Results of 2009
Stamnov Wins December Blitz
Aleksandar
Stamnov
Matthew
Wilber
FM Aleksandar Stamnov took clear first place with 11.0/12.0, losing only one of his second round games to Ron Washington.
Expert Matthew Wilber scored 9.0/12.0 for uncontested second place. Matthew split the second round with Expert Isaac Braswell and lost both sixth round games to Stamnov.
Four players tied for third place with 8.0/12.0. They were Expert Isaac Braswell, Expert Jordan Cohen, Tim Donnahue, and Robby Hecht.
Posted by Tom Dec 27, 2009
Felecan Sweeps Nov Bi-Level
Florin Felecan
IM Florin Felecan swept the Gold Section of Evanston's November Bi-Level, scoring a perfect 4/4. Four Evanston Chess regulars had a go against the IM, but were unable to find a crack in his armour.
Second place was shared by FM Aleksandar Stamnov, Expert Matt Pullin, and Tony Christian, each with 3.0/4. Pullin won his fourth round game with Stamnov, after losing in the third against Felecan.
Tony Christian had a great day beating two A players and a B player. He gave up only one point, and that to A player Michael Failor in the first round. Well done Tony.
Nathan Dorneld
Posted by Tom Nov 8, 2009
Bill Brock Starts New Blog
Bill Brock
Bill Brock, Evanston Chess regular and ICB Chief Editor, has started a blog at chicagochess.blogspot.com.
We'll be reading it, Bill.
Posted by Tom Nov 5, 2009
Sprandel wins Geezers Round Robin
Tom Sprandel
Tom Sprandel went 2.5/3.0 in the final three rounds of the Geezers' Round Robin to finish with 3.5/5.0 and uncontested first place. Mark Spitzig and Cleo Newsome, Jr tied for second with 2.5/5.0 each.
We were all sorry that Arnulfo Benesa is in the hospital and could not finish the tournament. Special thanks to William Cooksey who substitued for him in rounds three and four.
| Player | Rating | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Score |
| 1 Arnulfo Benesa | 2003 | B 5 1 |
W 2 1 |
B 6 U |
W 4 U |
B 3 U |
2 |
| 2 Tom Sprandel | 1534 | W 3 1 |
B 1 0 |
B 4 1 |
W 5 ½ |
B 6 1 |
3½ |
| 3 Tim Grassel | 1522 | B 2 0 |
W 4 ½ |
B 5 1 |
W 6 0 |
W 1 U |
1½ |
| 4 Mark Spitzig | 1450 | W 6 1 |
B 3 ½ |
W 2 0 |
B 7 1 |
B 5 0 |
2½ |
| 5 Bruce Potratz | 1287 | W 1 0 |
B 6 0 |
W 3 0 |
B 2 ½ |
W 4 1 |
1½ |
| 6 Cleo Newsome Jr | 1143 | B 4 0 |
W 5 1 |
W 7 ½ |
B 3 1 |
W 2 0 |
2½ |
| 7 William Cooksey | 1355 | --- | --- | B 6 ½ |
W 4 0 |
--- | ½ |
USCF Crosstables: Rounds 1-2 Rounds 3-5
Posted by Tom Oct 18, 2009
Arnulfo Benesa
NM Benesa recovering.
We have learned that NM Arnulfo Benesa has suffered a serious illness and is recovering at St. Francis Nursing and Rehab Center. Mr. Benesa, who won the 2000 US Senior Championship, is a well loved figure in the Chicago chess community. All of us at Evanson Chess wish him a speedy recovery.
Greetings and good wishes may be sent to the center at 500 Asbury Avenue in Evanston, IL 60202. Visitors should call 847-316-3320 in advance.
Posted by Tom Oct 14, 2009
Larry Cohen undefeated in October Swiss Groups
Larry Cohen
Expert Larry Cohen went undefeated in the Alpha Section of the October Swiss. He scored a perfect 3.0/3.0 to take uncontested first place. Well done Larry.
In Bravo Section Jordan Bombach and Brent Terry-Penak tied for first with 2.5/3.0 each. Both players won their first two rounds but then drew when they faced each other in th final round.
