Colorado Springs Chess News

Game Of The Week

By Barbie Fortune

Al Ufer had a long chess career. USCF records go back to 1992 where I found Al with a rating of 1433. He played in over 270 events starting with the Bergen County Closed Championship in New Jersey. The first sighting of Al in Colorado Chess was at the 1994 Pikes Peak Open. Anthea Carson was a provisional player, Allan Cunningham came up from Cheyenne to challenge and Todd Bardwick won the tournament.

1997 saw him playing at the Denver Open followed by the Wyoming Open and a long list of tournaments. Al's last rated tournament was the 2005 Colorado Springs Chess Club Feb-March Ladder.

I clicked on the new tab for individual history and found that Al was close to some norms.

Date, Milestone

1997-07-29 25 Regular Rated Wins 

1998-07-12 50 Regular Rated Wins   

2000-03-18 100 Regular Rated Wins   

2000-09-04 4th Category Title   

2000-11-05 25 Quick/Dual Rated Wins   

2002-11-16 50 Quick/Dual Rated Wins   

2004-04-18 250 Regular Rated Wins 

Al's health was a contributing factor to the decline of his rating but he did enjoy a good game of chess. Last time I wrote about the Community Tournament that Al organized in Manitou Springs to encourage more people to enjoy chess (http://cschess.webs.com/apps/blog/show/2919746-brown-van-gang). The spirit of Al lives on in games well played, analysis of games, and wherever a good time is had by all.

A Tribute to Allan Ufer

Friend, Gentleman, and Chess Player

By Brian L. Walker

You meet many types of chess players. Some arrogant, loud, limitless boastful pride and some just plain irritating. But this was not the Allan I knew. Some say he was grumpy. I never say it. I saw his battle with health, mobility and age. He was alway cheery, light hearted and serious about chess. Our light banter at the Pike's Peak Tournament, always produced a laugh. As I have traveled playing in Colorado these past few years, he was good for a joke and pleasant conversations. He took his losses well. He enjoyed the wins. The thrill of pulling off a good gam was satisfying. He could reminisce on some of his younger days like yesterday. He savored his friends, games and life. In tribute of a Colorado Veteran, I give you a few of his games.

http://www.wyomingchess.com/allan.html

Friend, Gentleman, and Chess Player

www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=71235

[Event "2000 Friday Saturday September Open"]

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

[Date "2000.09.16"]

[Round "3"]

[White "Fortune, Barbara"]

[Black "Ufer, Allan"]

[Result "0-1"]

[ECO "A40"]

[WhiteElo "584"]

[BlackElo "1207"]

[PlyCount "66"]

[EventDate "2000.09.16"]

1. d4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. e3 cxd4 5. exd4 Nc6 6. a3 d6 7. Bb5 Bd7 8. O-O

a6 9. Bc4 Nh6 10. Bxh6 Bxh6 11. Nd5 O-O 12. c3 b5 13. Bd3 e6 14. Nb4 Nxb4 15.

axb4 Bc6 16. c4 Qb6 17. c5 Qc7 18. Rc1 Bxc1 19. Re1 Bxb2 20. Qd2 Bxf3 21. Qxb2

Bb7 22. f3 dxc5 23. bxc5 Qf4 24. Be4 Bxe4 25. fxe4 f5 26. d5 fxe4 27. dxe6 Ra7

28. c6 Re7 29. Qb3 Qe5 30. Qh3 Rxe6 31. Qh6 Rxc6 32. Rf1 Qd4+ 33. Kh1 Rxf1# 0-1

This Week In Chess

On July 6th, the CSCC had 7 members in attendance. Most of the players joined the double, round robin, speed tournament (G5). David Meliti suffered only one loss (to Jeff Fox) to take home 1st place. Here are the results:

