What is a state champion?

The headline from the Google Alert-chess reads: Hilton Head High senior wins state chess event. Reading further I found: Hilton Head Island High School senior Rade Musulin tied for first place in the state chess championship. Rade, 17, competed over the weekend in the event ...
Before clicking on the link, I thought to myself, "That's strange. I just checked out the crosstables after Inga Gurevich called and I saw that IM Kurill Kuderinov finished clear first." Then I had another thought, maybe the young man tied for the first resident of the great state of South Carolina, always first in the hearts of a true Southerner. I then surfed on over to the SCCA website (a fine one, I might add, which puts the GCA site to shame), and found the sole state champion is NM Philipp Lamby, who although born in Aachen, Germany, currently teaches and does research at the University of South Carolina. "How can that be?" I asked myself.
Upon reading the story on the www.islandpacket.com website, I found the answer. It says, "He tied in the amateur category."
That is the problem when a completely separate tournament is held in conjunction with a title event. This young fellow did not win a state championship; he tied for first place in a tournament for weaker players, not ready for prime time, held in conjunction with the SOUTH CAROLINA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!
I can understand why the people of Hilton Head would be proud of their native son, but to call him a "state champion" is not only confusing, but it cheapens the title for the player who actually holds the title of CHAMPION OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA!
This Saturday the House will hold a G/45 one day event. The GCA , in it's wisdom, has decided to call the winner the "state champion." I assume the winner will be known as the G/45 champion of the state of Georgia. If so, it would only seem to cheapen the actual title of Georgia State Champion, obtained at what is now referred to as a "standard" time control. Was any thought given to that fact? Was there any discussion before it was decided to call the winner of this particular G/45 the state champion? If someone, such as the new IM, Kurill Kuderinov, happens to win 4-0 and there is a six way tie at 3-1 among Georgians, does that mean we will have six MORE state champions (to go with the three who tied at the actual State Championship)?

Blue Moon's

The turnout for the TNF was a top heavy fifteen, only four of whom were rated below 1475. The big news in the first round was Alexander Foster's (1217) draw with Ben Moon! Alex has been taking lessons from The Stud, including one right before the Fights. The Stud was once again "too tired" to play Fight Night. Seems having to attend school has cramped his style, although he did say he slept until 2 pm!
James Stack (1600) took out Mr Foster in the second round, while Ben beat a late arriving and half point bye taking Reece Thompson (1476). Top rated Joe Moon (2096) beat Dr Cano (1808), and Longshot Larry Johnson (2056) beat Pinky Peatman (1698). Chris Wiley (1857) sent Soloman Zelman (1700) home and also moved to 2-0.
Another Longshot came through, as Larry, proving need really does focus the mind, beat Joe Moon, while Chris Wiley bested his little brother, Ben. They each won $22.
James Stack upset the good Doctor to win the under prize of $20. The thing is that if there had only been prizes for first, second, and third, Mr Stack would have tied for third with Joe Moon, who would then have entered the prize fund with his 2 points, the same as Mr Stack.
Alexander Foster received the full point bye in the last round and thereby won $5 for the 'Under under' prize.
Elevyn Chen, with her upset win over visitor William Hodson (1511) gained 39 points. James Stack gained 24 and Chris Wiley advanced 16. Mr Hodson, a friend of Bob Peatman, from Indiana, learned the hard way why it's called the "House of Pain" as he lost to Mr Wiley in the first round before losing to Elevyn and withdrawing. He donated 33 rating points to the House!

BLUE MOON The Marcels - words by Lorenz Hart, music by Richard Rodgers

Blue Moon, you saw me standing alone/ Without a dream in my heart /Without a love of my own/ Blue Moon, you knew just what I was there for /You heard me saying a prayer for/ Someone I really could care for /And then there suddenly appeared before me /The only one my arms will ever hold /I heard somebody whisper, "Please adore me" /And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold/ Blue Moon, now I'm no longer alone/ Without a dream in my heart/ Without a love of my own

