Gelvic

Gelvic e-mailed me from Denver in route to San Francisco and gave me permission to share the movie he sent me earlier in the day. Click here to watch the movie which includes footage from the Winter Blues Tournament.
Produced by Gelvic Cubar, Camera man Johnny Owens. Enjoy!!

Randas Burns Takes 1st At The Winter Blues Open!

Randas scored 4-0 winning 1st place in "The Winter Blues Open" and took home $100. There was $460 given out in prizes at this first event held at "The Family Buffet" in Elizabethtown! More details and photos will be posted at the KCA website, as well as the Hub City blog site. In the meantime here is the USCF crosstable of the event!

I want to thank all those that attended and maybe I can play next time!

Reminder "The Winter Blues Open"

The Winter Blues Open
Saturday, February 25, 2012

USCF Rated
* 4SS * G/60 *

EF: $20 if mailed by Feb. 20th

PLACE/SITE:
FAMILY BUFFET 121 Towne Drive * Elizabethtown, KY 42701

PRIZES:
OPEN (1400+) $$b/20 1st $150, 2nd $100, 3rd $50, U1700 $50

RESERVE (U 1400) $$b/10 1st $75, 2nd $50, 3rd $25, U1000/unr $25

Late/On-Site Registration Sat: 11-11:25 am – Late EF: $5.00 more.
(Cash only at site)

ROUND TIMES:
11:30 AM - 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM Eastern Time

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS
Email: chessnut@insightbb.com
Phone: (270) 272-3061

February Rating Tournament

The results of the February Rating Tournament are finally in. Click here to view the cross table.
Totals for the 2012 Championship now stand as follows:
Owens .....................................................................................4.5
Weldin......................................................................................4
Farrell.......................................................................................3
Cubar.......................................................................................2.5
Fatula.......................................................................................2
Nunn........................................................................................2
Weaver....................................................................................2
Brock.......................................................................................1
Kilmer......................................................................................1
Mancuso..................................................................................1
McKinney................................................................................1

Quiet Night of Skittles

The following members showed up tonight to play skittles:  Amy, Ernie, Sal, Rudy, Kerry and Rayane.  Don't forget the tournament this coming Saturday at Family Buffet.  First round starts at 11:30. 

GM Lombardy Self-Publishes His Latest Book

For the younger players; GM William "Bill" Lombardy was a world class player during the "Fischer Era". His phenomenal score of 11 out of 11 while winning the World Junior Championship in 1957 has never been equalled before or since. GM Lombardy was Fischer's second during his successful match against Spassky for the World Championship; although by all accounts Fischer refused to use his services.

Lombardy was an ordained Catholic Priest in his younger years, later giving up the priesthood to marry and start a family.

Hans Ree reviewed the book in the latest volume of New In Chess, 2012 #1, and mentioned that the sole distributor was the author. This set me on a google search to find how to order a copy. The only place I could find ordering information was at this link.Order book here.

Check for $60 ($54 for book - $6 shipping)  To: William Lombardy
                                                                           12 Stuyvesant Oval - 6B
                                                                           New York, NY 10009

Stepping Down

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I tender my resignation effective today February 9, 2012. I assure you my fellow club members that I will come back stronger than today. Thank you for helping me improve my skills by giving me tough games.

elections next month

I guess we will be having elections next month to juggle officers. Since there is not a provision in the constitution for appointments, article II section 1 seems to indicate that we have to notify members by email one month before the elections.
The nominations made tonight were as follows....I think:
Joe Farrell moves up to President Amy Nunn to VP Jerry Weldin-- Secretary Treasurer stays the same (Clayton). Since Joe and Amy are already officers, does that mean that only Sec. position is voted on? I"m not sure...Sal was asking what the constitution said and so I'm adding this copy below. Sal was asking what the Vice President's job was. Attached is the
Constitution of the Elizabethtown Chess Club.

PREAMBLE

We, the chess players of Central Kentucky, in order to establish conditions under which chess can flourish in our area have resolved to combine our efforts to accomplish this common goal and do hereby ordain this constitution to establish rules and order in the pursuit of this goal collectively as the Elizabethtown Chess Club.

ARTICLE I – CLUB OFFICERS

SECTION 1 – PRESIDENT. The President shall chair all Club meetings; guide the club in the pursuit of nurturing chess in the area; appoint committees as needed; and appoint individuals to necessary posts within the Club, subject to ratification by a majority vote of the membership.

SECTION 2 – VICE-PRESIDENT. The Vice-President shall perform the duties of President in his absence and Chair Committees as directed by the President.

