Campfire Chess

Tag: US Chess

  • US Chess Endorses Tornelo

    US Chess Endorses Tornelo

    US Chess announced on January 12, 2022 that the executive board is officially endorsing online tournament manager Tornelo.

    It’s no secret that cheating is a big problem in online chess. One only need to glance at the monthy stats sent out by Chess.com to see how many player accounts (including titled players) are closed for fair play violations. It’s one reason that many chess federations are reluctant to fully embrace online tournaments.

    In an odd twist of fate, online tournaments have gone “viral” in the past few years and more governing bodies are growing to accept them. The United States Chess Federation (USCF) has sanctioned online tournaments via Chess.com for several years now, but they recently took a step to improve the integrity of these events and to consolidate tournament management across the federation.

    I have to admit that I’ve never heard of Tornelo, so I had to do a little bit of research to fully understand what this means for chess. In a nutshell, Tornelo is an online tournament managing system built for both in-person and online play. It has some robust anti-cheat elements embedded in their management system that will make it easier for players to report potential cheaters early in a tournament. This in turn will help to alleviate much of the headdache associated with redistributing points and voiding games when a cheater is identified later in a game.

    Is this really going to change things? I honestly don’t know. I do appreciate US Chess‘s continued embrace of rated online activities and hope that this system proves valuable for TDs across the country.

    You can read the original article on the official US Chess Website or view the letter from the US Chess Executive Board discussing the decision here.

  • Karpov to Attend 2021 US Open

    Karpov to Attend 2021 US Open

    We’re just a few weeks away from the start of the 2021 U.S. Open and US Chess has announced that legendary World Champion GM Anatoly Karpov will be in attendance on August 4th for a lecture, Q & A session, and book signing. Here is the official release info from the US Chess Federation:

    Mr. Karpov will deliver a lecture, to be followed by a question-and-answer period.  Then, Mr. Karpov will appear at a book signing in the US Open bookstore.  He’ll be joined there by a former World Junior Champion, GM Maxim Dlugy!  This special event is happening thanks to the combined generosity of the New Jersey State Chess Federation, Chess Max Academy, and US Chess Sales.  US Chess thanks all of these partners for helping to provide our attendees with this great visit!

    According to US Chess, the Crowne Plaza, which is hosting the event, is almost out of rooms but the federation has secured local hotels at the same discount rate. For details, visit the official website for the 2021 US Open.

  • 2021 Complete Chess Summer Camp

    2021 Complete Chess Summer Camp

    Learn chess this summer with San Antonio Chess Champion
    National Chess Master
    Jesse James Lozano

    This summer, Complete Chess will offer a series of five-day chess camps for children of all grade levels and chess skill sets. Each camp, taught by City Champion Jesse James Lozano and experienced chess coaches, will provide a range of chess related activities including chess lessons, puzzle competitions, blitz games, Bughouse chess, game analysis, tactics training and strategy workshops. To keep camp fun, additional activities include Rubik’s Cube, LEGO, Pokémon and movie night.

    Camp Hours
    Monday thru Friday 
    9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    Early drop off (8am) is available for an additional $10 per day.
    Late pick-up (4 p.m.) is available for an additional $10 per day. 

    Cost: $200 (five-day camp) OR
    $50 (daily pass)

    Can’t commit to a full week of camp?
    Try out their daily pass.

    Find out more by visiting Complete Chess on their website, Facebook, or
    contact them at: (210) 393-3056

  • Nakamura and Yu are US Champions!

    Nakamura and Yu are US Champions!

    Another US Chess Championship has come and gone with GM Hikaru Nakamura claiming his 5th national championship title! There was a last minute push by former champion GM Fabiano Caruana, but he was unable to hold off a draw with GM Sam Shankland. Going into the tournament final, Nakamura and Caruana were tied with Leinier Dominguez for first place, but Nakamura was able to pound out a fine win to reclaim the title.

    I was impressed with Nakamura’s performance considering that he also streamed regularly on his Twitch channel during the competition!

