Below are the results of our Blitz Championship #1: G/5+0 from Thursday, which saw a full complement of 32 pre-registered players, all of whom showed up pretty much on time such that we were able to start the tournament round 7:05pm. Congratulations to Badamkhand Norovsambuu for capturing sole first place in the event and the $100 prize, ahead of some very strong blitz competition! Zelin Fang, Yoyo He and Yash Shaw tied for the 1400-1800 prize ($27 each) while young Austin Chen was the lone U1400 participant at 4 points or better, which earned him $60. Thank you to everyone who participated in this event, see the attached wall charts for full results and the US Chess rating report is available here: https://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?202410170182-12459313.
Next week’s rated Blitz Championship #2: G/3+2 is filling fast so please register asap if you hope to play in this event. As a reminder, the person with the highest combined score from both blitz tournaments will be crowned the club’s blitz champion and will receive an extra $100 prize (in addition to any prize won at this week’s event). We will likely have three or four prize groups again this week, just as in last week’s tournament, so just about everyone has a chance to win something: https://menloparkchess.club/event/club-blitz-championship-tournament-2-g-32/. Regards,
Mark Drury
Following Frisco’s excellent lecture Thursday, thirty-one players participated in our Impromptu Blitz #28, another 7-round affair in one section but with a G/5+0 time control this time around. There were upsets, there were illegal moves (yours truly pushed a pawn 3 squares in one move to squander a winning attack), there were embarrassing mates (yours truly was mated by a pawn in an otherwise won endgame) and there were time forfeitures galore, just what one might expect when there’s no increment or delay. Congratulations to Andy Applebaum and Pranav Jindal for outlasting many other strong players and tying for first with 5.5. points, and thank you to everyone who participated in this event (full results are attached).
Thursday was also our good friend Taewoo Kim’s last evening at the club, given he and his family (Minsoo, Jung and Taein) return to Korea this week–we wish them all the best and look forward to following Taewoo’s chess journey online.
This week we’ll hold what is tentatively planned to be a rated G/5+0 blitz tournament of seven rounds but if we don’t get at least 20-24 entries by Tuesday we may instead make it an unrated event, though still with a $5 entry fee and cash prizes. If you have a preference for rated versus unrated please let me know and please register asap if you plan to play in this event: https://menloparkchess.club/event/club-blitz-championship-tournament-1-g-50/. Regards,
Mark Drury
The Menlo Park Chess Club will hold the second of our blitz chess championship tournaments on Thursday, October 24th, at 7pm, a seven-round USCF-rated Swiss system event using the G/3+2 time control over one evening. Our blitz championship is aimed at players with some rated or blitz tournament experience and may not be suitable for beginners or for children under the age of 10, given this event could last until almost 9pm on a school night.
This tournament was preceded by the seven-round G/5+0 event the previous week. The individual who participates in both events over two weeks and has the highest combined score will be declared our Blitz Chess Champion and will receive an additional $100 prize. In the event of a tie there will be a G/3+0 playoff for both the prize and the title–first player to win a game is the victor.
Note that the US Chess Rules for Blitz Chess are slightly different than those the club typically follows in our impromptu blitz events so please spend the ~10 minutes needed to read the rules summary linked here.
Details for the G/3+2 event follow:
- Format: Seven-round Swiss-system rated tournament in one section over one evening
- Rounds: Round 1 begins promptly at 7:00pm and participants are strongly encouraged to check in by 6:45pm; subsequent rounds begin 1-2 minutes after previous round ends
- Control: G/3+2 (blitz-rated game of 3 minutes for each player with a 2-second increment added after each move)
- Entry Fee: $5 (the entire entry fee will be returned in prizes)
- Payment: PayPal: mark@drury.com; Venmo: @Mark-Drury-12, Zelle: 6504006393
- Prizes: Two prize groups based upon October US Chess regular, quick or blitz ratings (TD discretion for each player) with roughly 16 players per prize group, winner take all: Group 1, $100; Group 2, $60, based on 32 players
- Byes: Zero-point byes are available for any round
- Register: Please sign up in advance using the ‘Register’ button, above
- Boards, sets and clocks will be provided by the Menlo Park Chess Club (bring a clock if you own one)
- All tournament participants must be current US Chess members
- The US Chess Rules for Blitz Chess is short, required reading
- Our tournament chess rules summary is worth perusing if you’re new to tournament play
- For more information please send email to info@menloparkchess.club
- Join our Facebook group to stay abreast of future club tournaments and events
The Menlo Park Chess Club will hold our first annual blitz chess championship beginning Thursday, October 17th, at 7pm, a seven-round USCF-rated Swiss system event using the G/5+0 time control (no increment or delay) over one evening. Our blitz championship is aimed at players with some rated or blitz tournament experience and may not be suitable for beginners or for children under the age of 10, given this event could last until almost 9pm on a school night.
