2/19/2010
Quick Fun Tournament
Feb. 22 Quick Fun5-SS, G/10. Hackettstown Community Center, 293 Main St., (Rte. 46). EF: $6. Prizes: All EF returned as prizes, 1st prize: 50% of total EF, other prizes based on entries, class prizes possible. Reg.: 7-7:30 p.m. Rds.: 7:30 p.m., then ASAP. Info: ericmark4@yahoo.com NS, NC
Winter Swiss Final Results
Rich Buschgans and Mike Laverty shared 1st place. Click here for the Winter Swiss tournament final standings.
Eric Mark submitted some analysis of his game against the tournament co-winner Mike Laverty.
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c4 dxc4 4.Nc3 c6 5.e4 b5 6.a4?! b4 7.e5 bxc3
8.exf6 cxb2 9.Bxb2 exf6 10.Bxc4 Bb4+ 11.Kf1 0-0 12.Qb3 Na6
13.h4 Qe7 14.h5 Rb8 15.Nh4 Re8 (threat Qe1+ and mates)
16.Kg1 Be1!? 17.Qc2 Nb4
18.Qb3
Eric rejected a nice shot here and the game later ended in a draw.
18...Nd3!! (instead of ...Bg4) wins.
19. Qxb8 Bxf2+ 20. Kh2 Qe4 21. Nf3 Qg4 22. Ng1 Nf4 followed by mate.
First point is Black can play 20...Nxb2, since the re-capture 21. Qxb2?? loses to ...Qd6+ and mates.
Even better is 20...Qe4!, threatening mate. If 21. Nf3, then 21...Qg4, or if 21. g3, then 21...Qe2. Black wins.
If White plays 19. Qxd3 instead of taking the Rb8, then simply 19...Rxb2, and f2 falls and Black wins.
Eric Mark submitted some analysis of his game against the tournament co-winner Mike Laverty.
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c4 dxc4 4.Nc3 c6 5.e4 b5 6.a4?! b4 7.e5 bxc3
8.exf6 cxb2 9.Bxb2 exf6 10.Bxc4 Bb4+ 11.Kf1 0-0 12.Qb3 Na6
13.h4 Qe7 14.h5 Rb8 15.Nh4 Re8 (threat Qe1+ and mates)
16.Kg1 Be1!? 17.Qc2 Nb4
18.Qb3
Eric rejected a nice shot here and the game later ended in a draw.
18...Nd3!! (instead of ...Bg4) wins.
19. Qxb8 Bxf2+ 20. Kh2 Qe4 21. Nf3 Qg4 22. Ng1 Nf4 followed by mate.
First point is Black can play 20...Nxb2, since the re-capture 21. Qxb2?? loses to ...Qd6+ and mates.
Even better is 20...Qe4!, threatening mate. If 21. Nf3, then 21...Qg4, or if 21. g3, then 21...Qe2. Black wins.
If White plays 19. Qxd3 instead of taking the Rb8, then simply 19...Rxb2, and f2 falls and Black wins.
2/06/2010
Winter Swiss Tactics: The Hook and Ladder Trick
Buschgans, R.
Joseph, P
White just captured a pawn on d6. Can you spot the winning combination for Black?
NM Dana Mckenzie in a Chess Lecture video describes this tactical blow as removing the piece holding the ladder (rook) from under the Queen which is commonly referred to as an overloaded piece.
A recent example of the Hook and Ladder trick occurred at the Tal Memorial.
Aronian
Svidler
Aronian recaptured the pawn with Qxd3 cxd4. Visualize the position after Aronian continued with exd4
Joseph, P.
McDermott, D.
Black just played Qa2-a6 to stave off White's mating attack. White agreed to a draw after Qd5.
What was the winning continuation for White?
Joseph, P
White just captured a pawn on d6. Can you spot the winning combination for Black?
NM Dana Mckenzie in a Chess Lecture video describes this tactical blow as removing the piece holding the ladder (rook) from under the Queen which is commonly referred to as an overloaded piece.
