201211 - Northwest Chess!

Northwest Chess Community Celebrates
National Chess Day
Established on October 9, 1976 by President Gerald R.
Ford “to give special recognition to a game that generates
challenge, intellectual stimulation, and enjoyment
for citizens of all ages,” organizers from Idaho, Washington
and Oregon joined the rest of the country in
acknowledging October 13, 2012, as National Chess Day.
The first National Chess Day still remains, 36 years
later, as one of the more memorable events in my life.
So much so, that it fills nearly a full chapter in my upcoming
memoir, All Over the Board. For more about that,
please read on.
In Washington, the Seattle event “Chess in the Park”
was cancelled due to bad weather. The Spokane Chess
Club luckily opted for an indoor venue as they hosted
a festival at Uncle’s Games in the Spokane Valley Mall.
There were four different events during the day. The
events were an action event of game 30, a game 15,
blitz and a three hour simul. Cameron Leslie won both
the game 30, and game 15. Mark Havrilla won the blitz.
Both Cameron Leslie and James Stripes played in the
simul. There was also a fund raiser with several drawings
with prizes donated by local businesses.
by Frank Niro
In Oregon the Portland Chess Club scheduled their Fall
Open and Open House, normally held in September, on
National Chess Day weekend October 13-14. Nick Raptis
of Portland and Brian Esler of Eugene tied for first
with 4-1 scores. Jon Strohbehn of Vancouver, WA won
the under-1800 section with 4.5 points in five games. 29
players participated -- 14 Open and 15 in second group.
Grisha Alpernas of Lake Oswego, assisted by Michael
Morris of Portland, shared the TD duties. We have issued
a call for game scores from the event, preferably
with notes, and will publish the games that we receive in
the December issue of Northwest Chess.
The Portland Chess Club hosted 29 players for the annual Portland Fall Open
held on National Chess Day weekend. Pictured above (in the corner) is cowinner
Nick Raptis on Board 1 in the final round against Becca Lampman.
The game was drawn giving Nick a tie for first place and Becca clear third place
with 3.5 points. On the adjoining board, Brian Esler (facing camera) defeated
Matthew Hill (wearing cap) to pull even with Raptis. Roland Eagles defeated
Sean O’Connell on Board 3 (to the left of Raptis-Lampman along the wall).
Many other NW tournament regulars are also visible in this photo provided
courtesy of Sean Tobin.
The Spokane Chess Club (pictured above) meets once per week and sponsors
three major weekend tournaments throughout the year. Regular meetings are on
Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in Herak Hall (Engineering building) Room
301 at Gonzaga University. All USCF-rated Thursday night events require
club membership. You do not need to be a member to engage in casual play
(“free play”) or non-rated events. Dues are $24 for adult membership. Seniors
$12 a year. Juniors (under 18) and Gonzaga students free. Visitors should
park in the College Hall (formerly the Administration Building) parking lot,
which is located at East 502 Boone Avenue. The lot is conveniently accessed
from Sharp Avenue. Herak Hall is about 100 yards south of the Administration
Building. Photo courtesy of the Spokane Chess Club, http://www.
spokanechessclub.org.
In Idaho, there were 17 players in the 8-round 24-hour
National Chess Day event including seven new USCF
players who never played a rated tournament before.
In addition, one player entered his first rated tournament
since 2003, and two players purchased ICA Premium
memberships with NWC subscriptions included.
The tournament was won by Cody Gorman with a 6-2
record including two half point byes, ahead of Jeffrey
Roland and Julie Nahlen who finished tied for second
place with five points. Chip Ruberry, Frank Niro, Shane
Taylor and Lucas Knoll were a half point further back
at 4.5 – 3.5. Roland was the only player to play all eight
Page 4 November 2012 Northwest Chess