Fall 2006

Bill Melvin Seven times State Champion &

Past President of the ACF

President’s LetterIf you missed the last ACF meeting, I need

to introduce myself. I am your new ACF president! For those who did attend, thank you for voting me in. I want to thank Matt Adams for taking on the job of Vice President. Appreciation is also deserved by returning officers, Gerald Larson – Scholastic VP, David Worley – Treasurer, Giles D'Souza – Editor, and Ken Goodman – Web master. Thanks guys for volunteering to help Alabama Chess, we all help and have fun at the same time!

Last year I served as vice president. In that time away from the center I had two observations:

1. The job of President tends to burn people out.2. Chess around the state could easily expand.

Let’s start with the first one. Not only do presidents tend to burn out, but they have only regional coverage. This is a big state. For all these reasons, I want to lobby the ACF to make a culture change. Only allow presidents to serve one term! The effect of this is to retire the presidents before they are burned out, and allow a new city to have residence. Kind of moves the president around the state and at the same time provides a pool of ex-presidents to help get things done. Being president, is not an ego building thing, it is about helping chess in all of Alabama.

Now for the second observation—How to expand Chess around the whole state? The easy and fun way! We just create 6 to 8 ACF Regional Directors, who act to facilitate chess within their region and help coordinate chess events. This will prevent two cities 50 miles apart from having a tournament on the same day, and it will make it much easier to start a new chess club. As some of you may know, I offered 3 one day Guntersville chess tournaments last year and one tournament two years ago. If it were not for my connections with the Huntsville Chess Club, that would have been much harder. Thanks to Albert Gower, Jerry Wheeler, Gerald Larson and Richard Hays it was fun.

ACF Regional Director sounds a little bigger than it really is. The person may not even be a paying member of the ACF. It is just a person who is willing to help others learn about starting chess clubs, running chess tournaments, or maybe even

just looking at a chess calendar and suggesting dates that might be available. They may be retired, may have been around chess for a few years, and are now looking to give something back to the chess community. If you live in a big city, it might be hard to become “the Regional Director,” but there are many small cities, so I see this as a real opportunity to help others, and to help get something going in your neighborhood. In big cities, like Huntsville, they might have 'Assistant Regional Directors', because any of these people can get the job done. Huntsville has lots of chess wisdom, because they all network together. I see no reason that the whole state can't operate like this. If you think this is something that you might want to be a part of, please e-mail, or maybe call me at 256-505-4443.

I am tempted to tell you all the names I have so far, but it is still changing, so I think the ACF website is a better place to put out this information. In the coming year, 2007, chess will be growing in Alabama. I hope the ACF is that place that enables you to take part in this fun activity.

I can't end this without thanking Rose Marie Stutts, for nominating Jerry McGowin for the new office of ACF President Emeritus. This action by Rose will allow Jerry to continue his great job of connecting business with scholastic fund raising. We are all interconnected, so what one of us does helps us all. We can do a better job of fund raising. Our smart inner city kids can both grow their chess skills, and not be prevented from taking their seat at the bigger table. Thanks Rose, thanks Jerry!

Thank you all for your support. Let's look forward together to building Alabama Chess. It will be fun.

William (Bill) Robert SavoieACF President 2006-2007

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ontents Fall Issue. December 13, 2006

y Best Game By Bill Melvin Pages 2-3

labama State Championship, 2006

By Calvin Bomar Pages 4-7

athan Saint: 2006 Alabama High School Champion By Scott Varagona Pages 8-11

Saint and Hellwig Shine in Chicago

By David Worley Page 12

Queen of Hearts Open and Reserve – Announcement

By Caesar Lawrence Page 12

Tournament Reports – State and Black Warrior

By Caesar Lawrence Pages 13-15

Blossomwood Scholastic – Flyer

By Jim Weiner Page 17

Queen of Hearts Scholastic – Flyer

By Caesar Lawrence Page 18

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My Best Gameby Bill Melvin

What is the best game of chess you have ever played? Most chess players probably don–t have an answer. In my case, the answer has been the same for over 12 years. I suspect it will still be my favorite when I die. It was published in the Antics 12 years ago, but is worthy of another look.

Atlanta Action TournamentWhite: Bill Melvin (2170)Black: Robert Cunningham (2200)May 9, 1994 Game in 30 minutes C191. e4 e62. d4 d53. Nc3 Bb4I–ve always had trouble against the French Defense. Over the years, I–ve played mainly 3. e5 with subpar success. I–ve dabbled in 3. exd5 and even won the State Championship in the last round one year with 1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e5 c5 4. b4?! 3. Nc3 is almost never found in my games.4. e5 Ne75. Nf3 c56. a3 Bxc3+7. bxc3

7’ Bd78. Bd3 Ba4

At the time this game was played, I was hard on myself for not knowing to play 8. a4 to prevent 8. ... Ba4. Twelve years later, I–d have to cut myself some slack. That might have been the ECO move (I memorized those back then!), but it wasn–t intuitive to me then and isn–t now. My move was fine.9. O-O Qa510. Bd2 Nbc611. c4 Qc7

