album cover

Mr. Green Genes / New York Times endorses Obama

Mr. Green Genes is the first fluorescent cat in the United States, said Betsy Dresser, the center’s director.

The researchers made him so they could learn whether a gene could be introduced harmlessly into the feline’s genetic sequence to create what is formally known as a transgenic cat. If so, it would be the first step in a process that could lead to the development of ways to combat diseases via gene therapy.

The gene, which was added to Mr. Green Genes’ DNA when he was created earlier this year in the Audubon center’s laboratory, has no effect on his health, Dresser said. Cats are ideal for this project because their genetic makeup is similar to that of humans, said Dr. Martha Gomez, a veterinarian and staff scientist at the center.

Why a glowing cat?

To show that the gene went where it was supposed to go, the researchers settled on one that would glow.

The gene “is just a marker,” said Leslie Lyons, an assistant professor of population health and reproduction at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis, who is familiar with the Audubon center’s work.

“The glowing part is the fun part,” she said.

Glowing creatures made international news earlier this month when the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to three scientists who had discovered the gene through their work with jellyfish. They used the gene, whose formal name is enhanced green fluorescence protein, to see how things work inside animals and even inside cells.

Mr. Green Genes — his name comes from Mr. Green Jeans, a character on the long-departed “Captain Kangaroo” television show — is deeply suspicious of strangers. He spends most of his days napping, and he doesn’t like being held when he doesn’t want to be cuddled.
In normal light, the 7-pound cat, who lives at the center, looks and acts like any other feline.

But turn out the room lights and switch on some black light, and you can see glowing ears, nostrils, eyes and gums. Those body parts light up because the protein is more likely to express itself in mucous membranes, Lyons said.

“You can’t lose that cat at night,” said C. Earle Pope, the center’s senior scientist.

“The frozen zoo”
In theory, his litter box could glow, too, because cat droppings include epithelial cells, where the gene can be found. But there is entirely too much other stuff around them to allow for readily visible glowing without messy lab work, Gomez said.

The Audubon center started its animal-cloning experiments in 2001. Two years later, Ditteaux, an African wildcat, was born there. He was the world’s first cloned wild carnivore.

Cloning starts with cells — generally skin cells, Gomez said, because retrieval isn’t too invasive — and the cells’ genetic material is stored in a tank of liquid nitrogen where the temperature is 316 degrees below zero. The Audubon center has 12 such tanks of genetic specimens awaiting use;

Dresser calls them “the frozen zoo.”

For work with felines, eggs are collected from a donor cat — usually a domestic cat — and the DNA is removed and replaced. To create Mr. Green Genes, the fresh DNA included the fluorescent gene.

Then the fertilized egg is inserted into a surrogate mother cat for a pregnancy lasting 65 to 70 days.

After Ditteaux’s arrival, Gomez was invited to discuss it before a group of gene-therapy specialists, who, she said, were interested in the prospect of creating a genetic model for fighting diseases.

A tool to spot cystic-fibrosis
The Audubon scientists want to use their technique to develop a gene-therapy treatment for cystic fibrosis, an incurable hereditary disease for which, Gomez said, there are no gene-therapy models.

The fluorescence gene will go alongside the cystic-fibrosis gene and make it easy to spot. The long-term goal of this process, for which there is no timetable, is the production of what Gomez calls a “knockout gene.”

Work on this project is under way, she said. “We are getting some preliminary data, but we don’t have the full funds for it.”

Mr. Green Genes’ next role for the center will combine science and sex. He will become a stud so the Audubon team can determine whether the fluorescence gene can be transmitted. That should take no more than two breeding cycles, Gomez said.

“If he is fertile and if the female is fertile, it should be quick,” she said. “The idea is not to have a lot of green cats around, but to demonstrate that the gene can be passed.”

After that, he will retire to Gomez’s home, where two cats already live.

“I feel that he is my baby,” said Gomez, who led the team that created him.

“You have to realize that this is our first transgenic cat,” she said. “I don’t want him to go to just anybody. I feel he is mine.”

Barack Obama for President

NY Times editorial. some excerpts:

The United States is battered and drifting after eight years of President Bush’s failed leadership. He is saddling his successor with two wars, a scarred global image and a government systematically stripped of its ability to protect and help its citizens — whether they are fleeing a hurricane’s floodwaters, searching for affordable health care or struggling to hold on to their homes, jobs, savings and pensions in the midst of a financial crisis that was foretold and preventable. ...

Mr. Obama has met challenge after challenge, growing as a leader and putting real flesh on his early promises of hope and change. He has shown a cool head and sound judgment. We believe he has the will and the ability to forge the broad political consensus that is essential to finding solutions to this nation’s problems....

In the same time, Senator John McCain of Arizona has retreated farther and farther to the fringe of American politics, running a campaign on partisan division, class warfare and even hints of racism. His policies and worldview are mired in the past. His choice of a running mate so evidently unfit for the office was a final act of opportunism and bad judgment that eclipsed the
accomplishments of 26 years in Congress.

Given the particularly ugly nature of Mr. McCain’s campaign, the urge to choose on the basis of raw emotion is strong. But there is a greater value in looking closely at the facts of life in America today and at the prescriptions the candidates offer. The differences are profound....

The Candidates

It will be an enormous challenge just to get the nation back to where it was before Mr. Bush, to begin to mend its image in the world and to restore its self-confidence and its self-respect. Doing all of that, and leading America forward, will require strength of will, character and intellect, sober judgment and a cool, steady hand.

Mr. Obama has those qualities in abundance. Watching him being tested in the campaign has long since erased the reservations that led us to endorse Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic primaries. He has drawn in legions of new voters with powerful messages of hope and possibility and calls for shared sacrifice and social responsibility.

Mr. McCain, whom we chose as the best Republican nominee in the primaries, has spent the last coins of his reputation for principle and sound judgment to placate the limitless demands and narrow vision of the far-right wing. His righteous fury at being driven out of the 2000 primaries on a racist tide aimed at his adopted daughter has been replaced by a zealous embrace of those same win-at-all-costs tactics and tacticians.

He surrendered his standing as an independent thinker in his rush to embrace Mr. Bush’s misbegotten tax policies and to abandon his leadership position on climate change and immigration reform.

Mr. McCain could have seized the high ground on energy and the environment. Earlier in his career, he offered the first plausible bill to control America’s emissions of greenhouse gases. Now his positions are a caricature of that record: think Ms. Palin leading chants of “drill, baby, drill.”

Mr. Obama has endorsed some offshore drilling, but as part of a comprehensive strategy including big investments in new, clean technologies.

__

Mr. Obama has withstood some of the toughest campaign attacks ever mounted against a candidate. He’s been called un-American and accused of hiding a secret Islamic faith. The Republicans have linked him to domestic terrorists and questioned his wife’s love of her country. Ms. Palin has also questioned millions of Americans’ patriotism, calling Republican-leaning states “pro-America.”

This politics of fear, division and character assassination helped Mr. Bush drive Mr. McCain from the 2000 Republican primaries and defeat Senator John Kerry in 2004. It has been the dominant theme of his failed presidency.

The nation’s problems are simply too grave to be reduced to slashing “robo-calls” and negative ads. This country needs sensible leadership, compassionate leadership, honest leadership and strong leadership. Barack Obama has shown that he has all of those qualities.

please take a minute for something that is so obviously just

Hello Elizabeth's Blog Readers,

Across the country, people are picking up the phone, usually in the evening, and hearing a recorded voice recite vile smears about Barack Obama. The voice could be Rudy Giuliani's, or Sarah Palin's, or someone anonymous, but the pattern is the same: overheated rhetoric spreading distortions and lies designed to whip up fear or anger at Barack Obama.