    [pgn]
    [Event “US Championships 2019”]
    [Site “Saint Louis”]
    [Date “2019.03.31”]
    [White “Xiong, Jeffery”]
    [Black “Nakamura, Hikaru”]
    [Result “0-1”]
    [ECO “A89”]
    [WhiteElo “2663”]
    [BlackElo “2746”]
    [PlyCount “116”]
    [EventDate “2019.??.??”]

    1. d4 f5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 g6 4. g3 Bg7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. d5
    Na5 9. b3 c5 10. Bb2 a6 11. Ng5 Rb8 12. Qd3 Qe8 13. Nd1 b5 14. Qd2 Nb7 15. Ne3
    Nd8 16. Nh3 Bd7 17. Rad1 b4 18. Qc2 a5 19. Nf4 a4 20. h4 Ra8 21. Qb1 Ra6 22.
    Bf3 Qf7 23. Neg2 Ng4 24. Bxg4 fxg4 25. e4 Bxb2 26. Qxb2 Qg7 27. Qxg7+ Kxg7 28.
    e5 Bf5 29. exd6 exd6 30. Rfe1 Nf7 31. Re7 Kf6 32. Rb7 axb3 33. axb3 Rfa8 34.
    Ne3 Ra1 35. Kf1 Ne5 36. Rxa1 Rxa1+ 37. Ke2 Nf3 38. Nxf5 Kxf5 39. Ke3 Re1+ 40.
    Kd3 Ne5+ 41. Kd2 Ra1 42. Ne6 h6 43. Rb6 Ra3 44. Kc2 Ra2+ 45. Kd1 Nd3 46. Rxd6
    Nxf2+ 47. Ke1 Nd3+ 48. Kd1 Ke4 49. Nc7 Nf2+ 50. Ke1 Kd3 51. Rxg6 Ne4 52. Kf1
    Nxg3+ 53. Kg1 Ne2+ 54. Kh1 Ke3 55. Rf6 Ra1+ 56. Kg2 Rg1+ 57. Kh2 g3+ 58. Kh3
    Rh1+ 0-1
    [/pgn]

    Just two days prior, 17-year old Jennifer Yu improved over her 2018 6.5/11 result to claim the title of 2019 US Women’s Chess Champion. Yu’s play was as solid as anything we’ve ever seen from her; solidifying her place among the great modern female chess players.

    [pgn]
    [Event “U.S. Women’s Championship”]
    [Site “Saint Louis”]
    [Date “2019.03.30”]
    [White “Zatonskih, Anna”]
    [Black “Yu, Jennifer”]
    [Result “0-1”]
    [ECO “D17”]
    [WhiteElo “2430”]
    [BlackElo “2273”]
    [Annotator “Kostya”]
    [PlyCount “66”]
    [EventDate “2019.??.??”]