I hated my position at this point. I was convinced that my opponent was a French guru who knew this position better than me and I had fallen into a positional trap. The position is still relatively even. Relax.12. cxd5 Nxd513. dxc5 Nxe514. Nxe5 Qxe5

By now I was sure I was losing. My doubled c-pawns were weak and I was effectively a pawn down. Yet, it isn–t so bad. White has lots of activity to offset the weak pawn.15. Qg4 Bc616. Rae1 Qc717. c4 Nf6

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By now, you are probably wondering how this is ever my best game. My position doesn–t inspire confidence and there haven–t been any sacrifices. Did someone say sacrifices?18. Qxg7! ...Surely the g-pawn is poisoned.18. ... Rg8

19. Rxe6!! fxe6

20. Bg6!! ...

No points for 20. Qxc7? Rxg2+ 21. Kh1 Rg7+ 22. Qxc6+ bxc6 with an edge for black with the extra Exchange.

The whole point of this blocking sacrifice is 20. ... hxg6 blocks the g-file and allows 21. Qxc7. So, black must protect his queen.20. ... Kd821. Qxf6+ Qe722. Ba5+ b623. Rd1+ Bd7

All of the previous sacrifices appear to have been for nothing. White is hanging the queen and both bishops. Maybe the position holds one last sacrifice.24. cxb6!! Qxf625. b7+ Black Resigns

The finish would have been 25. ... Ke7 26. Bb4+! Kd8 27. bxa8(Q)+ Kc7 28. Ba5 (mate).

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2006 Alabama State Championshipby Calvin Bomar

This year's State Championship at AUM had everything one needs for a great chess tournament-- a tough field of competitors, fabulous facilities, and Caesar doing a fantastic job directing things.

Coming into the tournament, my only goal was to enjoy the games. However, I was pleased at the end of the first day to find that I was still "in the running."

At the beginning of the second day I had White against Michael Lawson, who was having a good tournament and had made it to the 4th round without any losses, despite having played very strong opponents.

White: Calvin Bomar 1829Black: Michael Lawson 1814Trompowsky Attack1. d4 Nf62. Bg5The "Tromp." Julian Hodgson generated spectacular attacks from this opening, but it seems few have been able to duplicate his creativity with the opening.2. ....... e6Karpov won several games as Black against the Tromp using this move to gain the bishop pair. After 3. e4 h6 4. Bxf6 Qxf6 White seeks to control the center. However, Black can play the position like a French Defense and hope for the bishop pair to become telling. This plan was the subject of a famous internet article: "Trashing the Tromp." This is not really what I had in mind.3. e3So, I decide to seek a transposition to the Torre Attack. 3 ....... b6Black wants a Queen's Indian Defense.4. Nbd2 Bb75. Ngf3 Be76. Bd3

I was delaying the decision of whether or not to play c4. If I determined I could lock Black–s queen bishop out of the

fight and mount a kingside attack, I intended to forego c4. If not, I would push c4 and play on the queenside.6. ’. d57. 0-0 0-08. Ne5 Nbd79. f4I create a Stonewall formation with my "bad" bishop actively placed outside of the pawns. I grew up facing the Stonewall against Alabama chess icon Eddie Kemp. So I–m somewhat familiar with the powerful kingside attacks White can sometimes obtain with this formation. However, I'm not used to being on the White side of it.9. .... c5 Black seeks counterplay with c5. He knows that he cannot wait for my attack to develop. However, I like 9.....Ne4 better here for Black, in order to impede White–s progress. 10. c3 Rc811. Qf3

This Qf3 plan is common among Colle players. It eyes h3 from where it could threaten the Black king and in some cases e6. 11 ....... h612. Bh4 Nh7Black takes time to encourage me to trade my "bad" but active bishop. 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Nxd7 Qxd715. f5 Qe716. fxe6

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16. Qxe6?Black must play 16. ’. fxe6 he re, even though after 17. Qg3 Nf6 18. Nf3 White's firm control over e5 gives him a very comfortable game. 17. Bf5 Qd618. Bxc8 Bxc819. Qf4 Qc620. Nf3 Qb521. b3 Nf622. Ne5 Ba6Black is seeking an attack on the light squares with his bishop before I can open a file for my rooks to penetrate the Black position. With correct play by White, Black–s attack should fail. However, correct play can sometimes be elusive.23. c4 Qe824. Rfd1 Ne425. Rac1 f6

Seeking to introduce complications. 26. cxd5 fxe527. Qxe4 Qf728. dxe5Black has firm control of the f file, but no way to decisively penetrate the white position on it. There is no way to stop the advancing white central pawns.28 .... Qf2+29. Kh1 h530. e6 h4

31. e7 Re832. d6 h333. Qe6+ resigns.

Black made a valiant effort to generate complications, but the loss of the exchange turned out to be insurmountable.