A recent example of the Hook and Ladder trick occurred at the Tal Memorial.
Aronian
Svidler
Aronian recaptured the pawn with Qxd3 cxd4. Visualize the position after Aronian continued with exd4
Joseph, P.
McDermott, D.
Black just played Qa2-a6 to stave off White's mating attack. White agreed to a draw after Qd5.
What was the winning continuation for White?
1/09/2010
Fall Team Tournament Results
Dennis Dawley was the top scorer and Larry Cesare took top 2nd board leading their team to 1st place. On board 3 there was a tie between Robert Schlotzhauer and Shohei Ogawa.
Click here for the Tournament crosstable.
Click here for the Tournament crosstable.
1/02/2010
Winter Swiss starts January 4
Happy New Year, one and all.
Change will come to Hackettstown Chess Club later this year, but we start things off the old-fashioned way.
The Winter Swiss chess tournament begins on Monday, Jan. 4 at the Community Center on Main Street in beautiful downtown Hackettstown.
It is a five-round Swiss tournament, with rounds at 7:30 p.m. each Monday from Jan. 4 to Feb. 1.
Jan. 4-Feb. 1 Winter Swiss
5-SS, 40/90. Hackettstown Community Center, 293 Main St., (Rte. 46). EF: $10 Small cash prizes, b/entries, to top finishers. Class prizes possible, if entries warrant. Reg.: 7-7:30 p.m. on Jan. 4. Rds.: 7:30 p.m. each Monday. Byes: Half-point byes available for any round; last-round bye must be requested with entry. ENT: Eric Mark, 609 Thomas St., Stroudsburg, PA 18360. ericmark4@yahoo.com.
Change will come to Hackettstown Chess Club later this year, but we start things off the old-fashioned way.
The Winter Swiss chess tournament begins on Monday, Jan. 4 at the Community Center on Main Street in beautiful downtown Hackettstown.
It is a five-round Swiss tournament, with rounds at 7:30 p.m. each Monday from Jan. 4 to Feb. 1.
Jan. 4-Feb. 1 Winter Swiss
5-SS, 40/90. Hackettstown Community Center, 293 Main St., (Rte. 46). EF: $10 Small cash prizes, b/entries, to top finishers. Class prizes possible, if entries warrant. Reg.: 7-7:30 p.m. on Jan. 4. Rds.: 7:30 p.m. each Monday. Byes: Half-point byes available for any round; last-round bye must be requested with entry. ENT: Eric Mark, 609 Thomas St., Stroudsburg, PA 18360. ericmark4@yahoo.com.
12/19/2009
Last Blitz before Xmas
December 21 Last Blitz before Xmas
5-SS, G/10. Hackettstown Community Center, 293 Main St., (Rte. 46). EF: $3. Prizes: 1st prize: 50% of total EF, other prizes based on entries. Reg.: 7-7:30 p.m. Rds.: 7:30 p.m., then ASAP.
5-SS, G/10. Hackettstown Community Center, 293 Main St., (Rte. 46). EF: $3. Prizes: 1st prize: 50% of total EF, other prizes based on entries. Reg.: 7-7:30 p.m. Rds.: 7:30 p.m., then ASAP.
12/13/2009
Upcoming Tournaments
May 3, 10, 17 May Mayhem Quads
3-RR 40/90, SD/60. Sections by rating. Hackettstown Community Center, 293 Main St., (Rte. 46), Hackettstown, NJ. EF: $12. Prize: $40 top in each section. Reg.: 7-7:30 pm. Rds.: 7:30 pm three successive Mondays. Info: ericmark4@yahoo.com, 570-872-6880. NS, NC.
May 24 May Mayhem G/10 (QC)
5-SS, G/10. Hackettstown Community Center, 293 Main St., (Rte. 46), Hackettstown, NJ. EF: $6. Prizes (b/20): 1st $40, 2nd $30; $20 each to 3rd, U1800, U1400. Reg.: 7-7:30 pm. Rds.: 7:30 pm, then ASAP. Info: ericmark4@yahoo.com, 570-872-6880. NS, NC.
