Check is in the Mail: Once More Unto the Breach! – uschess.org
With a nod to the Bard, we will once again look at games that involve attacks against the king. In response to last months column, I was sent our first game, with notes, by the winner. Patrick Walsh, also known as Konchog, describes himself as, a deaf-blind chess player whose first tournament was the 1972 Texas Open the tournament where Ken Smith introduced the Smith-Morra Gambit, and the tournament that also produced one of the finest endgames ever played, a masterpiece by Botvinnik against Reshevsky. I also just happened to have celebrated the 25th anniversary of my ordination as a Tibetan Buddhist monk.* I have crossed swords with Konchog, and his chess is not peaceful or serene.
* Editor's note: While a large International tournament did take place in Texas (San Antonio) in 1972, neither Botvinnik nor Reshevsky competed there, and there is no record of any other meeting between the two during that year. There is anecdotal evidence that Botvinnik retired in 1970 (my database has no competitive games after 1970). Ken Smith was there, and he did play his gambit there, but that apparently was the International debut of the gambit, as Ken had essayed it in local tournament many times prior.
In our second game, Richard Ralls goes after Benjamin Hobacks Stonewall formation right from the start. Once the center is settled, he switches his attention to the kingside. Black lets up his guard for just one move, and White blows the kingside wide open. It only takes six more moves for Black to resign.
If you read my column with any regularity, you know that I am not a fan of system openings shortcuts to theory and so I revel when I see one taken down. Yes, I am that petty. Our third game, Rowe Baerg, sees the London System suffer defeat after White overplays his hand. After a somewhat unsteady opening, Chandra Baerg shows patience and decent technique, missing only one small tactic, and forcing checkmate in the ending.
In our fourth game, Scott Beaver plays to occupy the center while Zachary Bazan attacks from the flank, but otherwise limits his control to pieces. Black falls for what appears to be a small material gain, but White quickly rebounds with a kingside assault. Black commits an error under fire, and the end comes mercifully quick.
In our fifth and final game for this month, Benjamin Hoback shows solid technique in starting the middlegame with a queenside pawn majority yet finishing off his opponent with a kingside attack. Impressive play!
My next column on the elements of chess analysis will not be ready for another month or two, as I am currently completing a book that will be published in late 2023 or early 2024, which I will discuss in a later column. The next element to be discussed will be time, or a lead in development. If anyone has a relatively recent game that shows the impact of a lead in development, please send it to me, with or without notes, at correspondence_chess@yahoo.com.
Good skill in your games!
Robert
2016 Golden Knights Final Standings
The 2016 Golden Knights tournament has concluded. Congratulations to our winner Rick Johnson of Fremont, California. This is Johnsons first Golden Knights championship. 119 players entered the competition which consisted of 17 preliminary sections, followed by six semifinal sections, culminating in two final sections.
Name
Overall Weighted Score
Place
Prize
Rick Johnson
39.60
1
$480
Ferdinand Burmeister
36.15
2
$300
Gary Adams
34.55
3
$180
Ferdinand Burmeister
34.00
4
$60
Michael Buss
32.80
5
$60
James Ellis
32.75
6
$60
Abe Wilson
28.40
7
$60
Bradley Rogers
26.15
8
$60
Paul Ott
25.15
9
$60
Michael OKeefe
18.90
10
$60
2022 46th Annual Absolute Championship
The tournament concluded on July 8, 2023, having started March 1, 2022. As previously reported, Tim Corkum of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin and John Walton of Pullman, Washington scored 7/12. They split the point in their game, and each boasted three wins and zero losses. Corkum wins his first Absolute Championship on tie-breaks
The completed cross table can be found here.Cross Table (iccf.com)
Former CC players Richard E. Patchett of Duarte, California, Roy Greenburg of Fort Lee, New Jersey, Ivan Kaplan of Sinai, New York, and Ed P. Hernandez of Placentia, California have recently passed away.
On July 9, 2023, USPS increased the first-class postage rate to $.66 for letters and $.51 for postcards.