In the final round, I played Black against perennial title contender Bill Melvin. We both needed a win, so it was understood that there would be no draws offered.

White: Bill Melvin 2200Black: Calvin Bomar 1829French Defense1. e4 e62. d4 d5As IM John Watson says: "The French Defense is not a forced win for black. It only gives him a small advantage." Even if this is not true, I find it comforting. 3. e5 c54. c3 Nc65. Be3!?5. Be3 is a specialty of Kupreichik, who according to one database has played it 12 times with 10 wins and no losses. White gets active piece play. Still, I find the potential of Black's position appealing.

5 ....... cxd46. cxd4 Qb6

7. Qd2 Nge7

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8. Bd3 Nb49. Be2 Nf510. Nf3 Nxe3I've spent 3 moves to exchange White's "bad" bishop (compared to his 2 moves, Be3 and fxe3). White also gets a half open f file and continues his attack. However, I get the bishop pair and damage to white's pawn structure, leaving a potentially weak e3 pawn. I'm hoping that that what I've gained is more important than what I've given. This plan makes the assumption that I can eventually break open the center for my bishops and/or play against the e3 pawn with my black bishop.

11. fxe3

of course not 11. Qxe3 Nc2+, winning the queen.11. ......... Be7I would have loved to play g6 and put this bishop on h6, but felt the Bishop's defensive power would be needed on e7, covering both sides of the board.12. 0-0 Bd713. Nc3 0-014. a3

Once I castle, White plays a3 to run the knight back in order to place his bishop on d3, aiming at my castled king.14. ’.. Nc615. Bd3 f5If white doesn't capture here, his kingside aspirations are probably over and e3 may be a permanent weakness.16. exf6 e.p. Bxf617. Qc2 h6The threat of white playing h4 followed by h5 concerned me enough to choose this move over 17....g6. 18. Na4 Qd819. Nc5 Rb8

19.....Rb8 looks strange, but I noticed that 19...b6 is a train wreck, leaving the knight under-protected (and the bishop over-worked). 19 ..... b6 20. Nxd7! Qxd7 21. Bb5 Rac8 22. Rac1 1-0 (20. Nxe6 Bxe6 21. Qxc6 +- is also winning, although not as good). This was the first of many tactical threats Black would be forced to navigate. 20. Rac1 Qe7This move prepares my next move, since a knight on b7 will no longer threaten my queen. It also helps prepare an e5 break and connects my rooks.21. b4 Rbc8White would have serious problems if he accepts the offered b pawn after: 22. Nxb7 Nxd4!

22. Qb3 Be8!?23. Bb1 Bf7

I still want to bust the center open for my bishops. From f7 the bishop protects d5 to make this possible, and gives some help to my light square weaknesses on the kingside.

24. Qd3

When I first saw this coming, I thought it appeared crude, but it actually led to some very sophisticated and powerful threats.

On a side note, I've noticed that Bob Rieves refers to backing up one's bishop and placing the queen in front of it

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like this "The Big Choo Choo." This appears to be a "Bobism."24. ....... g6The threat of h4 no longer deters g6 (24. h4 e5!).25. Qb5 At first this looks unfocused, continuing to make threats on both sides of the board. But actually, it is a complex plan whereby the queen move makes room for the knight on c5 to travel via d3 to join White's kingside attack. Placing the queen on b5 saves a move by forcing b6, chasing the knight to where it wants to go. However, this knight on the kingside will ultimately turn out to be more of a target than a threat.25 .......... b626. Nd3 Qd6 26’. Be8 is also a possible idea here, forcing 27. Qa6. 27. Nf4? Ne7?This is a perfect example of the principle that it is important to consider if a threat can be ignored, instead of defended against. Better for Black is 27....Nxd4!! 28. Nxd4 Rxc1 29. Rxc1 Bxd4 30. exd4 Qxf4 -+. (Fritz).28. Qd3

This contains hidden threats. 28. ...Kg7?? seems natural, but fails to 29 Nh5+! gxh5?? 30. Qh7++.

The only nice thing about the White queen being in front of the bishop is that two defenders effectively protect g6 from 3 attackers.

The threat of Nh5 and my creaking kingside tells me that the time to bust open the center is now or never. 28 ........ e5I believe that this freeing break is the pivotal point of the game. After this, it will be White who must play carefully. 29. dxe5 Bxe530. Nxe5 Qxe5I give up the Bishop pair, but my queen is left in a commanding position. 31. g4 Stopping ...Nf5, but White's kingside is becoming loose. 31. ...... Qg5The point of this is to create a weakness on g3.32. h3 Qe5I wanted to play 32...h5? here, but realized that it gives White the tactical blow of 33. Nxh5 (or 34. Rxc8 followed by Nxh5) gxh5?? 34. Qh7++. The threat of Nh5 is a continual source of danger.33. h4?! White needs to try to liquidate to an even endgame, but Bill is an inherently uncompromising player and I had no expectation of him trying to simplify. 33. ....... Be6After 33......Be6, it becomes hard to find good moves for White. Moving the knight would be a disaster: 34. Nxg6 Qg3+ 35. Kh1 Qh3+ 36. Kg1 Qxg4+ 37. Kh1 Nf5 38. Ne7+ Kh8 39. Nxc8 Ng3+ 40. Kg1 Ne2+ 41. Kh1 Qh3++. (Black should forsake the perpetual check after 34...Qg3+).

