Colorado Springs Chess News

Game Of The Week

In 1963-64, Bobby Fischer went 11-0 in the US Championship.  Not only did he win the title of best chess player in the US for that year, he also did it without losing or drawing a game.  This feat is possibly the greatest achievement in organized sports.

Last year, I created for myself my own Bobby Fischer Challenge (http://cschess.webs.com/apps/blog/show/15855591-bobby-fischer-challenge) during the month of May.  It included two 5 round events (Wednesday & Thursday Panera) and a 3 round event (club Quad).  Therefore, I would have to win 11 games and take 2 byes.

I failed miserably, losing on my 2nd game.  I went on to lose 2 more and gave up on taking the byes to salvage rating points.  I finished the month with 11.5 out of 15 games.  However, the Bobby Fischer Challenge was 11 games and in my 1st 11 games, I lost 3 of them.

Bobby Fischer Challenge  2012

1    Anderson,Paul    1999     8.0/11

2    Carson,Anthea    1729    1.0/2

3    McGough,Mark    1805     1.0/1

4    Andersen,Gunnar    1786   1.0/1

5    Buchanan,Buck    2021   0.0/1

6    Barlay,Imre    1948            0.0/1

7    Del Conte,Koji    1791       0.0/1

8    Rountree,Brian    1778       0.0/1

9    Laganiere,James    1738    0.0/1

10    Lucas,Gene    1492         0.0/1

11    Brown,Richard    1461        0.0/1

This year, the month of May again had 5 Wednesdays and 5 Thursdays so that the Challenge would be similar to last year.  However, this year my personal best streak for winning USCF-rated games was now at 10, which occurred just after the Challenge from 6/19/12 to 10/3/12.  So, the goal was close at hand.

I failed again.  However, I did improve my results from last year.  This time I did not lose any games but did draw 2.  I did use my 2 byes to keep my Challenge to 11 games this year and to keep the rating points and prize money I had earned.

Bobby Fischer Challenge  2013

May Panera Wednesday  2013

1    Anderson,Paul    2015    10.0/11

2    Martinez,Isaac    1824        0.5/3

3    Buchanan,Buck    2000     0.5/1

4    Herman,Daniel    1516      0.0/2

5    Divine,Josh    1973         0.0/1

6    Powers,James    1842         0.0/1

7    Rountree,Brian    1819          0.0/1

8    McGough,Mark    1703           0.0/1

9    Brown,Richard    1576           0.0/1

This week's game comes from the May Wednesday Panera.  It was one of the hardest fought wins during my Bobby Fischer Challenge.  I missed a tactic early in the game.  Here is the position.  It is Black to move.  See if you can do better than me.

I did not see Bxh3 right away winning a Pawn and threatening to remove the defender of the White Knight.  I did play the move later in the game where it is not as good.  You can see the entire game on the home page.

In any case, the Challenge was over.  I am now even more impressed with what Bobby Fischer did.  It is no wonder he is still the icon of American chess.

Bobby Fischer Challenge II

http://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=80603

[Event "May Panera Wednesday"]

[Site "http://cschess.webs.com/"]

[Date "2013.05.15"]

[Round "3.1"]

[White "Powers, James"]

[Black "Anderson, Paul"]

[Result "0-1"]

[ECO "A40"]

[PlyCount "150"]

[EventDate "2013.05.01"]

[TimeControl "5400"]

1. d4 c6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 d5 5. Bg2 Nh6

6. O-O O-O 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Nc3 Nc6 9. Bf4 Bg4 10. Ne5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 d4 12. Nd5

Kh8 13. h3 Bc8 14. Qd2 Ng8 15. Rfd1 Bxh3 16. Nxe7 Bxg2 17. Nxg8 Bc6 18. Nf6

Bxf6 19. exf6 Qxf6 20. Qxd4 Qxd4 21. Rxd4 Rfe8 22. Be3 Kg7 23. Rd2 Re6 24. Bd4+

Kf8 25. f3 a6 26. Kf2 f6 27. e4 Kg8 28. Re1 Rae8 29. Bc3 f5 30. e5 g5 31. Rd6

Kf7 32. Rxe6 Rxe6 33. Ke3 Rh6 34. Re2 Rh3 35. Kd4 Ke6 36. f4 gxf4 37. gxf4 b6

38. Bd2 Bb5 39. Re3 Rh4 40. Rg3 Rh2 41. Kc3 Bc6 42. Be3 b5 43. Rg7 a5 44. Bc5

Kd5 45. Bg1 Rh3+ 46. Kd2 h5 47. Rg6 Be8 48. Rd6+ Ke4 49. Rd4+ Kf3 50. e6 Rg3

51. Rd3+ Kg2 52. Rxg3+ Kxg3 53. Ke3 h4 54. Bf2+ Kg4 55. Bg1 Bc6 56. e7 a4 57.

a3 Be8 58. Kf2 Kxf4 59. Bh2+ Kg4 60. Kg2 f4 61. Kf2 Bc6 62. Kf1 Kf3 63. Kg1 Ke3

64. Kf1 h3 65. Ke1 b4 66. Kf1 Bb5+ 67. Kg1 b3 68. Kh1 f3 69. Bg3 f2 70. Bxf2+

Kxf2 71. Kh2 Ke2 72. Kxh3 Kd2 73. Kg2 Kc2 74. Kf2 Kxb2 75. Ke1 Kc2 0-1

This Week In Chess

On May 28th, the Colorado Springs Chess Club held a Bughouse event.  This is where players chose partners and play as a team where you can drop in captured pieces from your partner in leiu of a move.  Isaac Martinez & Daniel Herman represented the scholastic crowd well but failed to surpass the veterans, Jeff Fox & Peter Barlay and split the 1st place points.

