Click through to view David Causey’s and Dan Quigley’s games in the 2008 Folloween Open. Both David and Dan finished in a 5 way tie for 2nd.

Click here for the games.

Saturday, November 8, 2008
1360 Truxtun Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
3/SS, G/60

EF: $20.
USCF membership required, SCCA membership not required.
Free EF for players rated 2200+ ($15 deducted from prize)

Registration: 9:15-9:45AM
Rounds: 10:00 AM, 1:00PM, 3:30PM

10-Player Sections

Prizes: $100 first, $40 second

Director reserves the right to adjust the number of
players in the bottom section based on attendance.

For Questions contact Josh Nissenboim:
joshnissenboim@gmail.com

On June 25, 2008 the Charleston Chess Club in conjunction with the South Carolina Chess Association hosted a simultaneous exhibition by Grandmaster Lubomir Ftacnik. For the second year in a row, Josh Nissenboim held a draw against the Grandmaster and can continue to boast about his 50% lifetime score against GMs. Ian Morton also held a draw.

GM Ftacnik’s appearance was made possible by the generous sponsorship of Precision Tune Auto Care.

Most players only rarely get the opportunity to play a Grandmaster, whether in a tournament or at an exhibition, so it is important to get the most out of the experience. A game with a GM is almost always a valuable chess lesson if we are willing to look closely enough to learn it. ` ` From my simultaneous loss against GM Lev Alburt, I learned: “If a GM allows you a draw by repetition, TAKE IT!” From my tournament loss to GM Alex Sherzer, I learned “Even if a GM is having an off day, if you make enough bad moves he will beat you like a chicken-killing dog.” When GM Lubosh Ftacnik gave an exhibition in Charleston this summer, I hoped to learn more:

Click here to continue

In this article we’ll look at 5 different endings:

1. The famous K+B+N vs K
2. Grigoriev – K+P vs K+P
3. Moravec – K+P vs K+P
4. from the Tattersall Anthology – K+P vs K+P
5. Dobias – K+P vs K+P

Let’s look at them!

Perseverance is an important attribute for chessplayers. It’s very important not to give up – whether in an individual game, or pursuing an idea. Perhaps the greatest story of persevervance in chess involves two of the world’s top players from over a century ago. Emmanuel Lasker was the World Champion at the time of the St. Petersburg tournament of 1896, having dethroned Steinitz two years before. Harry Nelson Pillsbury of Philadelphia, USA, was the up-and-coming American who many figured would shortly challenge Dr. Lasker for his title. Such a match never came to be, but their games in tournaments at the time were always hard-fought and closely contested. Their game from St. Petersburg was no exception. The tournament was the famous “Quadrangular” invitational featuring Lasker, Steinitz, Pillsbury, and Tchgorin, the four strongest players in the world. The title “Grandmaster of Chess” was invented for the event, and bestowed by the Czar upon the contestants. The players contested six games against each opponent. After the first half, Pillsbury led the event by a full point over Lasker, but his health began its long decline and he only scored 1.5 out of 9 in the second half, falling to third place.

Let’s look at some games!

Ian Morton went undefeated (7 wins 2 draws) in the U1100 section of the World Open to win it outright with a score of 8/9.  A very, very impressive feat.

Click here  for 4 of his games.

Click here for the crosstables.

With all the good news concerning our members lately, nothing tops the performance of our own club member, Ian Morton.  Having set his sights on tackling the U1100 section at the World Open this past week in Philadelphia, Ian delivered a stunning victory.  With seven wins and two draws, he basically “lapped the field” and won the top prize for that section.  Ian should have some great games and stories to tell us at the club, so, as President, I have declared the July 11th meeting as “Ian Morton Night”.  Join us in celebrating with Ian his great triumph in the North and give him the opportunity to “show-off” his games and tell his tournament stories.  See you there.

David Causey, CCC President

Many players lose their focus over exchanging Queens.  Some run to trade, believing this may help them get safely to an endgame, even if they ruin their position in the process.  Others are afraid to trade, because the Queen is the only attacking piece they feel confident about.

When Seigbert Tarrasch introduced the Tarrasch Defense to the Queen’s Gambit, many skoffed because Black often accepts an isolated QP, a weakness in the endgame.  Tarrasch answered, “Between the opening and the ending, the gods have placed the middlegame.”  Of course, an isolated QP is often an advantage in the middlegame.

One should exchange Queens, or avoid the exchange, based on the given position.  Is it good for you, or bad?  Don’t think the Ladies’ disappearance means the middlegame is over, or even that sacrifices are out of the question.

Let’s look at a few games.

On June 13, GM Ftacnik visited the club for a lecture and a 15 board simul. He went undefeated, scoring 14 wins and 1 draw. His draw was against Josh Nissenboim who, after a single game against a GM, can brag about his 50% lifetime performance rating against GMs.

To see the game.

GM Ftacnik will be defending his championship in the South Carolina Open tournament June 15-17 at the Carolina First Center in Greenville.  Contact your local club or SC Chess for more information.

Sponsored by: Precision Tune Auto Care

1. GM Ftacnik showing the club one of his interesting games.

2. Club President David Causey getting a lesson in the King’s Indian Defense.

3. Our top junior player, Paul Miller, ready to give the GM ” a run for his money”.

4. The GM in action while John Vonderlieth, in the background, thinks about his next move.

5. Josh Nissenboim was the only player to draw GM Ftacnik.