Walter Muir E-Quad
22W24, Kevin Buswell & Josh Pruett 41
23W02, Robert Angres 4 1
Victor Palciauskas
23VP01, Donald Tirrell 51
23VP04, Fernando Puerto Mendoza 5
23VP05, Timothy Oltman & Patrick Walsh 5
John W. Collins Memorial
21C10, Louis Biasotti 60
Read more from the original source:
Check is in the Mail: Once More Unto the Breach! - uschess.org
- Magnus Carlsen says he defeated Gukesh by playing old-man chess; Garry Kasparov says Indian played some terrible games today - The Indian Express - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Chess | 'Shocking' - Magnus Carlsen takes another swipe at World Champion Gukesh - Times of India - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Chess Master at the park - The Advocate - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Its in her blood! Explaining the crazy story behind PinkPantheress viral chess picture - The Tab - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Science of Chess: Winning Streaks, Losing Streaks, and Skill - Chess.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- How Gukesh turned grindmaster to take 3-point lead at Zagreb after three days of rapid chess - The Indian Express - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Chess will never be ruled by a queen - The Times - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Whos a 'real' doctor? How Chess grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi vs The Liver Doc's viral war of words began... - The Economic Times - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- 'The Game Was Rubbish': Magnus Carlsen's Big Remark On Stunning Win Over Gukesh At Grand Chess Tour - Times Now - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- FIDE Womens World Cup: Everything you need to know! International Chess Federation - FIDE - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Magnus Carlsen says Gukesh is one of weaker players at Grand Chess Tour; Teenage world champion responds by claiming joint lead on day 1 - The Indian... - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Russians absent from world chess top 10 for first time since official lists began - The Guardian - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- I got soundly punished. D Gukesh found: Magnus Carlsen forced to eat his own words after Grand Chess Tour humbling - Hindustan Times - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Magnus Carlsen reacts to Gukesh defeat: Poor from me, got soundly punished but all credit to Gukesh - The Indian Express - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Checkmate: The rise of the Carolina Chess Club | UNC-Chapel Hill - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Winners crowned at FIDE World Cup Under 8, 10 and 12 International Chess Federation - FIDE - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- D. Gukesh beats Magnus Carlsen, wins fifth consecutive game to take sole lead after GCT Day 2 - Sportstar - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- D Gukesh stuns Magnus Carlsen again, takes sole lead at Grand Chess Tour after winning five games in a row - Hindustan Times - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Garry Kasparov explains why playing Gukesh is like playing a computer: Have to beat him 5 times, has many lives in each game - The Indian Express - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Susan Polgar on Gukesh: Some doubted his worthiness as World Champion written off as a bottom feeder at Zagreb - The Indian Express - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Opinion | Chess Records: Birthplace of an Alternative American Sound - WSJ - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- 'I Got Soundly Punished': Magnus Carlsen Reacts After Defeat To D Gukesh In Grand Chess Tour - Times Now - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- ChatGPT is no match for a 40-year-old digital Pocket Chess game, and I bet Garry Kasparov would be pleased - TechRadar - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Chess | 'In North India, we're trained thugs': The harsh truth behind the nation's North-South divide - Times of India - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- July 2025 FIDE Ratings: Praggnanandhaa Climbs To World No. 4, Indian No. 1 - Chess.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa in action at Croatia Grand Chess Tour: Indian Sports LIVE, July 2 - ESPN - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- 'He's playing a bit of chess': Pablo Torre on Mamdani's response to 'globalize the intifada' question - MSNBC News - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Check is in the Mail, July 2025: Reader's Games! - US Chess Federation - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Samay Raina Playfully Trolls Aamir Khan After Losing To Him In Chess, Sitaare Zameen Par Actor's Reaction Is Unmissable - MSN - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Greek Team Championship 2025 - All the Information - Chess.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- FIDE Ratings: Magnus Carlsen still reigns; Praggnanandhaa breaks into World Top 4 - Times of India - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Samay Raina Playfully Trolls Aamir Khan After Losing To Him In Chess, Sitaare Zameen Par Actor's Reaction Is U - Times Now - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Bullet Chess Championship 2025 | Main Event - All the Information - Chess.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Iran vs Israel and US, a chess match with real-world stakes - The Arab Weekly - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Spreading joy in the world of chess: Anish Giri turns 31 years old today - Chess News | ChessBase - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Drama! FIDE slams Vladimir Kramnik's defamation lawsuit against David Navara: 'Brings a lot of harm to ch - Times of India - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- 'Rare gem in the chess world': Praggnanandhaa gets big welcome from Magnus Carlsen as he joins Team Liquid - Firstpost - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- FIDE says way Vladimir Kramnik presents his points (on cheating in chess) brings a lot of harm to the community - The Indian Express - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Praggnanandhaa interview: I dont think Im trying to prove anything to anyone. I just like playing chess - The Indian Express - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Bullet Brawl June 28, 2025: Nakamura Surges To 42nd Bullet Brawl Title Ahead Of Terry, Hansen - Chess.com - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- World Chess Championship wins Singapore's Sports Event of the Year - Chess News | ChessBase - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- "Train the Mind. The Body Will Follow" - Chess and Basketballl - Chess News | ChessBase - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- We cant keep suing each other: Aronian urges Kramnik to drop feuds, pens emotional plea in open letter to his chess parent - The Indian Express - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Chess prodigies: The worlds youngest chess phenoms of 2025 - Times of India - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- D Gukesh's withdrawal from Las Vegas expected, says Freestyle Chess CEO: Performances have not been that good' - Firstpost - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Ill take LEGAL ACTION against EVERY Slanderer: Kramnik escalates chess feud after Aronians emotional appeal - The Indian Express - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Firepower from the flanks: Why 1.f4, the Birds Opening, deserves your attention - The Indian Express - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Big blow to Indian chess as Freestyle Chess Tour India event cancelled due to lack of sponsors: 'India will not happen' - Firstpost - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Chess Lover Introduces Game to Malawis Prisons, Schools and Street Kids - The New York Times - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Four tiebreaks, three titles: Story of Praggnanandhaas barnstorming 2025 - The Indian Express - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Chess: Carlsen finally achieves 2900 rating as Niemann aims to be Las Vegas party pooper - The Guardian - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- D Gukesh really unhappy due to Norway Chess 2025 campaign: One thing about Magnus Carlsen is that - Hindustan Times - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Updated: Tickets Now on Sale for Broadway's Chess, Starring Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher, at the Imperial Theatre - Broadway... - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Brooklyn teacher who built nationally renowned chess team retires after 50 years - CBS News - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Who is Aarit Kapil, 9-year-old from Delhi, who almost beat Magnus Carlsen - Times of India - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- 9-Year-Old Indian Prodigy Shocks Magnus Carlsen, Makes National Headlines - Chess.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Praggnanandhaa Hits Back To Win UzChess Cup After Losing "Game Of The Year" - Chess.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Svitlana's Smart Moves - How to play against the King's Gambit! - Chess News | ChessBase - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- 'Dear Vladimir Kramnik, forgive me ...': Levon Aronian writes after chess grandmaster files defamation la - Times of India - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- DIYer shares photo after repurposing old chess set into useful household item: 'What a creative idea' - The Cool Down - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Chess players of all ages participate in tournament - Sentinel and Enterprise - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- The Silent Teacher: Why Chess Is the Ultimate Mental Gym for Young Minded - Vocal - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Brooklyn teacher Eliot Weiss retires after 50 years, dozens of chess team wins - CBS News - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- D Gukesh has not been that good at any Grand Slam: Freestyle Chess CEO brutally claims Las Vegas absence expected - Hindustan Times - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- The Lyric Where Yes Took a Chess Metaphor to Prog Rock History - American Songwriter - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- R Praggnanandhaa thanks Vishy Anand after overtaking D Gukesh: This one felt special - India Today - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Chess | Magnus Carlsen lost to 9-year-old Indian? All you need to know - Times of India - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Chess Revival Announces Broadway Dates and Theatre - Broadway Direct - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- School children play chess on the roof of London's O2 Arena - Chess News | ChessBase - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Chess Revival Starring Tveit, Michele, & Christopher Heres What We Know - Broadway Direct - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- CHESS Revival Will Play the Imperial Theatre; Tickets On Sale This Month - broadwayworld.com - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Meet Aarit Kapil, 9-year-old from Delhis Mayur Vihar, who nearly beat Magnus Carlsen in an online blitz game - The Indian Express - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- The Art of the Trade Deal: Playing Chess, Not Checkers: News Article - Independent Institute - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Microsoft Is 'Playing Chess, And Others Are Playing Checkers:' Dan Ives Says MSFT Could Be A $5 Trillion Company In 18 Months - Benzinga - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Meet Aarit Kapil, The 9-Year-Old Chess Prodigy Who Nearly Defeated Magnus Carlsen - News18 - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Lea Michele Is Returning to the Theatre She Made Her Broadway Debut in For CHESS - broadwayworld.com - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Delhi's 9-year-old chess prodigy Aarit Kapil comes close to beating Magnus Carlsen - India Today - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- D Gukesh opens up on Magnus Carlsen banging the table after Norway Chess defeat: "My mind was just trying to process..." - SportsTak - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Chess, golf, video gaming: The sports helping executives stay at the top of their game - CNA Luxury - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Historic! R Praggnanandhaa surpasses world champion D Gukesh in world chess rankings; all you need to kno - Times of India - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]