    1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 {Repeating the line
    that Annie Wang played against Jennifer in an earlier round. Jennifer doesn’t
    deviate, so the players follow that game for some time:} Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Qc7 8. g3
    e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Bf4 Nfd7 11. Bg2 f6 12. O-O Rd8 13. Qc1 Be6 14. Ne4 (14.
    Nxe5 {took place in Jennifer’s earlier game against Annie Wang:} Nxe5 15. Qe3 {
    and now Black could probably equalize with} Qb6 $1) 14… Bb4 {This seems like
    an empty square for the bishop, but there is simply no better place for it at
    the moment.} 15. Rd1 O-O 16. Rd4 $146 {A new move, threatening Nxe5 and Rxb4.}
    (16. a5 {is the main move, not allowing Black to establish a5 themselves.} a6
    17. Rd4 Nc5 18. Nxc5 Bxc5 19. Nxe5 fxe5 20. Qxc5 exf4 21. Rxf4 Rxf4 22. gxf4
    Rd2 $44 {and Black was more or less all right in ½-½ (31) Shankland,S (2633)
    -Alonso,S (2505) Praia da Pipa 2014.}) 16… a5 $1 {Logical, since White
    didn’t play a5, Black takes the opportunity to secure the bishop on b4.} 17. h4
    ({Stockfish gives} 17. Qc2 {with idea Rad1, after which White would seem to
    have some pressure.}) 17… Nc5 $5 {A sharp move, but everything seems to work
    out for Black.} ({Black could also just improve the position with a move like}
    17… Kh8 {as White has no useful way to improve the position for the time
    being.}) 18. Rxd8 (18. Nxe5 {was the only way for White to fight for a
    concrete edge. Black must find} Nb3 $1 {and now White has a very narrow path
    to a small advantage:} (18… fxe5 $2 19. Rxb4 $1 axb4 20. Nxc5 $18 {is just
    winning for White.}) 19. Nxc6 $1 Qxc6 20. Qxc6 bxc6 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Rb1 $14)
    18… Qxd8 {Correctly getting out of the pin.} 19. Nxc5 $6 {Likely missing
    Black’s 20th move.} (19. Nxe5 fxe5 20. Nxc5 Bxc5 21. Be3 $11 {Things would be
    close to equal.}) 19… Bxc5 20. Nxe5 $2 {Continuing with the plan.} ({At this
    point best was} 20. Bxe5 fxe5 21. e3 $11 {where White can restrict the
    dark-squared bishop just enough.}) 20… Bxf2+ $1 {A nice in-between move,
    luring White’s king to the f-file.} 21. Kh2 (21. Kxf2 fxe5 22. Qe3 Qf6 $1 $17 {
    and after capturing on f4 Black will end up with an extra pawn.}) 21… fxe5
    22. Bxe5 Bd4 {White has not lost any material, but the kingside is now
    severely compromised and with the position opening up, White’s rook on a1 ends
    up out of play.} 23. Bf4 (23. Bxd4 Qxd4 $15 {leaves Black with more active
    pieces and better structure. This would be a difficult defense for White.})
    23… Qb6 24. Qc2 Bb3 (24… Qxb2 $2 25. Qxb2 Bxb2 26. Rb1 Bc3 27. Rxb7 $14)
    25. Qc1 $2 {Too passive.} ({After} 25. Qd3 {White is worse but things are not
    that bad yet.} Rd8 {can be met with} 26. Bc7 $1 Qxc7 27. Qxb3+ $15) 25… Qb4
    26. Bd2 Qd6 27. Bf4 ({Editor’s note: There’s a beautful variation hidden after
    } 27. Bxa5 $2 {when Black can sacrifice her queen for a stunning attack:} Qxg3+
    $3 (27… Rf2 $1 {was Yu’s in-game idea, and it’s also crushing}) 28. Kxg3 Be5+
    29. Kg4 Be6+ 30. Kh5 g6+ 31. Kg5 (31. Kh6 Rf5 {cutting off the king’s escape
    and threatening …Rh5#} 32. Bf3 Bg7#) 31… Rf5+ 32. Kg4 (32. Kh6 Bg7#) 32…
    h5+ 33. Kh3 Rf2#) 27… Qb4 28. Bd2 Qe7 $1 {Correctly avoiding the repetition
    — a draw would not clinch anything for Jennifer, and the position is very
    close to winning.} 29. Bc3 Be3 30. Qe1 {A final error.} (30. Bd2 {was needed,
    where Black could choose between exchanging bishops and playing Rf2 or keeping
    the dark squared bishop with Bb6, in both cases with a serious edge.} Bxd2 (
    30… Bb6) 31. Qxd2 Rf2 32. Rf1 Rxe2 33. Qxa5 $17 {and thanks to the check on
    a8 White is surviving for the moment, but is still seriously worse.}) 30… Bf2
    31. Qd2 Bxg3+ $1 {A powerful stamp on an incredible tournament. This leads to
    forced mate.} 32. Kxg3 Qc7+ 33. Kg4 Be6+ ({and White resigned in view of} 33…
    Be6+ 34. Kg5 h6+ 35. Kh5 Qf7#) 0-1
    [/pgn]

    Congratulations to both players for a job well done! Read more on the official press releases ([Nakamura](https://new.uschess.org/news/nakamura-wins-2019-u-s-championship/))([Yu](https://new.uschess.org/news/yu-womens-champion-open-grabs/)) on the official [US Chess](http://www.uschess.org) website.

