Below are the results from rounds 3 and 4 of our February Small Swisses event along with the tentative pairings for final rounds 5 and 6, to occur on March 6th. The prizes for each section are as follows:
Sections One & Four : $80, $50, $30
Section Two: $60, $40, $20
Section Three: $50, $30
Section One
| # | Name/Rating/ID | Rd 1 | Rd 2 | Rd 3 | Rd 4 | Rd 5 | Rd 6 | Total | Prize |
| 1 | Pranav Jindal | B 6 | W 6 | W 3 | B 3 | W 4 | B 4 | | |
| 1965p 30628884 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | $80 |
| 2 | Zelin Fang | W 5 | B 5 | B 8 | W 8 | W 7 | B 7 | | |
| 1851 17083043 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | $50 |
| 3 | Chase Wang | B 7 | W 7 | B 1 | W 1 | W 5 | B 5 | | |
| 1788 15015852 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 | $30 |
| 4 | Vedant Verma | W 8 | B 8 | B 5 | W 5 | B 1 | W 1 | | |
| 1733 16994832 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | |
| 5 | Jialin Wu | B 2 | W 2 | W 4 | B 4 | B 3 | W 3 | | |
| 1707 30410290 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |
| 6 | Yash Shah | W 1 | B 1 | W 7 | B 7 | B 8 | W 8 | | |
| 1717 30652191 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | |
| 7 | Cesar Tamondong | W 3 | B 3 | B 6 | W 6 | B 2 | W 2 | | |
| 1688 12439091 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | |
| 8 | Josen Kalra | B 4 | W 4 | W 2 | B 2 | W 6 | B 6 | | |
| 1639 12615210 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | |
Section Two
| # | Name/Rating/ID | Rd 1 | Rd 2 | Rd 3 | Rd 4 | Rd 5 | Rd 6 | Total | Prize |
| 1 | Breakwell Loyalka | B 5 | W 5 | W 3 | B 3 | W 4 | B 4 | | |
| 1526 31569521 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | $60 |
| 2 | Hayden Brongersma | W 3 | B 3 | B 6 | W 6 | W 5 | B 5 | | |
| 1562 31240441 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | $30 |
| 3 | Venugopal Mani | B 2 | W 2 | B 1 | W 1 | W 6 | B 6 | | |
| 1500 16419753 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | $30 |
| 4 | Yaniv Vinish | W 6 | B 6 | W 5 | B 5 | B 1 | W 1 | | |
| 1516p 32105653 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | |
| 5 | Hugo Pu | W 1 | B 1 | B 4 | W 4 | B 2 | W 2 | | |
| 1439 31093860 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | |
| 6 | Justin Dong | B 4 | W 4 | W 2 | B 2 | B 3 | W 3 | | |
| 1598p 17212253 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | |
Section Three
| # | Name/Rating/ID | Rd 1 | Rd 2 | Rd 3 | Rd 4 | Rd 5 | Rd 6 | Total | Prize | |
| 1 | Amogh Rao | B 3 | W 3 | W 2 | B 2 | B 4 | W 4 | | | |
| 1295p 30949341 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | $50 | |
| 2 | Austin Chen | B 4 | W 4 | B 1 | W 1 | B 3 | W 3 | | | |
| 1373 31293249 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | $30 | |
| 3 | Jeffrey Ungar | W 1 | B 1 | W 4 | B 4 | W 2 | B 2 | | | |
| 1202p 16396743 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | | |
| 4 | Michael Sherrard | W 2 | B 2 | B 3 | W 3 | W 1 | B 1 | | | |
| 1300 12447368 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | | |
Section Four
| # | Name/Rating/ID | Rd 1 | Rd 2 | Rd 3 | Rd 4 | Rd 5 | Rd 6 | Total | Prize |
| 1 | Evan Sobel | B 7 | W 7 | W 5 | B 5 | W 2 | B 2 | | |
| 839p 31860044 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | $80 |
| 2 | Zelan Fang | W 8 | B 8 | W 6 | B 6 | B 1 | W 1 | | |
| 882 30629764 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | $50 |
| 3 | Lua Loyalka | W 5 | B 5 | W 7 | B 7 | B 6 | W 6 | | |
| 813 31569531 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 | $30 |
| 4 | Lucian Liu | B 6 | W 6 | W 8 | B 8 | W 7 | B 7 | | |
| unr. 32275327 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | |
| 5 | Alon Doitel | B 3 | W 3 | B 1 | W 1 | B 8 | W 8 | | |
| unr. 32252326 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | |
| 6 | Daniel Jost | W 4 | B 4 | B 2 | W 2 | W 3 | B 3 | | |
| unr. 32292327 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | |
| 7 | Tyler Middleton | W 1 | B 1 | B 3 | W 3 | B 4 | W 4 | | |
| unr. 32301163 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | |
| 8 | Alfred Davis | B 2 | W 2 | B 4 | W 4 | W 5 | B 5 | | |
| unr. 31939241 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | |
Below are the tentative round 1 and 2 pairings for our February double-round, quick-rated small Swisses in three sections (by rating). These pairings (or even groups) could change before the start of play Thursday, February 13th, but will be updated here if that is the case.
