Chess — Stephen Dann
September 06. 2013 10:26PM
New England chess, other hobbies and many sports lost one of their best friends in the trophy, awards and graphics world with the passing on Aug. 29 of James Vincent Guertin, 56, of Worcester. Long in the shadow of his late father, George P. Guertin, Jimmy strived to serve both family and community. See www.oconnorbrothers.com.
Last year Jimmy designed and built a majestic Massachusetts Open trophy to replace the aging one produced and donated to MACA by his father in 1979. He was a special friend, and we constantly discussed changing trends in both the wholesale and retail awards industry. His large family vows to continue to be a leading force in the graphics, awards and sign industry in his memory. The funeral was Wednesday in Worcester, and his courage should inspire future generations to apply technology as well as service to increase productivity and maintain quality products manufactured in the U.S.
William Paschall, 40, of South Yarmouth, and Andrew Wang, 18, of Cambridge, became co-champions at the 162-player 37th New England Open in 11 sections in Leominster. There were 22 players who competed in more than one of the main or side events, with a majority of participants from Massachusetts. The 53 prize winners are featured at www.masschess.org, and there are links to the rating report at www.uschess.org.
GM Alexander Ivanov, 57, of Newton won the 135th New York State Championship, also Labor Day weekend, over a 210-player field in Albany, clear first with 5-1.
Breaking news Thursday was that the U.S. Chess Federation has named Jean Hoffman of Arizona its executive director, to begin a two-year contract Nov. 1 at national headquarters in Crossville, Tenn.
Also on Thursday, the Turkish Chess Federation moved the 2013 World Junior Championship away from the Syrian border, but attendance may still suffer at the event slated to begin later this week. Details at www.fide.com. Vladimir Kramnik won the World Cup Final 4 in Norway. See the games at www.chessbase.com.
Also on Chessbase, you can go back to its first posting on Sept. 12, 2001, which describes the horror and devastation. The chess connection? In 1995 the World Championship was staged on the Observation Deck on the 107th floor.
John Curdo of Auburn topped the Amiable August Open at the Greater Worcester Chess Club. Mike Odell took second and Alonzo Ross was third. Details are at www.chesspals.com, as well as Donna Alarie’s weekly club blog.
Boston drew with Connecticut, but New England beat Baltimore last week in www.uschessleague.com action.
Tops this week at www.masschess.org are yet another free simultaneous Tuesday at Boston’s South Station, and the first Spiegel Cup Scholastic Qualifier & Novice event this school year next Sunday at Marlboro’s Royal Plaza Hotel.
Check out Bruce Pandolfini’s 1972 first lecture in NYC at www.chesscafe.com, and more next week on his remarkable career in chess education.
Answer to quiz: In “Chess Target Practice,” Pandolfini illustrates 1. BxB PxB 2. Qh5ch as white wins the bishop on e5. Now you can see his early lectures that inspired his many books thereafter as well as a bit of movie fame.
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