SECTION 3 – SECRETARY. The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all Club business meetings and read the minutes of the previous meeting if called to do so. The Secretary may also act as Treasurer.

SECTION 4 - TREASURER. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of dues and monies owed to the Club, securing said monies, and disperse monies as directed by the President. Shall maintain accurate fiscal records and render a report to the general membership annually and as directed by the President. Tournament Directors may collect monies as necessary in the conducting of a tournament; but must turn over any excess monies after expenses; with a complete accounting of all monies taken in as fees and dispersed as prizes/necessary expenses; to include a list of prize winners; to the Treasurer no later than the next scheduled meeting.


ARTICLE II – BY LAWS


SECTION 1 – ELECTIONS. Elections will be held as necessary to fill vacant officer positions and at least annually in the month of November to elect Club officers from the current active membership. Elections will be announced by e-mail and notice posted at meetings one month prior to date of elections. Elected officers will serve for a term of one year or until the next general elections. Officers may serve successive terms without limitation if voted in by the membership. Elections will be decided by a simple majority of votes cast and received.

SECTION 2 – CURRENT ACTIVE MEMBERS. A current active member shall be defined as a member who is current in his/her dues to the Club and is a current member of USCF. In the event dues are not being charged; a current active member shall be defined as a current USCF member who has participated in one Club sponsored tournament in the previous twelve month period. Exceptions will be made for absences due to military duty.



SECTION 3 – RULES OF CONDUCT. Roberts Rule of Order shall be used at all meetings.

SECTION 4 – CONSTITUTIONAL AMMENDMENTS. This constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the Current Active Members at any annual meeting; or after a vote brought about by a properly submitted and seconded motion to do so.

April Club Tornado Set For April 28, 2012!

This is the TLA I sent to USCF to be published in the April issue of "Chess Life."

Apr. 28, The Elizabethtown Tornado
4SS, G/45 Elizabethtown Community & Technical College, Room
303, Occupational-Technical Building, Elizabethtown, KY. EF: $20
by Apr. 23, at site $25. $$b/25; $150, 75 Class B, C, C, E & below/UNR
$50 each if at least 2 players in section. Reg: 8:45-9:15 am, Rds:
First round 9:30 am, others ASAP. Ent: Johnny Owens (TD), P.O.
Box 226, Elizabethtown, KY 42702-0266. (270) 272-3061. Info:
http://etownchess.blogspot.com.

Just a reminder that club members get a $5.00 discount for entry into this tourney!

Is That Our Club President?

Yes, Gelvic is still playing chess and Playing Well! Last night at Meijer, Gelvic won his 1st round game vs. Robert Amback (1913) and then won his 2nd round game vs. Expert Felix Valdes (2066). Gelvic then withdrew from the tourney. I guess he decided to take his newly won rating points and run! Any case, he had a fine performance.

I scored 2.5 with 2 wins and a draw in the under 1800 section, good enough for 1st place in the section and $20.00! I will post my games on my new blog soon.

Hou Yifan Beats Polgar At Gilbralter

GM Hou Yifan, current Woman's World Champion and second highest FIDE rated female player at 2605, won with the white pieces today against GM Judit Polgar the top rated female at 2710.
As everyone knows Judit refuses to play in "female only" events and isn't as active since she became a mother. Yifan is fresh off successfully defending her title earlier in the year against Humpy Koneru who was the second highest rated woman player at the time. The world has long awaited a match up between Judit and another high caliber woman player; Judit triumped over GM Humpy Koneru in an earlier round, but this time youth has prevailed. There will undoubtedly be many articles written in print and on line about this encounter. Click here to see the game. (navigate down 4 games to Hou Yifan vs Judit Polgar)  There are still three rounds left and you can watch the commentary and the "Master Classes" at any time by clicking on this link. GM Nana Dzagnidze is playing amazing chess and is still in the leaders pack.

Visitors from France

On behalf of Amy, I agreed to post her message below:

Members in attendance tonight were Ernie, Amy, Bob, Kerry, Sal, Nick and Dave, who all played skittles. Also, a young man named Rayane visited our club along with his parents. They recently moved here from France and found us on the web while surfing for activities for their children. Rayane and his younger sister both play chess and will be a welcome addition to the club. Rayane played a 5 minute speed game against Ernie and lost on time, but Ernie thought Rayane had the better position. Welcome to the club Rayane, we look forward to some good chess!

