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Siebrandt Wins 5th Blind Title

Five Tie For First at 2006 National Open

US Chess Seeks Senior Art Director, Editorial Assistant

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National News

Siebrandt Wins 5th Blind Title

This article originally appear at www.chessforlife.com.

On June 23-24, 2006 in the off the beaten path venue of Buckhannon, WV, at the Hampton Inn, Texan Jeff Siebrandt scored 3.5-.5 to secure his fifth U. S. Blind title. The field of nine players consisted of 4 former champions, including Siebrandt.

While a guide dog snored and the other player’s wives scouted out shopping opportunities, Jeff took home the $300 first place prize, trophy, and the 2006 title. With scores of 2.5-1.5 Alex Barrasso, Al Pietrolungo, Henry Olynick, and James Hart all split the 2nd place, 3rd place, U 1800, and U1600 money four ways to pocket $125 each. On tie breaks, trophies went to Alex Barraso for 2nd place and Henry Olynick for3rd place. Henry Olynick also was awarded the Calyton Walker upset trophy for his last round draw with an opponent (Siebrandt) rated 648 points above him! Joe Wassermann claimed the U 1400 prize of $100 with his 2-2- effort. Henry donated his prize money towards an outing to reward the scorers.

The event was sponsored by the local Lions Club and organized by Rick Vachetto. Rick’s chess students from school acted as scorers and seconds on each board. Tim Just directed the event.

For complete standings and PGN files from the tournament, click here.

Five Tie For First at 2006 National Open

Grandmasters 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 Assistant

The 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 Partnerships

If 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.