Energy

The headline on Chessbase (http://www.chessbase.com/) reads: Peter Svidler leads in Russian Super Final. The story begins with: In round four he took a 14-move break... Think of it, the GM has won his first three games and he makes a draw after the opening in the fourth round, with the rest day the NEXT DAY! He only has to play one game a day, and he cannot even do that... Obviously, he lacks ENERGY. That is what set the great Bobby Fischer apart from his fellow GM's; he had the energy to play every game TO WIN! Mikhail Botvinnik once said he was "first among peers." Bobby Fischer HAD NO PEERS! He had no peers because he played UNCOMPROMISING chess. When Bobby sat down across from his opponent, the opponent KNEW, without a doubt, that Bobby was there for one reason, and ONLY one reason; and that was to WIN! Bobby Fischer did not come to draw.
I have been thinking about energy lately after reading the September 24 Dutch Treat by Hans Ree, from the Chess Cafe (http://www.chesscafe.com/). The article concerns the so-called 'Rising Stars' versus the 'Experience' tournament and the videos, such as "Korchnoi speaks." (http://www.nhchess.com/) Viktor talks about the fact that elo points do not only signify chess understanding, but also how much 'energy' a player contains. The main advantage younger players have when playing most older players is more energy. That's why it's so disappointing seeing the older Longshot Larry come down the stairs at the House grinning, saying, "A bird in the hand..." after offering a short draw and having it accepted by the young Ben Moon to share first place in the TNF. Or a player like The Stud give a short draw to a Senior like Wayne Christensen in the third round of a weekend swiss on Saturday night, especially when the older man considers it a favor! I sometimes wonder...If these young players knew of Bobby Fischer's will to win, would they still give these short draws? They put a few bucks in their pocket, but they learn nothing. The combined energy of these two young players does not compare to the energy of the 72 year-old 'Viktor Korchnoi' of Southern chess, LM Klaus Pohl!

New IM in Town

Inga Gurevich reports that the winner of the 2008 South Carolina Championship, IM Kirill Kuderinov has moved to Atlanta and will be staying with the Gurevich family. He has been in Texas, but is listed by FIDE as being from Kazakhstan. His FIDE rating is 2413 and his USCF rating before the SCC was 2483. The young man, born in 1987, will be attending college in the area. Kirill was nicked for a draw by the always tenacious LM Klaus Pohl, who, at 72 years young, is the South's answer to Viktor Korchnoi!
Daniel Gurevich finished with 3 points, which included a first round draw with NM Chris Mabe, and his habitual half point bye in the third round, something I like to see. Three games of chess in one day is at least one too many! It is not just Senior's who can benefit from a half point bye in the third round on Saturday night...Paul Taylor and Gerald Battaglia both finished with 2 points. Eighty players participated, an increase of twenty from the 2007 event!
Daniel has been gaining strength with every tournament and having an IM teacher can only help to improve his already strong game. The arrival of this young titled player could be just the thing for whom some players have been praying to Caissa. I look for the addition of this IM to benefit players such as Carter Peatman and Samuel Zimmerman immensely! These strong young players could see their playing strength rise by at least one class. This IM could be the tonic the greater Atlanta chess community has needed! With a strong player like this to anchor a team, it may be possible for the community to come together and place a team in the USCL from the "capital of the South!" The Atlanta Phoenix could rise!
The International Master will be playing in the G/45 at the House this Saturday. The GCA has decided to grant this tournament the desigination of a State Championship tournament. I am not entirely certain what that means. If the winner will be called the G/45 champ, does that mean we will have a G/60; G/75; & G/90 champion in the future? What about speed chess? What about G/30; G/20; G/15; G/10? Will we have a "Limbo" champion? How low will they go?
I would ask the GCA about this matter, but, rumor has it that at the last board meeting a motion to declare me the GCA's "least favorite person" was passed unanimously! I've tried to learn whether there is any truth to the rumor, but as with everything GCA, it is rather "hush-hush." My inquiries have been referred to the department of chessland security! I am afraid to press the issue any further as the possibility exists that I could be visited by the "Men in Black."

