Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Northwest Girls +3 at halfway mark of Girls' Invitational


Click on photo to enlarge.

Halfway through the 2013 Susan Polgar Foundation Girls' Invitational in St. Louis the six Northwest girls are a combined +3. Becca Lampman of Washington is tied for fourth place among the 60 entries at 2.5-0.5. She still has a good shot to take the top prize.

Northwest girls' results after 3 rounds:

Becca Lampman 2.5 points
Alexandra Botez 2 points
Andrea Botez 2 points
Olga Cherapakhin 2 points
Carmen Pemsler 1 point
Jessica Ross 1 point

NW Pairings for Round 4:

Board 3 - Becca Lampman (2065) vs. Thanu Avernini (1818)
Board 5 - Jennifer Yu (1938) vs. Alexandra Botez (2043)
Board 11 - Hannah Farell (1382) vs. Olga Cherepakhin (1609)
Board 12 - Andrea Botez (1566) vs. Sasha Konovalenko (1438)
Board 18 - Carmen Pemsler (1635) vs. Ioana Murgulet (1077)
Board 21 - Katlyn Bonnell (946) vs. Jessica Ross (1224)

For complete results and pairings, please go to www.idahochessassociation.com

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Updated Coverage - 2013 SPGI

Quote of the Day - "Here is a real treat. The Armageddon playoff game from the Blitz Championship held July 22, 2013. Both girls are co-champions, equal in every way. But the trophy itself needed to be decided as to who got to take that home. This game decided that. In an Armageddon game, White had to win and got 5 minutes (no delay), Black had draw odds, meaning she could draw and still win, but had only 3 minutes. Becca had won the coin toss and chose to be Black with the 3 minutes with draw odds. What followed was incredibly exciting to watch." Click here to watch the video. - Jeffrey Roland, Blitz Event TD

Andrea Botez, representing Canada, competes in the 2013 Susan Polgar Foundation Girls' Invitational in St. Louis

See continuous round by round coverage, with pairings and results, on Susan Polgar's blog and the Idaho Chess Association web site.

Additional coverage on the Webster University web site is located here and also here.

IM Guillermo Llanos of Argentina shakes hands with Idaho Chess Association President Jeffrey Roland on Board 1 of the 2013 SPFGI Friends and Family Bounty Tournament July 23, 2013 in St. Louis. The bounty is on the head of IM Llanos as anyone who beats him, or earns a draw, will win a special prize.

Click here to see more than 200 photos posted so far on Picasso from the tournament and the multiple side events and activities.

BLITZ SIDE EVENT RESULTS

SPFGI Final Standings-Blitz Event, 7/22/13 SPFGI
(5 Double Rounds)

1st Place: 9 pts (Co-Champions)
• Margaret Hua (MO) (Winner of Blitz playoff)
• Becca Lampman (WA)

3rd Place (3-way tie): 8 pts
• Ellen Xiang (NH)
• Luisa Mendoza (COL)
• Katherine Vescovi (BRA)

6th Place: 7.5 pts
• Jackie Peng (CAN)

7th Place (6-way tie): 7 pts
• Alexandra Botez (CAN)
• Evan Xiang (TX)
• Jennifer Yu (VA)
• Kiana Hajiarbabi (KS)
• Anna Wyzywany (LA)
• Danitza Vasquez Maccarini (PR)

6.5 pts
• Katya Davis (NY)
• Thanu Avirneni (GA)
• Shayna Provine (IL)
• Andrea Botez (CAN)

6 pts
• Rebecca Deland (NM)
• Olga Cherapakhin (WA)
• Aiya Cancio (AZ)
• Cassie Parent (IL)
• Hiya Ghosh (CA)
• Anastacia Lopez Sanchez (MEX)

5.5 pts
• Carmen Pemsler (ID)
• Sasha Konovalenko (MI)
• Hannah Farell (OK)

5 pts
• Miranda Liu (IL)
• Janet Peng (CAN)
• Shreya Mangalam (IL)
• Amelia Wyzywany (LA)
• Diamond Abdus-Shakoor (MO)
• Anjana Murali (WI)
• Gisele Delgado (TX)
• Janice Evans (HI)