Score, Player

8.5 David Meliti

6.5 Paul Anderson

6.0 Buck Buchanan

4.0 Jeff Fox

4.0 Alex Torres

1.0 Henry Blandon

2010 June East Coast Deli Results

By Jerry Maier

4.5 Mark Mc Gough

4.0 Brian Rountree

3.5 Anthea Carson

3.0 Dennis O'Rorke

3.0 Isaac Martinez

2.5 Jerry Maier

2.5 Alexander Freeman

2.0 Dragan Plakalovic

2.0 Dean Brown

2.0 Tom Mullikin

1.5 Fred Eric Spell

1.0 Ken Macrae

1.0 John Nastri

Prize Schedule:

1st Place $34 Mark Mc Gough

2nd Place $30 Brian Rountree

U1600 $26 Isaac Martinez

U1400 $20 Tom Mullikin

Colorado Springs Chess Club 3rd Quarter Schedule

By Buck Buchanan

July - September 2010

The Colorado Springs Chess Club meets Tuesday evenings in the downstairs Game Room of the Acacia Apartments Building at 104 E. Platte, just north of Acacia Park. The building opens about 6:30 PM. Most activities begin registration about 7:30, with play starting at 8:00. On most evenings, club ladder games are also available, including USCF-rated G/90 games. For more information call Buck at 685-1984 or e-mail [email protected] .

Players should arrive no later than 8:00 to get into the building.

In addition to Tuesday evenings, club members are gathering for chess at these times:

Wednesdays: East Coast Deli, 24 S Tejon. Rated tourney, G/90, 1 game a night., games start 6:00 PM.

Thursdays, Panera Bread, 7344 N Academy. Rated tourney, G/90, 1 game a night, starts 6:00PM.

Thursdays, Right Move Chess Club, 1st United UMC, 420 N Nevada. Rm 234 , 6-9:30 PM

3rd Saturday of month (7/17, 8/21, 9/1 Agia Sophia coffee house, 2902 W Colorado, 8:00 PM.

**************************************************************************************

July

July 3: Right Move PCC Quads tournament. See David or websites. Also on July 24 and Aug. 28

6 Speed tournament

13 3-SS, G/20, Quick rated

20 Players’ Choice

21 Quads, G/30 if rated, otherwise G/20

August

3 Speed tournament

Aug 7-8: Pikes Peak Open, Manitou Spgs City Hall. See websites or register with Jerry Maier

10 Players’ Choice

Aug 15: AFA Quads. See Dean or websites.

17 3-SS, G/20, Quick rated

Aug. 21-22: Monument Open. See websites or register with Jerry.

24 Players’ Choice

31 Quads, G/30 if rated, otherwise G/20

September

Sept 4-5, Denver: Colorado Open. Register with Buck

7 Speed tournament

14 3-SS, G/20, Quick rated

Sept 18: Palmer Divide G/29. See websites or register with Jerry.

21 Players’ choice

28 Quads, G/30 if rated, G/20 otherwise

Casual Chess Night This Saturday!

By Renae Delaware

Hello Everyone!

I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer!

Here are details:

When: Saturday, July 17th at 8pm

Where: Agia Sofia Coffee Shop & Bookstore, 2902 W. Colorado Ave 80904. Located on the NW corner of Colorado & 29th (directly west of the firestation) 719-632-3322

Who: Anyone! Just be sure to bring your own sets & clocks! (Though this is not a requirement.)

Please remember to support them if you're able to! (Even if it's not at our casual nights!)

Thank you! ~Renae

Right Move Public Chess

By David Meliti

Last Thursday July 8th we played round 2 of 4 in the G/75 July 2010 Swiss after registering 2 more players for this months USCF rated tournament. USCF player Isaac Martinez played well above his rating and his aggressive intent was manifested early in his game against Joe Pahk. Isaac was on the black side of a two knights defense and quickly incapacitated his opponent's kingside knight and at the same time launched a massive kingside attack at Joe's castled king. This was an impressive victory against Joe who is a solid Class B player. Isaac was able to convert his attack into a win to now lead the pack in this months nationally rated event with a perfect score of 2.0. The game has been posted on the games page of the website. Also of note in the USCF tourney last week, Jason Loving played a Kings Indian Attack against Brian Rountree's French Defense resulting in an endgame with even material for both sides ( king plus 5 pawns each side ). However, Brian had a slightly better position and was able to "push" his way to victory.