The calls are so bad, even some Republicans have come out against them. Republican Senator Gordon Smith's spokesman said, "Senator Smith does not condone these sort of calls."

Susan Collins "urges the McCain campaign to stop these calls immediately." Even Norm Coleman in Minnesota has distanced himself from the calls.

It's time we get all Senators and House members on record about these calls. Follow this link to listen to a couple of these calls, and then fax or call your elected officials and urge them to condemn the McCain-Palin robocalls:

http://www.truthfightsback.com/robocalls

We've been working hard at TruthFightsBack.com to highlight these types of political tactics. We need to make these tactics unacceptable, make it politically painful to run these types of smear campaigns.

Our country deserves better than the slash-n-burn politics of the past. So fax or call your Senators and your Representative in the House and ask them to come out against these calls.

Thanks,
Brian Young

Joel Johnson Annotates

NM Joel Johnson - ARZ (2211) – Ilan Meerovich - CHC (2131) [B20]
ICC 60 30 u Internet Chess Club, 10/22/2008, Board 3
1.e4 d6 No need to panic. Based on my research, I am sure that he wants to play a Sicilian and this move does not change my opinion of that fact.

2.d3 g6
3.g3 Bg7
4.Bg2 Nf6
5.f4 0–0
6.Nf3 c5 Ah, yes, all is well now.
7.0–0 Nc6
8.h3

8...d5 Even though this is the best move in the position for Black, I felt comfortable playing against this line. The move that I spent the most time on here was 8. ... b5.

9.e5 Nd7
10.c3 e6 Even though this is a solid move, I was happy to see it. Practically speaking, it seemed better for him to counter with 10. ... Nb6 and 11. ... Bf5. Part of the problem with e6 is that Black has to play very precise to avoid having his Bishop on c8 becoming locked out of the game.

11.Na3 a6
12.Nc2 b5
13.d4 c4 Black continues to play moves that make it more and more difficult to free his locked in light-squared Bishop on c8. And, even though it would appear that the situation is a wash because of my locked in dark-squared Bishop on c1, I plan on making kingside Pawn advances that will provide my Bishop with some real future value.

14.Qe1 My goal now is to secure the queenside, then turn my full attention to building up a kingside attack.

14...a5
15.a3 Rb8
16.Kh1 Qe7
17.Bd2 Rb6
18.g4 Ndb8
19.Qg3 b4
20.axb4 axb4
21.Ne3 bxc3
22.bxc3

22...f5
23.exf6 Bxf6
24.Rae1 Qc7
25.Ne5 Nxe5
26.fxe5 Bg7
27.Rxf8+ Bxf8
28.Rf1

28...Rb2? I had expected him to play 28. ... Bg7, after which I had planned on playing g5, followed by Ng4 and Nf6 with a growing advantage.

29.Qf4 My intention is to play Nd5! on the next move, but it is also very good here. One of the lines I was looking at here was 29. ... Bg7 30. Nd5! ed5 31. Bd5 Kh8 32. Qf8!! Bf8 33. Kg7 Rg8#.

29...Qe7

30.Nxd5 exd5

31.Bxd5+ Black resigns

All moves lead to checkmate, for example:

31. ... Be6 32. Be6 Kh8 33. Qf8 Qf8 34. Rf8 Kg7 35. Rg8#;

31. ... Kh8 32. Qf8 Qf8 33. Rf8 Kg7 34. Rg8#;

31. ... Kg7 32. Qh6 Kh8 33. Rf8 Qf8 34. Qf8# 1–0

We ARE Queens Boulevard

Some USCL gossip for you: I hear that Queens will be changing its name next year from the Queens Pioneers to the Queens Entourage.

More China Photos

IM Dmitry Shneider
the very serious US men's team captain, GM Alex Shabalov


WFM Abby Marshall and WFM Shirley Ben-Dak


GM Jesse Kraai

GM Alex Shabalov, IM Dmitry Shneider
WFM Abby Marshall, GM Jesse Kraai




Dima, WFM Iryna Zenyuk











Iryna, Josh
WGM Jenn Shahade, GM Var Akobian, WFM Shirley Ben-Dak, IM Dmitry Shneider




tilt the screen




the US team
IM David Pruess, GM Var Akobian, GM Josh Friedel






WGM Jenn Shahade
Var and Ira

near: Elizabeth Paehtz, far: Jesse, Jenn, Abby

the lovely IM Elisabeth Paehtz





opening ceremony

photos taken by Alex Shabalov and Iryna Zenyuk

Videos/ Pics from the World Mind Sports Games in China

Here are three videos from the World Sports Mind Games. They were taken by Irina Krush on Alex Shabalov's camera. The first (sorry not working, check back later today) shows the American team discussing who will play in the men's rapid team armeggedon playoff vs. Iran. They choose Friedel, Shneider, and Perelshteyn. The second is of Perelshteyn playing and the dispute that arises. The last shows the resolution of the controversy.

I have a ton more plus many photos. If you guys are into them, I'll post more, but they're a pain to upload, so I'd like to hear that they are of interest before I bother.

look how awesomely high rated all my kids are!!

or at least how many of them there are....

I.S. 318 Top Rated Players
Oct 18, 2008

1. Rochelle B 1774
2. Daniel M 1687
3. Alexis P 1686
4. Myles F 1676
5. Steven C 1620
6. Orlando G 1587
7. Pobo E 1575
8. Mr. G 1503
9. Brittanie U 1480
10. Amani E 1478
11. Miguel G 1484
12. John Paul G 1424
13. Kevin I 1390
14. Jakob K 1361
15. Ezequiel Q 1335
16. Rawn P 1327
17. Azeez A 1323
18. Davon T 1314
19. Randy R 1309
20. Shawn S 1302
21. Rashawn W 1281
22. Jose M 1242
23. Abadel P 1240
24. Mr. M 1202
25. Mateusz C 1199
26. Jacob M 1119
27. Peter G 1109
28. D’Andrea D 1066
29. Alex C 1047
30. Carlos A 1041
31. Adolfo N 999
32. Sedrick N 998
33. Mitasha P 995
34. Rhoda L 991
35. Sebastian D 989
36. Talitha S 985
37. Miguel V 975
38. Sekou P 974
39. Joel P 969
40. Ameer W 958
41. James O 945
42. Jie Jing L 941
43. Christian M 867
44. Joel O 852
45. Mateusz B 851
46. Lovedeep S 837
47. Cesar R 805
48. Richard W 834
49. Juan C 783
50. Lisa L 775
51. Ezequiel A 770
52. Patrick N 757
53. HuiWen L 754
54. Nicole N 752
55. Tony de la C 748
56. Daniel M 725
57. Bilal H 691
58. Phillip P 638
59. Emmanuel O 574
60. Christopher F 566
61. Aru B 552
62. Roy G 501
63. Myles B 487
64. Joel de la C 487
65. Chris C 481
66. Shondel N 439
67. Nydrah G 433
68. Evelyn C 418
69. Luis T 392
70. Skye R 344
71. Qi Yuan H 324

Interview with Queens Pioneer IM Alex Lenderman

EV: Congrats on your very impressive record, Alex! Which are you more proud of, the perfect score or the 2 back to back GOTW prizes?