  • ChessNoteR Forges A Digital Pathway

    ChessNoteR Forges A Digital Pathway

    **Editor’s Note:** Purchase your own [ChessNoteR](http://www.chessnoter.com) for a 10% discounted rate by using the code **CAMPFIRECHESS** when you checkout. This offer is good until _30 April 2019_, so don’t wait!

    One of the things I love about chess is how it leverages technology and even drives advancement of new hardware/software or repurposing of old hardware/software. Throughout history, engineers and developers have found ways to incorporate chess into their projects. When new supercomputers are designed, chess gameplay is often the first thing to be implemented as a way of demonstrating the new system’s intelligence. Programs like *Deep Blue* and Google’s *AlphaZero* are just a few examples of this push. But what about the everyday chess player sitting in a smokey club trying to decide which Sicilian Defense line to follow? Well, technological advances in the club have also modernized the game. Few people use manual clocks anymore in favor of digital clocks with increment controls and other unique features. And, for a growing number of players, paper scoresheets are being replaced by a growing field of electronic ones.

    This brings me to today’s topic: electronic scoresheets and a dangerous new contender. My regular friends and readers know that I’ve used the [Plycounter](http://www.plycount.com/) electronic scoresheet for years and even did a [review](http://www.campfirechess.com/finding-the-right-notation-tool/) several years ago. It’s a small touchscreen device that uses a stylus to move the pieces. It’s been an OK device that, honestly, hasn’t held up as well over the years as I had originally hoped. That’s why I’m pleased that I was fortunate enough to get my hands on an emerging device called the [ChessNoteR](http://www.chessnoter.com).

    #### Re-purposed Technology

    **DISCLAIMER:** Black Mirror Studio graciously provided me with a ChessNoteR to test and review.

    As you can see, the ChessNoteR (pictured above) looks a lot like a cell phone. Well, that’s because it *is* a re-purposed cell phone! The ChessNoteR I tested is a Motorola Nexus 6 cell phone running a custom flavor of Android OS called ChessNoteR OS. While the device still bears the mark of its previous life as a cell phone, it immediately boots into its custom OS that only runs the ChessNoteR app and its support services. I found the interface to be relatively easy to set up. Upon booting, it enters into a default setup wizard that enables a user to connect to WiFi and input their own user information. You can opt out of the WiFi settings, but you’ll lose some of the more interesting features if you do. On that note, WiFi access has been one of the biggest hurdles for electronic devices being certified by [US Chess](http://www.uschess.org). Access to telecommunications services is forbidden during official tournaments, so that has squashed the hopes of many iPhone and Android apps of being certified for tournament play.

    ChessNoteR is the first device to find a way around this. At its core, it’s an Android app, but it *owns* the device. So, you cannot run any additional apps and you cannot run the notation app with WiFi enabled. It’s this feature that gives ChessNoteR the leverage it needed to become certified. I’ll get into the software next, but I wanted to note that it comes with two different delivery methods. The first option is to buy a pre-configured device from the website. The second option is to buy your own used Motorola Nexus 6 and ship it to the company and they will load the software onto the phone and configure it for a much cheaper price.

    #### Exploring the Software

    The core of ChessNoteR is its software. As I said, you can buy a pre-configured device or ship your own to the company for configuration. So, what about the software? Well, I must say that I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen so far of the software. The interface is very clean and user friendly. You can tell that the designer has put a lot of work into it. There are options for inputting your rating and demographic information which auto populates on scoresheets and in the exportable PGN files (sweet).

    Once you start a new game, the device disables it’s WiFi service and you cannot exit the game without *ending* the game. This prevents a user from exiting their game and using it to reference any other information that might be stored on the device during a tournament. You’ll also find that you can drag the pieces to any point on the board. This is an important part of certification through *US Chess* because restricting piece movement would be a form of electronic coaching. For example, you could actually play *1.e6* on the device and it would properly annotate the move.