4.5 pts
• Heidi Darsey (NM)
• Jacinda Lee (UT)
• Tori Whatley (SC)

4 pts
• Sheena Zeng (KS)
• Katerina Baumgartner (OH)
• Ellison Van Scoy (OH)
• Jessica Ross (OR)
• Skylar Hsu (MD)
• Sara Lin (TX)
• Teresa Knecht (IA)
• Iris Zhou (MO)
• Isabel Brieler (MO)
• Alana McGuinness (RI)
• Sharzad Hajiarbabi (KS)
• Katlyn Bonnell (IN)
• Rebekah Farell (OK)

3.5 pts
• Talia Buxbaum (MS)

3 pts
• Madison Ford McKnight (PA)
• Baylie Redman (MT)

2 pts
• Elizabeth Miller (NY)
• Ioana Murgelet (TX)
• Ananya Murali (WI)
• Sarah Farell (OK)
• Anna Lee (UT)
• Sofia Saggiante (MEX)
• Kate Bergeron (LA)

Please Note: Ties are NOT listed in Tiebreak Order.

Monday, July 22, 2013

2013 SPFGI is under way


The stage is set for round 1. Let the games begin at the 2013 Susan Polgar Girls' Invitational Chess Tournament (10th anniversary) at Webster University in St. Louis.


Chief tournament director Frank Niro, above, addresses the players, parents, coaches, university leaders and the mayor of Webster Groves, MO at the Opening Ceremony. A total of 60 girls are competing for $200,000 in scholarships and other prizes. To date, the Susan Polgar Foundation, in cooperation with its partners, has awarded college scholarships valued at more than three million dollars to players in SPF events.


The playing site is the stage of the Loretto-Hilton Theatre on the campus of Webster University.

Go here to see the results of round 1 and pairings for round 2.


My visit to St. Louis gave me the opportunity to catch up with Susan and Yasser.


Additional photos from the tournament and side events can be seen each day by clicking here.


BLITZ SIDE EVENT RESULTS

SPFGI Final Standings-Blitz Event, 7/22/13 SPFGI
(5 Double Rounds)

1st Place: 9 pts (Co-Champions)
• Margaret Hua (Winner of Blitz playoff)
• Becca Lampman

3rd Place (3-way tie): 8 pts
• Ellen Xiang
• Luisa Mendoza
• Katherine Vescovi

6th Place: 7.5 pts
• Jackie Peng

7th Place (6-way tie): 7 pts
• Alexandra Botez
• Evan Xiang
• Jennifer Yu
• Kiana Hajiarbabi
• Anna Wyzywany
• Danitza Vasquez Maccarini

6.5 pts
• Katya Davis
• Thanu Avirneni
• Shayna Provine
• Andrea Botez

6 pts
• Rebecca Deland
• Olga Cherapakhin
• Aiya Cancio
• Cassie Parent
• Hiya Ghosh
• Anastacia Lopez Sanchez

5.5 pts
• Carmen Pemsler
• Sasha Konovalenko
• Hannah Farell

5 pts
• Miranda Liu
• Janet Peng
• Shreya Mangalam
• Amelia Wyzywany
• Diamond Abdus-Shakoor
• Anjana Murali
• Gisele Delgado
• Janice Evans


4.5 pts
• Heidi Darsey
• Jacinda Lee
• Tori Whatley

4 pts
• Sheena Zeng
• Katerina Baumgartner
• Ellison Van Scoy
• Jessica Ross
• Skylar Hsu
• Sara Lin
• Teresa Knecht
• Iris Zhou
• Isabel Brieler
• Alana McGuinness
• Sharzad Hajiarbabi
• Katlyn Bonnell
• Rebekah Farell

3.5 pts
• Talia Buxbaum

3 pts
• Madison Ford McKnight
• Baylie Redman

2 pts
• Elizabeth Miller
• Ioana Murgelet
• Ananya Murali
• Sarah Farell
• Anna Lee
• Sofia Saggiante
• Kate Bergeron


Please Note: Ties are NOT listed in Tiebreak Order.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Big 10th anniversary surprise for Girls chess! $5,000 cash prizes added!


The following article, by former Women's World Chess Champion Susan Polgar, is reprinted from her blog, dated this morning. I am here in St. Louis preparing for the start of the tournament.