34. Nxd6 fails to 34....Qg3+ 35. Kh1 Qxh4 36. Kg2 Qxg4 37. Kh2 Qxe6-+. (white must stay off the 1st rank: 36 Kg1? Rxc1 37. Rxc1 Qxg4 38. Kh1 Qf3+ 39. Kg1 Rf5 0-1).

To hold the balance, White needs to find the extremely difficult to see plan of 34. Rxc8 Bxc8 35. Rf2! = (where White can respond to Bxg4 with Nxg6 and Qg3+ with Rg2) (Fritz).34. Qe2 ??With the natural looking text move, White understandably seeks to protect the g4 pawn and protect against the black queen penetrating the kingside. But with the pawn on e3 now pinned, the rook on f1 is over-worked, protecting both the Rook on c1 and the knight on f4.34. ....... Rxc135. Rxc1 Rxf4White can't take the rook back with 36. exf4 due to 36....Qxe2.36. Kh1 Rxg437. Qf2 Qh538. resignsThere is no defense to 38......Rxh4.

This game created a three way tie for the State Championship between Joe Jurjevich, Brent Inman and me, with each of us having 4.0 points.

8

Nathan Saint: 2006 Alabama High School Championby Scott Varagona

All hail the champion! At this year–s Alabama High School Championship, it was Scottsboro–s Nathan Saint who triumphed with 3.5 points, beating out former champion Keenan Olson on tiebreaks. Subsequently, Nathan represented Alabama at the Denker Tournament of High School Champions in August. There, he scored 3.5 out of 6’ a quite respectable result, considering the caliberof competition’ and gained 62 rating points to boot. Hats off to you, Nathan!

Our new champion was kind enough to send me two critical games from the High School Championship and the Denker. First we have Nathan–s crucial last-round clash with Keenan Olson, who was right in step with Nathan at 3points out of 4. For these two players, the whole tournament was riding on this game. It was bound to be a war of nerves!

Olson, K (1616) — Saint, Nathan (1702)2006 Alabama High SchoolChampionship, Round 41. d4 c52. e3 Nf63. c3 b64. Nf3 Bb75. Bd3 d6

Keenan and Nathan are both playing this opening with incredible restraint. Perhaps it–s just a matter of taste at this stage, but I think 2. d5 would have promised White better chances for an opening advantage. Likewise, with the conservative 5. “d6 Black keeps the e5 -square under control, but now he has to worry about a space-gaining e3-e4.6. Nbd2 g67. O-O Bg78. e4 e6?

After this, Black–s pawn structure becomes unacceptably loose. With the dark-bishop already on g7, it doesn–t pay to weaken d6. An alternative is 8. “O -O, quietly awaiting events. Nathan–s move invites immediate (and unfavorable) complications, but at least now we get to see some fireworks!9. Bb5+

Keenan decides to give up his big center in order to go after Black–s weaknesses. The simple 9. Qe2 gives White a positional advantage, but the text is sharper.9. “ Nbd710. e5 dxe511. dxe5 Nd512. Nc4 O-O13. Nd6 Rb814. Bg5 f6

Fritz prefers 14. “Qc7, but I doubt anybody would want to play Black after 15. Nxb7 Rxb7 16. c4 Nb4 17. Be7 and Bd6.15. Nxb7 Rxb716. Bc6 Rc717. Bxd5 exd518. Qxd5+ Kh8

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19. Rad1?This seems like a winning blow, but in fact it–s an

extravagance that throws away much of White–s advantage. After the humble 19. exf6! White can trade down to an ending with an extra pawn (and all the winning chances) in hand. However, White–s pieces look so active that it almost seems a shame to have to ”cash in… on the advantage so early. Still, in hindsight, that would have been the wisest course.

I suppose in a game with such a fast time control, it is especially tempting to try to finish off the opponent (too) quickly. Of course, I–ve been in these guys– shoes and I know how tough these decisions can be in the heat of the moment. Nonetheless, in this case, White–s keeping the middlegame going was a mistake.19. “ fxg520. e6 g4!

The saving move! But Black must be careful; he–s not entirely out of the woods just yet.21. Ng5! Bf6?

This may look good for Nathan at first, but unfortunately the resulting tactics favor White. Although it–s true that Black must continue to kick White–s knight around, the best way to do this is with Fritz–s 21. “h6!, when 22. Nf7+? Rxf7 23. exf7 Qf8 gives Black a slight advantage. The actual game continuation is similar, but with the crucial difference that, on f6, Black–s bishop is exposed to attack. Just wait and see!22. Nf7+

Forced. 22. exd7? Bxg5 drops a piece, while 22. Ne4 (hoping to capture on d7 next move, and keep the attack alive) runs into 22. “Ne5!, winning.22. “ Rxf723. exf7 Qf8(?)