Round 2 results for all players this past Thursday (USCF & Informal) are as follows:

Paul Covington...............1/2-1/2..............Mark McGough (USCF)

Joseph Pahk...................0-1.................Isaac Martinez (USCF)

Anthea Carson..................1-0.................Justin Zeek (USCF)

Jason Loving.....................0-1.................Brian Rountree (USCF)

Thomas Nieman................1-0.................Jay Shuler (Informal Club)

John Nieman.....................0-1..................David Meliti (Informal Club)

Barb Keiser.......................1-0.................Melody Kirkwood (Informal Club)

Byes.............Henry Blandon, Jordan Myers, Justice Myers (Informal Club)

Round 3 of 4 will take place this coming Thursday July 15th at club. We will have a chess master visiting us from California. Lets be sure to give him a warm welcome !!!!

Small Group Chess Lessons Off-Site(Mondays)

Our next group chess classes (children and adults) are tentatively scheduled to begin Monday September 13th after the Labor Day holiday. We are currently on a summer break from the lessons. Once again we are partnering with Compleat Games & Hobbies which has been very generous to allow us to meet at their facility every Monday evening for the lessons. We hold the group chess lessons at the Compleat Games & Hobbies location in downtown Colorado Springs. The lessons are weekly and occur on Mondays only. Childrens lessons will begin at 6pm followed by adult lessons at 7pm. The hobby store is located on 326 N Tejon St (just north of Platte). The lessons are designed to last up to three months. After completion of the group classes, the students are encouraged to practice what was learned at our weekly Thursday night club meetings. Paul Covington will be teaching the adult chess class and Jennifer Bowers will be teaching the children.

Club Calendar (Thursdays at First United Methodist Church Dowtown)

July 15, 2010:: Casual Play: 6:00 - 9:30pm

Tournament Style Play: 7:00 - 9:30pm

USCF RATED Tournament: 4-SS G/75 July 2010 Swiss Rd 3 of 4

Informal Club-Rated Event: 4-SS G/75 July 2010 Swiss Rd 3 of 4

July 22, 2010:: Casual Play: 6:00 - 9:30pm

Tournament Style Play: 7:00 - 9:30pm

USCF RATED Tournament: 4-SS G/75 July 2010 Swiss Rd 4 of 4

Informal Club-Rated Event: 4-SS G/75 July 2010 Swiss Rd 4 of 4

July 29, 2010:: Casual Chess and Pizza Night: 6:00 - 9:30pm

Upcoming USCF Rated Weekend Saturday Chess Tournaments

G/60 Summer Quads July 24, 2010, Tournament #2 (USCF RATED)

G/60 Summer Quads Aug. 28, 2010, Tournament #3 (USCF RATED)

Paul Covington and I are currently in the planning stages of putting together a fall weekend chess tournament schedule. We welcome your input and suggestions on what types of tournaments you would like to see Right Move Public Chess host weekends this coming fall.

Other Club Announcements

This past Saturday July 10th the club had it's summer promotion at the Sunflower Market. We will be doing these promotions 4 times a year (summer, fall, winter and spring). The objective of these promotions is to raise the profile of the club in the local community. For those of you who may not be aware, the majority of interest in our group chess classes comes from these promotions. Approximately 5 adults and 5 children expressed interest in attending the next introduction to chess group classes in the fall. Between 10am and 3pm this past Saturday, Paul Covington, Mr. & Mrs. Bowers, Henry Blandon and myself were all present to share our club with the shoppers at the Sunflower Farmers Market. We played casual chess, gave on-site lessons and registered shoppers for the chess classes. And of course there were plenty of experienced chess players who stopped by and were exposed to our club for the very first time. Many of these "casual" or internet players have never attended a local chess club with the exception of perhaps a school chess club. Thank You to all club members who came out and assisted with the promotion. We will have another one in the fall sometime.

Happy Chess Playing !!!