Around 12-13 years ago, Mr. Frank Niro, the Executive Director of the United States Chess Federation (USCF) visited me at my Chess Center in Queens, NY, to ask me to help the federation in various important areas. Two of the things I was asked to help were:

- To create a serious US Women's Olympiad chess program as no women's team from the US has ever won any medal before that.

- To help boost girls' chess popularity in the US as they were being ignored at that time.

I said yes and immediately began to work to improve a number of different aspects. The first official business was to create the Susan Polgar Foundation (SPF).

Then, the Women's Olympiad training program was created in late 2002 / early 2003. The program included IM Irina Krush, IM Anna Zatonskih (at that time was a WGM), IM Rusa Goletiani (at that time was a WGM), and WGM Jennifer Shahade (at that time was a WIM). I even came out of retirement after nearly 9 years of hiatus to participate and lead this team.

In 2004, the US Women's team captured 4 medals (2 gold and 2 silver) at the Calvia Chess Olympiad. Since 2003, every single US Women's Champion has come from this Women's Olympiad training program which I created.

Also in 2003, I created the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls (it is now called the SPF Girls' Invitational), the most prestigious all-girls national championship in the US. This was the first all-girls national championship created in the United States and it was unanimously approved by the Executive Director and the USCF Executive Board.

A few months later, I persuaded the USCF to approve the All-Girls National Championship (sponsored by KCF). I also created two additional events: the Susan Polgar National Open for Girls and the Susan Polgar World Open for Girls (both sponsored by the SPF).

Since then, nearly $2 million in scholarships (through SPF and our partners) have been awarded to girls in events which my foundation organized and sponsored. This is the 10th year of the SPF Girls' Invitational, and it will be the largest one ever, with 58 young ladies qualified. To celebrate the tremendous success of this event, I decided to expand it by inviting some additional young female players from North, Central, and South America.

The total budget / prizes / scholarships for this championship is almost $250,000! It is unprecedented for girls' chess anywhere. All state representatives and qualifiers will receive free rooms and meals for the entire duration of the event. Over the years, thousands of girls have competed all across the United States to earn spots in the invitationals.

I am very proud to lead the charge to get more girls involved in chess, and to revolutionize girls' chess in America. To celebrate the special 1oth anniversary, I have just decided to personally sponsor $5,000 cash scholarship to the top 3 finishers ($3,000 to 1st, $1,500 to 2nd, and $500 to 3rd).

This is a surprise as it was not announced before. The winners can use the cash prizes toward school / tournament expenses, or additional coaching, however they wish. I also hope to attract additional sponsors next year to make this event even better. - Susan Polgar


Rules and Conditions for the 10th Annual Susan Polgar Foundation Girls' Invitational (SPGI)
July 20 – 25, 2013 at Webster University (St. Louis, Missouri)

THIS WILL BE THE BIGGEST SPGI EVER!

- Over $200,000 in chess scholarships, chess prizes, and iPad mini, etc. (Full tuition and fees scholarship to the top finisher! *)

- Webster University will provide complimentary room and meal accommodation on campus for qualifiers!

The annual Susan Polgar Girl’s Invitational, the most prestigious all-girls event in the United States, will be held at Webster University (St. Louis, Missouri).

• There will be an intense training session with Susan Polgar, followed by a 6 round (g/90+30) FIDE rated championship tournament.
• The traditional Blitz, Puzzle Solving, Bughouse events will stay the same as in previous years.
• There will be many chess prizes awarded, including iPad mini, and scholarships to Webster University.

Each state is allowed one representative to be nominated by June 1, 2013. Official representative alternates may be substituted no later than June 15. (Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee may allow the host state to enter an additional qualified player.) Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee may allow exceptions to the June 1 entry/alternate deadline. Should the state affiliate fail to respond to the notice for this tournament, Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee may determine the candidate from that state.

Players must have been enrolled in a school (up to 12th grade) located in the state they represent, also of the year in which the tournament is held. Home-schooled students who are under the age of 19 on July 25th of the year in which the event is held or students who have never attended college on a full time basis prior to June 1 of the year in which the tournament is held, are eligible to represent the state in which they reside.