AL: I would say just doing the best I can every game, coming prepared, and most importantly coming through for my team in very important spots for my team, the team is the key for me, most important. So it doesn't matter how I do it, whatever works. So definitely 6-0 record, I would never before the start of USCL would think that I'd start off 6-0, and now I don't feel like I'm ready to lose a game

EV: I've read in your blog how deeply you care about the Queens team. How did you come to play for them?

AL: Well, I thought it was a good fit for me for various reasons; I am in pretty good terms with the manager Alex Stripunsky and think very highly of him, I think of him as a big professional. I liked the chemistry of the team ahead of time, when Alex told me some people in the roster: I get along well with Thaler and Parker too.

EV: What do you mean exactly by "big professional"?

AL: Just does things in the right way, always prepares for games, always helps others prepare and gives great tips. For every game he's helped me prepare very well. It's hard to describe because then I'd reveal some of the secrets he tells me about how to go about certain opponents and scouting reports, which Alex told me not to release anymore, given that Mark Ginsburg was upset at him. The ideas are based on opponent's styles and seeing their games and seeing what they feel comfortable or uncomfortable with :)

EV: Ok, new question. Which was your favorite game so far, and in which game were you in the most trouble?

AL: good question… I felt that my cleanest game was against Mark Ginsburg and I really liked that game because I felt that I truly outplayed him. I played solid throughout, made some active and some patient moves when I had to and pressured him the whole game. It also felt good to beat Arizona, because they were my old rivals in High School Nationals and Robby Adamson's team :) and because that they blog a lot.

But I felt my most exciting game was certainly Dean Ippolito. That game felt great, after a tough opening and being outprepared on move 1, I was resourceful, solid, made him use up his time and then made some decent moves. And the fact that the win just saved my team, that was a huge lift, to tie 2-2. It would've been tough to lose 2 in a row, especially to our closest competitors and a draw put us in good hands in the last game.

I felt I was in most trouble with Evan Ju --that game I was on the ropes. I was going to agree to a draw since we were leading 2-0, and I just got the win because Evan had to push too hard and go for complications in time pressure, so there I got a little bit lucky, as I felt overall I got outplayed.

EV: Greg Shahade said to me a couple days ago that he was very impressed with your play in the USCL, that you really hadn't made any big mistakes at all as far as he could see. Do you feel like you are playing so well because you have recently improved, or do you prefer internet games, or some other reason? And do you agree with his assessment?

AL: I feel that I have definitely worked hard lately on my chess using my Dvoretsky books. I have a lot of practical experience whereas the others don't maybe as much. I feel that I have good preparation for every game. I was white 4/6 games which helps :) I am confident every game. Of course, I got some lucky breaks, like vs. Ippolito or Zaikov, where it was hard to analyze every single tactical line, but it all worked out well for me.

EV: I think there is a lot of curiosity about how long you can maintain this amazing record. There are a few board 3s whom you might face in the next month who are also having strong performances. Any thoughts about matchups against Esserman or Shankland?

AL: I try not to think too much ahead, the opponent I think about right now is Emory Tate. Whoever my opponent is, my goal is to just bring out the best.

EV: I'm sure you don't want to give away too much about your preparation for Emory Tate, but I know fans are very excited. Anything you can share with them?

AL: Well, just be ready for anything. :) Get the shock ahead of time.

EV: What does that mean?

AL: Meaning don't get shocked during the game.

EV: I was hoping for something more provocative, like "The patzer Tate better watch out! I'm coming for him!

AL: Oh, ok. Well, I'm ready as I can be.

EV: Can you say anything in general about how you prepare: how long you spend, what you think about, anything like that?

AL: I look at all my opponents' games from both colors sometimes and look at their styles, and what structures they're comfortable or uncomfortable with.

EV: You made an interesting choice to work with Dave Vigorito. How is that going and how do you feel your game has changed as a consequence?

AL: Well he's giving me a reasonable rate which I can't dream of from any GM, and even though it's online with Skype, it works perfectly. I am not a little kid; I don't always need in-person attention. And he was also a good fit for me because he helped my openings tremendously, especially the closed openings. When you have a wider repertoire, you definitely have more confidence.

I feel it's totally normal, as long as the material is worth it, and it's not about taking lessons forever, sometimes just 3-5 lessons, even if it's a 2200 can be very helpful. Not only is Dave very nice, but he's written many books, etc. so he obviously not only knows openings but understands ideas.

EV: I think a lot of people will be curious why you chose someone who is slightly lower rated than you.

AL: I feel for a coach rating means very little; it's all about how good of a coach a person is, and what can he offer you, and how much is it worth. Until I was a 2300 I had a coach who was unrated USCF, he was an experienced coach in Ukraine for 50 years. For 3 years I had him, he was amazing, how professional he was and he really has great understanding of every part of the game. He's about 2000 USCF, and was about that in Ukraine but his knowledge and understanding was worth like 2600 and he coached Krush, Dorfman and Huzman in the past :)

EV: What was his name?

AL: Mikhail Trossman. I mean Kasparov and Anand and all the greats have coaches. Well, not Kasparov ;) But all the greats have someone lower to work with.

EV: I know you are teaching a great deal these days. Are you also going to school? Planning to be professional chess teacher / player?

AL: Yeah I'm teaching quite some time, but mostly in schools, 3 times a week for a wonderful organization, professional organization, Chess in the Schools, and I have a few private students. I'm also a student teacher as I'm in college at Brooklyn College. I'm going to be a math teacher when I finish college, and play and teach chess part-time. Chess is great for me, but I don't see it as my career.

EV: How many hours each week are you teaching?

AL: Hmm… maybe about 15-20, hard to measure accurately, but I also play, and do some other fun activities.

EV: Tell me about your recent and upcoming tournament chess.

AL: I won the state champs recently, which I was pretty happy about. I tied for first with my close friend Justin Sarkar, to whom I recently lost 3.5/4, just got outprepared in all my games. Justin really works hard on his chess, so obviously my motivation is to try to dedicate more time and try to prepare harder. My upcoming tournament is probably Marshall Chess Champs -- first time I would play in it. Very nice tournament, unlikely for a GM norm but I want to try to get Grand Prix points.

EV: Do you guys ever study together?

AL: We study together when we share at tournaments, but he lives too far away, in Westchester.

EV: Will you apply for the Samford at any point?

AL: I applied last year, but Krush and Bhat got it. Luckily this year they added one more spot for it for that reason, so I'm going to apply again this year and then let's just hope for the best.

EV: But they will not give it this year I think? I think they gave out this years’ last year?

AL: Well I just found out a few days ago but they are adding another one this 2009 year, so obviously that was very exciting news for me.

EV: Great! And you will definitely apply?

AL: Yes, no doubt about it. I feel this is the year before Robson and Hess become super players.

EV: Any other hobbies or interests besides chess?

AL: Watching TV, following sports, socializing. But mostly playing and teaching chess. And math: I really love it.

EV: Favorite subtopic in math?

AL: Algebra and the history of math (something involving numbers, and something you have to think about)

EV: Describe your chess style?

AL: Balanced. I can play tactically or I can play positionally or I can play endgames or for opening traps or for psychological traps.

EV: Favorite book, both chess and nonchess?

AL: Hard to tell, I'm not much of a reader, I loved the book on teachers and what it is like to be a teacher and classroom management, etc, I forgot the title. My favorite chess book when I was a beginner was a Karpov/Gik fun book with all exercises, and also Dvoretsky books like Sam Shankland :) I loved the Harry Potter books too.

EV: Are you interested in politics and if so, who are you voting for?