In Charlie Section Mark Spitzig scored a perfect 3.0/3.0 for clear first place.
In Delta Section Abe Sun took first place with 3.0/3.0.
First place in Echo Section was shared by Robert Seely and Nathan Dorneld. Both players scored a perfect 3.0/3.0.
Pictures soon.
Posted by Tom Oct 14, 2009
Burgess wins September Rapid
Jon Burgess
NM Jon Burgess went 4.5/5.0 in the September Rapid; he won four games and gave up only one draw. Aleksandar Stamnov, James Wei, and Johnathan Kogan all scored 4.0/5.0 to tie for second place
Posted by Tom Oct 14, 2009
Benesa Loans Petrosian Painting
NM Arnulfo Benesa, 2000 Senior Men's Champion, has put his painting of Tigran Petrosian on loan to the Park Place Annex of Evanston Chess. Mr. Benesa has painted many great chess players of the past. You may see more of his work at ABenesa.com
Posted by Tom Sept 6, 2009
Benesa Leads in Geezers Round Robin
The Geezers
L-R: Potratz, Benesa, Spitzig, Newsome, Grassel, Sprandel
Arnulfo Benesa, 2000 US Sr Champion, had no trouble in the first two rounds of the Geezers Invitational. He defeated both Potratz and Sprandel. The final three rounds of the G/100 tournament are scheduled for October 17th and 18th.
| Player | Rating | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Score |
| 1 Arnulfo Benesa | 2000 | B 5 1 |
W 2 1 |
B 6 | W 4 | B 3 | 2.0 |
| 2 Tom Sprandel | 1534 | W 3 1 |
B 1 0 |
B 4 | W 5 | B 6 | 1.0 |
| 3 Tim Grassel | 1522 | B 2 0 |
W 4 ½ |
B 5 | W 6 | W 1 | 0.5 |
| 4 Mark Spitzig | 1450 | W 6 1 |
B 3 ½ |
W 2 | B 1 | B 5 | 1.5 |
| 5 Bruce Potratz | 1287 | W 1 0 |
B 6 0 |
W 3 | B 2 | W 4 | 0.0 |
| 6 Cleo Newsome Jr | 1143 | B 4 0 |
W 5 1 |
W 1 | B 3 | W 2 | 1.0 |
Rounds 1-2 USCF Crosstable
More photographs
Posted by Tom Aug 23, 2009
Pasalic wins August Tri-Level
Mehmed Pasalic
IM Mehmed Pasalic remained firmly seated at Board 1 throughout the tournament. One by one Gold Section players chanllenged him and fell to his skills. Isaac Braswell, Gavin Mc Clanahan and Christopher Wood tied for second with 3.0/4.0 each. Christopher Wood had a spectacular tournment, beating three Experts and losing only to Jeremy Kane (2172); Wood's rating soared from 1805 to 1901.
Conor Grogan
Conor Grogan swept the Silver Section going undefeated and untied. Jim Froehlich, Shaogang Bian, Danny Ginzburg, and Jayce Feiger tied for second with 3.0/4.0 each.
Christian Kavouras
Christian Kavouras won the Bronze Section with 3.5/4.0, drawing with Tom Giardina. Second place was a three-way tie among Abe Sun, Donovan Harris and Sritej Vontikommu; all scored 3.0/4.0.
Posted by Tom Aug 9, 2009
Grassel wins Correspondence Quad
Timothy Grassel
Timothy Grassel took first in the 07Q20 USCF Correspondence Quad. Tim went undefeated scoring 5.5/6.0 in the double round robin event.
Tim (aka The Maestro) is a founding member of Evanston Chess and a proud member of the Geezers. Tim says he really likes correspondence chess. "These fast time controls, like G/70, are just too fast. I'm no blitz player."
Be sure to give Tim your congratulations when you see him at the club (I don't think he reads the web page.)