Exception: If a player graduates from high school early and is already attending college, she may still represent her state if nominated. This is the decision of each state affiliate.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: The participants of the Susan Polgar Girl’s Invitational DO NOT have to be high school students. Any qualifier under the age of 19 (by July 25th of the year in which the tournament is held) is eligible!

Special invitation for this year only: All past participants of the SPNI and SPGI (Susan Polgar National Invitational/Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational 2004-2012) are invited to participate in the 2013 SPGI. The idea is to have the past participants learn my method of training so they can go back home and share their knowledge with the younger players. However, registration MUST be made ASAP since space is limited. There will be mutual training sessions for all, however separate section & prizes for alumni participants over the age of 19.

Players are required to furnish the organizer an emergency phone number and the e-mail address of a parent/guardian.

There is no entry fee to participate in the 2013 SPGI; however, players are responsible for their own travel. For all state representatives, and qualifiers from the SPNO or SPWO, Webster University will provide complimentary room and meal accommodation on campus.

For alumni participants, wild card/special invites, coaches, parents, or other family members, inexpensive accommodations are available for housing and dining on Webster’s campus. Please note that all reservations and registrations MUST be made (and accommodation expenses prepaid) no later than June 25, 2013.

Prizes: Trophies / plaques will be awarded to the winners of the Susan Polgar Foundation Girl’s Invitational Puzzle Solving, Blitz, and the SPGI Championship. Co-champions are recognized in the case of a tie, with each champion receiving a Champion’s Plaque or Trophy. The Champion (or Co-Champions) will automatically be invited to defend her/their title (must meet age requirement).

Champion: Webster University scholarship (approximately $23,000+ per year x 4 years *) + iPad mini + Champion's Plaque / Trophy
2nd and 3rd place: Webster University scholarship (approximately $13,000+ per year x 4 years)
Top under 13: iPad mini
Top under 10: iPad mini

* The scholarship must be exercised no later than the Fall of 2016.

The New Polgar Committee’s goal is to have all 50 states (including two representatives for California, two for Texas, and two for Missouri) and the District of Columbia represented. We strongly encourage each state and the District of Columbia affiliate to hold a scholastic championship tournament to determine each state’s champion and representative. Failing this, rating criteria may be acceptable. A scholastic girls’ champion or the highest rated girls’ scholastic player in a state who has no state affiliate of the USCF should contact the Polgar Committee as soon as possible.

Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee and its members may elect to award wild cards each year for the Susan Polgar Girl’s Invitational.

Special qualifying events: The Polgar Committee will award automatic qualifying spots to the reigning winners in each section of the annual Susan Polgar NO for Girls (New Orleans) and the Susan Polgar World Open for Girls (Chicago).

The new SPGI Chairperson is Martha Underwood (AZ).

NOTICE TO ALL STATE OFFICIALS: Please send the nomination from your state to the Polgar Committee (PolgarCommittee@gmail.com).

Contact info: Polgar Committee (PolgarCommittee@gmail.com)

The Susan Polgar Foundation can be contacted at 806-281-7424 or through info@PolgarFoundation.org.

Webster University is located at 470 E. Lockwood Avenue Webster Groves, MO 63119

BIG THANKS to President Dr. Beth Stroble and Webster University for hosting and sponsoring this very prestigious event for girls!

* Webster scholarships may be upgraded but may not be stacked. For previous winners of partial scholarships, a maximum of $1,000 per year may be added to the previous scholarship.



Thursday, July 18, 2013

Schedule of Events for Susan Polgar Foundation Girls Invitational

Coverage begins July 20. Details of where to find daily coverage during the tournament:

Round by round updates and links to hundreds of photos at Susan Polgar Daily News & Information

Daily updates, standings and next round pairings at Idaho Chess Association web site

Frequent updates with games and results for the girls from Washington, Oregon and Idaho on the Northwest Chess blog


Click here for rules, prizes and other information


Webster University
2013 SPF Girls’ Invitational Event Schedule


Saturday, July 20
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm Swimming - University Center Indoor Pool
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm Game Analyses with SPICE students - West Hall Classroom

Sunday, July 21

9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Training
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm: Training/Game Analyses
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Puzzle Solving Championship

