Growing up there was no shortage of chess books in my house. Among the titles which helped guide my chess education were several by Larry Evans. Sadly, the five-time US Champion has passed away due to surgical complications.
Chicago Tribune Obituary for Larry Evans (written by an LA Times reporter)
Evan's editing of "Modern Chess Openings" was a staple in my library and I had recently ordered a collection of his writings, "This Crazy World of Chess" as a potential prize for a future tournament. Now, I think I'll keep it for myself.
I'd probably made each of his "10 Most Common Chess Mistakes" multiple times. His "What's the Best Move" and "Chess Endgame Quiz" are humbling reminders of how much I have yet to learn.
In an age when Texas Hold 'Em poker books have cannibalized most bookstores' "Games and Humor" sections, shelf space previously allocated to chess books, Evan's books had real staying power.
That's why our Borders' casual play games are so important: to remind folks of the importance of chess. You don't see many No-Limit poker games at our local Borders, do you? Take that, Howard Lederer! (a chess whiz turned poker superstar).
As someone who tries to impart chess wisdom from time to time, I'm appreciative of Mr. Evans' efforts at chess scholarship. His contributions to chess literature -- and the chess world -- were significant.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Freestrom Prevails At November Tournament
DeKalb Chess Club phenom James Freestrom, of Sycamore, defended home turf November 14 by winning the "Cornfield Challenge" with a perfect score of 4. James is the first club member to win one of our open tournaments outright!
Newcomer Scott Kolb, of Somonauk, took a clear second with a 3.0 score.
Three players, including DeKalb Club members Bill Feldman and Mark Peterson along with newcomer Adam Ford, tied for third with 2.5 scores.
An incredible 5-way tie for sixth place was testimony to the ferocity of the competition. But all five players received physical prizes, assuring that the pledge of "prizes galore" was fulfilled! Even honorary club member Alex was awarded a copy Murray Chandler's excellent book "How to Beat Your Dad at Chess" after dropping his fourth round game to his pops, Barry. (Study that tome and you'll get 'em next time, Alex!).
Thanks to the support of Borders and the creative efforts of yours truly, more than 225% of the entry fees were returned in prizes and gift certificates. (Thanks, Dan and Julie for those incredibly awesome gift bags!).
We even managed to get a little Daily Chronicle coverage (11/15, page 3) profiling club member Don Reyes and young Alex, but it will probably archive shortly so I'm not including a link. (By the way, I told the reporter that the USCF sanctions 500,000 individual GAMES a year, but the article stated EVENTS. Not my fault!).
Fourteen competitors battled this one out and we hope to see our little experiment in the cornfields keep growing at our next tournament, December 12. The 4-round Swiss will have similar parameters to this past tournament, details elsewhere on this site.
Newcomer Scott Kolb, of Somonauk, took a clear second with a 3.0 score.
Three players, including DeKalb Club members Bill Feldman and Mark Peterson along with newcomer Adam Ford, tied for third with 2.5 scores.
An incredible 5-way tie for sixth place was testimony to the ferocity of the competition. But all five players received physical prizes, assuring that the pledge of "prizes galore" was fulfilled! Even honorary club member Alex was awarded a copy Murray Chandler's excellent book "How to Beat Your Dad at Chess" after dropping his fourth round game to his pops, Barry. (Study that tome and you'll get 'em next time, Alex!).
Thanks to the support of Borders and the creative efforts of yours truly, more than 225% of the entry fees were returned in prizes and gift certificates. (Thanks, Dan and Julie for those incredibly awesome gift bags!).
We even managed to get a little Daily Chronicle coverage (11/15, page 3) profiling club member Don Reyes and young Alex, but it will probably archive shortly so I'm not including a link. (By the way, I told the reporter that the USCF sanctions 500,000 individual GAMES a year, but the article stated EVENTS. Not my fault!).
Fourteen competitors battled this one out and we hope to see our little experiment in the cornfields keep growing at our next tournament, December 12. The 4-round Swiss will have similar parameters to this past tournament, details elsewhere on this site.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Calendar of Northern Illinois Regional Open Rated Tournaments November 2010 through January 2011
I have created a handy calendar of the regional chess tournaments scheduled in northern Illinois from November of 2010 through January 2011. Included are the Evanston, Elgin, and Freeport tournaments, along with the DeKalb tournaments and a few others.
Feel free to print it out and post the schedule on your refrigerator, your own website, your car door, your forehead.
Of course, I welcome corrections or additions through email at DeKalbChess@gmail.com. Feedback welcome.
Shift-Click to initiate the download in a new window: Event Calendar
Feel free to print it out and post the schedule on your refrigerator, your own website, your car door, your forehead.
Of course, I welcome corrections or additions through email at DeKalbChess@gmail.com. Feedback welcome.
Shift-Click to initiate the download in a new window: Event Calendar
Friday, October 29, 2010
No Halloween Tournament
Due to an inability to assure proper USCF tournament conditions at our usual location, we will NOT be holding a tournament on Halloween (October 31). There just wasn't enough control over the tournament environment in terms of noise and the potential for interruptions.
I apologize for any confusion. We will be holding our next tournament Sunday, November 14 at the DeKalb Borders location. More news to follow.
I apologize for any confusion. We will be holding our next tournament Sunday, November 14 at the DeKalb Borders location. More news to follow.
Friday, October 15, 2010
An Excellent Analysis of a Classic Game
In hopes of attracting more regular referral to this site, I'll be posting links to good chess material here. Here's a very well done 15 minute video of a very instructive Queen Pawn Opening:
Any DeKalb Chess Club members or entrants in our tournaments who find good material are encouraged to send me a link with a short write up of why you liked it.
Fantastic Offer: Also, I'd like to encourage anyone who has analyzed one of their own games occurring in a DeKalb Club event to share that insightful analysis with us. Don't be shy, pass it to Rybka or Fritz and let a silicon engine find that decisive seventeen-move sequence that somehow eluded you over the board with your opponent breathing down your neck and the clock ticking away (or is that the other way around?). I'll be glad to post your write up (or video) on this site and you'll even get a $1 off your next tournament entry (sorry, only one discount per tournament).
Any DeKalb Chess Club members or entrants in our tournaments who find good material are encouraged to send me a link with a short write up of why you liked it.
Fantastic Offer: Also, I'd like to encourage anyone who has analyzed one of their own games occurring in a DeKalb Club event to share that insightful analysis with us. Don't be shy, pass it to Rybka or Fritz and let a silicon engine find that decisive seventeen-move sequence that somehow eluded you over the board with your opponent breathing down your neck and the clock ticking away (or is that the other way around?). I'll be glad to post your write up (or video) on this site and you'll even get a $1 off your next tournament entry (sorry, only one discount per tournament).
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