GM Lubomir Ftacnik, after giving an instructive lecture using the last game between GM Anand and GM Topolov in the World Championship match, dispatched all twelve participants in the simultaneous exhibition that followed.  Not even a draw was recorded this year against the grandmaster, who just finished winning this year’s S.C. Open in Greenville with a 5-0 score.  Though all are “licking their wounds” from the grandmaster’s drubbing, they should have a chance to conduct a post mortem on their game and see where they went wrong.  As has always been said in chess, “we learn mostly from our losses.”  Many thanks go out to our SCCA president, David Grimaud, along with his sponsorship of GM Ftacnik’s tour of our state through Precision Tune Automotive Care.  Also, many thanks to the participants who came out to see GM Ftacnik’s lecture and take their turn over the board against such a formidible grandmaster.

GM Lubomir Ftacnik will return to the Charleston CC on Wednesday, June 16, at 7:00pm and give a chess lecture followed by a simultaneous exhibition.  This is everyone’s chance to play a grandmaster in over-to-board chess and see if you can hold your own against a formidable opponent.  Members and guests are urged to attend both the lecture and exhibition.  While the chess lecture is free for everyone, if you would like to play in the simul, we ask for a $10 donation for adults and a $5 donation for scholastic players.  All proceeds from this event go towards scholastic events held by the Charleston CC.  Check out the announcement and background info at “http://www.scchess.org/“.

Precision Tune Auto Care is the official sponsor for this event and also sponsors the upcoming South Carolina Open being held in Greenville on June 11-13, 2010.  Check out the announcement at the above link to the SCCA website.

With the confirmed withdrawal of Josh Nissenboim from the tournament, the new 2010 Upper Section champion is David Causey.  Like in the Lower Section, the runner up trophy is still to be determined awaiting the final game between last year’s champion, Stephen Welt, who has 3 points and Ian Morton, who currently has 4 points.  The critical game for David was two weeks ago when he played Ian, who had four wins to that point.  David had given up a draw with fellow A-player, John Vonderlieth, earlier, so he needed a win against Ian in order to overtake him.   Playing the King’s Indian Defense against a well-prepared Ian Morton, David sacrificed a center pawn for counterplay and after Ian did not find the best moves, David reached an ending with both his rooks on Ian’s second rank.  In time pressure, Ian dropped a pawn and reached a difficult rook and pawn ending with barely any time on his clock.  After a few more moves, Ian’s time ran out and David posted a welcomed point to seal his championship victory.  By his own admission, David says that none of his games were easy or very dominant, only that he won by keeping pressure on his opponents. He actually survived a blunder and went on to win against Stephen Welt in their game, when he played a move that allowed Stephen to win a piece, only Stephen grabbed a pawn instead!  Maybe there is a reason we wish each other “good luck” in chess!  David has only won the CCC championship title once before in 2007, but has had numerous second place finishes, dating back to 1981, his first CCC Championship.

A group of avid 50+ seniors are meeting at the James Island Senior Center at 865 Riverland Dr., next to the James Island County Park, every Wednesday at 11:00AM.  Give them a try if you are looking for some chess action.  Be sure to bring your set and board!

Michael finished his last game on Wednesday, 5/26/10, against Wei Sun by coming back in a piece down position and securing his final win to finish 5-0 in the Lower Section CCC Championship.  Entering the tournament as an unrated player, Michael’s 5-0 result gave him a performance rating of 1757 and certainly guaranteed his  inclusion in next year’s Upper Section Championship.  Congratulations to Michael Doyle, our new Lower Section Champion!

The final game to determine the Lower Section Runner Up trophy will be played next week between Wally Jack and Paul Bryan.  Paul needs at least a draw to secure the runner up spot, having lost only to Michael in their individual game.

*Update:  Paul Bryan takes Lower Section Runner Up trophy with his win over Wally Jack played at the club on Wednesday, 6/02/10.

Go to “Club Calendar” for scheduled pairings and results.

The Annual Meeting of the Charleston Chess Club was held on Wednesday, 4/07/10, where elections were held for new officers.  Eleven members were in attendance and voted for the following slate for the new club year:

President – Stephen Welt

Vice President – David Causey

Secretary – Josh Nissenboim

Treasurer – David Causey

Though this was just a re-shuffling of the past officers, it does bring Stephen Welt into the leadership role in our club.  Stephen has been active in club functions and scholastic chess over the last few years.  He is a Local TD, as well as a coach and trainer for some of our local schools.  We look forward to Stephen’s vision and leadership for the future of our club.

Also discussed was the upcoming 2010 Club Championship beginning April 14.  We are going to have another two section round robin, where players will be split into sections based on their ratings and trophies for each group will be awarded.  The entry fee is just $5 and can be paid before the beginning of the first round on April 14.  Try to be at the club meeting at 7:00pm so that we can get everyone signed up.  Also, be sure to have your USCF membership paid or in good standing since this is a USCF rated event.  There will be makeup rounds for those that miss a round so it should be feasible for everyone who wants to play to not have to worry about missed rounds.  The time control will be Game 90 with one game per night.  Bring your chess set and clock!  Scoresheets and pens will be provided.

See you there!

The annual meeting of the Charleston CC will be held next Wednesday, April 7, 2010.  All current members and members who need to join or renew can do so before the meeting begins at 7:30pm.  Just show up at 7:00pm and bring your $5 dues payment.  Also, plans for the 2010 club championship will be discussed following the meeting.  Normally, the first round of the championship will begin on the following Wednesday after the annual meeting.  We encourage all to join us and participate!

Here are the pre-entries as of 2/03/10:

3 day schedule:

2 day schedule:

Click “Upcoming Events” for tournament details.