    The notation interface also enables you to change the board colors to better suit you if blue and white (the default scheme) are not your preferred colors. Typically I change the board colors to match my favorite color scheme which matches that of [Chess.com](http://www.chess.com)’s default dark green scheme. However, I enjoyed the blue and white design of the ChessNoteR app, so I left it alone.

    #### Next Generation Feature Set

    Sure, it’s cool to have your games in electronic format on a hand held device, but what good is the device in the world of tournaments and real chess? Well, this device seems to have that covered as well. ChessNoteR enables a user to export games in multiple formats.

    – First, you can export the games in the traditional PGN format for use with [Chessbase](http://www.chessbase.com) and other desktop (or mobile) database applications. [Plycounter](http://www.plycount.com) also does this, but it requires installation of a third party application. ChessNoteR takes advantage of built in hardware support through the Nexus device to export the game.
    – Second, you can export the games on a professionally designed scoresheet with signatures that are ready for submission to a TD. When a game is complete, the user and opponents sign their scoresheet using the touch screen. Those signatures are exported on the scoresheet in PDF format via WiFi transfer using integrated [Dropbox](http://www.dropbox.com) functionality! So there’s no need to connect to a TD’s computer. Just connect to their WiFi and submit your game to be officially logged electronically.

    I’m a big Chromecast and video streaming user, so I was pleased to see that ChessNoteR supports wireless video casting, which allows you to *cast* your game to a device using a device compatible with Android video casting. This is great for reviewing games with a coach or for those times when your chess study demands 4K high definition. *ChessNoteR does not support Chromecast itself*, but instead supports some built-in protocols in smart TVs from Samsung, LG, and others through standard Android OS protocols.

    These are nice features that bring the convenience of digital scoresheets and notation to the tabletop chess world with a minimum amount of hassle. The controls and features are intuitive enough that anyone who uses a cell phone or tablet should have no problems using it.

    #### Final Thoughts

    I’ve been using my Plycounter for almost five years and it’s certainly taken a beating. The screen is showing significant signs of wear and overall the device feels much more cumbersome than it did when I first reviewed it. I was extremely excited to have an opportunity to test out the ChessNoteR and I am very pleased with it. The screen is much larger and more responsive than anything you’ll find on the market today.

    The *only* thing that I don’t like is how the device comes stamped with the giant *Nexus* logo on the back. There’s a small label on the device with a QR code for certification data, but the logo bothers me for some reason. In no way does that affect the device operation. Instead, it effects my OCD tendencies more. This can be fixed with a simple skin or decal from a place like [SkinIt](http://www.skinit.com) or [DecalGirl](http://www.decalgirl.com).

    Bottom line? You won’t find a better device for the price for digitally tracking your tournament games. Check out the ChessNoteR on their official [website](http://www.chessnoter.com). You can also find a large selection of videos on the ChessNoteR official [YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFgf8MuW9ioXa87yxYJbiSQ) that demonstrate the various device features and how to use them.

    **RATING:** ♟ ♟ ♟ ♟ ♟

    —
    **ADDENDUM:** I didn’t realize how *out of it* I’ve been lately. In researching this article and doing the review/evaluation of this device, I realized that *Plycounter* ceased operations in February 2018 and the *Monroi Personal Chess Manager* is not available for purchase on their website.

  • San Antonio Chess Club Announces New Officers

    San Antonio Chess Club Announces New Officers

    A new year is fully underway and the [San Antonio Chess Club](https://sanantoniochess.com) has elected new officers for its executive board.

    * **President:** Rosalinda Romo
    * **Vice President:** Joel Salinas
    * **Treasurer:** Juan Carrizales
    * **Director-At-Large:** JP Hyltin
    * **Webmaster:** Martin Gordon

    Founded in 1888, the *San Antonio Chess Club* is the oldest chess club in the state of Texas. They currently meet at the Lions Field Center on Broadway from 1730-2100 every Thursday (except holidays). They are also the official governing body for [US Chess](http://www.uschess.org) activities and tournaments in the greater San Antonio area.