Note that the US Chess Rules for Blitz Chess are slightly different than those the club typically follows in our impromptu blitz events so please spend the ~10 minutes needed to read the rules summary linked here.
This tournament will be followed Thursday, October 24th, by another seven-round USCF-rated Swiss system event using the G/3+2 time control, one which requires a separate registration and entry fee (see the Events page for a link). The individual who participates in both events over two weeks and has the highest combined score will be declared our Blitz Chess Champion and will receive an additional $100 prize. In the event of a tie there will be a G/3+0 playoff for both the prize and the title–first player to win a game is the victor.
Details for the G/5+0 event follow:
- Format: Seven-round Swiss-system rated tournament in one section over one evening
- Rounds: Round 1 begins promptly at 7:00pm and participants are strongly encouraged to check in by 6:45pm; subsequent rounds begin 1-2 minutes after previous round ends
- Control: G/5+0 (blitz-rated game of 5 minutes for each player with no increment or delay
- Entry Fee: $5 (the entire entry fee will be returned in prizes)
- Payment: PayPal: mark@drury.com; Venmo: @Mark-Drury-12, Zelle: 6504006393
- Prizes: Two prize groups based upon October US Chess regular, quick or blitz ratings (TD discretion for each player) with roughly 16 players per prize group, winner take all: Group 1, $100; Group 2, $60, based on 32 players
- Byes: Zero-point byes are available for any round
- Register: Please sign up in advance using the ‘Register’ button, above
- Boards, sets and clocks will be provided by the Menlo Park Chess Club (bring a clock if you own one)
- All tournament participants must be current US Chess members
- The US Chess Rules for Blitz Chess is short, required reading
- Our tournament chess rules summary is worth perusing if you’re new to tournament play
- For more information please send email to info@menloparkchess.club
- Join our Facebook group to stay abreast of future club tournaments and events
Our regular weekly club meeting occurs Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:00pm in the Oak Room of the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Casual, blitz, bughouse and ladder chess games as well as a possible lecture are in the offing and we will also play another impromptu blitz tournament beginning at 7pm (free, no prizes), given there appears to be an appetite for same.
The Menlo Park Chess Club will hold our third annual club championship beginning Thursday, November 7th, at 7pm, a five-round USCF-rated Swiss system event using the dual-rated G/45;d5 time control over five weeks . Our championship is aimed at players with at least some tournament experience (one or two rated events, say) and may not be suitable for children under the age of 10, given games could last until almost 9pm on a school night. Additionally, if your child has trouble sitting still or remaining quiet for an hour or two then we would humbly request that you consider registering him or her in one of our other rated events and forego the club championship (we love our junior players but there are a few who struggle to remain quiet during even the shorter time controls). Details follow:
- Format: Five-round Swiss-system tournament in one section, one game per evening
- Rounds: November 7th, 14th, 21st, December 5th, 12th (there is no round November 28th, Thanksgiving)—games begin promptly at 7:00pm
- Control: G/45;d5 (dual-rated game of 45 minutes for each player plus a 5-second delay per move)
- Entry Fee: $20 (the entire entry fee will be returned in prizes)
- Payment: PayPal: mark@drury.com; Venmo: @Mark-Drury-12, Zelle: 6504006393
- Prizes: Four prize groups based upon November US Chess regular ratings with roughly 8 players per prize group (Group 1: $100, $60, $40; Group 2: $80, $60, $40; Group 3: $60, $40, $20; Group 4: $60, $40, $20, with adjustments as needed based on tournament/group size)
- Byes: One half-point bye is available for any round save the last, but the bye must be requested at least two days in advance of the day of play
- Register: Registrations are closed for this event
- Boards, sets, clocks, score sheets and pens will be provided by the Menlo Park Chess Club (bring a clock if you own one)
- All tournament participants must be current US Chess members
- Our tournament chess rules summary is worth perusing if you’re new to tournament play
