#1195 Chess Mates Closed Tomorrow

Chess Mates has canceled tomorrow's classes and will be closed all day.

They will re-open Wednesday evening.

#1194 Chess Mates Closed Today, Due To Blizzard

Chess Mates has canceled its Saturday Swiss and will be closed today.

Union County is under a Blizzard Warning,

NJ Transit service has been suspended.

#1193 Hamilton Quads Canceled, Due To Blizzard

Today's Hamilton Chess Club Quads have been canceled.

Mercer County is under a Blizzard Warning. NJ Governor Christie has declared a state of emergency.

#1192 Swap Meet Tonight In Kenilworth

Tonight the Kenilworth Chess Club is having a swap meet.

If you have chess books/equipment that you want to sell or trade, arrive early (8:00 p.m. or a little before) to set-up.

Buyers are advised to do the same. Otherwise, they may miss out on the good stuff!

At the first swap meet, in November 2014, I exchanged Deep Rybka 3, Fritz 12, Corr Database 2009, a set of plastic pieces, Modern Chess Opening Strategy, How To Win The Won Game + books on Morphy, Keres, Tal, Karpov and the Poisoned Pawn French into the 5 books pictured above & some cash.

#1191 Balakrishnan Simul In Kenilworth On 1/28

The Kenilworth Chess Club is very pleased to announce that FIDE Master Praveen Balakrishnan will be giving a simultaneous exhibition on January 28th.

Praveen, who won the 2013 and 2014 Kenilworth Championships, is the 3rd highest-rated 13-year old in the United States and the 16th highest-rated player in New Jersey. He also stands 16th in the World in his age-group.

Here are the full details :

Simultaneous Exhibition
by FM Praveen Balakrishnan

January 28th, 2016
8:15 p.m.

Kenilworth Recreation Center

575 Boulevard

Kenilworth, NJ 07033

$5 participation fee to defer the cost of refreshments.
Praveen is not accepting any money for the simul!!

Non-members welcome!

Please arrive early (the club opens at 8 p.m.) so we can have everyone seated and ready to go at starting time.

Directions

Photo credit: John Moldovan

#1190 Leon Hrebinka Memorial Swiss Starts 2/4

Leon Hrebinka Memorial Swiss

February 4-25, 2016

• USCF-rated!
• 4-round Swiss.
• Time Control: G/55+5 second increment.
• Site: Kenilworth Community Center, 575 Boulevard, Kenilworth, N.J. 07033
• 1 game per week.
• Rounds to start at 8:30 p.m. on February 4, 11, 18 & 25.
• Please register with Geoff McAuliffe or John Moldovan during the Kenilworth CC's January meetings or before 8:25 p.m. on February 4th.
• 1 half-point bye per player allowed. Must commit before the end of round 2.
• Late-joins accepted until round 2 is paired.
• Entry fee: $5.
• Prize fund: 100% of EF minus rating fee.
• Number of prizes (b/10 entries): 3. More players = more prizes.
• Projected prizes (b/10 entries): $20 1st, $15 2nd, $10 U1800.
• Players must have a valid USCF membership that is active through to the final date of the tournament.
• The Tournament Committee reserves the right to make changes as are deemed necessary for the good maintenance of the tournament as allowed by USCF rules.
• A non-rated section will be added if there are at least 4 players requesting one.

Photo credit: Joe Renna

#1189 40 Years Of Friendship Lecture In Kenilworth

On Thursday, March 10th, at 8:15 p.m., the Kenilworth Chess Club will present a lecture by FIDE Master/ Correspondence IM Wayne Conover and National Master Gene Salomon, co-authors (along with NM Steve Pozarek) of 40 Years Of Friendship, 100 Games Of Chess.

Admission is $5.

Post revised 1.13.2016 @ 2:10 p.m.

#1188 Norowitz Lecture Tonight In Kenilworth

 

International Master Yaacov Norowitz will be giving a lecture at the Kenilworth CC tonight, beginning at 8:15.

The topic: Color Complexes.

Admission is $5.

#1187 Kenilworth CC Calendar For 2016

Kenilworth Chess Club

2016 Calendar of Events

Highlights:

• The Leon Hrebinka Memorial Swiss, which (weather permitting) will run February 4-25.
• The Club Championship, which will begin March 17th.
• The Summer Tournament, which, as usual, will run June through August.

January 7 - Lecture by IM Yaacov Norowitz. Admission: $5.