3-RR 40/90, SD/60. Sections by rating. Hackettstown Community Center, 293 Main St., (Rte. 46), Hackettstown, NJ. EF: $12. Prize: $40 top in each section. Reg.: 7-7:30 pm. Rds.: 7:30 pm three successive Mondays. Info: ericmark4@yahoo.com, 570-872-6880. NS, NC.
May 24 May Mayhem G/10 (QC)
5-SS, G/10. Hackettstown Community Center, 293 Main St., (Rte. 46), Hackettstown, NJ. EF: $6. Prizes (b/20): 1st $40, 2nd $30; $20 each to 3rd, U1800, U1400. Reg.: 7-7:30 pm. Rds.: 7:30 pm, then ASAP. Info: ericmark4@yahoo.com, 570-872-6880. NS, NC.
12/05/2009
Paul Aaroe Memorial Tournament Report
Mark Khernighan and Benjamin Katz were co-winners of the Paul Aaroe Memorial Tournament held on October 17.
Click here for a link to the tournament crosstable.
Benjamin Katz was well rested with byes for the 1st two rounds but had to overcome draw odds to tie for 1st place. The game was a slugfest in a Petroff with opposite side castling.
Mark ponders his next move against Benjamin Katz.
Katz,Benjamin - Kernighan,Mark [C42]
Paul Aaroe Memorial
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4
5.Nc3 Nxc3 6.dxc3 Be7 7.Be3 0-0 8.Qd2 Nc6
9.0-0-0 Bf5 10.Bd3 Qd7 11.h4 Bf6 12.Bg5 Qe6
13.Kb1 Bxd3 14.cxd3 Rfe8 15.d4 h6?
(15...Qf5+ 16.Ka1 Ne7 17.Bxf6 Qxf6 18.Qd3 Qg6=)
16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.Qd3 Re7 18.g4 Rae8 19.g5 Qf4 20.gxh6 Qxh6 21.Ng5 f6
May be the last to decisive mistake.
(21...Qh5 22.Rhg1 Nb8=)
22.f4 d5 23.Qf5 fxg5 24.hxg5 Qe6 25.Qh7+ Kf8 26.f5 Qg8 27.Qg6 Rf7 28.Rh7 Ne7
Mark believed that Black had the best chance with 28...Ke7
but 29.f6+ Kd8 30.Rdh1 Rd7 31.Rxg7 Rxg7 32.Re6 Qf5 33.Kd7 Qxd5+ is good for White.
29.Qh5 Rxf5 30.Rh8 Qxh8 31.Qxh8+ Kf7 32.Qh5+ Ng6 33.Rd2 Rh8
34.Qg4 Ne7 35.Re2 g6 36.Qg3 Rh1+ 37.Kc2 Rh8 38.Qxc7 Re8 39.Re5 Rf2+
40.Kb3 Kf8 41.c4 Rf3+ 42.Ka4 Rd3 43.Qd6 Rf3 44.Rxd5 Rc8 45.b3 Rf7
46.Re5 b6 47.d5 Re8 48.Re6 Rg7 49.Qe5 b5+ 50.cxb5 Rd8 51.d6 Ng8
52.Rf6+ Rf7 53.Rxf7+ Kxf7 54.Ka5
The King can safely go pawn grabbing as the Knight is trapped on the rim.
1-0
More photos from the Paul Aaroe Memorial
Dennis Dawley drew his game against Harry Rich.
Click here for a link to the tournament crosstable.
Benjamin Katz was well rested with byes for the 1st two rounds but had to overcome draw odds to tie for 1st place. The game was a slugfest in a Petroff with opposite side castling.
Mark ponders his next move against Benjamin Katz.