Eagles
New Kid In Town

There's talk on the street; it sounds so familiar /Great expectations, everybody's watching you /People you meet, they all seem to know you /Even your old friends treat you like you're something new /Johnny come lately, the new kid in town /Everybody loves you, so don't let them down /You look in her eyes; the music begins to play/ Hopeless romantics, here we go again /But after awhile, you're lookin' the other way/ It's those restless hearts that never mend/ Johnny come lately, the new kid in town/ Will she still love you when you're not around? /There's so many things you should have told her,/ but night after night you're willing to hold her,/ Just hold her, tears on your shoulder /There's talk on the street, it's there to/ Remind you, that it doesn't really matter/ which side you're on. /You're walking away and they're talking behind you /They will never forget you 'til somebody new comes along /Where you been lately? There's a new kid in town/ Everybody loves him, don't they? /Now he's holding her, and you're still around /Oh, my, my /There's a new kid in town just another new kid in town/ Ooh, hoo Everybody's talking 'bout the new kid in town,/ Ooh, hoo /Everybody's walking' like the new kid in town /There's a new kid in town /There's a new kid in town/ I don't want to hear it /There's a new kid in town/ I don't want to hear it/ There's a new kid in town /There's a new kid in town /There's a new kid in town

Blast from the Past

One of the nice things about working at the House is being able to renew acquaintances with former warriors. Today Jim Houston came by the House to purchase several sets, etc. Jim lives down in Jackson these days, and owns J-Houston Plumbing (770-775-9904). He ran a chess club in the Atlanta in the past, and now runs the online ( www.grizzlychessclub.com ). He has over 200 members all over the world. Check it out! Jim reports that he will be having a gathering at his place next weekend and, when informed of the $1000 G/45, said he would try to bring them to the House! Also, look for Jim to play in the annual Boris Kogan Memorial, aka, the BoKo!

Interview with the Champ

After winning the Georgia Senior Chess Championship I had a chance for a brief interview with Mr David Vest, who now holds both the title of Georgia State Chess Champion and Georgia Senior Champion. When asked how it felt to win the Senior again, he said, "Pretty good, but there's still work to do." I'm reminded of something someone wrote concerning the last time they saw the great man, Emanuel Lasker. He said he intended on going home and studying endings in order to "become a more well-rounded player."
David went on to say he was happy to "unify" the titles and that there should "be more unity in chess." He said he won the exchange vs Scott Parker, an always tough opponent, but was unable to overcome the "stubborn resistence." He said that fact only caused him to concentrate harder in the following rounds. The game with Wayne Christensen in round two could maybe have been a draw, but for his opponents time trouble. He thought his best game was the round three game versus his arch nemesis, Alan Piper, a game he won in combination style. Mr Vest said he was fortunate to get the White pieces in the last round (because all of his potential opponents had to have the Black pieces) against a true gentleman and lover of the game, Mr Donny Gray.
The Champ said he would like to thank Rich Mielke, the TD, for a well run tournament, and the GCA for having it, and the Atlanta Chess and Game Center for hosting the Georgia Senior. He went on to say that all were "fine people." David said he would not change a thing.
Working at the House of Pain this weekend gave me a different perspective, as I was able to renew acquaintances with former opponents, like Jared Radin, and travelling companions, like John Smith, who proclaimed that not only does he not snore, but never did! The one thing I heard most from the players with whom I spoke was that they did not like playing at night. One elderly player had to drive one and a half hours, each way, to attend the tournament. Although he said he slept very well Saturday night, he would rather have gotten home much earlier. Moving the first round ahead two hours may have helped those who drove in Saturday morning, but adversely affected those who had to travel a great distance to get to the House, something obviously not taken into account by those who "tinkered" with the already published format of the tournament. From talking with Seniors all over the country, the one thing I've heard most often is that we have the most energy in the morning, and it fades as the day goes on. Many of the players told me that they usually go to bed between ten and eleven and it was a hardship to try and think when their body was usually beginning to "shut-down."
There did not seem to be any problems with the G/2 format, in lieu of the G/150 that was advertised until the GCA board, in it's wisdom, changed it at the late date. All of the players agreed that two hours was plenty of time, especially if one is to play two games a day. I did hear many longing for the old days of only one round a day...
Here is the last round game sent to me by Mr Donny Gray. He was a half point behind The High Plains Drifter and needed a win. I would like to thank Donny for sending this game, a loss. I'm reminded of seeing two first round opponents, LM Klaus Pohl, and John Smith, eating together at the Dekalb Farmers Market. Although "Smitty" lost the game, one would never have known it. That's the kind of comraderie one finds at any Senior chess tournament!