Posted by Tom Aug 14, 2009
Burgess Wins July Swiss Groups
Jon Burgess
NM Jon Burgess won the Platinum Section of the Evanston Swiss Groups, he was undefeated and untied. Sam Schmakel, Isaac Braswell and Arandel Markovic tied for second with 2.0 out of 3.0 each. Schmakel lost his third round game to Burgess, Braswell requested a bye in the first and drew Mark Jutovsky in the second, Markovic lost his first round game to Schmakel.
Dimitri Kosteris
The Gold Section was won by Dimitri Kosteris with 2.5 points, he drew against Daum Hazners in the first round. Dmitri Sergatskov, Alex Bian, and Yiming Wang tied for second with 2.0 points each. Sergatskov lost his second round game to Wang, Bian lost his first round game to Vince Springer, and Wang gave up a full point to Kosteris in the last round.
Mathew Holloway
James Wei
In the Silver Section, James Wei and Mathew Holloway tied for first with 2.5 each. Wei drew his final round game against Paul Garner and and Holloway gave up a half point in the first round to Evan Spiegel. Third place was shared by Wayne Clark and Paul Garner, each with 2.0 points.
Shaogang Bian
Shaogang Bian took clear first in the Bronze Section with 2.5 points. He gave up a draw to Elliot Wu in the first round. Second was shared by Mark Spitzig and Haoyang Yu with 2.0 each. Spitzig lost to Bian in the final round and Yu lost to Spitzig in the second.
Edward Bustamante
Edward Bustamante took clear first in the Stainless Section, with three straight wins. Second place was shared among Michael Wishner, Ed Anderson, Kymantas Alborovas, Cleo Newsome Jr, and Timothy Krick.
Posted by Tom 12 July 2009
Franklin and Loncarevic win June Rapid
June 2009 Rapid -- Round Four
David Franklin vs Aleksandar Stamnov (backgroung L-R)
Sam Ford vs Alex Bian (foreground L-R)
David
Franklin
Robby Hecht
Robert
Loncarevic
Mark Parnaby
Experts David Franklin and Robert Loncarevic tied for first with 4.5 points each in Evanston's five round Rapid yesterday. Franklin drew with FM Aleksandar Stamnov while Loncaravic drew with Expert Geoffrey Caveney, both in the fourth round.
Mark Parnaby and Robby Hecht tied for third with 4.0 points each. Parnaby lost only his third round game to Loncarevic while Hecht fell to the rising young player Abe Sun in the first round. Congratulations to all.
Posted by Tom June 28, 2009
Trevor Huang wins Evanston U1200
June 2009 U1200 -- Fourth Round Board 1
Cleo Newsome Jr vs Trevor Huang
Samuel Tartamella
Sritej Vontikommu
Huang won all four of his games to emerge with a perfect score and clear first place. Cleo Newsome Jr., Sritej Vontikommu, and Samuel Tartamella tied for second with three points each. Newsome lost his fourth round game to first place winner Huang, Vontikommu lost his third round game to Newsome, and Tartamella dropped a point to Vontikommu in the second round.
Special thanks to Expert Matt Pullin who provided post-game analysis in the skittles room. It was particular fun watching Pullin, Master Ken Wallach and Expert Bill Brock, analyze a variation of the Fried Liver Attack that occured in one of the games.
Thanks also to the three fathers who enroled their sons in the Illinois Chess Association, and the one adult who enroled as well. The ICA maintains a chess events calendar for Illinois and appreciates their contributions. Evanston Chess offers free entry to anyone who joins or renews their ICA membership at an Evanston Chess tournament.
Posted by Tom June 14, 2009
Two new clubs run low-cost tournaments
Highland Park Chess will run its first USCF rated tournament on July 25th. It will be a scholastic 4SS G/30 format for grades K-8. You can see more details at http://hpchess.org/ or at
http://il-chess.org/events.htm. The organizer is Leo Vilker, who served as Assistant TD and house player at our last tournament.
Midway Chess Club will also run a tournament on July 25th. Their tournament will be a 4SS G/45 for adults and strong juniors (900+). Hmm, now that's a familiar format! You can read more about their club and tournament at http://www.midwaychessclub.org/ The organizer is William Shehan and the TD will be Leroy Sims.