Katz,Benjamin - Kernighan,Mark [C42]
Paul Aaroe Memorial
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4
5.Nc3 Nxc3 6.dxc3 Be7 7.Be3 0-0 8.Qd2 Nc6
9.0-0-0 Bf5 10.Bd3 Qd7 11.h4 Bf6 12.Bg5 Qe6
13.Kb1 Bxd3 14.cxd3 Rfe8 15.d4 h6?
(15...Qf5+ 16.Ka1 Ne7 17.Bxf6 Qxf6 18.Qd3 Qg6=)
16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.Qd3 Re7 18.g4 Rae8 19.g5 Qf4 20.gxh6 Qxh6 21.Ng5 f6
May be the last to decisive mistake.
(21...Qh5 22.Rhg1 Nb8=)
22.f4 d5 23.Qf5 fxg5 24.hxg5 Qe6 25.Qh7+ Kf8 26.f5 Qg8 27.Qg6 Rf7 28.Rh7 Ne7
Mark believed that Black had the best chance with 28...Ke7
but 29.f6+ Kd8 30.Rdh1 Rd7 31.Rxg7 Rxg7 32.Re6 Qf5 33.Kd7 Qxd5+ is good for White.
29.Qh5 Rxf5 30.Rh8 Qxh8 31.Qxh8+ Kf7 32.Qh5+ Ng6 33.Rd2 Rh8
34.Qg4 Ne7 35.Re2 g6 36.Qg3 Rh1+ 37.Kc2 Rh8 38.Qxc7 Re8 39.Re5 Rf2+
40.Kb3 Kf8 41.c4 Rf3+ 42.Ka4 Rd3 43.Qd6 Rf3 44.Rxd5 Rc8 45.b3 Rf7
46.Re5 b6 47.d5 Re8 48.Re6 Rg7 49.Qe5 b5+ 50.cxb5 Rd8 51.d6 Ng8
52.Rf6+ Rf7 53.Rxf7+ Kxf7 54.Ka5
The King can safely go pawn grabbing as the Knight is trapped on the rim.
1-0
More photos from the Paul Aaroe Memorial
Dennis Dawley drew his game against Harry Rich.
11/07/2009
Time vs Material
I faced Donnally Miller in the last round of the NJ State Open U1900 section. I had to win for a chance to tie for 1st place or 2nd place.
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6
3. g3 d5
4. exd5 exd5
5. Qe2+ Be6
6. Bg2 Be7
7. Qb5+ Bd7
8. Qd3
The b-pawn was poisoned but White is now winning the d-pawn but at the cost of three tempi. How do I refute this violation of basic opening principles?
8 ... d4
Now I decide to give up the exchange plus a pawn instead of one pawn!
9. Bxb7 Nc6!
A key tempo. The Knight jumps into the fray looking more like a liger than a horse ready for the journey from b8 to a1.
10. Bxa8 Nb4 11. Qf3 Nxc2+ 12. Kd1 Nxa1
Now starts the second phase of operation. The plan is now to rescue the stranded Knight by subjecting White's position to heavy artillery fire.
13. Nd5 Nf6
(Qxa8 Nc7+ wins the Queen.)
14. b3 O-O
My opponent pointed after the game that I could win his Queen with Bg4. But this is a common mistake as Nxf6+ wins the Bishop.
15. Nxf6+ Bxf6
16. Be4 Qc8
After Bb2 his Bishop would be hanging. I am threatening to win his Queen now.
17. h3 Qa6
I take aim at the King threatening mate.
18. Qd3 Qxa2
The Knight is rescued. Mission accomplished.
19. Bxh7+ Kh8
20. Ne2 Be6
21. Be4 Bxb3+
22. Ke1 Bc2
I transposed into a winning ending and put an end to all White's hope of a quick mate with Qf3 and Qh5+.
