News
Matura Doubles US Chess Rating From mid-June to mid-July! Andrew Byrnes, Srihas Rao and Linda Pham All Up 300+!
- Details
- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Created: 22 August 2016 22 August 2016
With solid performances at four tournaments in June and July, Max Matura boosted his official US Chess rating a remarkable 632 points from July to August!
With a published rating in the 600's, Max won four of his five games at the 9th Chicago Class (in Class D competition). He also competed admirably at the 127th Knight's Quest (two wins, two draws), the June Elite Open and a Chicago Chess Center Pre-Opening RBO.
Others showing strong advances in their August ratings include Andrew Byrnes, Srihas Rao and Linda Pham (all 300+ changes). A larger table is listed below.
47 Compete At Aurora Fundraiser Fighting Blindness In India
- Details
- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Created: 21 August 2016 21 August 2016
When Sriram Ashokkumar mentioned to his uncle that he thought a chess tournament could be more than just about chess, it sparked a chain of events leading to a wonderful outing August 20 in Aurora.
47 competed in a four-round, non-rated chess with all proceeds going to the Sankara Nethralaya Ophthalmic Mission. The Mission aims to eradicate blindness which it deems "the most painful human handicap".
Four players tied with 3.0 points in the adult / high school section with Indian Creek high schoolers Sean and Austin Insley, Alwyn Pang and Joe Zemgulys all in that score group.
GM Anish Giri's Visit Thrills Chicago Chess Community
- Details
- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Created: 19 August 2016 19 August 2016
The 9th-ranked player in the world drew an overflow crowd to a short question-and-answer session followed by some thrilling blitz simuls.
Anish Giri, a Dutch-based grandmaster, appeared at a reception sponsored by the electronic trading firm Optiver at their offices at Prudential Plaza, August 18.
Dozens of familiar faces in the Illinois chess community jumped at the chance to meet the GM.
Menon Approaches 2400 With Strong 2016 US Open Showing
- Details
- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Created: 15 August 2016 15 August 2016
Gopal Menon's 6.5/9 at the 117th US Open Championships in raised his rating to 2394, within a pawn's throw of the coveted 2400-mark.
With 24 Illinois entrants, 11 finished with plus-scores, five were even at 4.5 and three were just a half-point away with 4.0's. The nine-round tournament was hosted at the Marriott Indianapolis East completed August 7. Complete US Chess posting is here.
In the ninth round, Menon closed with a draw against IM Andrey Gorovets of Texas. He was perfect against six lower-rated opponents, losing only to a pair of grandmasters: Aleks Lendrman in the fourth round and California-based Melikset Khachiyan in the seventh round.
Karagianis' "The Struggle" Wins Best Story from Chess Journalists; ICA Site Named Best Of USCF State Affiliates
- Details
- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Created: 15 August 2016 15 August 2016
Pete Karagianis wrote an amazing set of articles for the March 2016 edition of Chess Life, the US Chess monthly publication. "The Struggle" was a profound depiction of the sacrifices it takes to improve one's ratings and skills, and the vital role played by regional tournaments such as the Iowa Open.
The Bloomington-Normal area chess coach was rewarded for his efforts, not with rating points, but with the Chess Journalists of America's Award for Best Story of the Year... one of the top four prizes it selects annually.