 Tot

• 1 VIGORITO,DAVID 2426 2429 W14 W4 W13 W3 4.0
• 2 ZENG,BEI 2191 2190 W22 W21 D8 D7 3.0
• 3 LEACH,DANIEL F 1862 1884 W28 W7 W18 L1 3.0
• 4 SHIVA,VIKAS 1834 1847 W20 L1 W22 W12 3.0
• 5 CHEN,MICHELLE 1762 1767 W27 L13 W23 W15 3.0
• 6 TICHENOR,ANDREW 2077 2083 H— H— W14 W8 3.0
• 7 WILLIAMS,CHRIS 2351 2333 W9 L3 W17 D2 2.5
• 8 LUNG,JAMES 1883 1892 W26 W12 D2 L6 2.5
• 9 YEDIDIA,ADAM 1707 1724 L7 W16 D10 W18 2.5
• 10 KLEGON,MATTHEW 2089 2069 L12 W25 D9 W17 2.5
• 11 LU,MAX 1254 1304 H— L17 W25 W21 2.5
• 12 DING,DARWIN 1674 1701 W10 L8 W21 L4 2.0
• 13 SHAPIRO,DANIEL 1906 1913 W19 W5 L1 U— 2.0
• 14 XIANG,JINGEN 1753 1751 L1 W28 L6 W23 2.0
• 15 LUNG,GENESIS 11776 1749 L23 W26 W19 L5 2.0
• 16 NEOGY,CHIRANTAN 1098 1194 L21 L9 W26 W25 2.0
• 17 LUNG,TIMOTHY 1400 1412 H— W11 L7 L10 1.5
• 18 ORESICK,ROBERT 1536 1527 H— W23 L3 L9 1.5
• 19 LEE,ALEXANDER K 1547 1537 L13 W27 L15 H— 1.5
• 20 LEE,MATTHEW R 1253 1254 L4 L22 W27 H— 1.5
• 21 CAMY,GARRY 1781 1743 W16 L2 L12 L11 1.0
• 22 ROZONOYER,ILYA 1688 1681 L2 W20 L4 U— 1.0
• 23 LIU,ANDREW 1065 1114 W15 L18 L5 L14 1.0
• 24 IGLESIAS,BERNDO 1737 1737 U— U— X28 U— 1.0
• 25 LUNG,CHRISTINE 1201 1165 H— L10 L11 L16 0.5
• 26 LIEBERMAN,SETH 1507 1470 L8 L15 L16 H— 0.5
• 27 VADLAMUDI,SDEEP 934 925 L5 L19 L20 H— 0.5
• 28 BAUER,PHILLIP 1288 1284 L3 L14 F24 U— 0.0

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Cover photo: Peter Sherwood

to talk about themes from his new (New in Chess) book:

Photo: Steve Stepak ———————————————

The Boylston Chess Club Presents:

FM Charles Hertan

Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 7 pm

Boylston Chess Club, 240B Elm Street, Suite B9, Somerville, MA

Charles Hertan will talk about and demonstrate the ideas, concepts and approaches to tactical calculation that he has discoved and written about in his new book: “Forcing Chess, Moves, The Key to Better Calculation” (New in Chess Press, 2008.) GM Joel Benjamin wrote the forward and he says this about Charles’ tactical approach:

“… The beauty of Hertan’s achievement lies in the quality of both the positions selected, and the analysis. While the examples of each ‘computer eyes’ theme will interest even the strongest master, they are explained and analyzed at a level which unlocks their mysteries for even the average club player. Beyond this, the text is liberally spiced with Hertan’s pithy, and often humorous, commentary. Entertainment, and very likely enlightenment, awaits.”

So, come, listen and learn a new approach to calculating that very well may make you a better player!

Charles Hertan is originally from New Jersey. He received his chess “education” playing in New York tournaments during the Fischer boom. He became a master at age 19, and received his FM title and Senior Master rating soon afterward. Charles moved to the Boston area in 1984 and became a fixture in New England tournaments for 16 years, before moving to Western Mass. and retiring from active play. His titles include Massachusetts champion, 2-time New England open winner, 2-time Eastern Class Championship winner, and firsts in several International events including the New York March International in 1986. He has played most of the top American players of the 1970’s through 90’s including Dzindhichasvili, Alburt, Benjamin, Rohde, Fedorowicz, Ibragimov, both Ivanovs, and many others, and managing the occasional win or draw against many of them. He began the research for my book “Forcing Chess Moves” in 1994. He has also edited a book of poetry and is currently researching a book on Men and Trauma recovery.