AL: Obama, for sure. I think he'd be a better match for USA: he's very smart, educated, will help the poor people, reduce the chaos from the stupid war. And McCain is too old.

EV: Ok, thanks very much for the interview and good luck on Wednesday against Mr. Tate.

AL: Ok cool. Go Knights! I'll try to beat the hated Boston in the last week. But first I focus on Tate. I will be ready. :)

US Chess League Results for Chinese Folks

Monday, October 13th, 2008
Philadelphia Inventors (2.0-5.0) vs New York Knights (2.0-5.0)
All Time Series Record (New York leads 5.5-2.5) Starts at 7:00 PM ET
Time Control - Game 90 with 30 second increment
Philadelphia Inventors
New York Knights
GM Sergey Kudrin: 2600 0.5 0.5 GM Pascal Charbonneau: 2524
FM Thomas Bartell: 2386 0.0 1.0 GM John Fedorowicz: 2540
IM Richard Costigan: 2288 0.5 0.5IM Jay Bonin: 2370
FM Matthew Bengtson: 2232 0.0 1.0 NM Matthew Herman: 2271
Avg Rating: 2374 Avg Rating: 2426
Philadelphia Total ------- 1.0 3.0-------New York Total

New Jersey Knockouts (4.5-2.5) vs Carolina Cobras (4.5-2.5)

All Time Series Record: (New Jersey leads 1-0) Starts at 7:15 PM ET
Time Control - Game 90 with 30 second increment
New Jersey Knockouts Carolina Cobras
GM Joel Benjamin: 2644 1.0 0.0 IM Lev Milman: 2502
NM Mackenzie Molner: 2397 0.0 1.0 FM Oleg Zaikov: 2376
NM Evan Ju: 2292 0.0 1.0 FM Ron Simpson: 2346
NM Victor Shen: 2265 0.5 0.5 NM Craig Jones: 2320
Avg Rating: 2400 Avg Rating: 2386
New Jersey Total ------- 1.5 2.5-------Carolina Total

Miami Sharks (4.0-3.0) vs Dallas Destiny (4.5-3.5)
All Time Series Record: (Dallas leads 4-3)
Starts at 8:00 PM ET
Time Control - Game 75 with 30 second increment
Miami Sharks Dallas Destiny
GM Julio Becerra: 2640 1.0 0.0 IM Marko Zivanic: 2552 1-0
FM Bruci Lopez: 2486 1.0 0.0 IM Drasko Boskovic: 2504 1-0
FM Osmany Perea: 2453 1.0 0.0 IM John Bartholomew: 2488 1-0
Matan Prilleltensky: 2116 0.5 0.5 WFM Karina Vazirova: 2108 0.5 -0.5
Avg Rating: 2424 Avg Rating: 2413
Miami Total ------- 3.5 0.5 ------- Dallas Total

Wednesday, October 15th, 2008

Baltimore Kingfishers (1.5-5.5) vs Boston Blitz (3.0-4.0)
All Time Series Record (Baltimore leads 3.5-1.5)
Starts at 7:15 PM ET
Time Control - Game 90 with 30 second increment
Baltimore Kingfishers Boston Blitz
GM Sergey Erenburg: 2592 SM Jorge Sammour-Hasbun: 2576 1 -0
IM Larry Kaufman: 2424 SM Denys Shmelov: 2446 0-1
FM Ray Kaufman: 2348 NM Marc Esserman: 2307 0-1
FM Ralph Zimmer: 2328 NM Ilya Krasik: 2144 0-1
Avg Rating: 2423 Avg Rating: 2368
Baltimore Total ------- 1.0 3.0 ------- Boston Total

Chicago Blaze (4.0-3.0) vs Queens Pioneers (5.5-1.5)
All Time Series Record (this is their first match)
Starts at 8:00 PM ET
Time Control - Game 75 with 30 second increment
Chicago Blaze Queens Pioneers
FM Florin Felecan: 2449 GM Alex Stripunsky: 2601 0-1
IM Emory Tate: 2392 IM Alex Lenderman: 2528 0-1 (!!)
FM Mehmed Pasalic: 2375 NM Parker Zhao: 2236 0.5-0.5
IM Angelo Young: 2356 NM Michael Thaler: 2210 0.5-0.5
Avg Rating: 2393 Avg Rating: 2394
Chicago Total ------- 1.0 3.0 ------- Queens Total

San Francisco Mechanics (5.5-1.5) vs Tennessee Tempo (2.0-5.0)
All Time Series Record (San Francisco leads 3-0)
Starts at 8:30 PM ET
Time Control - Game 75 with 30 second increment
San Francisco Mechanics Tennessee Tempo
GM Patrick Wolff: 2623 GM Jaan Ehlvest: 2668 0-1
GM Vinay Bhat: 2481 FM Todd Andrews: 2350 1-0
FM Sam Shankland: 2364 FM John Bick: 2249 1-0
NM Gregory Young: 2232 NM Jim Al-Shamma: 2127 1-0
Avg Rating: 2425 Avg Rating: 2349
San Francisco Total ------- 3.0 1.0 ------- Tennessee Total

Seattle Sluggers (3.5-3.5) vs Arizona Scorpions (2.5-4.5)
All Time Series Record: (this is their first match)
Starts at 9:00 PM ET
Time Control - Game 75 with 30 second increment
Seattle Sluggers Arizona Scorpions
GM Hikaru Nakamura: 2742 IM Levon Altounian: 2535 1-0
FM Slava Mikhailuk: 2437 IM Mark Ginsburg: 2410 1-0
WGM Katerina Rohonyan: 2336 FM Robby Adamson: 2377 0.5 -0.5
NM Michael Lee: 2314 NM Warren Harper: 2351 0-1
Avg Rating: 2457 Avg Rating: 2418
Seattle Total ------- 2.5 1.5 ------- Arizona Total

Extra Chess Books?

A very kind reader, Robert Nunnally (gurdonark to you), wrote to me today and offered to donate some of his old chess books to our chess club at IS 318. It's a really kind thing to do, and I want to both thank him and also ask if anyone else out there has any books they might be willing to part with?

I can promise the books will be heavily read (my students are voracious readers) and greatly appreciated. I'd also be happy to send you a receipt on school letterhead if you can use it for your taxes.

Thanks in advance for anything you can part with. Donations can be mailed to

IS 318 Chess Club
IS 318
101 Walton St
Brooklyn NY 11211

Rochelle in the New York Times

oh yeah

things I'm excited about:

1. Kramnik Anand-- starting very soon!

2. the Tate Lenderman game! Do you know that Tate publicly locked himself into playing board two because he wanted to throw down the gauntlet to Lenderman? How utterly hilarious is the concept of their personalities doing battle? I cannot wait for this monumental clash.

By the way, readers, Tate turned me down when propositioned for an interview. (I tried for your sake, poll voters. I would ask Ilya Krasik, because that would obviously be the greatest interview ever, but I feel like it's asking to be shot down even more brutally. Anyone have any* suggestions/ feel like trying to talk either one of them into an interview?)

3. Religulous -- the Bill Maher movie. Brilliant. My only criticism, and this is minor, is that I disliked the direct light behind him in the closing scene. I definitely liked that he gave his take at the end, and tried to offer a viable social philosophy of atheism/agnosticism, but I think the way the light was shining made him seem as if he were trying to appear messianic.

While we're talking about movies, I just saw Crash (2005) and loved it. Interesting vignettes of intersecting strangers' lives and close ups of emotional human behavior.

