#1106 Update On 20th U.S. Correspondence Ch. Semis

On Monday, I drew my game with Kyle Biederman, in the U.S. Correspondence Championship Semi-Finals.

My opponent opened with his favorite Catalan. I steered play into a Bogo-Indian and my 8th was a slight improvement over previous practice. We went into an endgame and I tried to sharpen play with an Exchange offer but he declined and successfully fought-off all other attempts. The point was split after 43 moves, with each side having a Bishop and 3 pawns.

You can collect the 66 completed contests from sections 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 but games from my section can't be seen until 3 more are finished.

#1105 A Bizarre Coincidence!!?

In a rather incredible coincidence, Kenilworth Chess Club member Luis Ruales has played two different Bobby DeMarcos in consecutive weeks!!

Ruales played DeMarco #1 (of Newark-McDonald's) in a Garden State League match on April 4th and faced DeMarco #2 in the last night's opening round of the Ellner Memorial.

#1104 New Staten Island CC Site

The Staten Island Chess Club is in the process of building a new web site.

Its template looks great! I've always liked that burnt set... may have to get one.

Hat tip to Ed Selling.

#1103 Local Clubs Update

I have added Chess Mates and the Garden State Chess League to my list of local chess clubs. I have deleted the defunct Summit club and Newark's Sleepless Knights.

Info for the Westfield, Kenilworth, West Orange, Roselle, Clark, Scotch Plains, Maplewood and Checkmate clubs have also been updated.


Addendum 4/12 @ 9:40 p.m. - The Checkmate CC now meets on Saturday nights, from 8:30 to 11:00 p.m.

Hat tip to Robert Vinson.

#1102 RIP Donatas (Don) Varneckas

Donatas Varneckas died yesterday, 23 days after suffering a stroke while playing at the Morris County Chess Club in Parsippany.

Don, a retired former butcher and retired accountant, was a friend and teammate to many. We played together in the USATE tournaments (2010, 2011) and in the Garden State Chess League (2010-11, 2011-12). I last saw him on March 9th, at Rahway's Chess Mates, just a few days before he was stricken.

For those who knew Don and would like to pay their respects, here is some information on his memorial services:

Wake
Sunday, April 7 from 2-6 pm
Doyle Funeral Home
106 Maple Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960

Funeral Mass
Monday, April 8 at 10 a.m.
Church Of The Assumption
91 Maple Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960

Entombment
Holy Rood Cemetery
61 Whippany Road
Morristown, NJ 07960

Those unable to attend may write a condolence message here or leave a comment to this post.

#1101 Springfield's Checkmate CC

With the Springfield Barnes and Noble now closing at 9 p.m. on Sundays and tables generally unavailable for chess until after 8 p.m., the Checkmate Club's future is in doubt.

Update 4/12 @ 9:40 p.m. - The Checkmate CC now meets on Saturday nights, from 8:30-11:00 p.m.

Hat tip to Robert Vinson.

#1100 Ellner Memorial Starts April 11th

6th Annual Irving Ellner Memorial

Kenilworth Chess Club

April 11th-May 16, 2013

• USCF-Rated
• 5-round Swiss
• Time Control: G/60 with 5 second per move increment.
• Rounds: 8:30 p.m. on April 11th, 8:20 p.m. on April 18th, 25th and May 9th, 16th. There is no game on May 2nd!
• Entry Fee: $10
• Prizes Fund: $150 b/16 entries. (100% of EF minus rating fee)
• Prizes: To be announced
• Register with TD Geoff McAuliffe before 8:25 p.m. on 4/11 @ Kenilworth Community Center, 575 Boulevard, Kenilworth, N.J.
• Late-joins accepted. 2 byes allowed.