Now White wins with 24. Qe6!, threatening both the knight and the bishop at once. After 24. “Qe7 25. Rxd7! Rxd7 26. Qxd7!, Keenan would be a full Exchange up. Still, in all fairness to Nathan, there wasn–t much better of a 23rd move to choose. Here–s an example, courtesy of the computer: 23. “Kg7 24. Rfe1! (threat: Re1 -e8) “Qf8 25. Qxd7! Rxd7 26. Rxd7 followed by Re1-e8, with a White victory.24. Rfe1

This doesn–t spoil anything just yet, but 24. Qe6! was much simpler.24. “ Kg725. Re6??

A stunning turnabout! Now the f7-pawn is lost and Black, with two pieces for a rook, is actually better!25. “ Qxf726. Qd6 Rb727. Qc6 Ne5!

Keenan had a few final tricks to play, but Nathan has weathered the storm.28. Qd5 Rd729. Rd6

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29. • Qxd5(?)30. R1xd5

Draw agreed (1/2-1/2).All Nathan needed was a draw to win the

tournament on tiebreaks, so his somewhat drawish trade on move 29 was 100% justified, practically speaking. Still, from the purely objective standpoint, after 29. “Rxd6! 30. Qxd6 Qxa2, it is ironically Black who has all the winning chances. What a see-saw battle!

Come to think of it, one of the things that impresses me about Nathan is that he–s proud of his defensive efforts. When I asked Nathan if I could annotate two of his games from the High School Championship and the Denker, he freely chose two tense games in which he was on the brink of losing but somehow managed to turn things around. Indeed, his following game from the Denker is a close shave if there ever was one!

Young, Jason (WV) — Saint, Nathan (AL)(1968) (1708)

2006 Denker Tournament ofHigh School Champions, round 5The opening moves were 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4.Be3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Nc3 d6 7. f3 a6 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. g4h6 10. h4 h5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12.g5 Nd7 13. f4 Qa5 14. Bc4Nb6 15. Bb3 Be6 16. O-O Bh3 17. Rf2 Rd8 18. Kh2 Be619. Bd4 Bxd4 20. Qxd4 Rg8 21. Raf1 Bxb3 22. axb3 e5 23.Qd3 exf4 24. Rxf4 Rf8.

Both White and Black made a number of mistakes on their way to this position’ for example, 21. Bxe6! fxe6 22. b4 would have been nice for White,

whereas (after 21. Raf1?) 21. “c5! would have been nice for Black (according to Fritz). But anyway, now that we–re here, what can we say? First of all, White is much better. Despite the airy kingside, White–s king is relativelycomfortable compared to his counterpart. The major factor, of course, is the pressure along the f-file. Things are looking bleak for Black, but that–s not to say he doesn–t have resources“25. Qf3 Qe526. Kh1 Qe727. e5! d5!

Nathan–s best chance, keeping the center as closed as possible and patiently waiting. In such positions, Black can only sit tight, cross his fingers, hope that White finds a way to go wrong“ then pounce!28. Qe2 Qe6!

The first sign that things are trickier than White thought. Now 29. Qxa6?? Qh3+! allows a perpetual.29. Kg1 Nd730. Qxa6 Nxe5

Remarkably, Black can indeed get away with this. White still has the advantage (Fritz says +1 here), but it–s getting harder and harder for White to find the best continuation. Especially since Nathan keeps playing the best defensive moves!

31. Qe2 Kd732. Na4 Qd633. Rf6 Qe7

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34. Re1?!

The first slip. This move sets up a tactically dangerous situation for White. Reason: if White–s queen strays far (say, to a6 again), “Nf3+! causes mayhem thanks to the unprotected e1-rook. It–s hardly obvious, but better is the computer–s 34. Qa6 Ke8 35. Qa5! Qd7 36. R1f4 Qe7 37. Nc5, which maintains White–s grip.

34. “ Rde835. Qe3?!

Fritz prescribes 35. Kf1!, spending a whole tempo just to solve the tactical problem I just described.However, that isn–t White–s only problem“

35. “ Kd836. Kg2?

This eliminates the “Nf3+ worry but also puts the king on a vulnerable square. Having realized that his advantage is not so easily converted into victory, White begins to drift. Only 36. Nc5! gives White something to smile about.

36. “ Qb4!37. c3 Qg4+

38. Kf1??

Suddenly faced with the queen–s rude intrusion, White collapses. 38. Qg3 would have led to an even ending.

38. “ Nd7!39. Qf2 Rxe1+

The alternative 39. “Qh3+! (Fritz) is even faster, but the text is sufficient.