January 14 - Skittles + Officers & Trustees Meeting.

January 21 - Swap Meet. Sale & trade of chess books & equipment. Members & invited guests only. If you are a non-member and would like to attend, email a request to John Moldovan by January 20th.

January 28 - 40 Years Of Friendship, 100 Games Lecture by FM/Correspondence IM Wayne Conover, NM Steve Pozarek & NM Eugene Salomon. Admission: $5. (date tentative)

February 4 - Leon Hrebinka Memorial Swiss: Round 1. (Details to be announced)

February 11 - Leon Hrebinka Memorial Swiss: Round 2.

February 18 - Leon Hrebinka Memorial Swiss: Round 3.

February 25 - Leon Hrebinka Memorial Swiss: Round 4.

March 3 - Garden State Chess League match: Summit at Kenilworth

March 10 - Lecture by LM Scott Massey. Admission: $5. (date tentative)

March 17 - 25th Annual Kenilworth Chess Club Championship: Round 1, 8:30 p.m.

Here are the rules of the tournament:

• NON-RATED
• 5 to 7 rounds. We are planning to have 2 sections: a 6-8 player Open Round-Robin & a Reserve Swiss.
• G/75 with 5 second delay time control.
• Rounds will commence at 8:30 p.m. on March 17, 24 & 31 + April 14 & 21.
• If we have a 7-round tournament, rounds will also take place on April 28th & May 12th.
• Postponed games from Rounds 1-3 will be made-up on April 7th. Postponed games from rounds 4-5 or 4-7 will be made-up on April 28th or May 19th.
• Cost: $10 entry fee + dues + $5 anti-forfeit deposit = $35 for most players.
• KCC is required. Dues for 2016 are $10 for age 17 or less, $10 for those age 65+, $20 for everyone else.
• Register with Treasurer Geoff McAuliffe during our 3/3 and 3/10 meetings or before 8:25 p.m. on 3/17 @ Kenilworth Community Center, 575 Boulevard, Kenilworth, N.J. Late-joins accepted until round 2 is paired.

March 24 - Club Championship: Round 2, 8:30 p.m.

March 31 - Club Championship: Round 3, 8:30 p.m.

April 7 - Club Championship: Postponed games from rounds 1-3.

April 14 - Club Championship: Round 4.

April 21 - Club Championship: Round 5.

April 28 - Club Championship: Round 6, if necessary, or postponed games from rounds 4-5.

May 5 - GSCL Playoff match: Kenilworth vs. a team TBA (tentative)

May 12 - Club Championship: Round 7, if necessary.

May 19 - Club Championship: Postponed games from rounds 4-7. (date tentative)

May 26 - Club Championship: Awards Ceremony. (date tentative)

June 2 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament: Week 1 of 13.

June 9- Kenilworth Summer Tournament: Week 2.

June 16- Kenilworth Summer Tournament: Week 3.

June 23- Kenilworth Summer Tournament: Week 4.

June 30- Kenilworth Summer Tournament: Week 5.

July 7 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament: Week 6.

July 14 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament: Week 7.

July 21 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament: Week 8.

July 28 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament: Week 9.

August 4 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament: Week 10.

August 11 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament: Week 11.

August 18 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament: Week 12.

August 25 - Kenilworth Summer Tournament: Week 13.

September 1 - Garden State Chess League Business Meeting.

September 8 - To be announced.

September 15 - To be announced.

September 22 - To be announced.

September 29 - To be announced.

October 6 - Garden State Chess League match: Kenilworth vs. a team TBA (tentative).

October 13 - To be announced.

October 20 - To be announced.

October 27 - To be announced.

November 3 - Garden State Chess League match: Kenilworth vs. a team TBA (tentative).

November 10 - To be announced.

November 17 - To be announced.

November 24 - NO MEETING. Closed for Thanksgiving.

December 1 - Garden State Chess League match: Kenilworth vs. a team TBA (tentative).

December 8 - To be announced.

December 15 - To be announced.

December 22 - Holiday Party and Business Meeting.

December 29 - To be announced.

#1186 Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays to all my chess friends, acquaintances and readers.

#1185 Kenilworth CC Business Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Kenilworth Chess Club's 2015 Business Meeting
(+ addenda/comments by the President-elect in red italics)

Those in attendance included Ziggy Bliznikas, Joseph Dovydaitis, Dan Komunicky, Richard Lewis, Pat Mazzillo, Geoff McAuliffe, Jack McCorkell, John Moldovan, Howard Osterman, Joe Renna, Luis Ruales, Ed Selling, Bob Sherry, Lou Sturniolo, Greg Tomkovich and Jun Tang.