Section One
Section Two
Section Three
The Menlo Park Chess Club will hold US Chess quick-rated, double-round quads and/or 6- or 8-person 3-round Swiss sections over three consecutive weeks beginning Thursday, February 13th, using the G/20;d5 time control and playing two games against each opponent during the same evening, one as white and one as black. Players will be grouped into quads or small Swiss sections based upon rating to keep things as competitive as possible. No byes will be available for this event so if you are unable to play all three weeks (February 13th, 27th and March 6th) please do not register. (Note that February 20th occurs during a “ski week” for local schools so we’ll hold a casual evening then.) These quads are suitable for experienced players as well as newer US Chess members seeking to establish an over-the-board rating. Details follow:
- Format: Double-round quads and/or small Swiss tournaments over three weeks, two games per evening against the same opponent, one as white and one as black
- Rounds: February 13th, 27th and March 6th—games begin promptly at 7:00pm
- Control: G/20;d5 (quick-rated game of 20 minutes per player plus a 5-second delay per move)
- Entry Fee: $20 (PayPal: mark@drury.com; Venmo: @Mark-Drury-12); entire entry fee goes to the prize fund.
- Prizes: First place in each quad receives $50, second place receives $30, any ties will split the cash prize(s)—Swiss sections will offer three prizes
- Byes: No byes are available for this event
- Register: Please sign up in advance using the ‘Register’ button above
- Equipment: Boards, sets, clocks, score sheets and pens will be provided by the Menlo Park Chess Club (bring a digital clock if you own one)
- Membership: All tournament participants must be current US Chess members
- Rules: Our tournament chess rules summary is mandatory reading if you’re new to tournament play
- Info: For more information please send email to info@menloparkchess.club
- Social: Join our Facebook group or email list to stay abreast of future club tournaments and events
The Menlo Park Chess Club will hold US Chess quick-rated, double-round quads and/or 6- or 8-person 3-round Swiss sections over three consecutive weeks beginning Thursday, February 13th, using the G/20;d5 time control and playing two games against each opponent during the same evening, one as white and one as black. Players will be grouped into quads or small Swiss sections based upon rating to keep things as competitive as possible. No byes will be available for this event so if you are unable to play all three weeks (February 13th, 27th and March 6th) please do not register. (Note that February 20th occurs during a “ski week” for local schools so we’ll hold a casual evening then.) These quads are suitable for experienced players as well as newer US Chess members seeking to establish an over-the-board rating. Details follow:
- Format: Double-round quads and/or small Swiss tournaments over three weeks, two games per evening against the same opponent, one as white and one as black
- Link: https://menloparkchess.club/event/february-double-round-quick-rated-quads-round-one/
- Rounds: February 13th, 27th and March 6th—games begin promptly at 7:00pm
- Control: G/20;d5 (quick-rated game of 20 minutes per player plus a 5-second delay per move)
- Entry Fee: $20 (PayPal: mark@drury.com; Venmo: @Mark-Drury-12); entire entry fee goes to the prize fund.