Also Towelhead (in theaters), a nuanced portrayal of a Muslim girl growing up in Texas, living with her divorced-but-dating totally unreasonable father and next to a married Army reservist about to be shipped off to Iraq who sexually abuses her. After the abuse she starts sleeping with a boy from school, whom her father hates because he's black. The movie tries to look at where/how several issues intersect: sexual abuse, age of consent, the respect for the armed forces in society, the tolerance or not in the US towards Muslims, the Iraq war, Texan culture. thoughtful + provocative = interesting.

4. the debate Wednesday. I'm happy they will be sitting at a table together (presumably they won't be able to avoid talking) and that the moderator has promised to insist they actually answer the questions.

5. My students are playing their first rated tournament of the year against other schools tomorrow. I'll be seeing a lot of new kids games.

6. election day!

*g-rated, thanks

apocalypse, disappointment, Dwight Schrutt

a few more random thoughts from me....

I was talking to a friend of mine last night who works in the financial markets and I asked him what the worst case scenario is and how likely it was to happen. His response was pretty astonishing-- the worst case scenario is the complete collapse of the economy. As in, no electricity, no government, no running water, no power, no food, people roaming the streets with weapons. And that no one had any idea how likely this was, but it seems at least possible.

And this leads to a lot of new thoughts. Most of which I can't articulate yet.

Actually, the first thing I thought was how surprising. I'd figured I had seen every possible apocalptic scenario in movies: alien invasion, nuclear war, a disease that is both lethal and highly contagious. But not this one. So good job to life for being (potentially) unpredictable.

Another friend of mine said he would be ok with that because he is highly adaptable and would consequently have a big advantage over other people. Which of course made me think of Dwight Schrutt and laugh.

On a totally different topic, I'd like to request that comment makers stop expressing "disappointment" in me. It feels condescending. Disagree all you want, that's great, but please don't put the agency for your emotional reactions on me. I'm not trying to be antagonistic, but I don't know you, you don't really know me, and I am not writing this to fulfill the arbitrary expectations of total strangers. It's just my blog.

I also want to mention that I love this headline, which seems overtly sarcastic in a way I am not used to from MSNBC: Palin pre-empts state report, clears self

Rochelle/ Darrian/ Kasparov

Chessbase reports on the Kasparov simul in Harlem and describes Rochelle's game (Rochelle, bottom left) as the toughest. Former IS 318 student Darrian Robinson (top left) is also mentioned.

looking for my lost shaker of salt

a couple thoughts:

1. Warren Buffet: Obama's answer to the question, "Who would you choose as Treasury Secretary?" What a fabulous answer! And what a novel but brilliant attitude towards filling the Cabinet: ask yourself "Who is the biggest genius and most innovative thinker in this field?" and PICK THAT GUY. Imagine if it was done routinely: figure out who is the most modern, competant leader in the field of transportation and name them transportation secretary!! And education! And everything! hurray! basic common sense!

2. Am I right that McCain walks really, really strangely? He looks almost battery powered.

3. Did you see the lady unable to restrain herself from laughing at the voice of the woman in front of her who asked Obama a question? But other than that, no one in the audience ever moved?

4. Anyone else notice that they loaded the front row with totally bald but not-so-old guys? Sneaky.

USCL Results for Chinese Folks

Monday, October 6th, 2008

Boston Blitz (3.0-3.0) vs New York Knights (1.0-5.0)
All Time Series Record (Series tied 4.5-4.5) Starts at 7:00 PM ET
Time Control - Game 90 with 30 second increment
Boston Blitz New York Knights
GM Larry Christiansen: 2670 0.0 1.0 GM Pascal Charbonneau: 2524
GM Eugene Perelshteyn: 2619 0.5 0.5 GM John Fedorowicz: 2540
NM Marc Esserman: 2307 1.0 0.0 IM Jay Bonin: 2370
NM Ilya Krasik: 2144 0.0 1.0 NM Matthew Herman: 2271
Avg Rating: 2435 Avg Rating: 2426
Boston Total ----- 1.5 2.5 -------New York Total

Queens Pioneers (5.0-1.0) vs New Jersey Knockouts (4.0-2.0)
All Time Series Record: (Queens leads 2.5-0.5)Starts at 7:15 PM ET Time Control - Game 90 with 30 second increment
Queens Pioneers New Jersey Knockouts
GM Alex Stripunsky: 2601 0.5 0.5 GM Joel Benjamin: 2644
IM Eli Vovsha: 2532 0.0 1.0 GM Boris Gulko: 2618
IM Alex Lenderman: 2528 1.0 0.0 IM Dean Ippolito: 2500
Aleksandr Ostrovskiy: 2042 0.5 0.5 Andrew Ng: 2175
Avg Rating: 2426 Avg Rating: 2484
Queens Total ------- 2.0 2.0 -------New Jersey Total

Tennessee Tempo (2.0-4.0) vs Chicago Blaze (3.0-3.0)
All Time Series Record: (Chicago leads 1-0)Starts at 8:00 PM ET Time Control - Game 90 with 30 second increment
Tennessee Tempo Chicago Blaze
IM Ron Burnett: 2412 1.0 0.0 GM Nikola Mitkov: 2601
FM Todd Andrews: 2350 0.0 1.0 IM Jan van de Mortel: 2460
FM Peter Bereolos: 2304 0.5 0.5 FM Mehmed Pasalic: 2375
FM Jerry Wheeler: 2204 0.0 1.0 Ilan Meerovich: 2131
Avg Rating: 2318 Avg Rating: 2392
Tennessee Total ------- 1.5 2.5 ------- Chicago Total

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008

Baltimore Kingfishers (1.5-4.5) vs Carolina Cobras (3.5-2.5)
All Time Series Record (Carolina leads 3-2)Starts at 7:15 PM ET Time Control - Game 90 with 30 second increment
Baltimore Kingfishers Carolina Cobras
GM Sergey Erenburg: 2592 IM Lev Milman: 2502 0.5 -0.5
FM Tegshsuren Enkhbat: 2446 IM Jonathan Schroer: 2441 0-1
FM Ralph Zimmer: 2328 FM Oleg Zaikov: 2376 0-1
NM Aaron Kahn: 2291 Udayan Bapat: 2179 0-1
Avg Rating: 2414 Avg Rating: 2375
Baltimore Total ------- 0.5 3.5 ------- Carolina Total

Dallas Destiny (3.5-2.5) vs Philadelphia Inventors (2.0-4.0)
All Time Series Record (Series tied 1.5-1.5)Starts at 8:00 PM ET Time Control - Game 75 with 30 second increment
Dallas Destiny Philadelphia Inventors
IM Marko Zivanic: 2552 GM Sergey Kudrin: 2600 1-0
IM John Bartholomew: 2488 FM Thomas Bartell: 2386 0-1
FM Igor Shneider: 2396 NM Daniel Yeager: 2349 1-0
WFM Bayaraa Zorigt: 2217 IM Richard Costigan: 2288 0.5 - 0.5
Avg Rating: 2413 Avg Rating: 2405
Dallas Total ------- 2.5 1.5 ------- Philadelphia Total

Arizona Scorpions (2.5-3.5) vs Miami Sharks (3.0-3.0)
All Time Series Record (this is their first match)Starts at 9:00 PM ET Time Control - Game 60 with 30 second increment
Arizona Scorpions Miami Sharks
IM Rogelio Barcenilla: 2560 GM Julio Becerra: 2640 0.5-0.5
FM Danny Rensch: 2411 FM Osmany Perea: 2453 0-1
FM Robby Adamson: 2377 FM Charles Galofre: 2326 0-1
NM Leo Martinez: 2209 NM Eric Rodriguez: 2242 0-1
Avg Rating: 2389 Avg Rating: 2415
Arizona Total ------- 0.5 3.5 ------- Miami Total