Posted by Tom June 1, 2009
Brock and Braswell share honors in May Tri-Level
Isaac Braswell
Bill Brock
Bill Brock and Isaac Braswell tied for first in the Gold Section. Both scored 3.5, giving up only a half point to each other in the final round.
Danny Ginzburg
Matthew Szulc and Danny Ginzburg each scored 3.5 to tie for first in the Silver Section. Szulc drew with Dan Griffin in the first round while Ginzburg drew with third place finisher Mark Spitzig.
Timothy Krick
Timothy Krick won sole possesion of first in the Bronze Section with 3.5. He gave up a draw to Christian Kavouras in the second round.
Posted by Tom May 16, 2009
Aramil sweeps April Rapid
William Aramil
Zhaozhi Li
Matthew Wilber
NM William Aramil went undefeated and untied in yesterday's five round Evanston Rapid. Matthew Wilber and Zhaozhi Li tied for second with 4.0 each. Wilber lost his third round game to Aramil, Li was defeated in the second round by Wilber. Twenty-four players competed in the game/29, quick rated tournament.
Special thanks to the house players Handler, Matek and Potratz. Evan Handler helped us set up and then played a first round game. Michael Matek stopped by to see the action and was drafted into the second round. GB Potratz played the last three rounds, scoring his first ever rated rapid win at the age of sixty-one.
Posted by Tom April 12, 2009
Pullin and Lazebnik Win March Swiss Groups
Matt Pullin
Yakov Lazebnik
Matt Pullin and Yakov Lazebnik won the Platinum Group scoring 2.5/3.0 each. Pullin drew his first round game with John Veech and, in the same round, Lazebnik drew his game with Daniel Nelson. Jordan Cohen took clear third with 2.0 points.
Tim Ailes
Tim Ailes won the Gold Group with 2.5/3.0 drawing only his second round game with Yinming Lian. John Suits, Dmitri Sergatskov, and Richard Easton tied for second with 2.0 each.
Conrad Oberhaus
In the Silver Group, Conrad Oberhaus went undefeated scoring 3.0. Mark Parnaby took clear second with 2.0, his only loss was to Tony Christian in the first round. James Freestrom and Evangelos Kobotis tied for third with 1.5 each.
Anastasios Politis
Anastastasios Politis took a clear first in the Bronze Group with 2.5. William Feldman and James Wei tied for second with 2.0 each. Feldman lost his third round match to Politis, while Wei drew with Politis in the first round and Timothy Grassel in the third.
Evan Carrison
Evan Carrison took first in the Stainless Group with 2.5 points, drawing his third round game with Michael Matek. Matek tied for second with Mark Spitzig and Charles Whipple, all had 2.0 points.
Dan Griffin
Winner of the Iron Group was Dan Griffin with a 3 points. Second place was shared by Leroy Sims, William Cooksey, and Clifford Adams, all had 2 points.
Jordan Sparagana
Jordan Sparagana and Awonder Liang tied for first in the Granite Group each had a 3 points. Third place was shared by Justin Rajsky, Ulysses Acevedo, and Dane Bell, all with 2.0 points.
Special thanks to Aaron Bakke and Leroy Sims for their help throughout the day and to Michael Wishner for his service as house player. Thanks also to Mark Jutovsky for his help at the end of the day. Thanks also to the staff at the Levy Senior Center. This is truly a community based operation, and we couldn't do it without everyone's help.
Posted by Tom March 29, 2009
Jordan Sparagana
Jordan Sparagana Sweeps U1400 in Feb Bi-Level
Jordan Sparagana scored a perfect 4-0 in the Under 1400 section of the Evanston Bi-Level. He was seeded seventh in a field of seventeen and played three higher seeded players. Jordan's impressive performance comes on top of his 4-0 sweep in Knights Quest #36. Well done Jordan!
Six Players Tie for 1st in Upper Section
Honors in the top section were shared among Matt Pullin, Daumants Hazners, Vince Springer, Alex Bian, Conrad Oberhaus, and James Wei. All six scored three points out of a possible four.