40. Kxe1 Re8+41. Kd2 Nxf642. Qb6+ Ke743. Qc5+ Kd744. Qa7+ Ke645. gxf6 Qf4+46. Kc2 Kxf647. Kb1 Re1+48. Ka2 Qf149. Qd4+ Kf5!

White resigns (0-1).

White did not want to see 50. b4 Rd1! 51. Qe3 Ra1+ 52. Kb3 Qd1 mate. A defensive triumph!

Well done, Nathan. I know you–re busy in college now, but please keep playing as much chess as you can!1

1 Antics readers and all Alabama chess players echo this sentiment—Editor.

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Saint and Hellwig Shine in Chicagoby David Worley

The Denker Tournament of Champions and the Polgar Tournament of Champions were held this past August in concurrence with the US Open in Oak Brook (a Chicago suburb), Illinois. The ACF nominated Nathan Saint to play in the Denker and Hannah Hellwig to play in the Polgar. Both earned their nominations in this year–s State Scholastic Championship Tournament in which Nathan earned the title of K-12 State Champion while Hannah was the highest finishing female.

Nathan, now a freshman at Shorter College in Rome, Georgia, entered the Denker with a 1708 rating that ranked 33rd in a field of 46 that included 3 Masters, 15 Experts, and 14 class A players. He lost his first game to the eventual tournament winner but rallied to finish with a best-in-class B 3.5 points. His

performance rating for the tournament was an outstanding 2001 (Expert!). His games included victories over two class A players and a draw against an Expert.

Hannah, a vivacious 14-year-old fromBirmingham, is Alabama–s first ever Polgar representative. She entered the tournament with an 1136 rating that ranked 35th in a field of 44. She lost her first two games to opponents that out-rated her by a combined 1300+ points, but rallied in the last 4 rounds to finish with a best-in-class E 2.5 points. Her 1288 performance rating for the tournament suggests she won–t remain in class E for long.

Congratulations to both of these young people!

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53rd Alabama State Chess Championshipby Caesar Lawrence

The 2006 edition of the Alabama State Chess Championship marked the tournament 53rd anniversary. The playing site was Auburn University-Montgomery (AUM) campus – Taylor Center. There were 48 players in the main tournament and 13 youths in the scholastic tournament.

OPEN Section:

1st Place: IM Stephen Muhammad (Columbus, GA) - with 4.5 points out of 5.

2nd Place: Joe Jurjevich (Bay Minette) and Brent Inman(Mobile) – both with 4 points. Joe Jurjevich won the ASCC Champion trophy on tiebreaks. Also, they are Alabama Co-Champion along with Calvin Bomar. Class A: Calvin Bomar (Trussville) with 4 points out of 5. Alabama Co-Champion.

2nd Class A: Mark Liatti (Montgomery), Ray Downs(Millbrook) and Ken Goodman (Lafayette) - all with 3.5 points. Under 1800: Keenan Olson (Mobile), Ken Sloan (Mountain Brook), and Jeff Rizzo (Ozark) – each with 3 points. RESERVE Section:

1st Place: Jim Griffin (Greenville) and Ryan Brown (Ohatchee) with 4 out of 5 points. Jim Griffin won the ASCC Reserve trophy on tiebreaks. They are the Reserve Champs.

3rd Place: Koral Wynn (Pensacola, FL) with 3.5 points.

Class D: Ronnie Berglund (Headland) with 3.5 points.

2nd Class D: Jeremy Cooper (Gulf Shores) with 2.5 points. Under 1200: Hannah Hellwig (Birmingham) with 3.5 points.

Congratulations to the winners and many thanks to all of the chess players.

SCHOLASTICS

K-12 Section:1st Place: David Kwong (Birmingham) with 4 out of 4 points.

2nd Place: Temple Price (Birmingham) with 2 out of 4 points.

3rd Place: Robert Tremko (Madison) with 1 out of 4 points.

K-9 Section:

1st Place: Michael Tran (Fairhope) with 2 out of 4 points.

2nd Place: Ramsey Rossmann (Birmingham) with 1 out of 4 points.

K-6 Section:

1st Place: Phillip Wang (Birmingham) with 5 out of 5 points.

2nd Place: Stephen Adams (Birmingham) with 4 out of 5 points.

3rd Place: Lew Price (Birmingham) with 2 out of 5 points.

K-3 Section:

1st Place: Vikhram Balagee (Hoover) with 3 out of 5 points.

2nd Place: Garrett Brown (Ohatchee) with 2.5 out of 5 points.

3rd Place: Eric Wang (Birmingham) with 2 out of 5 points.

4th Place: Michelle Tran (Fairhope) with 1 out of 5 points. 5th Place: Andy Kong (Birmingham) with 0.5 out of 5 points.

Congratulations to all of the scholastic chess players. Thanks for playing.

Let's play chess...

Caesar Lawrence

14

Black Warrior Chess Challenge 2006by Caesar Lawrence

The Black Warrior Chess Challenge tournament was a remarkable success. Dr. Stuttsworked four long months to make this event happen. When she lost the playing site two weeks before the event, she was diligent about securing another facility. The playing site was the Benjamin Barnes YMCA. A big gracious “Thank You” goes to Dr. Rose Marie Stutts!