San Francisco Mechanics (4.5-1.5) vs Seattle Sluggers (3.5-2.5)
All Time Series Record: (San Francisco leads 3.5-1.5)Starts at 9:00 PM ET Time Control - Game 75 with 30 second increment
San Francisco Mechanics Seattle Sluggers
GM Vinay Bhat: 2481 GM Hikaru Nakamura: 2742 1-0
IM John Donaldson: 2422 FM Slava Mikhailuk: 2437 0-1
FM Sam Shankland: 2364 FM John Readey: 2296 1-0
FM Daniel Naroditsky: 2321 Andy May: 2134 1-0
Avg Rating: 2397 Avg Rating: 2402
San Francisco Total ------- 3.0 1.0 ------- Seattle Total

Kasparov - Smyslov, 1984

I have a new chess project:
I'm going to study the games from the 1984 Kasparov -Smyslov match. I'm very excited about it. First of all, it's an awesome awesome match with lots of classic middlegame structures and some rocking endings. Plus it's the old guy against the new guy in the Candidates Final. Great openings: some Tarraschs (I'm trying to learn this), some super-sophisticated Slavs, some isolated d-pawn positions. And I've never studied anyone's games, so a match seems like a nice, managable place to start. Don't you think?

This is how I'm going to do it:

1. For each game, first I'm going to guess the moves for one side.

2. Then I'm going to go through and stop at 3-6 points in the game and try to predict what Rybka's assessment of the position is. Just to see if I'm on the right track about the trends of the game. Doesn't that sound like a fun little exercise: "What does Rybka think?"? I can give myself rewards for guessing close to the right number.

3. Then I'm going to try to annotate it by myself a little. Just fill in important calculations or candidate moves.

4. Then I'm going to read some annotated version and have rybka running to answer any questions I have. I think Kasparov describes the games in something I read recently.

Interview with San Fransisco Mechanic FM Sam Shankland

EV: It seems like the SF Mechanics are all good friends, and in particular you, Vinay, Josh, and David seem close. Describe the influence (both how and to what extent) these three have influenced your chess development or style.

SS : Well we have studied a lot together. I was Vinay's student when I was around 1900 or so, and took lessons with Josh when I was 2150 or so. Now that I can at least pretend to be as strong as them, we can have good analysis sessions, especially over the summer when we would all analyze at Josh's place. They have all been a huge help in the league as well-- for example Vinay showed me the line I used in round 1 against Igor Schneider, and the preparation proved to be useful.

EV: Would you say Vinay has had the biggest influence on your chess? Can you see anything specific of his chess style in yourself?

SS : I guess in pure USCL games, yes, although don't count Josh and David out. David saw me at my first state championship when I was about 1000 and he has kept a watch on me ever since. I think our playing styles are very similar. But I think since analyzing with Vinay, my positional sense and defensive skills have also improved.

And almost all of my openings come from Josh, so they all have had quite a bit of influence on me. There is a stereotype that all people on the west coast do not know their openings. While it’s obviously not completely true, I have definitely seen that east coast players know their openings better. Josh knows more theory than me and David combined, so Josh did quite a bit of work with me on my openings, which I think have improved quite a bit.

One other person you might not expect is Danya Naroditsky. We have played more than 10 OTB games and countless blitz games on ICC. His openings are very strong as well, most notably the Najdorf. His knowledge of the Najdorf is phenomenal, and Josh's is not as amazing because he is a Lopez player. Danya basically refuted my first line against the Najdorf, and his brother employed it against me once.

John has helped me prep a lot too, and he can be credited for some of my success.

EV : Openings mostly?

SS : Yes, but he’s also talked to me about personal issues at school, good workout routines.

EV : And was his advice good? What I mean is, it’s always nice to have someone listen to you and empathize, but did he offer you strong concrete advice?

SS: Yes, he understands how other people’s minds work quite a bit better than I do. For example, one time he talked to me about this expert that I’ve played a few times who I had a personal problem with. And he offered his opinion. I was in general just pissed that the guy would always take a bye if he’d play me with black and whenever he was white he’d play the London system and beg for a draw. So I did not like him very much. But then John told me that he does that as white because he feels it is unsportsmanlike to win on preparation, i.e. ideas that are not your own.

EV : Ideas that are not your own... hmm... strange thing to object to maybe, but ok.

SS : Yeah, I don’t agree, and I still don’t like him, but I understand where he is coming from. Now the byes whenever I’d have white, that’s another story…

EV : I agree it’s nice to have someone who is basically on your side point out the motivations of someone you are angry with. Usually when I’m angry I’m not as good at thinking about the other person and seeing their point of view.

SS: Yeah, same here.

EV: Can you make a comparison of the difference in the type of knowledge you get from working informally in a study group with friends and taking lessons with a teacher?

SS : I actually find that in general working with a study group is much more beneficial, although I could be biased because when I first started analysis sessions with David, Josh, and Vinay (and, at the time, Alan Stein) I was much weaker than I am now and much weaker than all of them. Formal lessons can be good, but there can be a lack of diversity in the instruction you get, and opinions on any one given position can vary drastically in 2 equally strong players.

EV: Of any of these three or four or five guys, can you tell me a story of something you saw them do or something they said to you that had some non-chess influence on you?

SS: Hmm that’s a really good question… lemme think for a second. Ok, I'm going to have to go with something David said to me once. It’s somewhat chess related but not really.

It was back in 2006, right before the finals, and Vinay had consistently been a monstrosity in the league, and our best performer. But we did not know his availability for the championship match, so we did not put him in the lineup. It turned out later that he could indeed play, and I asked David if we should play Vinay and move him down to 3 and take the small time penalty, because it would probably be a stronger lineup.

David gave me a firm "no."

I asked him whether he thought the time penalty would be too much, and he replied “No, it’s just rude.”

And then, as it happens, we won the championship match, and David won a nice game on board 2, where we would have had Vinay. I guess showing that even if manipulating things to your advantage works, use what you have and you can still win.

EV: And this impressed you because you admire his principles, or you admire politeness, or you think he had some special intuitive sense of what would win?

SS: Yeah, principles and how he defended them by preparing hard, playing well, and making the most of our B lineup.

EV: It might be that you have answered my next question with this story, but I will ask it anyway. Which of these guys you admire the most on a personal level and for what quality? Or you don’t have to choose and could answer the question as "what quality of character do you like best in Vinay, Josh and David?"

SS: I think the quality I admire most in those three is how Josh manages to always see the best in people, both as people and as players. I never hear him say anything bad about just about anybody and he very seldom refuses a post-mortem.

EV : Wow, that's such a great thing to say about someone… it's a great thing just to notice about someone, in fact.

SS: Josh is just a great person like that … for Vinay, I like how he’s always polite. Josh is awesome and sees the best in people, but his jokes can sometimes be a bit much. Vinay jokes around too, but he is very good about sensing when it is too much.

And David I just like how dedicated he is to his morals, even though I of course don't agree with all of them. He would never sell his morals out for anything. For example, he refused to give his scoresheet in Las Vegas after he just had a masterpiece against the now 2700+ GM Nakamura, even though it would give him glory and make people see how good he is.

EV: But what's the principle there?

SS : He felt that players losing money from the prize fund so that the tournament could pay Monroi to broadcast games was wrong, and that he shouldn’t have to pay to play the tournament and the one thing he makes there just give away for free.