- Prizes: First place in each quad receives $50, second place receives $30, any ties will split the cash prize(s)—Swiss sections will offer three prizes
- Byes: No byes are available for this event
- Register: Please sign up in advance using the ‘Register’ button above
- Equipment: Boards, sets, clocks, score sheets and pens will be provided by the Menlo Park Chess Club (bring a digital clock if you own one)
- Membership: All tournament participants must be current US Chess members
- Rules: Our tournament chess rules summary is mandatory reading if you’re new to tournament play
- Info: For more information please send email to info@menloparkchess.club
- Social: Join our Facebook group or email list to stay abreast of future club tournaments and events
The Menlo Park Chess Club will hold US Chess quick-rated, double-round quads and/or 6- or 8-person 3-round Swiss sections over three consecutive weeks beginning Thursday, February 13th, using the G/20;d5 time control and playing two games against each opponent during the same evening, one as white and one as black. Players will be grouped into quads or small Swiss sections based upon rating to keep things as competitive as possible. No byes will be available for this event so if you are unable to play all three weeks (February 13th, 27th and March 6th) please do not register. (Note that February 20th occurs during a “ski week” for local schools so we’ll hold a casual evening then.) These quads are suitable for experienced players as well as newer US Chess members seeking to establish an over-the-board rating. Details follow:
- Format: Double-round quads and/or small Swiss tournaments over three weeks, two games per evening against the same opponent, one as white and one as black
- Rounds: February 13th, 27th and March 6th—games begin promptly at 7:00pm
- Control: G/20;d5 (quick-rated game of 20 minutes per player plus a 5-second delay per move)
- Entry Fee: $20 (PayPal: mark@drury.com; Venmo: @Mark-Drury-12); entire entry fee goes to the prize fund.
- Prizes: First place in each quad receives $50, second place receives $30, any ties will split the cash prize(s)—Swiss sections will offer three prizes
- Byes: No byes are available for this event
- Register: Please sign up in advance using the button/link found here
- Equipment: Boards, sets, clocks, score sheets and pens will be provided by the Menlo Park Chess Club (bring a digital clock if you own one)
- Membership: All tournament participants must be current US Chess members
- Rules: Our tournament chess rules summary is mandatory reading if you’re new to tournament play
- Info: For more information please send email to info@menloparkchess.club
- Social: Join our Facebook group or email list to stay abreast of future club tournaments and events
Attached is the wall chart showing the final results for our 2024 Club Championship as well as the prize amounts and distributions for our different prize groups. Congratulations to our newest club champion, Yoyo He, on his perfect score in this event and on the addition of 100+ points to his regular rating—well played, Yoyo! Pranav Jindal took sole second in the event with four points followed by a number of players at 3.5, and both Thomas Petrillo and Breakwell Loyalka played well above their ratings to be part of that august group. The tournament has already been rated and the US Chess report is available here:
https://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?202412125552-12459313
Thank you to everyone who participated in our club championship and if you have any feedback or suggestions for future tournaments please don’t hesitate to share them with me. Regards,
Mark Drury
Last night’s round 4 of our 2024 Menlo Park Chess Club Championship was replete with more upsets and heartbreaking losses, setting up a final-round showdown between Pranav Jindal and Yoyo He for the title and $120 first prize. This has been a great tournament thus far and has likely been more enjoyable as a spectator than a player, given some of the tragicomic events witnessed over the board these past many weeks. We’ll play round 5 next Thursday, hold another free, impromptu blitz tournament December 19th then take a few weeks off for the Holidays. As always, Frisco’s 6:30pm lectures alone are worth a visit to the club, even if you’re not playing in the championship, and I hope to see many of you before the year ends. — Mark Drury
The attached image includes the December 5th round 4 pairings for our club championship and, as always, these could change if we get late bye requests or cancelations due to illness or the like. A number of you have asked about byes so I wanted to reiterate what is stated in the tournament announcement: each player is eligible for one half-point bye in any of rounds 1 through 4. Any additional bye requests (including for round 5) will be zero points, the most equitable thing to do where prizes are concerned. Late bye requests on Thursday may be given zero points (an unrated forfeit loss) if I cannot re-pair the round ahead of the 7pm start. If there are any changes to the pairings below I will email participants the updated wall chart asap. Looking forward to Thursday night!
Upsets were again a theme in round 3 of our club championship, with no fewer than ten games ending in a draw or loss for the higher-rated player. Young Austin Chen in particular showed incredible resolve to hold then win a position while down an exchange (and about 600 rating points vis-à-vis his strong opponent)–his passed c-pawn proved a difficult problem and he eventually capitalized on Wentao’s time trouble late in their game. Tough losses aside, our talented junior players are a joy to watch and I’ve little doubt more than a few of them will be candidate masters or better soon if they keep playing the game with the same enthusiasm seen at the club.
Frisco shared his excellent round 2 bulletin with us last night and if you weren’t able to pick up a copy at the club you can view or download it here, Thank you, Frisco!
As a final reminder, the club will not meet next week due to Thanksgiving, with round 4 of the championship occurring on December 5th. Have a great holiday and I hope to see many of you in December!
Below are the four page’s from Frisco Del Rosario’s round one bulletin for our club championship—a single PDF is also available if you’d like a copy (just send email to the club address, info@menloparkchess.club).