    The club is currently exploring ways to expand chess activities in scholastic and amateur arenas across the city. If you’re interest in joining or would like more information, check out their [official website](https://sanantoniochess.com) for details.

  • Time for New Annotations?

    Time for New Annotations?

    This month’s edition of [Chess Life](http://www.uschess.org/chesslife) has an interesting article advocating for changes to the way that we annotate chess games. The author, [GM Andy Soltis](http://www.chessgames.com/player/andrew_soltis.html), presents his argument on the basis that engines have changed the way games are analyzed in such a way that statements like *White has a slight advantage* are no longer relevant. I think that he raises some interesting points, but I am not sure that the changes to evaluations brought on by engine analysis warrant such a complete and drastic overhaul.

    #### Humanity’s Slight Advantage

    One of the key points in the discussion is the idea that in many situations, *X color has a slight advantage* can hinge on whether the player does not blunder. Therefore, the annotation is more realistic as *X color has a slight advantage as long as they play perfectly according to this analysis*. GM Soltis believes that the precision of chess engines allows us more accurately present lines as *White wins with X move* or *Black wins in 37 moves with X.*

    [pgn]

    [Event “Corus”]

    [Site “Wijk aan Zee NED”]

    [Date “2008.01.23”]

    [Round “10”]

    [White “Loek van Wely”]

    [Black “Magnus Carlsen”]

    [Result “0-1”]

    [ECO “A58”]

    [Annotator “Soltis, Andy”]

    [PlyCount “98”]

    [EventDate “2008.??.??”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 g6 6. Nc3 Bxa6 7. Nf3 d6 8. g3 Bg7 9. Bg2 Nbd7 10. Rb1 Qa5 11. Bd2 Nb6 12. b3 Qa3 13. O-O O-O 14. Ne1 Bb7 15. Nc2 Qa6 16. e4 Ne8 17. a4 Nc7 18. Re1 Rae8 19. b4 Nd7 20. Nb5 Rc8 21. Bh3 f5 22. Bg5 Ne5 23. bxc5 Qxa4 24. Nxc7 Rxc7 25. c6 Bc8 26. exf5 Rxf5 27. f4 Nc4 28. Rb4 Qa7+ 29. Kg2 Qc5 30. Rb8 {[#]} Nb2 (30… Rf8) 31. Qf3 Qxc2+ 32. Re2 Qb1 ( 32… Qc3) 33. Bxf5 Qxf5 34. g4 Qf7 35. Bxe7 h5 36. Bxd6 hxg4 37. Qe4 (37. Qxg4 Qxd5+) (37. Qb3) 37… Kh7 38. Bxc7 (38. Rbxb2 Bf5 39. Qc4 Bxb2 40. Bxc7) 38… Bf5 39. Qe3 (39. Qe7 Qxd5+ 40. Kg1) 39… Qxd5+ {[#]} 40. Kg3 (40. Kg1 Bd4 41. Rh8+) 40… Nc4 (40… Bd4 41. Be5) 41. Qf2 (41. Rd8 Qxc6 42. Qb3 Qxc7 43. Rd5 {[#]}) 41… Qd3+ 42. Kg2 Be4+ 43. Rxe4 Qxe4+ 44. Kf1 Qd3+ 45. Qe2 Nd2+ 46. Ke1 Nf3+ 47. Kf1 Nxh2+ 48. Ke1 Bc3+ 49. Kf2 g3+ 0-1

    [/pgn]

    This precision is compounded with the growing prevalence of [tablebases](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endgame_tablebase). Recently, [lichess.org](http://www.lichess.org) has started offering an incredible seven (7) piece tablebase. Technological advancement only promises a future where we could surpass a ten (10) piece tablebase. That accuracy lends some credence to GM Soltis’s argument.

    Despite these advances and despite my passion for technology, I believe that there are artistic and strategic elements in chess that computers might never understand or utilize. [Stockfish](http://www.stockfishchess.org) can analyze millions of combinations in hindsight and state unequivocally that white can win in 37 moves without a blunder, but humans are not capable of that kind of analysis. With humanity, there is *always* a chance of blunder, mistake, or other factor that can affect a game’s outcome.

