Front Page

National News:
Siebrandt Wins 5th Blind Title

A Look at the New USCF Website!

Five Tie For First at 2006 National Open

USCF Seeks Endorsements, Sponsorships and Strategic Partnerships

World News:
Kamsky Wins World Open in Playoff

Chess In the Media: Chess Stories Across the USA and Around the World

Index to Newsletters

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.

Click Here for a Look at the New USCF Website!

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.

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.