23. Qf3 Bxe4 24. Qxe4 Qc2 25. Qxc2 Nxc2+ 26. Kf1
Re8 27. d3 a5 28. Bb2 a4 29. Nc1 Re1+ 30. Kg2 Rxh1 31. Kxh1 a3 32. Bxd4 Bxd4
33. Kg2 Nb4
0-1
You can look up a related post in the archives for another example on how to attack the uncastled King which often requires some sacrifices. The game can be replayed in the Chess viewer below.
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6
3. g3 d5
4. exd5 exd5
5. Qe2+ Be6
6. Bg2 Be7
7. Qb5+ Bd7
8. Qd3
The b-pawn was poisoned but White is now winning the d-pawn but at the cost of three tempi. How do I refute this violation of basic opening principles?
8 ... d4
Now I decide to give up the exchange plus a pawn instead of one pawn!
9. Bxb7 Nc6!
A key tempo. The Knight jumps into the fray looking more like a liger than a horse ready for the journey from b8 to a1.
10. Bxa8 Nb4 11. Qf3 Nxc2+ 12. Kd1 Nxa1
Now starts the second phase of operation. The plan is now to rescue the stranded Knight by subjecting White's position to heavy artillery fire.
13. Nd5 Nf6
(Qxa8 Nc7+ wins the Queen.)
14. b3 O-O
My opponent pointed after the game that I could win his Queen with Bg4. But this is a common mistake as Nxf6+ wins the Bishop.
15. Nxf6+ Bxf6
16. Be4 Qc8
After Bb2 his Bishop would be hanging. I am threatening to win his Queen now.
17. h3 Qa6
I take aim at the King threatening mate.
18. Qd3 Qxa2
The Knight is rescued. Mission accomplished.
19. Bxh7+ Kh8
20. Ne2 Be6
21. Be4 Bxb3+
22. Ke1 Bc2
I transposed into a winning ending and put an end to all White's hope of a quick mate with Qf3 and Qh5+.
23. Qf3 Bxe4 24. Qxe4 Qc2 25. Qxc2 Nxc2+ 26. Kf1
Re8 27. d3 a5 28. Bb2 a4 29. Nc1 Re1+ 30. Kg2 Rxh1 31. Kxh1 a3 32. Bxd4 Bxd4
33. Kg2 Nb4
0-1
You can look up a related post in the archives for another example on how to attack the uncastled King which often requires some sacrifices. The game can be replayed in the Chess viewer below.
11/06/2009
Dec 5th Smithfield Twp Quads
Dec 5th Smithfield Quads, Buttermilk Falls Community Center, Smithfield Twp, Pennsylvania.
USCF-Rated Quads On Site Registration: 9:15-9:45 AM, 1st rd 10:00 AM, then ASAP.
Above 1000 Section G/45 EF: $10 , 1st Place $25.
Under 1000 Section. G/30, EF $7. 1st Place $15
Directions: Buttermilk Falls Community Center. From NJ I-80 West, take 2nd Exit after Toll in PA, Exit 309 Marshalls Creek, to Rte. 209 North. Continue on 209 for about 1.5 miles. The Buttermilk Falls Community Center is on the right-hand side of the road, immediately before the traffic light at Rte. 209 and Buttermilk Falls Road. There is a pizza parlor across from the playing site.
For more info contact: Mike Laverty, 570-421-9802.
Email: pack92chess@yahoo.com.
USCF-Rated Quads On Site Registration: 9:15-9:45 AM, 1st rd 10:00 AM, then ASAP.
Above 1000 Section G/45 EF: $10 , 1st Place $25.
Under 1000 Section. G/30, EF $7. 1st Place $15
Directions: Buttermilk Falls Community Center. From NJ I-80 West, take 2nd Exit after Toll in PA, Exit 309 Marshalls Creek, to Rte. 209 North. Continue on 209 for about 1.5 miles. The Buttermilk Falls Community Center is on the right-hand side of the road, immediately before the traffic light at Rte. 209 and Buttermilk Falls Road. There is a pizza parlor across from the playing site.
For more info contact: Mike Laverty, 570-421-9802.
Email: pack92chess@yahoo.com.
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