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Chess and Outdoor screening of "Searching for Bobby Fischer"

Jeff Siebrandt Claims 2005 USCF Blind Chess Championship

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National News

Chess and Outdoor screening of "Searching for Bobby Fischer"

This press release originally appeared on the USCF website.

The outdoor screening will take place Thursday, July 7 at the American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD - 5pm - 11pm. Contact: Theresa Segreti at (410) 244-1900, ext. #234.

The American Visionary Art Museum invites Chess Enthusiasts of all ages to Play Chess on AVAM's giant chess board by artist Lyle Estill in the Tall Sculpture Barn or challenge your chess opponent on boards set up in/near Federal Hill Park between 5pm-9pm on Thursday, July 7. Free passes to the museum will be distributed to chess players as well as free popcorn and drinks. There will also be a public drawing for FREE travel chess boards.

This evening of chess is in conjunction with the 9pm outdoor screening of "Searching for Bobby Fischer" starring Joe Mantegna, Laurence Fisburne, Max Pomeranc, Ben Kingsley. Directed by Steven Zaillian. 1993. Based on a true story of a seven-year-old Josh Waitzkin whose excellence at chess forces him and his family to examine how they can maintain his childhood and humanity while developing his extraordinary gift.

"Searching for Bobby Fischer" is part of the AVAM's Hughes Family Outdoor Theater "Flicks from the Hill" series on Federal Hill. Rain location for chess/film: 3rd floor/Jim Rouse Visionary Center on the campus of American Visionary Art Museum, Baltimore, MD. The website for the American Visionary Art Museum is: http://www.avam.org.

Jeff Siebrandt Claims 2005 USCF Blind Chess Championship

This press release originally appeared on the USCF website.

The U. S. Blind Chess Championship held June 24-25, 2005 in Elkins, West Virginia was organized by Rich Varchetto at the Hampton Inn. Jeff Siebrandt and Alex Barrasso with 3.5 points each split the first and second place prize money to collect $300 each. Agan Hajric took third place honors and $175 with 3 points.

With 2 points out of 4 each and tied for the U1800, U1600, and U1400 prize Michael Davis, Albert Pietrolungo, Henry Olynik, Richard Mc Straw, James Hart, and Virginia Alverson all took home $62.50 each. Joseph Wassermann and Allen Betts rounded out the field of 11 players with each scoring 1.0.

Three different scholastic programs supplied the game scorers each round while Rich Varchetto and the Elkins Lions Club (PO Box 1002, Elkins, WV 26241 for donations--Please make a note that the donation is for the 2005 US Blind Championship) supplied the financial support to present this event. Tim Just and Ira Lee Riddle were the Tournament Directors. The Hampton Inn supplied the playing site, sleeping rooms and food.

Additional details, the wallchart and the games in PGN can be found at: http://www.chessforlife.com/chess/blind05.html, provided by Chess For Life, LLC.