Free to BCC Member

to Non –Members

Refreshments will be served.

Books will be available for purchase at the lecture.

For More Information:

Chris Chase: Chris@sixty-four.com, 617-417-8800.

Web: Boylstonchessclub.org

..

Why is it that your brain so often refuses to consider winning chess tactics?

Every chess fan marvels at the wonderful combinations with which famous masters win games. How do they find those fantastic moves? Do they have a special vision? And why do computers outwit us tactically?

This rich book on chess tactics proposes a revolutionary method for finding winning moves. Charles Hertan has made an astonishing discovery: the failure to consider key moves is often due to human bias. Your brain tends to disregard many winning moves because they are counter-intuitive or look unnatural.

We can no longer deny it, computers outdo us humans when it comes to tactical vision and brute force calculation. So why not learn from them? Charles Hertan’s radically different approach is: use COMPUTER EYES and always look for the most forcing move first!

By studying forcing sequences according to Hertan’s method you will:
– develop analytical precision
– improve your tactical vision
– overcome human bias and staleness
– enjoy the calculation of difficult positions.
In short: by recognizing moves that matter, you will win more games!

Charles Hertan is a FIDE master from Massachusetts with several decades of experience as a chess coach. Instead of rehashing the usual classic examples he has unearthed hundreds of instructive combinations which appear here for the first time in print.

Joel Benjamin, from the Introduction:
“By organizing and explaining the nature of great chess moves Hertan has brought us all closer to being able to find them.”

Danny King, The Guardian:
“Hertan encourages us to think with ‘computer eyes’, by first examining all the forcing moves (checks, captures, threats), no matter how daft they seem. Why? Not because forcing moves are always the best, but when they do work, they tend to work better and quicker than non-forcing options.”

Marsh Towers Chess Reviews:
“Hertan develops the reader’s skills methodically, thus enabling each tactical lesson to be learned and absorbed properly.”

Erik Bouwmans, Schaaknieuws:
“Entertaining and instructive (..) you simply cannot stop looking.”

Dr Erik Rausch, Rochade Europa:
“An intensive training course for advanced players to improve their tactical vision and calculation (..) You will increase your tactical striking powers a lot.”

Chess Horizons:
“This book deserves the highest of recommendations.”

British Chess Magazine:
“This weighty tome is all about improving your tactical play.”

Cor Jansen, Provinciaalse Zeeuwse Courant:
“Thrilling, instructive and witty. Right on target.”

Steve Goldberg, ChessCafe:
“When the clock is ticking away, and you have too many viable candidate moves to choose from, remember Hertan’s advice.”

Francesco Benetti, Torre & Cavallo:
“Complete and entertaining.”

Carl Portman, FOCUS Magazine:
“A super book.”

Harold Dondis, The Boston Globe:
“The categories in this book are quite unusual.”

Mark Weeks, About.com:
“Develops creative, little explored ideas about how to improve your tactical vision (..) with outstanding positions from master practice.”

IM John Donaldson, Jeremy Silman.com:
“A superior combination book.”

Stephen Dann, Worcester Telegram & Gazette:
“The price is low for a volume with so many pages and so much content.”

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What is the best way to learn chess?

“Any way is good: You’ll eventually get to where you have to go.”

- David Dymond approximately 1999

David Dymond was asked that question by a new player and responded in above fashion when the BCF was on Clarendon Street. And for most chess hobbyists, this is probably what we do most of the time. We study in the way that motivates us. Looking here, picking there, avoiding end game study at all costs. Usually we end up spending too much time and money on opening books. But if we have time to invest we will get better.

What is the best approach? Being trained as a teacher I took many courses in child psychology and two key lessons learned were: 1. Never force anything on to a child before they are able to handle it. 2. Conversely, press the child to embrace the most complex ideas they can handle because the lower in cognitive development they can master things; the faster and higher their abilities will grow. It’s interesting that being a good teacher is being sensitive to the moment a child has moved from not ready to learn, to ready to learn. And because of this point, probably the most effective way for a child to learn anything is to have a good teacher/coach; a person at the ready to recognize the key moment. And if play is involved, many children will be motivated. Because playing is the best medium to learn things.

The first time I ever swung a golf club was under the instruction of a golf Pro. It was my grandfather’s philosophy that one should never develop bad habits only to have to unlearn them or be stuck with them. I wonder if it’s better to learn chess that way?