- For more information please send email to info@menloparkchess.club
- Join our Facebook group to stay abreast of future club tournaments and events
The Menlo Park Chess Club will hold our third annual club championship beginning Thursday, November 7th, at 7pm, a five-round USCF-rated Swiss system event using the dual-rated G/45;d5 time control over five weeks . Our championship is aimed at players with at least some tournament experience (one or two rated events, say) and may not be suitable for children under the age of 10, given games could last until almost 9pm on a school night. Additionally, if your child has trouble sitting still or remaining quiet for an hour or two then we would humbly request that you consider registering him or her in one of our other rated events and forego the club championship (we love our junior players but there are a few who struggle to remain quiet during even the shorter time controls). Details follow:
- Format: Five-round Swiss-system tournament in one section, one game per evening
- Rounds: November 7th, 14th, 21st, December 5th, 12th (there is no round November 28th, Thanksgiving)—games begin promptly at 7:00pm
- Control: G/45;d5 (dual-rated game of 45 minutes for each player plus a 5-second delay per move)
- Entry Fee: $20 (the entire entry fee will be returned in prizes)
- Payment: PayPal: mark@drury.com; Venmo: @Mark-Drury-12, Zelle: 6504006393
- Prizes: Four prize groups based upon November US Chess regular ratings with roughly 8 players per prize group (Group 1: $100, $60, $40; Group 2: $80, $60, $40; Group 3: $60, $40, $20; Group 4: $60, $40, $20, with adjustments as needed based on tournament/group size)
- Byes: One half-point bye is available for any round save the last, but the bye must be requested at least two days in advance of the day of play
- Register: Registrations are closed for this event
- Boards, sets, clocks, score sheets and pens will be provided by the Menlo Park Chess Club (bring a clock if you own one)
- All tournament participants must be current US Chess members
- Our tournament chess rules summary is worth perusing if you’re new to tournament play
- For more information please send email to info@menloparkchess.club
- Join our Facebook group to stay abreast of future club tournaments and events
The Menlo Park Chess Club will hold our third annual club championship beginning Thursday, November 7th, at 7pm, a five-round USCF-rated Swiss system event using the dual-rated G/45;d5 time control over five weeks . Our championship is aimed at players with at least some tournament experience (one or two rated events, say) and may not be suitable for children under the age of 10, given games could last until almost 9pm on a school night. Additionally, if your child has trouble sitting still or remaining quiet for an hour or two then we would humbly request that you consider registering him or her in one of our other rated events and forego the club championship (we love our junior players but there are a few who struggle to remain quiet during even the shorter time controls). Details follow:
- Format: Five-round Swiss-system tournament in one section, one game per evening
- Rounds: November 7th, 14th, 21st, December 5th, 12th (there is no round November 28th, Thanksgiving)—games begin promptly at 7:00pm
- Control: G/45;d5 (dual-rated game of 45 minutes for each player plus a 5-second delay per move)
- Entry Fee: $20 (the entire entry fee will be returned in prizes)
- Payment: PayPal: mark@drury.com; Venmo: @Mark-Drury-12, Zelle: 6504006393
- Prizes: Four prize groups based upon November US Chess regular ratings with roughly 8 players per prize group (Group 1: $100, $60, $40; Group 2: $80, $60, $40; Group 3: $60, $40, $20; Group 4: $60, $40, $20, with adjustments as needed based on tournament/group size)
- Byes: One half-point bye is available for any round save the last, but the bye must be requested at least two days in advance of the day of play
- Register: Registrations most likely closed after round 1 was played but send email to info@menloparkchess.club to inquire about possible late registration
- Boards, sets, clocks, score sheets and pens will be provided by the Menlo Park Chess Club (bring a clock if you own one)
- All tournament participants must be current US Chess members
- Our tournament chess rules summary is worth perusing if you’re new to tournament play
- For more information please send email to info@menloparkchess.club