Our sincerest thanks goes to Mr. Alan McShan -Director of Benjamin Barnes YMCA. Also, many thanks to the Men’s Club of the Central Branch YMCA, Focus on Senior Citizens,Men’s Club of the Benjamin Barnes YMCA, Shen Lung Kung Fu Association, and all of thesponsors. The event drew 18 players in the [main] adult tournaments and 21 youths in the scholastic tournaments.

OPEN Section:

Adult Rated

1st Place: Tom Taylor and Todd Reynolds – both with 3.5 points out of 4. Tom Taylor won the trophy on tiebreaks.

U1700: Gerald Wheeler and Harris Reynolds – both with 3 points out of 4. Gerald Wheeler won the trophy on tiebreaks.

U1400: Thomas Gilbreath with 2.5 points out of 4.

Adult Un-Rated (Match)

1st Place: Doug Strout – with 3.5 points out of 4.2nd Place: James Garner – with 0.5 points out of 4.

SCHOLASTIC Section: Rated K-6

1st Place: Charles Li - with 4.5 out of 5 points.

2nd Place: Philip Wang - with 3 out of 5 points.

3rd Place: Benjamin Goodman - with 3out of 5 points.

Rated K-3

1st Place: Vikhram Balagee - with 2.5 out of 5 points.

2nd Place: Andy Kong - with 2 out of 5 points.

3rd Place: Eric Wang - with 0 out of 5 points.

Un-Rated K-12

1st Place: Iris Minor - with 3 out of 5 points.

Un-Rated K-9

1st Place: Willie Reynolds - with 3.5 out of 5 points.

2nd Place: Katie Garner - with 3 out of 5 points.

3rd Place: Bennett Diano - with 3 out of 5 points

Un-Rated K-6

1st Place: Rachel Garner - with 4 out of 5 points.

2nd Place: Jon Garner - with 3 out of 5 points.

3rd Place: Matthew Lawrence - with 2.5 out of 5 points.

Un-Rated K-3

1st Place: Quinton Doss - with 4 out of 5 points.

2nd Place: Eliza Strout - with 3.5 out of 5 points.

2007 Blossomwood Rookie Rally Scholastic Chess Tournament

LOCATION: Blossomwood Elementary School1321 Woodmont AvenueHuntsville, AL 35801

DIRECTIONS: From I-565 take Exit 17b Governor’s Drive & turn left at light to cross under Memorial Parkway, then proceed 0.9 mi thru traffic light at Franklin. Veer left at Chevron service station onto Big Cove Road. Proceed thru light at Big Cove Rd and California. Continue East 0.3 mi then left on Olive Street. Take Olive downhill to stop sign – school entrance is immediately in front of you. Watch for chess signs and Blossomwood Elementary sign.

DATE: Saturday, February 3, 2007DETAILS: 5 Round Swiss. USCF Rated. Four sections, by grade. Primary (K-3),

Elementary (K-6), Jr. High (K-9), Open (K-12). Players are strongly encouraged to play in the lowest section for which they are eligible, but may play in a higher section. Sections may be merged at the TD's discretion.

TIME CONTROL: Game in 30 minutes (analog clocks), game in 25 with 5-sec delay (digital clocks)

ROUNDS: 10:15AM, 11:30AM, 1:00PM, 2:15PM, & 3:30PM (Final two rounds may be sooner, at TD's discretion).

REGISTRATION: EARLY REGISTRATION ENCOURAGED - Early registration must be postmarked by January 27, 2007. Send entry form and fees to:

Gerald Larson, 2909 Gallalee Road, Huntsville, Alabama 35801. Make checks payable to Huntsville Chess Club (single check for entry and membership OK; Please include PLAYER name(s) on check)

On-site registration/check-in 8:30am - 9:30am. New registrations will be accepted after 9:30am, with a first round forfeit.

ENTRY FEE: $20.00 if entry postmarked by January 27, 2007; $30 afterwards. MEMBERSHIPS: All participants must be United States Chess Federation (USCF)

members. $17/yr if under age 13; youth memberships (ages 13-15) $19/yr; young adult memberships (ages 16-24) $25/yr. Join or renew on-site or at: https://secure.uschess.org/webstore/member.php?mode.x=13&mode.y=16

PRIZES: Trophies: Top 10 individuals Primary and Elementary sections; top 4 Jr. High, top 3 Open. Top 4 teams Primary and Elementary sections (four highest scores); top 2 teams Jr. High and Open sections. Medals to all individuals whose score ties for a trophy but places too low on tie-breaks for a trophy.

TEAMS: This is an individual event, with secondary team prizes. Teams may represent a school or club. Pairings will be "team blind".

CONCESSIONS: Pizza, soda, other goodies, free coffee! QUESTIONS: Jim Weiner (jimweiner1@knology.net), 256-883-0236.

