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World News: Chess In the Media: Chess Stories Across the USA and Around the World
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National NewsUS Men Capture Bronze Medal in TurinA late surge in the final rounds of the Chess Olympiad in Turin lifted the US Men's team into 3rd place, earning them the bronze medal behind only Armenia and China. The team won nine matches, drew three and lost just one on their way to the podium. Heading into the final round, the US Men knew they would need a strong effort to have a chance for a medal. After 12 rounds, Russia stood in 3rd place, with 31 points. France, Hungary and Isreal also stood ahead of the US team, which had gained 29.5 points - 1,5 points behind the Russian team. However, circumstances soon made a medal charge possible, if unlikely. The Hungarians faced leader Armenia, and the Armenians were happy to clinch first place with 4 quick draws. Israel, just a half-point ahead of the USA, defeated Russia 3-1. The French team struggled to a 2.5-1.5 defeat against the Bulgarian team, leaving the door wide open for the Americans. Still, the US would need at least 3.5 points in their final match against Norway to get into the medal picture. Magnus Carlsen held American GM Gata Kamsky to a draw on board one, meaning the US would have to win each of their remaining games to stay in contention. Impressively, all three players came through. Alexander Onischuk defeated Simen Agdestein on board two, Hikaru Nakamura beat Leif Erlend Johannessen on the third board, and Varuzhan Akobian finished the job by winning on board four over Kjetil Lie. The result left the USA in a tie with Israel at 33.0 points. However, the American team had the superior tiebreaks, earning them the bronze medals. Six players contributed to the US team, with each player taking part in at least seven matches. The team members and their scores were: Gata Kamsky, 5.5/10 The US women's team also put together a strong performance at the Olympiad, finishing 4th. The team won seven matches, drew five and lost just one. Four players participated for the USA, including: Anna Zatonskih, 5.0/11 For full details on the Turin 2006 Chess Olympiad, see our World News section. Click Here for a Sneak Peak at the New USCF Website!Five Tie For First at 2006 National OpenGrandmasters Aleks Wojtkiewicz, Lubomir Ftacnik, Varuzhan Akobian, Nikola Mitkov and Merab Gagunashvili tied for first with 5 points each at the 2006 National Open, part of the Las Vegas International Chess Festival held at the Riviera Hotel & Casino on the Strip in Las Vegas. Going into the final round there were no less than 13 players tied at the top of the standings. This ensured that there was a lot of fighting and aggressive chess played in the final round as a draw assured nobody of a big payday. Six of the top seven boards ended in decisive results, an unusual feat in such a tournament, and hence we had a five way split at the top. Aleks Wojtkiewicz was awarded the Edmondson Cup on tie-breaks. 695 players participated in the main National Open tournament, which contained sections from the Open down to the Under 1200. Only Santiago Lunas (Under 1600), Robert Clarke (Under 1400) and Aaron Asay (Under 1200) were able to go through the entire tournament with perfect scores. There were other events going on as part of the Las Vegas International Chess Festival, including the prestigious Susan Polgar World Open Championship for Girls. This event was run in cooperation with the Susan Polgar Foundation. Winner of the Under Age 21 section was none other than Batchimeg Tuvshintugs, famously remembered for her upsets over various Grandmasters at the recent US Championships. All the section winners were awarded computer systems for their efforts. The National Open Blitz Championship was won by Grandmaster Merab Gagunashvili, who scored 11½ points to secure the title from last year’s joint winner Varuzhan Akobian, who finished just a point behind in second. Grandmasters Walter Browne and Susan Polgar both gave simultaneous exhibitions on the Thursday before the tournaments. Walter Browne conceded just 3 draws out of 23 boards and did not lose a game, while Susan Polgar gave up just one loss, to Allan Crow, and four draws from the 33 games that she played. As usual, the tournament was very well organized by Fred Gruenberg and Al Losoff, with Chief Tournament Director Bill Snead at the helm of a great directing staff. For complete results and standings from all the events, please visit the Las Vegas International Chess Festival website at www.lvchessfestival.com. US Chess Seeks Senior Art Director, Editorial AssistantThe U.S. Chess Federation (USCF) announces that Kathleen Merz, who has worked for the organization for the last six years, has resigned her position as Senior Art Director to take a position as Creative Director with Inside Out Hudson Valley. Kathleen has been a valued employee, so we are sorry to see her go but wish her success in her new endeavor. The USCF is now accepting applications for the position of Senior Art Director. This position is responsibile for all art in Chess Life and Chess Life For Kids as well as all of the other publications the USCF produces. A detailed job description will be posted soon. Send resumes to Director of Publications Daniel Lucas at dlucas@uschess.org. Online portfolios preferred, but mailed portfolios will be accepted at US Chess, Attn: Daniel Lucas, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38555. In addition, the U.S. Chess Federation seeks an editorial assistant to help with all USCF publications in Crossville. Knowledge of chess, copy editing a plus. Must know Quark or have similar software experience. Send resume and cover letter to USCF, PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557 Attn: Daniel Lucas. USCF Seeks Endorsements, Sponsorships and Strategic PartnershipsIf you have chess related products or services, please contact us with your proposal. The USCF is seeking endorsements, sponsorships and strategic partnerships from the chess community. Over the next few weeks please email, Joan DuBois, at the USCF office in Crossville, TN. |
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