- Join our Facebook group to stay abreast of future club tournaments and events
The Menlo Park Chess Club will hold our third annual club championship beginning Thursday, November 7th, at 7pm, a five-round USCF-rated Swiss system event using the dual-rated G/45;d5 time control over five weeks . Our championship is aimed at players with at least some tournament experience (one or two rated events, say) and may not be suitable for children under the age of 10, given games could last until almost 9pm on a school night. Additionally, if your child has trouble sitting still or remaining quiet for an hour or two then we would humbly request that you consider registering him or her in one of our other rated events and forego the club championship (we love our junior players but there are a few who struggle to remain quiet during even the shorter time controls). Details follow:
- Format: Five-round Swiss-system tournament in one section, one game per evening
- Rounds: November 7th, 14th, 21st, December 5th, 12th (there is no round November 28th, Thanksgiving)—games begin promptly at 7:00pm
- Control: G/45;d5 (dual-rated game of 45 minutes for each player plus a 5-second delay per move)
- Entry Fee: $20 (the entire entry fee will be returned in prizes)
- Payment: PayPal: mark@drury.com; Venmo: @Mark-Drury-12, Zelle: 6504006393
- Prizes: Four prize groups based upon November US Chess regular ratings with roughly 8 players per prize group (Group 1: $100, $60, $40; Group 2: $80, $60, $40; Group 3: $60, $40, $20; Group 4: $60, $40, $20, with adjustments as needed based on tournament/group size)
- Byes: One half-point bye is available for any round save the last, but the bye must be requested at least two days in advance of the day of play
- Register: Registrations most likely closed after round 1 was played but send email to info@menloparkchess.club to inquire about possible late registration
- Boards, sets, clocks, score sheets and pens will be provided by the Menlo Park Chess Club (bring a clock if you own one)
- All tournament participants must be current US Chess members
- Our tournament chess rules summary is worth perusing if you’re new to tournament play
- For more information please send email to info@menloparkchess.club
- Join our Facebook group to stay abreast of future club tournaments and events
The Menlo Park Chess Club will hold our third annual club championship beginning Thursday, November 7th, at 7pm, a five-round USCF-rated Swiss system event using the dual-rated G/45;d5 time control over five weeks . Our championship is aimed at players with at least some tournament experience (one or two rated events, say) and may not be suitable for children under the age of 10, given games could last until almost 9pm on a school night. Additionally, if your child has trouble sitting still or remaining quiet for an hour or two then we would humbly request that you consider registering him or her in one of our other rated events and forego the club championship (we love our junior players but there are a few who struggle to remain quiet during even the shorter time controls). Details follow:
- Format: Five-round Swiss-system tournament in one section, one game per evening
- Rounds: November 7th, 14th, 21st, December 5th, 12th (there is no round November 28th, Thanksgiving)—games begin promptly at 7:00pm
- Control: G/45;d5 (dual-rated game of 45 minutes for each player plus a 5-second delay per move)
- Entry Fee: $20 (the entire entry fee will be returned in prizes)
- Payment: PayPal: mark@drury.com; Venmo: @Mark-Drury-12, Zelle: 6504006393
- Prizes: Four prize groups based upon November US Chess regular ratings with roughly 8 players per prize group (Group 1: $100, $60, $40; Group 2: $80, $60, $40; Group 3: $60, $40, $20; Group 4: $60, $40, $20, with adjustments as needed based on tournament/group size)
- Byes: One half-point bye is available for any round save the last, but the bye must be requested at least two days in advance of the day of play
- Register: Please sign up in advance using the ‘Register’ button, above
- Boards, sets, clocks, score sheets and pens will be provided by the Menlo Park Chess Club (bring a clock if you own one)
- All tournament participants must be current US Chess members
- Our tournament chess rules summary is worth perusing if you’re new to tournament play
- For more information please send email to info@menloparkchess.club
- Join our Facebook group to stay abreast of future club tournaments and events