EV : That’s a complicated issue I think, as broadcasting games does much good for chess?

SS : It is; I’m not taking any positions, just saying I like how he did not sell out his morals.

EV : Makes sense. New question: I’ve seen a couple photos / heard a couple stories about you arm wrestling or doing one handed push–ups with other chess players. Is the rush of beating someone at chess and the rush of beating someone at arm-wrestling the same for you?

SS : Well, the physical stuff is more as a joke. I did not have a rush of energy or a huge desire to beat Dean Ippolito because I knew it would just never happen. To be honest, that arm wrestle started after I asked him if he would resign if I beat him in an arm wrestle. He replied no, but let’s arm wrestle anyways.

EV: But it's still a head to head contest where you slowly overpower someone right? There's still that competitive intensity?

SS : Yes, but I don't take it as seriously as chess, not even close.

EV: And one-handed pushups with Donaldson? HOW DID HE BEAT YOU??

SS : Ok, first off, last I checked, 6>4, so he did not beat me.
Although his first time, he did get more than I did. But if you take the best tries, I got more.

EV : So you claim you are an improving youth, even if he is a more accomplished one-handed-push-up IM? Perhaps you must practice with your study group? They could spot you at the gym?

SS : Lol I guess... I did practice them for awhile, because I could not do 2 handed ones, because of the unfortunate accident at the US Chess School, although now I'm starting to be able to again. David tried, he got 0. Josh probably could not do any. I don’t know about Vinay. John is definitely in good shape for an old man.

EV: Where I’m going with the question is that you've improved a huge amount in the last year, 2220-2420 it looks like, and I’m wondering what was responsible for this besides the study group. Specifically, to what extent you think it was sheer competitiveness/ desire to win?

SS : Increased competiveness is a big thing. Two years ago I was about 2250, and maybe 2200 strength max. And I had 2 wretched tournaments and lost 45 points. I "quit" for about 3 months, but I studied and reinvented myself. Since then I have been improving, and I think around now my rating has caught up. I do not expect to rip through 2400-2500 like I did 2200-2300 and 2300-2400.

EV : How did you convince yourself to return to chess?

SS : In the end, I tried to convince myself otherwise, but I just love this game. And I’m very competitive and didn’t like the thought of people passing me.

EV: Anyone in particular?

SS : Well, just about anybody I play against is my rival, although I still like them just fine. I want to have a + score vs everybody, no matter who they are. But I was thinking of people like John Bryant, Dan Yeager, Evan Ju, and many others on the top 100 list. That is not to say anything about them as a person. I know all 3, and I like them all very much.

Another important factor in my improvement in the last year was Denys Shmelov. We played a lot of training games this summer, and I saw both our play in various openings improve.

EV : Where and what time control?

SS : ICC, 90 0: serious games and we would analyze after.

EV: How many games?

SS: Probably at least 8, though I didn’t keep track. It was nice because our styles are very different and we are very close in strength. He’s positional and has a good sense of plans. My plans are not as good, but my opening repertoire is more versatile, and my calculation may be better, but I don’t know.

EV: How much do you think ICC is responsible for your improvement? I recently read an interview with Nigel Short in which he opines that ICC is the main cause of young players improving more rapidly now at the highest level than was possible in the past. Agree or disagree?

SS : When it comes to young kids, ICC blitz can be very helpful: helps with tactics and pattern recognition. But as they get older, it can develop bad habits of moving too fast, or playing too much on intuition without concrete calculation

EV: That happened to you?

SS: Yes. I moved way too fast for a long time. I still have that problem, but not as bad.

EV: What's your next major area of studying focus? Like do you have plans to learn an opening, or work on queen endings, or prepare for a tournament, or read a particular book?

SS : I don't know, haven’t thought about it much. I don't see myself working on chess much in my first semester. As a second semester senior, I will work a lot more. Once senioritis kicks in, I will probably start with endgames and technique.

EV : I see you are going to Vietnam for the World Youth, later this month. What's your goal? And are you doing any specific prep?

SS : No time for any real prep, my goal is to make the top 10, although based on the entries so far, it will be a longshot, as there are multiple GMs.

EV: So why didn’t you want to play last week?

SS: Mondays in general are very difficult for me. My last class does not meet on Wednesdays and the classes are longer on Mondays. I'm done about an hour and a half later on Mondays and it’s much harder to play, play well, and finish homework.

EV: But you are playing again this Monday. Board by board, rate SF's prospects?

SS : Wolff vs. Naka: Patrick is awesome and a very talented player but I cant ignore 2700 FIDE: I’d give Naka an edge, especially because he seems to be taking USCL more seriously this year.

Serper is always tough with white, but Vinay is a good defender and can hold his own. I'd predict a draw.

EV : And you?

SS : Tough question. I have not seen nearly as many of Readey's games but from what I have seen he can be quite strong.

EV : But you are white and outrate him by quite a bit?

SS: I think based on ratings, past history etc. and virtue of having the white pieces, I'd be a favorite but not a huge one. And if I lose I can look forward to people calling me arrogant!

EV : Oh well, in chess everyone does a weird dance around pretending they are not expecting to win. It's not like I didn’t ask you and you went around shouting "I WILL CRUSH JOHN READEY!!” I don’t think anyone can take offense at an opponent saying they expect to win a game: it’s just normal.

SS : Yeah, I mean, ok, I should be a favorite but the game is far from in the bag

EV : And then Danya's game is must-win for you probably?

SS : Yeah, and I think even with black, Danya is a favorite. I think he is underrated and has performed well in the league this year.

EV : How much interest do you take in matches that do not involve SF?

SS : Based on my competitive nature and wanting SF to win, I take some interest in Dallas and Queens. And I take interest in any game a friend of mine or someone I know or have played/ is playing, although not necessarily their team.

EV : So would you have an opinion, for example, on the outcome of the upcoming Queens - NJ match?

SS: I want NJ to win. Among other things, Joel is my hero. Although if Queens wont get swept, I hope their point comes on board 4. I played Ostrovskiy once, he seems to be a nice kid and reminds me of myself when I was his age.

EV : Yes, I know what you mean about Ostovskiy, in the sense that he's ambitious and loves chess.

SS: Yeah, also he gave me another free analysis game at Kasparov's seminar because he brought our game, so I got 5, not 4.

EV : Any prediction for board 3? Lenderman - Dean?

SS: Lenderman has white? I think dean should be able to hold down the fort; I’m guessing they will get an = position, and depending on how the match is going, someone could lash out and lose. Dean is well booked and very solid, but hard to ignore 5-0 from Lenderman.

EV : Of all the games you've played in the USCL, which is your favorite?

SS : My game with Richard Costigan. I mean, did you see that g file?!?!? Apart from that, I thought it was a very interesting game.

EV : Do you read a lot of the blogs and commentary on the USCL? What's your favorite and what, if any, do you take issue with?

SS : I try to post stuff for our own blog, and read anything about the Mechanics, and I always read Ginsburg's because it make me laugh. Some of the stuff he’s written about me, is irritating as well as hilarious. Like saying I won week 1 because “Schneider did not show up," when I played a fine game. And his h6 move was forced, not bad. And then he analyzed my game with Galofre and criticized my opening bigtime.

I’m currently 2425 USCF. Last time he beat someone rated that high in a USCF rated game was 2005. He’s still winless in the USCL and thinks he has any business criticizing my games, including giving a move like b6 3 question marks when I doubt anyone can prove an edge after e5 fxe5 fxe5 bb7 exd6 rac8. Well, b6 is not the most accurate, but I don’t think white can get much of an advantage: it’s not a "lemon." Sure, Kf8 was more accurate but b6 was not a ???

