Grant Xu, 15, of Shrewsbury was the only member of the small Massachusetts delegation at the 41st World Open (1,206 players) in Virginia to win a major prize. He tied for second in the under-2400 section, facing fellow masters, scored 7-2 and won $2,682, with five wins and four draws.
There were only 18 Bay Staters in the nine major sections, but it is well worth going to view at least the Open section where there was a 10-way tie for first this year, and see 213 games and many photos posted at this site. Christopher Gu, 14, of Wakefield, R.I., attained an international master norm, with 5-4 in the very strong Open section.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts players won two of three sections at the 60-player Nashua Open, with Alexander Ivanov of Newton tying with Jonathan Yedidia in the Open group, and Alvin Tan, 12, of Westwood taking the under-1900 section.
John Curdo of Auburn swept the 13th June Knight’s Open, 4-0, and Louis Jacques of Worcester dominated the concurrent Jolly June Under-1500 section at the Greater Worcester Chess Club ( www.chesspals.com). New members are always welcome, according to club director Donna Alarie of Rutland, who celebrated her 34th wedding anniversary last week.
The USCF ( www.uschess.org) has announced the first National Chess Week, Oct. 6-12, overlapping with the traditional National Chess Day, this year on Oct. 12. Across the state, MACA is mentoring all types of programs of outreach and will be focusing on public libraries in most communities. MACA’s Living Memorial Chess Fund will continue offering free chess sets to schools and libraries across the state, a program that dates back about 30 years. This is the first year that there is national support to offer numerous showings of the film “Brooklyn Castle,” an edited version of which will appear on PBS on Oct. 7.
This writer deems that you do not need political resolutions to bring chess educational, recreational and entertainment programs to public schools, libraries and community centers, just more volunteers to lead these events. We may even see the huge chess displays at shopping malls across the state last seen 30 years ago, this time not just in a few spots like Boston’s South Station.
Pick of the week is www.tacticstime.com, where Tim Brennan of Colorado mentors future authors of e-books in publishing, content and entertainment. The key is to entice those of all ages to have fun while learning at one’s own pace. His twice-weekly newsletters are free, and his 1,001-position e-book will soon be published in paperback by www.newinchess.com, but this extensive e-book is just $5, and, selling well at www.amazon.com.
Source: http://www.telegram.com
Good column.
Just wanna say John Curdo has been a chess master for 65 years and now he’s in his 80’s and still winning tournament. He has won more USCF rated chess tournaments than any other person. I believe it’s close to 1000 although Mr. Curdo knows the exact number. This guy belongs in the US Chess Hall of Fame. I wish someone would nominate him.