And as some beginners are not children, should the approach vary when dealing with adults?

It seems with most players there is the six year window of learning chess: it seems that most people have about six years to get to their level of ability; it holds steady; then progress begins to decline slowly (usually beginning about the age of 63- according to Mark Glickman rating czar of the USCF), as you advance to play your final round.

One of my heroes Jim Sfougaris began playing chess at the age of 40 and became an A class player. A very astounding feat.

I ask everyone, especially chess teachers, what do you think is the best way to learn chess? Or add any other insights. Please Comment.

Mike Griffin 07/09/2008

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Round 1 of the Reubens Landey is completed.

12 players, to be joined by Zaroug and possibly Julian Chan (2122), will play next Monday.

It is not too late to join in the tournament with a 1/2 point bye. With such a competitive field, you would be sure to have interesting and challenging games. Come play.

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Bernardo Iglesias directed a field of 27 players in this month’s quads at the club, a format that seems to be increasingly popular.

FM Chris Chase (3.0) defeated Carey Theil (1.0), Jason Rihel (1.0) and Andrew Wang (1.0).

Benedict Smail (2.0) here for the summer from the University of Wisconsin beat Vikas Shiva (1.5), Howard Goldowsky (1.5), and Mika Brattain (1.0).

Michelle Chen (2.5) topped her quad, over Adam Yedidia (2.0), Embert Lin (1.0), and Harold Dondis (0.5).

David Sculley (2), Danny Moraff (2), and Tony Cortizas (2) pushed Alexander Lee (0.0) to the side and shared the prize.

Seth Lieberman (2.0) and Nicholas Plotkin (2.0) took their share, over Robert Oresick (1.5) and Matthew Lee (0.5)

The remaining quad was really a Swiss, dominated by Tony DiNosse (3.0) who ran the table. Chirantan Neogy (2.0), Andrew Liu (2.0), Dr. Nick Afshartous (2.0), Keith Ammann (1.0), Rupayan Neogy (1.), and Jack Goldsmith (1.0) comprised the Swiss.

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where the position occurred against both Emanuel Lasker and also vs Frederick Yates playing this setup from the white side of a Reti [Reti-Yates, 1924.]

Ever generous MacIntyre having had several extra copies about, gifted me the 1924 book. Reti won the game against Yates but lost to Lasker. Lasker won the tournament at age 55 losing only one game; his effort in beating the best in the world out of his usual semi-retirement is one of chess’s great accomplishments. Hopefully every player will have an opportunity to view Lasker’s feat from the old man perspective, as I now do.

Do you have any dream positions that you are willing to talk about? Please comment Mike Griffin 07/01/2008

My dream position stems, I think, from reading Fred Reinfeld’s Complete Book of Chess when I was a boy. It is the setup below in the Stonewall Attack.

From this position I always have the feeling that I can beat anyone. Obviously I don’t, but it is always an enjoyable attacking game, with opportunities to sack the Bishop, Rook, or Knight while Black’s pieces are helplessly sealed off from the field of action. It is a kind of simple-minded plan - brutally simple and invigorating.
.
It is amazing how often the position arises online or in club play, because an unwary Black can play what seems like natural, reasonable developing moves until he finds himself positionally lost. At least in this case, I agree with Weaver Adams - White is to play and win.

robert oresick

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The Reubens Landey round of the Boylston Chess Club championship cycle is about to begin. Club members rated under 2200, i.e. not masters, are invited to contend for the BCC U2200 Championship and entry into the BCC Championship (to which all club masters are invited.)

We urge club experts and A players to make this year’s 5 round Swiss another very competitive tournament.

Dr. Jon Lee and 15 year old Adam Yeddia, winners of the first part of the cycle - the Weaver Adams Under 1800 Championship, were seeded into the Reubens Landey by virtue of their victories.

Monday, July 7, 14, 21, 28
August 4: Reubens/Landey
BCC Qualifier U2200 Championship5SS; 40/90, G/20;
Open to BCC
members rated
2199-1800; EF: : Winner receives free entry
into
the
BCC Championship
beginning on 9/8. Registration: 6:30 to 6:50;
Rounds:
7:00

Below is some context for this tournament: two biographical articles by Bernardo Iglesias and a listing of past winners.

