Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
On behalf of the Mid-Ohio Valley Chess Club, I'd like to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving today! I hope you all enjoy your time with your friends and family.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Chess Puzzle
It's been a long time since I posted a chess puzzle. This one is very easy, but I decided to post it anyway since it's such a cool position. Black has just played Qe8+. What is White's best move?
Friday, November 20, 2009
Saturday Meeting
We will be holding a chess club meeting tomorrow, November 21, at Borders in Vienna. We will start playing at 2:00 PM. Please feel free to stop by for a friendly game and a cup of joe.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
New Chess.com Group
I have created a group on Chess.com for players who are or formerly have been active in competitive chess in West Virginia. If you play on Chess.com and are interested in joining, please visit the group page here.
My hope is that we will soon be able to setup Vote Chess and Team Chess matches against other groups.
My hope is that we will soon be able to setup Vote Chess and Team Chess matches against other groups.
WVU Russian Club Charity Chess Tournament
From David Iorio:
Congratulations to Ben Good who won the 2009 WVU Russian Club Charity Chess Tournament! A modest turnout of eighteen players delivered exciting games at the adopted G/15 time control. These included sudden death between Terry Wassell Sr. (0.5) and Caleb Aites (1.5) and a finely played rook and pawn ending by Dave Bruner, who visited from Elkins, against Lawrence Iorio.
Ben (WV Co-Champion) earned his place at the podium by taking out in succession Bill Austin (Morgantown Champion), Lawrence Iorio, Shih-Houng Young, and myself. Feeling that Ben's 270 rating point advantage was not enough, I (black) uncorked an opening "novelty" in the Vienna sacrificing a knight for pawn and phantom attack. It was a charity chess event! Ben reacted incredulously before calmly accepting the piece. Though the game later proved interesting, Ben's advantage was never in jeopardy as he proceeded to apply pressure on the kingside. White's threat of tripling rooks plus queen on the open f-file translated to a king and pawn ending where black was unable to avoid zugzwang.
The WVU Russian Club graciously hosted and provided a comfortable playing site. It was an excellent opportunity for Phil DiSalvo to promote the WVU Chess Club and the MCC was well-represented with seven participants. This was the tournament's third edition and they intend to keep it as an annual event. Thanks to everyone who helped make this a successful fundraiser for a great cause!
Congratulations to Ben Good who won the 2009 WVU Russian Club Charity Chess Tournament! A modest turnout of eighteen players delivered exciting games at the adopted G/15 time control. These included sudden death between Terry Wassell Sr. (0.5) and Caleb Aites (1.5) and a finely played rook and pawn ending by Dave Bruner, who visited from Elkins, against Lawrence Iorio.
Ben (WV Co-Champion) earned his place at the podium by taking out in succession Bill Austin (Morgantown Champion), Lawrence Iorio, Shih-Houng Young, and myself. Feeling that Ben's 270 rating point advantage was not enough, I (black) uncorked an opening "novelty" in the Vienna sacrificing a knight for pawn and phantom attack. It was a charity chess event! Ben reacted incredulously before calmly accepting the piece. Though the game later proved interesting, Ben's advantage was never in jeopardy as he proceeded to apply pressure on the kingside. White's threat of tripling rooks plus queen on the open f-file translated to a king and pawn ending where black was unable to avoid zugzwang.
The WVU Russian Club graciously hosted and provided a comfortable playing site. It was an excellent opportunity for Phil DiSalvo to promote the WVU Chess Club and the MCC was well-represented with seven participants. This was the tournament's third edition and they intend to keep it as an annual event. Thanks to everyone who helped make this a successful fundraiser for a great cause!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Chess Coupons
I've received several coupon codes for chess sites over the past couple weeks. I thought I would pass them along in case anyone was in the market for chess gear:
Chess House: CH10OFF - $10 off $50 or more
USCF Sales: NOVEMBER - 10% off
Wholesale Chess: SAVENOW - 10% off
These coupons are good for the next several days, although there may be better deals after Thanksgiving.
Chess House: CH10OFF - $10 off $50 or more
USCF Sales: NOVEMBER - 10% off
Wholesale Chess: SAVENOW - 10% off
These coupons are good for the next several days, although there may be better deals after Thanksgiving.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Club Meetings
This is just a reminder that the monthly meeting of the Mid-Ohio Valley Chess Club will be this Wednesday at 6:00 PM at the Vienna Public Library. Also, we are tentatively planning a meeting this Saturday at Borders. I will post the times once this has been confirmed.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Northern WV Individual Scholastic Championship
Congratulations to Jackson Morris, who won three out of four games yesterday at the 6th Northern WV Individual Scholastic Championship and took home a trophy!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
WVU Chess Club
From David Iorio:
Yesterday's inaugural meeting of the WVU Chess Club was a resounding success! Fifteen players advanced pieces across the checkered tables amidst the bustle of the Mountainlair. With a handful of onlookers and a mingling fast food aroma in the background, it was an enjoyable evening of chess. Hats off to Phil DiSalvo for a great start and thanks to the Morgantown Chess Club for lending sets. The club will continue meeting in the food court at 6:00 p.m. on Mondays. Stop by for a game and don't forget about the WVU Russian Club Charity Tournament on November 18. I will deliver to them an entry list on the registration deadline of November 16.
Yesterday's inaugural meeting of the WVU Chess Club was a resounding success! Fifteen players advanced pieces across the checkered tables amidst the bustle of the Mountainlair. With a handful of onlookers and a mingling fast food aroma in the background, it was an enjoyable evening of chess. Hats off to Phil DiSalvo for a great start and thanks to the Morgantown Chess Club for lending sets. The club will continue meeting in the food court at 6:00 p.m. on Mondays. Stop by for a game and don't forget about the WVU Russian Club Charity Tournament on November 18. I will deliver to them an entry list on the registration deadline of November 16.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Spring Tournament
The Mid-Ohio Valley Chess Club is tentatively planning a Spring Tournament for April 2010. I have recently received my club director certification from the USCF, and I am looking forward to directing a tournament. I will post more information as details are finalized.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Club Meeting This Month
This is just a reminder that the club meeting this month will be held on November 18th. The second Wednesday was not available this month due to a scheduling conflict.
Ripley Chess Club
The Ripley Chess Club will be meeting this Tuesday, November 3rd, at the community center in Gay, WV from 6 PM to 8 PM.
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