EV : Hahhaha, been checking Ginsburg’s results?

SS : Yeah, I had some free time on my hands wanted to see his qualifications, lol…

EV : And do you generally feel like lower rated players shouldn’t criticize the moves of stronger players? Or that they have an extra obligation to be accurate? Or nice? Or something else?

SS : Accurate, yes; nice, no. And, ok, Ginsburg and I have similar ratings, though my FIDE is a bit higher. At least for me, it’s more about my having never met him and his apparent interest in slandering my games. And he is winless after 5 games and I’m +9 lifetime.

EV: Good stuff. Anything else you want to get out there? A message for USCL fans?

SS : LOOK FOR THE MECHANICS TO BE THE FIRST REPEAT CHAMPIONS

EV : If you make the playoffs and the lineup was up to you, who would you play?

SS : Depends a lot on the opponents, but i think our strongest lineup is Wolff-Josh-me-Danya. Although Vinay can easily step in on 2, and then Josh or Wolff on 1.

Chess in the Parks

The annual Chess in the Parks tournament was today at Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. Below are some of my favorite pictures of my students. More are at http://www.318chessteam.blogspot.com/.

Rebecca
Rochelle, 1750. She was up a pawn against Kasparov in his simul last week. He reportedly had to spend 40 minutes at her board (I couldn't stay to watch; I had to take the other kids home by then) and later called it his toughest game.

Sekou, Alexis, Pobo, Myles: the last three were key scorers on 318 K-6 Championship team. Average rating = 1600. (Sekou is in 6th grade this year.)

Alexis : tied for second at last year's National Elementary.

Carlos

Juan, Adolfo, Cesar, Christopher: new to the team.

Pobo: the happiest kid in the world

Emmanuel: Joel's little brother

JP with Yuri Lapshun

Lisa: touching the rook?

Randy

JieJing

Joel

always the life of the party: Jonathan Corbblah

always picturesque: central park

USCL Results for Chinese Folks

I understand that the USCL site is blocked by the Chinese internet firewall, but that mine isn't, so while the Americans are in China, I will try to keep the USCL results updated here for them.

Monday, September 29th, 2008
New York Knights (1.0-4.0) vs Seattle Sluggers (2.5-2.5)
All Time Series Record (New York leads 2-0)
Starts at 9:00 PM ET Time Control - Game 60 with 30 second increment
New York Knights
Seattle Sluggers

GM John Fedorowicz: 2540 0.0 1.0 GM Hikaru Nakamura: 2742
IM Irina Krush: 2534 1.0 0.0 GM Gregory Serper: 2592
IM Jay Bonin: 2370 0.5 0.5 FM Marcel Milat: 2354
NM Evan Rosenberg: 2222 0.0 1.0 Andy May: 2134
Avg Rating: 2417 Avg Rating: 2456

New York Total ------- 1.5 2.5 -------Seattle Total

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona Scorpions (2.5-2.5) vs San Francisco Mechanics (3.5-1.5)

All Time Series Record: (this is their first match)

Starts at 9:30 PM ET
Time Control - Game 75 with 30 second increment
Arizona Scorpions
San Francisco Mechanics

IM Rogelio Barcenilla: 2560 0.5 0.5 IM Vinay Bhat: 2481
IM Mark Ginsburg: 2410 0.0 1.0 IM David Pruess: 2479
FM Danny Rensch: 2411 0.0 1.0 NM Sam Shankland: 2364
NM Leo Martinez: 2209 0.5 0.5 FM Daniel Naroditsky: 2321
Avg Rating: 2398 Avg Rating: 2411

Arizona Total ------- 1.0 3.0 -------San Francisco Total

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, October 1st
Carolina Cobras (2.5-2.5) vs Queens Pioneers (5.0-0.0)
All Time Series Record: (This is their first match)
Starts at 7:00 PM ET Time Control - Game 90 with 30 second increment
Carolina Cobras Queens Pioneers
IM Lev Milman: 2502 IM Dmitry Schneider: 2508 .5-.5
FM Oleg Zaikov: 2376 IM Alex Lenderman: 2528 0-1
FM Ron Simpson: 2346 NM Michael Thaler: 2210 1 -0
Udayan Bapat: 2179 Benjamin Katz: 2108 1-0
Avg Rating: 2351 Avg Rating: 2339
Carolina Total ------- 2.5 1.5 ------- Queens Total


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New Jersey Knockouts (3.5-1.5) vs Baltimore Kingfishers (1.0-4.0)
All Time Series Record: (New Jersey leads 2-1)
Starts at 7:15 PM ET Time Control - Game 90 with 30 second increment
New Jersey Knockouts Baltimore Kingfishers

GM Joel Benjamin: 2644 GM Sergey Erenburg: 2592 0-1
IM Dean Ippolito: 2500 FM Tegshsuren Enkhbat: 2446 1-0
NM Mackenzie Molner: 2397 FM Ray Kaufman: 2348 1-0
NM Victor Shen: 2265 NM Aaron Kahn: 2291 0-1
Avg Rating: 2452 Avg Rating: 2419
New Jersey Total ------- 2.0 2.0 ------- Baltimore Total


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Boston Blitz (3.0-2.0) vs Philadelphia Inventors (1.0-4.0)
All Time Series Record (Boston leads 5.5-0.5)
Starts at 7:30 PM ET Time Control - Game 90 with 30 second increment
Boston Blitz Philadelphia Inventors

SM Jorge Sammour-Hasbun: 2576 GM Sergey Kudrin: 2600 0-1
IM David Vigorito: 2431 FM Thomas Bartell: 2386 0-1
SM Denys Shmelov: 2446 IM Richard Costigan: 2288
NM Ilya Krasik: 2144 FM Matthew Bengtson: 2232
Avg Rating: 2399 Avg Rating: 2377
Boston Total ------- 0.5 3.5 ------- Philadelphia Total


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Chicago Blaze (2.5-2.5) vs Miami Sharks (2.5-2.5)
All Time Series Record (this is their first match)
Starts at 8:00 PM ET Time Control - Game 75 with 30 second increment
Chicago Blaze Miami Sharks

GM Nikola Mitkov: 2601 GM Julio Becerra: 2640 0-1
IM Emory Tate: 2392 IM Blas Lugo: 2393 1-0
IM Angelo Young: 2356 FM Charles Galofre: 2326 1-0
NM Jon Burgess: 2263 NM Eric Rodriguez: 2242 0-1
Avg Rating: 2403 Avg Rating: 2400
Chicago Total ------- 2.0 2.0 ------- Miami Total


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Tennessee Tempo (1.0-4.0) vs Dallas Destiny (3.5-1.5)
All Time Series Record (Dallas leads 3.5-0.5)
Starts at 8:15 PM ET Time Control - Game 75 with 30 second increment
Tennessee Tempo Dallas Destiny

GM Jaan Ehlvest: 2668 IM Marko Zivanic: 2552 .5- .5
FM Todd Andrews: 2350 IM John Bartholomew: 2488 1-0
FM Peter Bereolos: 2304 FM Igor Shneider: 2396 .5-.5
NM Brian McCarthy: 2207 WFM Bayaraa Zorigt: 2217 5.-.5
Avg Rating: 2382 Avg Rating: 2413

Tennessee Total ------- 2.5 1.5 ------- Dallas Total