    #### Room to Grow

    GM Soltis makes some excellent suggestions with regards to these engine analysis comments, however. Specifically, using **~** versus **!?** because it more accurately reflects the nearly infinite possibilities presented in post-game analysis by a strong chess engine. Such a change might take some time to catch on, but it would make reading an in-depth analysis easier for newer generations that have grown up in the age of the hashtag, markdown format, and other digital mediums.

    As a medical professional who spends his time pouring over spreadsheets and other electronic data, it would be nice to see more of the standard notations from large data sets and relational databases make their way into chess annotation because, curiously, it’s more in line with what is increasingly becoming a common language in the digital age.

  • Shankland and Paikidze Are US Champs!

    Shankland and Paikidze Are US Champs!

    Congratulations to GM Sam Shankland and Nazi Paikidze for winning the 2018 United States Chess Championship in Saint Louis!

    Click [here](https://en.chessbase.com/post/paikidze-is-u-s-women-s-champion) and [here](https://en.chessbase.com/post/sam-shankland-is-the-2018-us-champion) to read more about the tournament from [Chessbase](http://www.chessbase.com).

  • Registration Open for Rackspace Chess 2017!

    Registration Open for Rackspace Chess 2017!

    Updated 0740 CST: Fixed incorrect tournament date in blog entry. Correct date is 29-Apr-2017.

    What better place to host fanatics of chess than the home of fanatical support itself, Rackspace! Each year, Rackspace hosts a massive chess tournament at its Headquarters (known as The Castle) just off Interstate 35 (Google Map) in Windcrest. 

    As a leader in the technology industry, Rackspace wants to build a culture around chess as a scholastic mind sport, so that our young adults enter the workforce with the technical thinking skills that matter to us. –Rackspace

    The Rackspace Chess Tournament will take place on April 29th at The Castle, with registration details available on the official Rackspace Chess website. The tournament is heavily focused on children, so if your child is a scholastic chess player or someone who simply loves the game and wants to come be part of the growing chess movement in America, then visit the Rackspace Chess website and register them for the tournament! There are two sections to this tournament spanning a wide range of ages and playing ability:

    Rated

    • K-12 Championship
    • K-8 Championship
    • K-5 Championship
    • K-3 Championship
    • K-12 U1000/UNR
    • K-8 U800/UNR
    • K-5 U600/UNR
    • K-3 U400/UNR
    • K-1 U400/UNR

    Unrated

    • 4-12 Not Rated
    • 4-8 Not Rated
    • 4-5 Not Rated

    The time control for all games is G/30 d5 (5-second delay). 

    It is my hope that Campfire Chess will find the time that day to spend some time at Rackspace and provide coverage and some photos from the event. As with anything else, that depends on work and family.

    Also, be sure to check out San Antonio legend NM Jesse James Lozano’s SAScholastic.com website for the most up-to-date information on scholastic chess tournaments being held in the city.

  • US Chess Championships Begin Today!

    US Chess Championships Begin Today!

    Grab your laptop, tablet, and your favorite chess app, program, or board and get ready to follow the exciting showdown in Saint Louis: the 2017 US Chess Championships!


    Reigning Champions GM Fabiano Caruana and Nazi Paikidze-Barnes will be fighting to retain their titles against the best that the country has to offer on the board. All games are played at 1300 CDT (GMT -5) and will be broadcast on Chess24, ChessBomb, and ChessBase.

    Also, I recommend trying out the Watch Chess app available on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. I wrote a review about it awhile back and it has been a great companion for watching chess when stuck in a meeting or in another place where its not practical to bring up a browser-based website.

    Tournament Breakdown

    • March 29 – April 2: Rounds 1-5 (1300 CDT)
    • April 3: Rest Day
    • April 4 – April 9: Rounds 6-11 (1300 CDT)
    • April 10 – Playoff (if necessary) (1300 CDT)
    • April 10 – Closing Ceremony (1830 CDT)

    Read more on the official website and follow all of the late breaking information on the US Chess Federation website.