QUEEN OF HEARTSScholastic Chess Tournament

February 17, 2007

Site: AUM Campus Taylor Center Montgomery, AL 36117

Take Exit 171 from I-65 - onto I-85. Go 9 miles and take Exit 9. Turn left on Taylor Road. Turn left at 2nd light –into AUM Campus. From I-85 (Columbus), take exit 9. Go right on Taylor Road. Left at light into AUM Campus.

Responsible adult must accompany all entrants!

EARLY REGISTRATION ENCOURAGED - Early registration must be postmarked by FEB 12, 2007. Present late registration form on-site. DO NOT MAIL late entries. Send early entry forms and fees directly to the Chief Tournament Director:

Caesar Lawrence882 McAllister DriveCalera, AL 35040

Montgomery Chess Club event. Swiss System tournament with multiple sections. Sections may be merged for pairing (but not prizes) at the TD's discretion. USCF Rated, 4SS/5SS, W, OSA. Score sheets provided.

ELECTRONIC SCORE SHEET DEVICES ARE NOT ALLOWED!

ALL entrants MUST check-in during On-site Registration and attend Players Meeting at 10AM. Alabama Chess Federation membership and US Chess Federation membership required for rated sections. All players needing to join or renew USCF membership ($17/$19) should do so on-line at www.uschess.org where you can print out a temporary ID card. No USCF memberships will be processed during registration.

EVENT 2007 QoH Scholastic

DATE February 17, 2007

SECTIONS USCF Rated - Grade: K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and Open (10-12).NOT Rated – Grade: K-6 and 7-12.

TIME CONTROL Open: G/45 4SS; All other sections: G/30 5SS ROUNDTIMES

Open Section: 10:15, 1:00, 2:45, 4:30 All others: 10:15, 11:30, 1:30, 2:45, 4:00

ON-SITE REGISTRATION and CHECK-IN

Check-in between 9:00AM – 9:30AM. New entries accepted after 9:30AM, but with a first round forfeit.

ENTRY FEE Early entry fee: $15. Late entry fee: $25 (at Site).

TROPHIES Each Section: Top 3. Door prizes may be possible…CHESS SETS Players are encouraged to bring Sets, Boards and Clocks.TIE-BREAKS 1. Modified Median, 2. Solkoff, 3. Cumulative, 4. Play-off

E-mail questions to: Caesar.Lawrence@juno.com / call: 334-868-0271ACF Website: www.alabamachess.comChess Vendor: Sig Smith, www.sigschess.com

Editor’s Notes by Giles D'Souza.This issue is six weeks late for which I crave your indulgence. In any event, we have a fall issue that is bursting at the seams. There are articles by Bill Melvin, Calvin Bomar, Scott Varagona, David Worley, and Caesar Lawrence. There are flyers for forthcoming scholastic events at Huntsville (Blossomwood Elementary) and Montgomery (AUM), as well as the traditional Queen of Hearts, all testifying to the vibrancy of over-the-board chess in Alabame.Please email your articles to me at gdsouza@cba.ua.edu as word, text, rtf, html, or chessbase file attachments. The deadline for submissions for the next issue is January 15. I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Cover This month–s cover feature is none other than our ownBill Melvin, chess master, seven-time Alabama State Champion, past President of ACF, and a prolific contributor to Antics.

Bill is 40 years old, lives in Huntsville, and has been married for 19 years to Pam, with whom he has had three children: Miles (15), Holly (14), and Maria (12).

A software engineer by profession, Bill has been at the same job for the last fifteen years. His other hobbies include Magic: TheGathering, poker, and various computer games.

In the USCF database, Bill–s rating and tournament history are given since 1992. During this time, Bill–s lowest rating was 2123 and his highest rating 2328. Now it is at a floor of 2200.

Bill loves open attacking chess and all Alabama players know how he spurns draw offers. His tactical vision is legendary. Bill–s favorite game, with his comments and annotations, is given elsewhere in this issue. It is an exemplar of fighting chess and an enjoyable game to play over. Bill, we wish you and your family all the very, very best in the future. May you continue to play your brand of uncompromising, combative chess!

Puzzles to Enjoy!White to Play and Win in all three positions.

Solutions below (cover them up while you work the puzzles).

1.Bxg7 Qxg7 2.Rg6 Qe7 (to prevent 3.h4#) 3.Rh6+ Kxh6 4.Qg6#

1...Ne2+ 2.Kf1 Bxg2+ 3.Kxg2 Qg4+ 4.Kh1 Ng3+ wins the queen. If 4.Kf1 then 4...Qg1#

1.Rxg6+ fxg6 2.Rxg6+ Kxg6 3.Be4+ Kg7 4.Qc7+ Kg8 5.Qh7# (If 4...Rf7 5.Qxf7+ Kh8 6.Qh7# )

ACF/Antics10 Sherwood DrTuscaloosa, AL 35401

December, 2006 To