- Officer & Trustee Election Results:
John Moldovan was elected President.
Joe Renna was re-elected as Vice-President.
Geoff McAuliffe was re-elected as both Treasurer and Tournament Director.
Bob Sherry & Paul Gottlieb were elected as Trustees for terms expiring 12/31/2018 & 12/31/2017, respectively.
It was incorrectly stated (by me: John Moldovan) that Pat Mazzillo's term was expiring. It is actually Greg Tomkovich's term that is expiring. In fairness to Pat, Greg, Bob & Paul, I propose that Greg's term be extended for 1 year & that all 4 serve as trustees for 2016.

There were no nominations for Secretary.
The club will fill this vacancy at a future meeting.

Discussion Re: Webmaster was postponed.
The club will vote for Webmaster at a future meeting. See related point below.


- Future of the club's website:

It was revealed that Michael Goeller is the registrant, administrative contact and technical contact of/for the domain kenilworthchessclub.org.
It was reported that the web-hosting payment is due in mid-January.
Members agreed to have a committee (of all the officers and trustees) meet before mid-January to discuss the future of the website.
Addendum: On 12/19/2015, Brinkster will bill the KCC/Michael $534 for the hosting plan. Payment is due 1/18/2016. The club has assets to cover the cost but the amount is significantly higher ($150) than what we paid in January 2014.


- Financial Report & Dues:

Treasurer McAuliffe reported that with inclusion of a donation to the Kenilworth Recreation Department and re-imbursement for the Holiday Party food/supplies, the club operated at a $30 to $35 loss in 2015.
Members voted to increase Regular dues by $5 & add a $10 "Suggested Donation" provision.

Effective immediately, the annual KCC dues are:
Regular (Adults age 18-64) $20 + $10 "Suggested Donation".
Senior (65+) $10 + $10 "Suggested Donation".
Junior (Under 18) $10 + 10 "Suggested Donation".


Visitors attending 2 club meetings will be asked to join the club & pay dues.
My interpretation: The above does not apply to meetings where the individual paid entry/admission fees for KCC tournaments/lectures.

Addendum: The Westfield CC will continue honoring KCC memberships in 2016.


- Club Championship:

After a tedious discussion, the attendees agreed to a 2 section, non-rated tournament with a 6-8 player RR of top-rated entrants & a 5-7 round RR or Swiss with the other entrants.

The event will start sometime in March (Dates TBA). After 3 or 4 rounds of play there will be an off-week to make-up postponed games. After the final 3-4 rounds, there would be an additional week to make-up postponements. The cost to join will be dues (1 full year) + $10 entry fee + a $5 anti-forfeit deposit (=$35 for most players). As in recent years, the time-control will be G/75;d5.

- Other Business:

President-elect Moldovan asked V.P. Renna if the Cranford Community Center would be available for special KCC events. The reply was: Yes.
Addendum: Joe & I will definitely look into this. Not sure if we would run a free/almost free USCF-rated tournament or bring in a GM/IM to do a simul but it could be a wonderful promotional opportunity for our club.

Ziggy Bliznikas mentioned the possibility of the club offering lessons. Moldovan replied that he had been weighing the idea but felt that front room availability would be a problem.

IMO, the lessons would have to be for intermediate-level players or above (absolutely no beginners!) & instructors (such as myself) would, at a minimum, require re-imbursement for class materials. Even if the logistics were not an issue, we'd still have to gauge interest, determine costs, etc. before beginning. If anyone wants to do the leg work, we can proceed. If not, I say: Pass. 

Post updated 12/18/2015 @ 11:10 p.m.

#1184 Boy Scouts' Tourney In Scotch Plains On Saturday

On Saturday, November 7th, the 2nd Annual Watchung Mountain District Boy Scouts' Chess Tournament will be held at the Scotch Plains Baptist Church, 333 Park Ave., Scotch Plains, NJ 07076.

All boys and girls who are Boy Scouts, Adventurers or Explorers and know how to play chess can play in the event. Sign-up is between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. Non-scouts are also welcome.

This non-rated event is sponsored by White Castle, who is supplying equipment, trophies, participation medals and lunch!

For registration details and more info, double-click on the image below.