4:00 pm – 6:30 pm: City Tour

7:30 pm – 9:30 pm: Bughouse Championship

Monday, July 22

9:30 am – 10:00 am: Campus Tour

1:00 pm Opening Ceremony
2:00 pm Tournament Round 1

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Blitz Championship

Tuesday, July 23

9:30 am Tournament Round 2
& Friends & Family Event starts
3:00 pm Tournament Round 3
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Swimming - University Center Indoor Pool

Wednesday, July 24

9:30 am Tournament Round 4
3:00 pm Tournament Round 5
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Swimming – Clubhouse Outdoor Pool

Thursday, July 25

9:30 am Tournament Round 6
3:00 pm Closing Ceremony
4:00 pm Departure

Please note: All training & competitions plus Opening & Closing ceremonies held in Loretto Hilton Center for the performing Arts on the Campus of Webster University, Webster Groves, Missouri

A look at the program booklet (click on pages to enlarge):


Thursday, July 11, 2013

Best Wine I've Had in a Long Time


So, I bought this bottle of wine at a silent auction in NYC a few months ago to support the Susan Polgar Foundation. Tonight I tried it and I have to say it is REALLY good. Last time I had wine this good was at Al Lawrence's house in Wallkill, NY. I decided to look it up and found the following:

2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2005 vintage was exceptional for the Mt. George region of Napa Valley. Our cooler climate ensured wines of great depth and structure. The 2005 Palmaz Estate is deep, lush and wonderfully aromatic. The palate is generous and silky with flavors ranging from dark fruits and cassis to earth and spice. This is a complete wine that drinks well in its youth and will continue to improve over the next decade.


Apellation: Napa Valley
Blend: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon
3% Cabernet Franc
Barrel Aging: 22 Months
100% French Oak
70% New Oak
Analysis: Alcohol 14.5%
pH 3.81
TA 5.1 g/l
Production: 2,800 six-bottle cases
Bottled: September 2007
Harvest: September 8 through November 4th, 2005
Fermentation: N/A
Tank Fermented: N/A


Cabernet is the soul of Palmaz Vineyards. It is the wine that inspired Julio and Amalia to make Cabernets that may be cellared and savored for years to come. The Palmaz Cabernets are deep, complex and well balanced by supple tannins. They are eminently ageable wines, yet approachable enough to be enjoyed in their youth.

Price on the web site - $180.00 per bottle (not case) and they are SOLD OUT!

I'm not a wine reviewer, but my feeling is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, if you can find it.

Sincere thanks to whoever donated it to SPGI for the event!

Now a toast to my friend Jeff in Idaho and his dad. Stay well, my friends.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

2013 North American Youth Chess Championships in Toronto


Posted on Facebook by Andrei Botez...

North American Youth Chess Championship breaking news!!

Fide approves 9-round naycc - im, wim, fm, wfm, cm, wcm titles!

FIDE today approved 9-rounds for the August 2013 North American Youth Chess Championships in Toronto!

This means a good number of invaluable FIDE titles, including outright IM, WIM and FM titles among others will be up for grabs, for North American youth under 18 years of age!

To make this happen, without disrupting previous scheduling or pre-arranged travel plans, the first round is scheduled to start late on the arrival evening.

The last round will be played in place of the last day's blitz tournament, which moves to the more popular Friday night.

Here's the updated schedule:

ROUNDS:
WEDNESDAY Aug 14: Opening Ceremony 6:00 P.M.; Rd. 1 - 6:30 P.M.
THURSDAY Aug 15: Rd. 2 - 10:00 A.M.; Rd. 3 - 3:00 P.M.
FRIDAY Aug 16: Rd. 4 - 10:00 A.M.; Rd. 5 - 3:00 P.M. (Blitz tourney ($20) Friday 7:00 P.M)
SATURDAY Aug 17: Rd. 6 - 10:00 A.M.; Rd. 7 - 3:00 P.M.;
SUNDAY Aug 18: Rd. 8 - 8:30 A.M.; Rd. 9 - 12:30 P.M.; Awards Ceremony 4:00 P.M.;

Related Information:

FIDE regulations on licensing of players

General Regulatipns for FIDE competitions

Happy Independence Day to everyone in the United States!