10 To Tango

Joe Farrell continued his string of victories by scoring 3-0 last night in the first tournament of 2012. Kerry Fatula "the Spoiler" was on fire last night and as he and Joe possessed the only perfect scores after 2 rounds; they were paired in the last round with Joe winning in a time scramble.
Kerry also served as the Tournament Director and should be applauded for a great job. No one would have guessed that it was his first time!
When the tournament is posted you will be able to click here for the X-Table.

3 January Meeting

An even dozen attended the first meeting of 2012. 2011 Championship awards were presented with Kerry Fatula receiving a "spoiler" award and a Chess Digest pamphlet on the Larson Opening 1. P-QN3 from Jerry. Dues were set at $12 for the year and several topics were discussed before the games began.
Sal challenged Stephanie to a rated game which Steff won in 15 moves!

2011 Awards!!

It's time to give those who endured the whole year of tough "battles" and emerged victorious their awards and recognition. The trophies will be awarded Tuesday, January 3, 2012. Congratulations to the winners!!

Reflections on 2011

With the year drawing to a close I'd like to thank everyone who helped the Club stay viable as we prepare for 2012. A special thanks to Johnny Owens who met and exceeded all Tournament Director expectations; I'm sure that no other club in the USA had tournament results posted faster and more accurately than ours. Johnny also served as Vice President, thanks Johnny!

Kerry Fatula deserves recognition for always being at Club meetings, rain or shine, Kerry doesn't care about rating points he truly loves the game and plays win, lose, or draw. It should be noted that Kerry gained over 100 rating points this year!! Kerry has also accepted the position of Club Tournament Director for 2012.

Stephanie Clayton: with plate already filled with work, her kids chess club, and teaching at night; took on the responsibility of Treasurer when Steve Parsons had to relinquish the position due to extreme family circumstances. Stephanie took home prize money at the Kentucky Open again this year, organised and financed the Veteran's Appreciation Tournament, and gained 62 rating points this year.

Joe Farrell served as Club Secretary and has made a great personal effort to attend all business meetings and tournaments. Joe gets the "Hero Award" for fending off the "bee swarm" to get to the "honey" and become the Club's first "home grown" Expert!! Joe is the Club's new Vice President.

Amy Nunn has distinguished herself and brought glory to the Club by becoming the 2011 Kentucky Woman's Champion!! Amy not only raised her rating 44 points over the year, but has also "volunteered" to serve as Club Secretary.

Ernie Weaver serves as our "Liaison" to the College and schedules classrooms for our "Spring Tournament". Ernie also proof reads books for Dan Heisman and is the point of contact for the Club on the ECTC Web Site.

Rudy McKinney, Bob Kilmer, Nick Folino, Dave Brock, and Sal Mancuso always attend when they are able, in town and work permitting. This group along with Peston Andrew, provide the foundation on which the Club is built on.

Gelvic Cubar our new Club President is currently experiencing a time of personal turmoil from which I am sure he will emerge stronger than ever. The Bluegrass State Champion for 2011, Gelvic is a tough opponent across the board and a refreshingly genuine "good guy".

This year our Club gained 431 rating points; 1744 if you count Josh Jordan's initial rating of 1313. Josh e-mailed me that he will come by in January and pay his 2012 dues. We need to put a GPS tracking device on him so we can get him to show up more often!

Larry Davidson (Glasgow) deserves a special mention for supporting our Egg Salad Tournament by participation and donating enough books for each participant to receive one FREE! Larry also provided a book concession with very reasonable prices which I think "sold out" (James Whiddon was top purchaser). Thanks Larry for all your support and kind e-mails.

Nathanial Emdee, where are you? Your e-mail address is no longer valid.

Thanks to everyone who reads this far. Thanks to all for your support during my tenure as Club President. I eagerly await our next meeting over the board! Wishing everyone health, joy, and prosperity in 2012!

PS - Benny Wilson is back. Andrew Preston is recovering from his knee replacement surgery after a rough fight with infection. Joe thinks he has two new members lined up for 2012. The Club will host the inaugural "Kings Tournament". Life is good and Chess will be even better in 2012!!

Co-Champions For 2011!!

Joe Farrell and Jerry Weldin tied for first in this years Club Championship!!
Both finished with 4 points out of 5 with Joe scoring 3 wins and 2 draws (the only player not to lose a game.) to Jerry's 4 wins with 1 lose (to Joe). Jerry was declared winner on tie breaks. (The first tie break was number of blacks. Jerry had 3 to Joe's 2.) Gelvic Cubar placed 3rd with 2.5 points, Kerry Fatula ("The Spoiler") took 4th with 2 points, Johnny Owens and Ernie Weaver placed 5th and 6th respectively.
The official X-table will be added when available. Just in click here for X-table.