Our thanks to FM Alexander Stamnov, Mark Jutovsky, Tim Grassel and Brad Rosen all of whom served as house player in various rounds.
Posted by Tom March 1, 2009
Stamnov Plays Anand's Meran Novelty Against Jutovsky
I A Horowitz wrote:
The Meran derives its name from the international tournament staged at that resort in 1924. Here it was that the great Akiba Rubinstein unveiled his new conception to the world, startling his opponent and quickly wresting the upper hand from him.
Ever since that game, analysts have delighted in attempts at refutation. In spite of prolonged analytical investigation however, definite conclusions as to the value of the defence have yet to be reached.
Kramnik and Anand debated this opening in the third round of their recent world chapionship match, and Vishy scored his first victory. Here's that game as reported on This Week In Chess
Mark Jutovsky
Aleksandar Stamnov
FM Aleksandar Stamnov played Anand's novelty against our own Mark Jutovsky, the 2007 Class A Illinois champion last October here in Evanston. Mark managed to hold on for a draw. Here's Jutovsky-Stamnov courtesy of Mark.
Analysis by Mark Jutovsky Feb 14 2009
Two Coffee House Chess Clubs on North Shore
There were four or five boards going strong at the Starbucks in Glencoe when I stopped in at 7:15pm a couple weeks ago. Gunther Rice welcomed me and set me up with a game. I had intended to check it out for a half hour and then go home, but wound up staying until closing time. There were some slow games going on and a couple fellows were playing five-minute blitz too. They meet Wednesdays, 7pm - 9pm at Strarbucks, 349 Park Ave # 1, Glencoe IL. (Half a block west of Green Bay Road) Yahoo Map
Mark Foster has just sent me a Chess Night announcement for his club at the Skokie Starbucks. I haven't been there yet, but rest assured I'll go soon. The drop-in club meets Wednesdays, from 5pm - 9pm at Starbucks, 4116 W Dempster St, Skokie IL. (Just over a block west of Crawford) Yahoo Map
Posted by Tom Feb 6, 2009
Stamnov & Rosen Win January Swiss Groups
FM Aleksandar Stamnov and Eric Rosen tied for first in the Platinum section, drawing their last round game. Also playing in the Platinum section were IM Angelo Young and NM Jon Burgess.
John Veech won the Gold section 3-0, defeating veteran A player Yakov Lazebnik in their third round game. John lead a contingent of young players from Wisconsin in their first visit to Evanston Chess. Welcome all, hope to see you again soon.
Zachary Holechek and Kelly Troy Jones tied for first in the Silver section. They scored 2.5-0.5 each. Kelly drew his first round game against Conrad Oberhaus, Zachary drew his third round game against Tony Christian.
Dmitri Sergatskov won the Bronze section with three straight wins. These were his first USCF regular rated games; after his strong performance in our December Double Blitz he was seeded with a 1500 rating. His performance rating for this tournament was 2003! Well done Dmitri. Alex Bian and Allen Guo tied for second; both went undefeated except for their losses to Sergatskov.
In the Stainless section Zachary Levine and Daniel Laurila tied for first, with 2.5-0.5 each. Zachary drew against Charles Whipple in their second round game, Daniel drew against Bruce Potratz in the first round.
Danny Ginzburg and Evan Spiegel tied for first in the Iron section. Both schored 2.5-0.5. Danny drew his third round game against Jack Hanson, Evan took a half-point bye in the first round.
Attendance set new records, as the chess community demostrated its support for inexpensive, rated chess. The January Swiss Groups tournament drew forty-eight players. We had three titled players and many serious club level players.
Posted by Tom Feb 1, 2009
Haoyang Yu Wins January U1200
2nd Sam Ginn
3rd Aaron Bakke
1st Haoyang Yu
3rd Nate Burbank
Haoyang Yu went undefeated to score 4.0/4.0. Sam Ginn took a clear second, winning all his games except his third round game against Yu. Third place was shared between Nathan Burbank and Aaron Bakke. Well done, all!
Special thanks to Expert Matt Pullin who provided analysis of the players' games.
Posted by Tom Jan 17, 2009