White: LM David Vest Black: Donny Gray (2128)

[Opening "Caro-Kann: classical, 6.h4"][ECO "B18"][NIC "CK.12"]
1. d4 c6 2. e4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. h5 Bh7 8.Nf3 Nd7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Qc7 11. Rh4 e6 12. Bf4 Bd6 13. Bxd6 Qxd6 14.O-O-O Ngf6 15. Qe2 Qd5 16. Kb1 O-O-O 17. c4 Qa5 18. Rd3 a6 19. Ra3 Qc7 20.Ne5 Rhf8 21. b4 Nb8 22. c5 Nd5 23. Nc4 Qe7 24. Rg4 f5 25. Rg6 Rf6 26. Qe5Rxg6 27. hxg6 Qf6 28. Nd6+ Kd7 29. Nxb7 Qxe5 30. dxe5 Rg8 31. Nh5 Nxb4 32.Rb3 Nd5 33. Nd6 a5 34. Rb7+ Nc7 35. Nxg7 Na6 36. Nde8 Rxe8 37. Nxe8 Kxe8 38.Rb6 Kf8 39. Rxc6 Kg7 40. Kb2 Kxg6 41. Kb3 f4 42. Ka4 h5 43. Kxa5 h4 44. f3Nxc5 45. Rxc5 Ne8 46. Rc4 Kf5 47. Re4 Nc7 48. Kb4 Nd5+ 49. Kc4 Ne3+ 50. Kd3Nxg2 51. Ke2 h3 52. Kf2 Ne3 53. Kg1 Nd1 54. a3 Nc3 55. Re1 Nb5 56. a4 Nd457. Kf2 Nb3 58. Rb1 Nd2 59. Rh1 Kxe5 60. a5 Nc4 61. Rxh3 Kd4 62. Rh6 Nxa563. Rxe6 Kd5 64. Re4 Nc6 65. Rxf4 Ke5 66. Ke3 Ne7 67. Re4+ Kf6 1-0

Ben Moon Arising

Twelve players arrived for the Tuesday Night Fights, with usual House man, Bob Bassett, taking a half point bye in the first round, making it a total of thirteen for the fight night. As usual, form held in the first round with the top half clubbing the bottom half. The action heated up in the second round with Ben Moon (1766) upsetting his top rated brother, Joe (2073). Samuel Zimmerman (1647) inflicted pain upon the good doctor Cano (1800), while #2 seed, Longshot Larry Johnson beat James Stack (1648). Carter Peatman (1595) beat Bob Bassett (1554). The last round saw Longshot Larry offer a quick draw which was accepted by young Ben, and they both joined Zimmy, who had taken a half point bye in the last round, to split first prize, with each winning $14. Pinky Peatman also took a half point bye in the third round to finish with a point and a half. Bob Bassett received a full point bye in the last round, to go with his half point bye in the first round, to tie for the Under 1600 prize, with both winning $10. According to the manager, this is the first time a player has played only one of the three possible games, losing it, and won money! Let us hope it is the last...
The big winners, rating wise, were the youngsters, Ben Moon (+29) and the Z-man (+20). The big losers were the old(er) guys, Dr Cano (-15) and Bassett (-14).
Between the second and third rounds, Joe Moon was heard singing:

I see the bad ben moon arising./I see trouble on the way./I see earthquakes and lightnin./I see bad times today./Chorus: Don't go around tonight,/Well, he's bound to take your knight, Theres a bad ben moon on the rise. /I hear hurricanes ablowing./I know the end is coming soon./I fear rivers over flowing./I hear the voice of rage and ruin./ Chorus All right!/Hope you got your things together./Hope you are quite prepared to lose./Looks like were in for nasty weather./One pawn is taken for an pawn.

(With apologies to JOHN FOGERTY and Creedence Clearwater Revival )