Also, four players opted for a Quick-rated Quad (RR, G20).  Mark McGough went unbeaten to claim the 1st place points.

Here are the results:

Score, Player:

Bughouse (2RR, G5) results:

8.0 Isaac Martinez & Daniel Herman

8.0 Jeff Fox & Peter Barlay

6.0 Buck Buchanan & Kathy Schneider

4.0 Kevin Kaaoush & Shirley Herman

4.0 Paul Anderson & Eugin Pahk

0.0 Mike Madsen & Randy Canton

Quick-rated Quad (RR, G20) results:

3.0 Mark McGough

1.5 Dean Brown

1.5 Joe Pahk

0.0 Tom Richardson

Tuesday Night Chess Tour Cumulative and 2nd Quarter Standings

Current Standings (rank, name, total, quarter): 

1    Paul Anderson    52.00    27.00

2    Isaac Martinez    28.50    23.50

3    Mark McGough    26.25    14.25

4    Mike Madsen    23.50    16.00

5    Jeff Fox    13.75    9.25

6    Koji DelConte    13.50    7.00

7    Alex Torres    13.00    5.00

8    Dean Brown    12.50    5.50

9    Daniel Herman    12.50    8.50

10    Tim Brennan    12.00    0.00

11    Peter Grigg    11.00    8.00

12    Josh Bloomer    10.50    8.00

13    Shirley Herman    8.00    6.00

14    Richard Buchanan    6.75    6.75

15    Sara Herman    6.00    2.00

16    Alex Freeman    5.00    0.00

17    Randy Canton    5.00    5.00

18    Josh Divine    4.25    4.25

19    Brian Rountree    4.00    0.00

20    Scott Williams    4.00    4.00

21    Eugin Pahk    4.00    1.00

22    Tom Richardson    4.00    4.00

23    Kathy Schneider    4.00    3.00

24    Joe Pahk    4.00    2.50

25    Peter Barlay    3.50    3.50

26    Joe Polanco    3.00    3.00

27    Anthea Carson    2.00    0.00

28    Mike Wanek    2.00    0.00

29    James Powers    2.00    0.00

30    Wes Smith    2.00    1.00

31    William Wilken    2.00    2.00

32    Kevin Kaaoush    2.00    2.00

33    Rebecca Herman    1.50    0.00

34    Mike Toth    1.00    0.00

35    Buddy Diamond    1.00    0.00

36    Curits Holsinger    1.00    1.00

37    Evan Baron    1.00    1.00

38    Teppei Monjiyama    1.00    1.00

39    Nicholas Wyle    1.00    1.00

40    Imre Barlay    1.00    1.00

    MAX POSSIBLE    64.00    36.00

Chess Booth At The Colorado Renaissance Festival

The Colorado Springs Chess Club runs a booth at the Colorado Renaissance Festival (http://coloradorenaissance.com/).  If you are going to be there or are looking for some summer fun, be sure to stop by the booth and play the monks a game or two.

I will be there June 23, June 30, July 21, and both days of the final weekend August 3-4 if you are having trouble deciding when to go.

ROYAL ALE & ART FESTIVAL! June 22 & 23

Military Appreciation Weekend

A variety of ale, stout, and lager beer will be on tap for Free Sampling at the Dancing Bear Pub 11:30 a.m. ~ 2:00 p.m.  This weekend only! All military personal receive a Buy-One-get-One-Free with Military I.D. plus their kids are Free.

CELTIC FESTIVAL! June 29 & 30

Enjoy a mix of Celtic pleasures.  “Scottish & Irish” – Celtic Musicians along with special Celtic Dance Groups, Musicians, and Pipe Bands will be featured throughout the Realm this weekend.  Don Ye Kilts for the “Best Men in Kilts” contest.  Mike’s Hard Lemonade sampling at the Dancing Bear Pub, 11:30 a.m ~ 2:00 p.m.

LOVE and ROMANCE! July 20 & 21

Romancing the Throne

Join our romantic rogues and fair maidens as we create a special atmosphere for a weekend dedicated to lovers. Attend “Forever Real” Royal Wedding Ceremonies on the Rose Stage, both Saturday and Sunday.  “Renewal of Vows,” bring your cherished one to a special gathering and renew your vows of faith, commitment, and love on this most romantic of weekends.  ROMANCE IS IN THE AIR!

FARE THEE WELL & MARDI GRAS STYLE CARNIVALE August 3 & 4

A Final Huzzah…  We invite one and all to join King Henry for his 523rd Birthday Party.  It’s a weekend filled with frivolities and frolicking that is truly fit for the King.  Plus A Raucous Celebration and Beads Galore!  Mardi Gras today is about the Celebration of life, laughter, music, and dance.  Join us in the Fun.  Don your favorite mask and costume and let the “ Ye Olde Good Times Roll’ Mardi Gras Style! It will be a Festive conclusion to our 37th Anniversary Season!