EMIL M. REUBENS
by Bernardo Iglesias

BENJAMIN LANDEY
by Bernardo Iglesias

Benjamin Landey was born in 1912 and died on January 20, 1981 in Quincy. From his high school days he worked for the Sharon Bolt and Screw Company founded by Emil Reubens, reaching the position of board chairman, which he held at his death. According to Harry Lyman, Benjamin married Reubens’ daughter.

For many years, he was the ceremonial chess leader of New England: Landey was President of the MSCA, the Boylston Chess Club, the Boston Metropolitan Chess League, the New England Chess Association, and the USCF Regional Vice-President.

He was a truly regional chess entrepreneur, a notable chess organizer, a man of remarkable poise and intelligence, a master of parliamentary procedure and a skillful politician, that is, a leader among leaders in the region. He worked for long hours at his job and then spend evenings and weekends on numerous chess projects and clubs.

While Ben Landey was a tournament director for M.S.C.A., he brought to Boston the U.S. Open in 1970 and the U.S. Junior Open in 1965 and 1969, held at Northeastern University. Ben Landey’s most active years were from 1965 to 1970; after this year his health impeded more time in his passion for the royal game of chess. Despite his failing health, he was an extremely successful teacher of chess for beginners, though he himself was rated only about 1500 during most of his over the board career; he also, worked with the Massachusetts Association for Retarded Citizens and several local groups.

Along with Emil Reubens, Landey was a major sponsor of prison chess programs, and the two of them sought the parole of a number of inmates who were avid chess players. In addition to being a regular tournament player, Ben Landey was very active in postal chess with the Nights of the Square Table (NOST).

Landey was the first person to compete with a computer in chess at a U.S. Chess Federation rated tournament. He lost.

Landey’s most glorious moment in the spotlight as an organizer was winning the bid for the 1970 US Open for Boston. It was Ben Landey’s rhetoric that easily won the bid at the 1969 U.S.C.F. meeting in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was unfortunate that the then M.S.C.A. was not ready to host such a major event. The host site, Boston’s Parker House, was a less than welcoming host, and a great number of participants complained about the space designated for the playing room, that the light was not good enough for many, etc. Also, Ben Landey got sick a few months before the event along with his co-organizer Lewis Icenogle. It was not Landey’s shining hour. `

Ben was treasurer of the Greater Boston Committee of the U.S. Peace Council, past President of the South Shore Assn. for Retarded Citizens. He was the President of the Boylston Chess Club at the time of his death.

After his death in 1981, M.A.C.A. organized a memorial tournament at the Mass. Open in April; the winner of this tournament was the young James Rizzitano in North Darmouth.

The Boylston Chess Club has honored Ben Landey since 1986, when the Board of Directors dedicated a qualifier tournament to those members of the club rated 1800 to 2199 plus the winners of the Weaver Adam’s; the winner to participate in the fall championship. His memory will endure for ever at the Boylston Chess Club along with that of Emil Reubens.

References

Boylston Chess
Club
Bulletin, 1986
Boylston Chess Club Bulletin, 1987
Chess Horizons,
1981,
vol. 13, #2, p. 5, 10
Chess Horizons, 1981, vol. 13, #3, p. 5,
46
Chess
Horizons, 1981, vol. 13, #4, p. 50
Chess Horizons, 1981, vol.
36, #4, p.
46
[Edited by Robert Oresick July,
2004]
…………………………………………………………………………………

Previous winners include Greg Kaden whose strong performance last year in the Reubens Landey and BCC Championsip eventually lead to his achieving the title of National Master in 2008.

Gregory Kaden, 2007
Brian Salomon
Kenneth Newman, Carey Theil
Simon Warfield
Edward Astrachan
Simon Warfield
Edward Astrachan, Kimani Stancil
Simon Warfield
Daniel J. Woods
Paul Mishkin
Robert Armes
Larry Schmitt
Miguel Angel Santana
Alex Slive
Timur Feinstein
Daniel J. Woods
Larry Schmitt
Alex Slive
Thomas Durnan
Thomas Durnan
Harold Dean Lawton
Charlie Mays, 1986 1st BCC Reubens Landey U2200 champion

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FM Paul MacIntyre and NM Chris Williams of the Boylston Club played in the very strong New York International at the historic Marshall Chess Club. Paul finished with 5 points in the 9 round Swiss, including a draw with IM Jay Bonin pictured here in the photo by Larry Price. Chris Williams scored 3 1/2.

Chris Bird posted a nice bunch of photos from the event as well.